King Harbor To Malaga Cove
About 7NM (the way we did it). Jack, Don, and I launched at King Harbor at about 4:30 for a round trip to Malaga Cove. It was very warm. On the trip over in the daylight we hugged the shoreline fairly close. We did some playing in the surf, but not too much as the waves were plunging in a very ugly way and some were large enough to be troublesome. There is a sandbar over most of that shoreline a short ways off shore and the waves would just kind of explode as they hit that, sending spray sometimes 15-to-20 feet into the air.

After a short stop at Malaga cove we headed back in the dark. We stayed well off shore to avoid the surf until we neared the pier. We did some surf play just south of the pier in the bright lights, but then we went inside the pier for the real fun. Redondo pier is horseshoe shaped with the opening of the horseshoe facing the shore. The area inside is fairly well lit so it makes a good spot for after dark play. We did rolling practice, played in the surf, rough housed, and just goofed around for 30-40 minutes before heading back into the harbor. Apparently very entertaining for the spectators on the pier, and definitely very fun for us (yes; we like showing off). A good reminder that a kayak is just a large water toy.

    Steve Brown

Submitted on January 7, 2002