Paddle Challenge | Photo: Jeff Buege
Fjordin Crossin is a fun family event that celebrates an Aquavit tradition of sending a barrel of Aquavit in a ship from Norway across the Equator and back again. The Fjordin Crossin Aquavit crosses the Hood Canal, the only saltwater Fjord in the lower 48.
Photo:Jeff Buege
June 22
Schedule
11:00 AM – Food, libations, and vendors open at the Hoodsport Dock. Paddle the Canal registration open.
12:40 PM – Parade from the Distillery to the dock with the barrel of Aquavit. Led by Scandinavian fiddle and accordion musicians.
1:00 PM – Crossing the Fjord begins:
Barrel of aged Dill Aquavit travels from the Port of Hoodsport toward Tahuya and back, and when it returns, the Aquavit has been Fjordin Crossin. The Paddle the Canal challenge begins.Family and pet friendly paddle comprised of canoes, kayaks, SUPs and/or small sailboats. The Lady Alderbrook arrives. Guests on the boat cheer on Paddle participants, and enjoy Hardware Distillery aquavit cocktails.
2:00 PM – Award ceremony and prizes for the Paddle Challengers.
3:00 PM – After party in Hoodsport. Visit the shops, restaurants, distillery and brewery.
There are plenty of fjords in Canada and Alaska, but averaging 150' deep in some spots and as much as 600' in others, Hood Canal is the only saltwater access fjord (carved by a glacier) in the lower 48.
It is fitting therefore that six years ago Jan and Chuck Morris, owners of the Hardware Distillery, decided to coin "Fjordin Crossin" to celebrate the annual release of their Hoodsport distilled aquavit. Playing on a Scandinavian tradition of crossing the equator to "age" the spirit with the rocking of the boat, they reached out to local charter operator and friend, Lee Geist. to cross the "fjord" on the MV Tahuya with the barrel.
The event was eagerly embraced by the community. Over the last half decade it has grown to include a non-motorized paddle across the canal challenge hosted by Hood Canal Events. Participants can bring their own watercraft, rent from Hood Canal
Adventures, who are set up with kayaks at the beach, or, if they have no desire to paddle but want to be part of the action and excitement --book passage on Lady Alderbrook from Alderbrook Resort, to cross Hood Canal alongside the barrel aged aquavit in celebration of a historic Nordic tradition.
When the parade arrives at the dock at about noon, the Hardware Distillery launches a barrel of aged Dill Aquavit travels from the Port of Hoodsport toward Tahuya and back, and when it returns, the Aquavit has been Fjordin Crossin.
On board the Lady Alderbrook Aquavit cocktails are served, and participants take in the day’s festivities from the center of the action. Spectators can purchase advance tickets from the Alderbrook Resort.
On shore there is plenty to do including vendors, oysters, a parade, artisans and children's crafts. Under the pier, the adult Aquavit Garden serves cocktails on the beach as they await the arrival of the tide which will eventually send them to higher ground and move the events into the lively main street of Hoodsport.