Ventura to Channel Islands Harbor
Ventura Harbor to Channel Islands Harbor--4 started, 4 ended, all survivors.
We left the boat launch at Ventura Harbor about 14:15 into a rather calm ocean
all the way to Channel Islands. There was just enough of a following sea to
keep it interesting. As we passed the power plant the sea changed to more of
a starboard rear quartering swell.
We enterred the harbor and paddled the 2 miles to Pam and Bill where we all
shared a fantastic pot luck with a lot of great people. Shortly before dark
we all "mounted up" and made a flotilla of kayaks--tandems, singles, closed
decks, SOT's, big ones, small ones and even a white water boat--and paddled to
the main channel where we enjoyed the fireworks. The short paddle was made
more interesting by the flourescence created by the red tide. Pam was asking
for someone to do a roll for the flourescence effect but there were no
takers--too much good food with just a bit of cerveza. The thought of rolling
over and sinking due to the excess weight of hot dogs, hamburgers, beans and
chips and dips was not appealing to anybody. Maybe next red tide.
Interesting observation on paddling techniqes or boat design. The rudder
boats seemed to feel more comfortable with a more coast paddle while the non
rudder boats seemed to veer more in the direction of Gina but we all wound up
at the same place at the same time without significant directional change. I
know the technical reasons for all this demonstrates to me that letter your
boat "do its thing" (within reason, of course) can get you there with less work.
A good time was had by all--a safe sane and very happy Fourth of July.
Mike Brown
Submitted on July 4, 2001