Seen on the Sound

First, a reader question for anyone and everyone in WSB-land. After that, three photos — not related to the reader question except that they are also things seen on/over Puget Sound. So here we go —

i’m curious if anyone else has seen a mysterious man, paddling STANDING UP on the Sound. we saw him last night about 6 pm, couldn’t believe our eyes!Ã‚Â then, at 9 am this morning, we saw the same guy (we’re assuming). when we looked through our binoculars, itÃ‚Â appeared thatÃ‚Â he was standing up on something resembling a surfboard as he paddles.Ã‚Â has anyone else seen him or knows what it is he is doing?

If you do, leave a comment. Now, three photos we took around sunset tonight from the northern shores of Lincoln Park. Some of the folks on the boat in the first photo (which appeared to be related to an outdoor party at one of the waterfront homes just past the park) were actually jumping into the water. Brrr!

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Michelle July 30, 2007 (6:42 am)

Yes, I live on Beach Drive and I see this man paddling on his surfboard all the time. Sometimes he’s laying down paddling with his arms and sometimes he stands up and paddles. Last week someone called 911 because they thought that he was in distress. My husband and I told the police and medics that he’s out there most days.

SomeGuy July 30, 2007 (7:25 am)

I haven’t seen him but it sounds like he is doing a little “Stand Up Paddle Surfing” or SUP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_up_paddle_surfing

Chris M July 30, 2007 (7:47 am)

I’ve seen a similar sight while driving across the I-90 bridge… a man seemingly standing on the water, paddling his way across the lake!

Watching closely July 30, 2007 (8:27 am)

We saw him up close from our boat 2 weekends ago. It looked like he was headed to Magnolia (we saw him by Duwamish Head) Seemed like a long way to paddle.

fiz July 30, 2007 (4:53 pm)

We saw a lot of this in Hawaii last spring. We were told it is an old form of travel that is enjoying a revival.

Pelicans July 30, 2007 (11:37 pm)

I’ve seen him often lately off Alki Point and south of it. He can sometimes be found quite a ways out near the traffic lanes. In the fog, he looks spooky and etherial. I saw him approaching the beach one night last week near sunset, after sitting for a rest, with a bold (or hungry) sea lion checking him out from a few feet away. Curiosity made me head out on the sidewalk to watch him bring his board and paddle up the steps to his SUV. Seems like just a normal guy who travels to a different drummer, I guess. Tonight he was just sitting on the board a ways out enjoying the sunset. I think he might just like to have the best front row seat for the view, is all.