On Monday the 31st we paddled with Joanne and Doug from Southwind, in Newport beach up to the school of seals and sea lions in a buoy (see Ken pictures). Tuesday morning Lety my wife, Gus, Andy and myself watched the Rose Parade, something worth the trip. Tuesday night we paddled the San Diego Bay, invited by Linda Roman, with the Night Herons, fast and competitive group. She arranged for an on site new year celebration with a champagne toast. On Wednesday Ken Johnson paddled with Greg Knight (Aqua Adventures) 3.5 miles out of La Jolla to meet some whales. I was requested by my family to watch animals from a more solid foundation. I took them to the San Diego Zoo. On Thursday evening we paddled on Marina del Rey with Andree Hurley who is visiting in LA. On Friday morning we paddled west of Carpinteria and talked and laughed with Gregg Remer stories. On Saturday, Bill Becher hosted a nice paddle with the SBKA members in Malibu beach and lead us afterwards to a splendid Tuna Hamburger, and on Sunday Mike Brown hosted a great paddle from Butterfly Beach to Carpinteria and back.

You can see pictures of this trip in Ken Johnson’s webshot page: community.webshots.com/user/johnsonkw1

HIGH LITES:

The Night Herons race back after a coffee in Coronado Island. Greg arrived first. If you are newcomer and not careful you may loose them and find yourself disoriented in the middle of the bay. When told about that possibility I paddled as if Jaws was behind me, since the Performa is a shorter kayak. It turned out to be a fast one and I arrived in between. Some kayaks that left after me took a more direct line with lights off, or flied, and were there when I arrived. The light I followed made kind of an L shape to get to the parking lot. It was fun. Nice going out chat, nice coffee chat and silent puffing to get back. After that a cold toast.

We had good chances of watching seals, sea lions and dolphins, in some cases very close as if performing for us. We saw Patrick rolling with eye goggles to see them better under water. They didn't seem too scared to see a water species with two blue ringed big eyes in the mid body.

A good thing was to see Mike and Patrick roll with extended paddles. The paddles looked so vertical and low in the water, and still the roll looked so slow and smooth that it was a pleasure to watch. Ken rolled as usual few times during the trips. He practices his sweep roll every time he is out.

Some friends tried our PERFORMA kayak and gave us very rewarding comments. Some of you lead us to kayak stores where we left a piece. Trials are possible in Santa Barbara Paddle Sports or in San Diego Aqua Adventures Store.

Bill Becher tried the Performa and showed us how easy it is to roll, or how good his rolls are, or both.

George Miller showed us how good the Performa surfs going straight. He landed using only one wave that took him up almost to the rest room in the beach. He has good control in landings.

I could count 5 trashed in the different trips, four launching and one landing. I contributed with two launchings. Fortunately there was no kelp around or I would have had to pay taxes in the border for bringing down such an invaluable AWARD.

The landing of the day was made by Pat and Ron. She was coming down straight riding a wave and before the kayak started to turn, Ron run in and pulled from the bow, so she landed straight and dry. Wish I had a camera.

Our trip coordinators did a very good job, carrying all the safety equipment, showing the proper skills and being concerned with safety and comfort of everybody in the water.

Thanks a lot to all and consider that you are always welcome to paddle in Mexico or in Corpus Christi, where we’ll make our best to try to match your hospitality.

I wish you to continue paddling, keeping your friendship, writing reports and communicating your enthusiasm to all of us, who charge our batteries on your tales and records.

We’ll try to follow your example and stay as close as possible to your paddling skills and progress.

Rafael el cayuco chief www.mayanseas.com