We surfed for a bit catching some neat waves and doing a little bracing as the waves dumped in a predictable manner. Then off we went to White's Point. We looked at the usual holes but discretion was the better part of valor. The low tide made playing in the rocks too dangerous because of the exposure and the occaisional wave set from hell out of nowhere!

We spent two hours paddling there and back--lots of work. The rogue wave hit one of our party taking the paddle from his hands and capsizing the boat--wet exit, T rescue and recovery--and a safe landing for all.

Did I forget to mention that it was raining the entire time we were out.

It was cold and wet and paddling a lot of work but...worth every stroke.

Sunday:
Eight paddlers met for launch at about 0900. There was a considerable surf with a dumping wave. The tide was just past high tide. We lined up for launch into this surf and began one at a time. Another lesson learned--the launching boat broached in the surf of one of the large waves and he was side surfed into the bow of one of the waiting boats. It was my boat and I felt powerless to do anything as I saw the accident happening. A bad bruise and pain in the side aborted this kayaker's entry on the surf side.

The next paddler entered okay but had the dumping wave dump on his bow causing him to broach and capsize. This kayaker decided that he would join kayaker number one in a "harbor tour."

All of the rest launched without problem and headed up the coast. Today we had planned to just paddle because we knew the high tide would provide just the opposite safety issues in the rocks. We past White's Point in less than half the time than the day before as we did not have to push through all the kelp. There was enough swell and current changes to make the day interesting but not difficult. We past pulled into a cove under Portuguesse Bend and landed in a rather biazarre surf; all landed without incident; some came in straight, some came in side surfing and one came in backwards! We snacked and headed back with six uneventful launches.

We paddled straight back watching the increasing surf along the coast as we paddled. We dodged the bigger breakers aound Point Fermin and came back a little to land at the launch site. There were some nasty breakers but all landed safely ending a beautiful day on the water.

The two paddlers who entered the harbor had a very exciting time. First they were detained by Coast Guard for coming too close to a cruise ship. Next they were observing some tugs attach to a cargo ship when they were rocked but unseen forces--subsurface prop wash from the cargo ship.

My thanks to all those who braved the "weather" reports and predictions on disaster to come out and enjoy this day. Our visitor from Philadelphia was entertained by our waters as well as exhausted by it. A little different from the east coast, I am told. Shortly after we all departed, the rains began, again. We missed--we had some sun, some cold, some nice water, some great landings and launchings and, another lesson on safety learned.

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.

    Mike Brown