Canoe Family forgoes paddling to Landing Day due to rough waters

PORT ANGELES -- With rough waters posing a challenge, the Grand Ronde Canoe Family decided not to participate in the final leg of paddling to the Landing Day ceremony Thursday, July 31.

Landing Day was scheduled to take place at the mouth of the Elwha River near Port Angeles, Wash. It was moved mid-morning due to the dangerous conditions. This year’s Canoe Journey is hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Grand Ronde is one of several Tribes who made the difficult decision to forgo paddling to Landing Day, after a small tsunami reached Oregon and Washington waters Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

"After the tsunami, that was kind of the turning point, Grand Ronde Tribal member Dana Ainam said. "This water is always challenging, even without that."

Windy conditions added to the challenge and Canoe Family leaders made the decision on Wednesday night, in the interest of safety.

Some Tribes intended to make the final landing but were urged to leave early in the morning to avoid the roughest water. Some videos posted on the Facebook page, “Almost Official Paddle To Elwha,” show canoes in churning, rough waters as paddlers make their way across. According to some eyewitnesses, one canoe capsized and paddlers were rescued by a Navy boat. 

Protocol follows Landing Day, and will take place from Friday, Aug. 1 to Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Lower Elwha Reservation.