Anacapa round trip Solo
I launched at 4 AM this morning for Anacapa from Channel Islands Harbor. I would have rather had a low tide for my launch but the winds and visibility were right for the crossing. I've thought and thought about a solo crossing for a long time and made one previous attempt at it. I was turned around at Platform Gina and paddle back using my compass as my eyes in heavy fog on that attempt.

There were rolling swells but there wasn't any chop or wind waves during the entire crossing. This was now more of an endurance test for me and I felt competent to make it as long as I paid attention and didn't drift into a lull or day dream while paddling. I reached Gina in 1:15 and took a short break to grab a banana for potassium. It was light enough now to see and read my compass for the rest of the crossing. I'm not a real fan of a GPS even though I have one and it was with me and programed for the crossing. I couldn't see the light house on Anacapa so I knew I would have to rely on my compass. My plan was to never set foot on Anacapa and just tag the ladder at the landing and turn for home. I hit the shipping lanes in 2 to 3 foot swells and the Northbound Lane was clear and I went for it. A one mile sprint and I was clear and free for the next 2 miles. I settled into a steady paddle pace again and took another break before crossing the Southbound Lane. I drank some water and ate another banana. My biggest fears on this crossing was either burning out my shoulder again or loss of concentration and getting caught by a bit of chop or wave I didn't see coming. I kept two visuals in my mind most of the trip. I visualized the arch at Anacapa Island and the breakwater back at Channel Islands Harbor.

There was a ship in the Southbound Lane when I was ready to cross so I ferried around and behind her as I crossed. After I was across and settled back into my pace, a sea lion popped up next to me and startled the hell out of me. No big deal but he scared the hell out of me when he surfaced a few feet from me and snorted as he exhaled to grab another breath of fresh air. I laughed at myself and kept paddling.

As I pulled into Anacapa and crossed the potato patch, I shortened my strokes and readied for bracing strokes in case it tried to dump me. It was like going through some mild white water but not a big problem as I was ready for it.

The Ranger was standing on the top of the landing looking down on me as I paddled in. "Good morning" he shouted at me from atop the landing 20 feet above me. I reached out and touched the ladder and turned around. Good morning I replied back to him. "You coming up he asked"? No sir, I have breakfast waiting for me back at Channel Islands Harbor I told him. I paddled out and back into the potato patch heading for home again.

A pod of about 15 Dolphins passed across my bow after I had cleared both shipping lanes and they all smiled that silly Dolphin smile at me. God, I never get tired of seeing this. What a thrill and a wonderful way to start the day off. My butt and legs were getting tired now and I just had to live with it. I had been in my boat for about 6 hours and had a couple more to go.

I hit Gina and took a third break. I felt I was home as Gina is a comfortable place for me to be since I've been there so many times before. However, my legs and rear end were really getting uncomfortable and I knew I needed to get home fast as it would only get worse. 3.5 miles to go and I'd be there.

I was about 1.5 miles from Channel Islands Harbor when two jet skiers came racing out and tried to use me as a buoy to do doughnuts around. I don't have a whole lot of patience for these guys and waved them off from me. I was tired and sore and just wanted to get on shore at this point.

I landed back at Channel Islands Harbor and was having a really hard time getting out of my boat. My legs and hips just didn't want to work. I tried and came close to rolling in six inches of water. There was a guy there fishing and he offered to help me. I gladly accepted as he held my boat steady and I literally crawled out of it. Sorry man, I just went to Anacapa and back and my legs won't work I told him. Thank you so much. I removed my old body from my yak and walked around stretching and renewing my legs again. He offered to help me carry my boat up to my car and I declined his offer thanking him again. This is part of it and I have to do it myself. I carried my boat up to my SUV and rested it on my two stools to wash it off with fresh water.

We all have goals and dreams to meet. This had been one of mine for a very long time. I sat on the bumper of my SUV with the rear hatch open and stomped my feet up and down on the ground as I said to myself, you freaking made it Doooooode. 23 miles and 8.15 hours later and I had done it solo. I was so jazzed and psyched and felt full of renewed energy.

    Gregg
Post notes to the Anacapa Paddle:

Several people have asked me questions about my solo round trip paddle to Anacapa on Fri. The number one question I get is "were you tired". Physically I was very tired and stiff after sitting in my boat for 8 hrs. What I hadn't planned for was the mental fatigue that I suffered during the solo paddle. This was my third crossing but my first channel crossing alone. Normally we have paddlers next to us as we paddle and there is a reassurance in having someone next to you if you get into trouble. When your out in that much open water alone it's a completely different story. You can't afford to have a moment of focus loss. You have to watch every wave, wind ripple on the surface and white cap as it approaches you. I was far more mentally exhausted than physically after paddling the 23 miles of open water. Yes, there was some rough water and winds on the way home but not to bad at all and I was never really worried. It wasn't worth mentioning in the trip report. I will probably never do it again as it was just a dream paddle of mine that has now been filled. I don't recommend it to anyone.

Equipment carried:
Submitted on June 29, 2001