Harbor to Harbor
Fourteen paddlers met this morning, August 5, at Hobie Beach. The weather was
overcast and there was a little breeze blowing. There was the usual
assortment of boats--Kevlar, fiberglass and plastic closed deck boats and a
couple of SOT's including the new Manta by Ocean Kayak. The Manta has an
unusual front end design to keep in from nose diving and this boat and its
paddler had no trouble keeping up with the other boats.
We left promptly at 0830 per the paddle plan (read 0845 for real
accuracy--most of the boats were in the water at 0830 but there is always one
straggler).
The water was fairly calm as we left the harbor and headed west toward the
power station. At about 1.5 miles the power station came into view through
the fog. There was a regular and consistent swell that presented no real
problem. We reached the power station in less than an hour and we took a
break. We watched the increasing surf and kept ourselves out far enough to
avoid the double and triple breakers just west of the power station.
We continued west towards Ventura Harbor. All along we were met with dolphin
swimming through the group from west to east and crossing in front of us.
They must have been busy fishing because none ever stopped to share a secret
smile or engage in any small talk. We were heartbroken but continued on
feeling shunned by these beautiful denizens who have been known to communicate
so well with other kayakers.
About a mile or so east of Ventura Harbor a few of us split off to ride the
swells just outside the surf zone hoping for a little action. We were
commenting on the lack of significant action when out of nowhere it came. I
heard someone yell to look left and watch out or something similar. As two of
looked left we saw this hemongus wall of water raising up from nowhere and no
other paddlers--all were behind the wall of water. Pam, who was to my left
yelled, "oh, my god" (or similar) and made a sharp turn to port, not wanting
to be directly behind her should things go sour I continued on a few feet and
made my hard turn to port placing me about 50 feet behind her. As I turned I
saw her 18' boat fully on the face of the wave with space above and below.
She made it over the top with me shortly behind. The wave looked like it was
going to crest and break with me on its face but the spirits of the sea were
on my side. As the wave began to arch over my bow to break it seemed to stop
still in time as I broke through it, into the air and down the other side. I
thought I was going down the face of the Empire State Building. Later, I
learned that Pete, the first paddler to get caught, was launched to behind his
cockpit before coming down the backside. I was also told that I had this grin
on my face as I broke through. Less anyone think I was taking this in stride
I want all to know that sardonic face of fear was what they saw.
All of this took place in moments. There was really no time to think. Pam's
hard port, my recognition that should she flip or get caught by a breaking
wave would put me in danger and my decision to give her space and the actions
that all 3 of us took were reflexive. One does as one trains and practices,
The more we play in the pond and the adjacent surf zone learning, relearning
and practicing our bracing skills, rolls, recoveries, wet exits and other
skills the more reflexive are reactions to danger and the less risk there is.
Sure, we appear to be showing off to some but we really aren't. When we look
that good it means we are getting there. When shit happens, and it does, it
is nice to look back and know that you have successfully passed through
danger. NOTE: THIS MAY BE CONSIDERED A COMMERCIAL FOR DUANE'S REGULAR RESCUE
PRACTICES IN THE ORANGE COUNTY AREA AND THE SCHEDULED RESCUE/GET WET DAY NEXT
SUNDAY IN THE POND. END OF SERMON
We all arrived safely at Ventura Harbor and properly beached. We conversed
with one of the local life guards re: PFD's then spread out the food. Talks
about bloat 'em and float 'em. We had chicken (2 kinds), chicken salad,
Alaskan salmon, veggies, bagels, cream cheese, 3 other kinds of cheese. There
were dips and chips and gator aid and cookies and condiments and... I needed
a nap before continuing but we did have a schedule.
We left the harbor and proceeded east towards Channel Islands Harbor and the
fog began to roll in. The heavy swell had subsided, mostly and there was no
significant wind. We were spread out a little to far but nobody was alone.
As trip leaders we let it go. As we reached the power station we took a
break. As we sat there the shore and power station almost disappeared in the
fog!!!! We took a few minutes then finished the trip back as the fog cleared
and sun came out revealing clear beautiful blue water!!!
The statistics:
Fourteen paddlers started, 12 finished (Well, Steve and I had been told
that we are dangerous leaders and shouldn't be out there, oh, well!)
Total time to Mother's Beach, Ventura Harbor, from Hobie Beach, Channel
Islands Harbor: slightly under 2 hours including break
Total time to Hobie from Mother's Beach: Two hours fifteen minutes--20
minutes play time for a few of us in the Pond
All in all a great time was had by all. the pace was fast but easy. I don't
believe anybody felt overly stressed by the pace. Had that happened we would
have slowed it all down.
Oh, the paddlers that did not finish the whole trip. They did not crash and
burn, didn't get eaten by sharks, were lead into the rocks to be smashed to
smithereens. They had shuttled vehicles so that they could pick up their
vehicles in Ventura Harbor--a one way paddle for them. In reality, 14
paddlers started and 14 paddlers accomplished what they had started out to
accomplish.
The day was foggy but ended in sunshine. All paddlers arrived at the end
safe, sound and invigorated by the sea, the sight of dolphins accepting our
presence without fear and camaraderie of good people.
Another great day on the water! What a wonderful way to begin a new week. I
will surely miss this.
Mike Brown
Today's Harbor to Harbor and Return that Mike Brown and I hosted was the first
"official CKF event" that we have hosted. In the past, Mike and I have just
put together very informal paddles and invited anyone who thought they could
do the trip to come join us.
Len Goodman, has been after both of us for about a year and a half to host an
official trip and we always found some excuse not to do it. I think we really
wanted to avoid what we thought would be the hassle of doing it.
Now that we have actually hosted a trip, we found that there really isn't much
to it. Just pick a paddle you have done before and are comfortable with, send
a note to Mark Brodeur or Len Goodman and voila it gets posted. The only work
we needed to do was to print out the CKF waiver and have everybody sign it.
We had several paddlers we've never met show up and now we have a few more
paddling friends. Let's see a few more people get involved and start hosting.
You don't need to be an expert paddler to host a trip. Although this trip was
for intermediate paddlers, how about getting some easier ones organized as
well? I personally like a change of pace, and even Mike who lives for the
adrenaline rush he gets fighting rogue waves is open for a change of pace.
So let's all get busy organizing some trips.
Steve Holtzman
Submitted on August 5, 2001