Crossing Cut Short
George Miller and I were set up for an attempt at a 37 NM open ocean crossing
from Anacapa Island to Santa Barbara Island here in Southern California.
From there we had planned to paddle to Catalina Island and then to the
mainland in the following days.
On Friday, the 14th of September, we paddled the 11 NM hop from Channel
Islands Harbor on the mainland to Anacapa Island. Our goal on this day was
to conserve our energy for the crossing to Santa Barbara Island the next day.
We paced ourselves and were able to complete the crossing without any wear
and tear. The conditions weren't bad, but there weren't good either. Despite
having breaking waves everywhere, we didn't have to work very hard to
complete the crossing in 3 1/2 hours. As always, hoisting the sea kayaks,
especially fully loaded fiberglass ones, twelve feet up from the water and
onto the platform at Landing Cove was interesting.
The afternoon at Anacapa Island was relaxing. We hiked all the trails on the
small island. We also searched for the National Park Service ranger but
couldn't find him or her. We thought we had the island to ourselves, until
Frank, a bird counting biologist who I met there last year, came into Landing
Cove in a small motorized inflatable.
We talked to Frank for a while, and he mentioned that he spoke to another sea
kayaker at the island a few days ago. He said the guy was paddling the
entire chain of the Channel Islands, spent the night there and headed to
Santa Barbara Island the next day. We asked Frank who was this guy, and he
said he didn't remember but the guy told him he had paddled from California
to Hawaii in the past. We said, "Ed Gillette," and Frank said that's who he
was. Paddling the island chain solo in one trip, Ed is clearly in a league
of his own.
Back on Thursday evening, just before the trip started, the weather forecast
was good. There was going to be a weak flow in the outer waters for the next
couple of days. The winds were going to be 10-15 knots, which was the kind
of calm we needed to paddle 37 NM across open ocean. For a crossing this
long, which was going to take twelve hours and give us full afternoon wind
exposure, a forecast of 20 knot winds was a no go. We wanted to enjoy the
crossing, not just survive it.
At Anacapa Island on Friday evening, I listened to the forecast that was
updated at 3:00 PM. Things had soured. Now a moderate flow was forecasted
for the next couple of days. In the outer waters between Santa Cruz and San
Clemente Islands, which Santa Barbara Island lays between, 20 knot winds were
forecasted for Saturday. I listened to the forecast again after the 9:00 PM
update, and the winds were still going to be 20 knots. The decision was
easy. A crossing to Santa Barbara Island on Saturday was a no go.
On Saturday morning, we listened to the forecast for Sunday, and it was still
for 20 knot winds. With a limited amount of food, water and patience, as
well as having other commitments, we decided to end the trip right there and
paddled the hop back to the mainland that morning. At home that evening I
checked the forecast, and it had changed to 25 knot winds. I was glad we
didn't go for it.
Calling off the crossing to Santa Barbara Island helped reassure me of
myself. My greatest fear is going for it when I know I shouldn't. I did
that on a 26 NM crossing from Gaviota to San Miguel Island in 2000, when Jim
Gabriel and I bucked a bad weather forecast in the most dangerous channel in
Southern California. We were lucky. I never want to rely so much on luck again.
Santa Barbara Island will still be there next year.
Duane Strosaker
Submitted on September 15, 2001