Cabrillo Beach
Vickie and I ALWAYS wear helmets in the ocean. Last Sunday we got a reminder
of why we do that.
We had a little
unexpected fun behind the rocks at White point. Often the waves break into the
rocks on the point in a somewhat spectacular way without making it too ruff
on the inside. I thought it would be a good idea to get a picture of Vickie
sitting broadside and on the safe side of the rocks with one of these waves
exploding on the rocks behind her.
We lined up for the shot and waited for a larger set that would have the
desired effect. Soon enough we were rewarded with a large enough wave. It
exploded behind her into a 6+ foot high wall of white water and foam. I
think I got the shot. About 2 milliseconds later I realized that Vickies
boat was rocketing sideways toward me about twice as fast as she can paddle
it forwards. I don't know if Vickie ran into me before or after I capsized
to my right. I barely managed to grab my paddle with at least one hand
before going upside-down.
On my first roll attempt I hit my head hard on something on the way up,
causing me to fall back in. At first I was confused because I didn't think
there were any rocks on my left side, but soon realized I must have hit my
head on Vickies boat. I couldn't switch sides because I knew there were
rocks on my right, and because any successive surge would be pushing me that
direction. I needed to breath (a weakness I have), so I hoped Vickie would
manage to move her boat before my next attempt. Unfortunately, with all the
bubbles and confusion I didn't know if she had managed to stay upright, or
was upside-down next to me.
Luckily, Vickie had managed to stay upright, realized my predicament, and
quickly moved her boat out of the way. My second attempt to roll up was
good, and I was soon treated to a lung full of oxygen - and the gaze of six
or seven non-kayakers on the rocks. From the looks on their faces, they must
have been wondering whether wave-splashing, boat-bashing, head-bumping,
upside-down, three-stooges type activities were a normal part of sea
kayaking. We tried to look as casual as possible while retrieving the camera
and regaining our composure, but I'm not sure they fell for it.
I classify these type of episodes as exciting and fun. Vickie will go as far
as exciting, but pauses on the word fun. At any rate they are educational. I
should have sampled one of those waves BEFORE lining up to take a picture.
Otherwise we had smooth launchings and landing at Cabrillo. After our
return, I went back out to practice some surfing until it got dark. I caught
a few waves and managed to hit my head (again) on the bottom, but was
unhurt. Interestingly, I have never hit my head on a rock, but have now hit
my head once on my own boat, twice on Vickies boat, and thrice on a sandy
bottom in surf.
Directions: From the 405 Freeway, go south towards San Pedro on the 110 Freeway,
which will end and becomes Gaffey, go left on 22nd Street, go right on Pacific
Avenue, go left on 36th/ Stephen White Street, go left into Cabrillo Park, and
the beach we will be launching from is on the right.
Steve Brown
Submitted on February 09, 2001