Kiddie Beach to Ventura Harbor
Gregg Remer met Beth, Tim, and
Patrick at Kiddie Beach. We launched ready to make our way to Ventura Harbor.
I had observed the waves and swells before I arrived for
our launch. The waves were huge and the swells were quite large but clean. This
was a very doable paddle and we were all up for it. Patrick and I have paddled
a few times before, I had taken a roll class with Tim and knew that he's a competent
paddler, and Beth has all the appearances of being a natural athlete. I kept
an eye on Beth and watched her skipper her Current Design Squal and she seemed
to be very comfortable in it. She has a good clean stroke and has been paddling
for 3 years now.
The swells along the way to Ventura Harbor were large and clean without any
chop. We paddled about 1.5 to 2.0 miles out in the ocean and then headed
northeast. We arrived at the Electric Company and decided to take a small
break as that's roughly the half way point to Ventura. When we resumed our
paddle towards Ventura, we weren't making any headway at all. The currents
had picked up and it was like paddling on a tread mill. I was strongly
considering aborting the remander of the paddle at this point. Patrick, Tim,
and Beth had never made a paddle this long before much less taken this route
we were paddling. Everybody's spirits were high and they said they felt
comfortable. We started to pump it up now trying to get out of these strong
currents we were in. After about a hard mile we were free and clear of the
strong currents and making headway again.
Both the swells and waves were
growing quite large now and we were riding 12 to 15 foot swells. They were
very large but still remained clean and free of chop. For the remaining 3.5
miles we stayed on our toes watching the swells coming at us and the huge
surf break it then grew into. It was awesome and we were having quite a
ride. We were still taking the swells from our side as there wasn't any
break involved since we were still about 2 miles out. We spotted the 1 mile
buoy outside of Ventura Harbor and headed for it. We were coming in closer
to the shore line now and the swells grew and became more intimidating. At
one point we headed back out further again to try and stay away from the
break. All of a sudden this huge swell grew and curled over the top as it
rolled towards us. Paddle, Paddle, Paddle into it I yelled at Beth and Tim
in front of me. We rose over the top and it never did break on us. Beth
looked over at me and started laughing and repeating, "Paddle Forrest, Paddle
Forrest". All of a sudden a vision of 6 foot 90 Wayne Hordowhich came into
view. Damn, I'm riding 15 foot swells and have a vision of Wayne. Go away
man, I think to myself, I'm a little busy here right now. The swells were
really big but not breaking all the way into the harbor. At one point, we
were looking down at the top of the one mile buoy as we rode a swell in.
Those things have to be 15 to 18 feet high and we were looking down at the
top of it as we went by. Oh momma!!!!
We paddled on into the harbor and
made a landing and all took a break. High fives and hugs went all the way
around as there's nothing like riding some really big swells to make you glad
to be alive and still all together. We took about a 30 minute break and headed
back out again. The swells were large but not nearly as intense as when we
came in. We had a nice downhill paddle back home and the swells dissipated
as we headed southwest. We did run into a little chop about the last mile to
mile and a half. We landed, loaded our gear and wanted FOOOD!!!! We headed
for Bakers Square and I devoured a shrimp dinner.
While we were at Ventura Harbor taking a break, Beth said she was so
impressed with the world outside the harbor. Huh, I thought you had been
paddling for three years I asked. "I have but never outside the harbor
before". I gave her a hug and said you were awesome in that case lady. And
she really was too.
Tim and Patrick are both Engineers that work for NASA at JPL in Pasadena.
I'm a Technical Writer and write for a company in Santa Barbara. Beth has a
job that is sensitive in nature and I'll let her tell you what she does if
she desires.
Tim and Patrick you were great to paddle with as always. You both handle
your boats so well. You've now made your first CIH to Ventura Harbor round
trip paddle. And you both did it well. Beth, I don't know what to say to
you. Not only was your first adventure outside the harbor completed today,
but you paddled in 12 to 15 foot swells at the same time and did it in a 15
mile paddle by the time we went a couple of miles out and back in again. I
can promise you many many more better days and conditions. Your an awesome
natural Beth. Be sure to bring Paul, your hubby along next weekend.
Duane Strosaker...Beth's husband is an ex-Sneaky Pete (Special Forces). He's
a paddler and another Airborne dude. All the Way Paul!!!
Way to go guys and I loved making the ride with you all today. Thanks for
joining me and I loved every minute I spent with all of you.
Gregg Remer
Submitted on January 21, 2001