the closest is the Ship Canal, no current to speak of but similar in other respects to what the photos I've seen show.

There area few river bars leading out to the Pacific that develop interesting conditions such as Grays Harbor Bar, Willapa Bar, and Columbia River Bar. These are contained by rip rap and, as I mentioned can develop in common conditions at the turn of the tide 11'+ breakers. I've paddled through a few of the river bars and associated tide races and I've had a good time doing it.

Most of the places with swift currents are places like the Tacoma Narrows, Deception Pass, Cattle Pass and a many others. Up north of us we also have Okisollo, Surge Narrows and Skookumchuck to name a few other tidal rapids/races.