FLIGHT 261 MEMORIAL
Flt. 261 went down off of the coast of Channel Islands Harbor. All of the 88
passengers and crew members were lost at sea. They dove into the deep waters
off of Anacapa Island.
I announced a Memorial Paddle for the victims of Flt. 261 on the Santa
Barbara Kayak Association mailing list. I wasn't a member of CKF at that
time. David Powdrell came to my rescue and asked that all in support this
effort. From here the paddle mushroomed into far more than I had ever conceived.
I contacted the Harbor Master for permission to hold this event as the local
waters were restricted since they were looking for the victims. The Harbor
Master gave me permission and I started making the paddle plan.
The Harbor Master called me back a couple of days later and wanted me to talk
with Smitty. I had no idea what this was about. Smitty came on the phone
and started telling me about the Dove Service he had. I thought the man was
trying to sell me something at first. Look, I'll release my 88 white doves
during the Memorial he explained to me. This would normally cost $300.00 but
I'll do it for free Smitty told me. I was elated and couldn't believe this
was happening.
Smitty needed a large boat to release his doves from though. I called a
local Yacht Club and spoke with the manager. I'll call you right back he
explained. In ten minutes the Commodore of the Yacht Club called me and
offered his 50 footer for free. I was amazed at the people wanting to become
involved.
Next CNN and I started playing phone tag with one another. Then the LA Times
and the Daily News called. Finally, the local TV station KEYTV became
involved. Next, Mike from Channel Islands Kayak Center offered kayaks to any
one that wanted to take part for free. I was amazed to say the least. This
event had mushroomed into much more that I had expected.
We paddled out of Channel Islands Harbor heading towards the breakwater. We
had 40 paddlers on the water and the Harbor Patrol was escorting us with
they're blue lights flashing.
As we paddled out, people were lining the banks of the jetty clapping and
waving as we paddled out. KEYTV had announced it days before and the people
were out. We had a very large reporter from CNN that had never been in a
kayak before paddling with us. The LA Times and the Daily News were all
along the shore line waiting.
We turned southwest towards Silverstrand Beach and the swells were quite
large. The Harbor Master and I were in radio contact and he requested that
we stay out and away from the shore break. We formed a kayak circle with the
40 kayakers. The Yacht with the TV crew and Smitty with his 88 pure white
virgin doves came into position.
We all lowered our heads and said the Lords Prayer together. We then had a
few moments of silence for our own personal thoughts. I symbolically raised
my paddle towards heaven and all 40 paddlers raised they're paddles at the
same time. At that moment, the 88 white doves were released. The doves
scattered over our heads, gathered into a flock and flew towards the shore
line. They then flew south along the beach. We could hear the oooues and
ahhhhs coming from the people on the jetty and along the beach watching.
The attached picture shows the power of the moment. I believe that Ray
wanted me to rewrite this event to show that even us as mere kayakers can
make a difference. In good and bad times, we can make a difference folks.
Keep paddling and always paddle safe.
Greg
AKA Kayakboy
Submitted on December 29, 2000