Hobie Beach
Patrick and I had planned a launch between 9 and 10 this
morning. Late last night I received an email from Scott Weersing that he and
Misha and Colleen would be launching at 8:30 from Hobie Beach in Channel Islands
Harbor. Scott and I have talked over time in emails but had never met and paddled
together before. Thanks for the invite Scott and it was great meeting you.
I arrived at Hobie Beach at 8:00 and nobody had arrived yet. I noticed that
the waves were crashing over the breakwater and I wanted to check it out a
little closer to see what we were in for. I drove to the beginning of Silver
Strand Beach and met Patrick there. He wasn't sure of the exact location of
Hobie Beach and was there looking at the waves and asking directions. We
headed to the other end of the Strand to look at the outer waters from a
higher vantage point. The break was huge with waves hitting the beach at
around 12 feet. There was an off shore wind and the surfers were in
paradise. There were large swells but they were clean and free of chop or
wind waves. Now we were in paradise as well.
We met Misha and Colleen back at Kiddie Beach as there were to many rocks at
Hobie Beach. Soon Scott arrived and we were in our boats and on the water.
Every piece of gear I own had shrunk from the high dry winds over the past
several days. My neoprene spray skirt and deck lines for my rudder were
giving me fits. After throwing a little water on them, I was ready and we
were off.
This was not my paddle and I asked Misha where we were heading. 3 miles
north to the Electric Company he said. I've paddled with Misha and Colleen
before a few times and they're both great paddlers. Colleen weighs in at
about 100 lb. and paddles her Current Design Sport with the speed and agility
to keep up with any man. Misha paddles his glass Looksha IV like he owns the
water. He's completely at ease with his boat. Patrick and I had recently
met and paddled together after the race I recently had with Sam. Pat paddles
his Looksha IV like it fits him with all the comfort of a lamb skin glove.
Scott has been paddling his Looksha IV since 98 I believe he told me. I was
with 4 very good and competent paddlers to say the least.
As we left the Northwest side of the breakwater, we were greeted by 7 to 10
foot clean swells. We paddled at a sharp angle towards open ocean. Once we
were about a mile to mile and a half out, we headed northeast towards the
Electric Company. I can only say that I looked at the swells as they passed
us and the mountains on the shore line would disappear as the swells grew
heading towards shore. Woo hoo, yeeee haaaa, we were riding some very large
swells. Look at that I yelled to Misha and Colleen and the rest. About the
first 1.5 miles of the paddle we were picking up the beginning of wind waves.
I was becoming concerned about the conditions we might encounter on our
homeward bound leg.
We arrived at the Electric Company in what seemed to be record time. This
was only due to the fact that we kept switching paddling partners and enjoyed
a constant conversation all the way there. We just floated together for
about an hour enjoying each others company and conversations. Wow, what a
perfect mesh of personalities! The temperature was rising, the ocean and
winds were now calm, and we were riding large clean swells. What a perfect
paddle this was.
We headed back and the conditions couldn't have been more perfect. The
swells were still large and kept it interesting the whole way back. We were
riding the downhill side of the swells and having a blast. Just south of the
Embassy Suites we saw a Coast Guard Helicopter going through a coastal search
pattern. Possible lost swimmer or surfer we thought. The coastal break was
far to large for us to go into to try and help.
As we came into the near shoreline, the surf and swells grew. We made it in
and behind the breakwater and it was nasty in this normally protected area.
I have no idea what this was about but there was more chop than we had seen
all day.
As we landed, Pete was driving up and unloading his gear. Nasty on the
inside of the break I commented to him. Nasty is good and fun was his reply
back.
Scott, thanks for the invitation dude and it was great to finally meet you
and paddle together.
Misha and Colleen, it's always great paddling with you guys.
Patrick, your a new paddling buddy and you handle your boat really well.
Your a good guy and fun to paddle with...
I'll be doing crossings to both Anacapa and Santa Cruz this coming summer. I
hope you'll all be along with me.
BTW...We had three plastic Necky Looksha IV today, one glass Looksha IV, and
Colleen in her beautiful Current Design Sport glass boat.
You guys are all great....
Gregg
Submitted on December 27, 2000