George
Dianne
Paula
Sheila
Len
Mike
Robin
Steve

It was great to see Mike back on the water--He's been off with a shattered shoulder, multiple broken ribs and under strict doctor's orders not to paddle for several months. Today was his maiden voyage. WELCOME BACK MIKE--WE MISSED YOU!!

John called on the phone and said that if he couldn't find a parking spot at any of the surf spots, he would join us. Shortly after launching, John called on the radio to announce that he would catch up with us.

We paddled out of the harbor into the almost non-existent swells and turned east. There were a few boats leaving the harbor and their wakes provided a little bit of fun as they overtook us. We paddled for a few minutes and spotted a "bouquet" of helium balloons floating on the water. Several of us paddled over to them and started puncturing them and collecting the flattened balloons. For those of you who don't know, sea lions try to eat them and get sick and die when they can't digest the plastic.

After cleaning up the ocean, we continued to paddle. George and Mike decided to land on the beach just short of the pier. Robin and I continued to the pier, since she had never been there before. We then turned back and re-joined the rest of the group waiting for Mike and George. John then caught up with us and we headed back towards CIH.

We went around the breakwater, checked out a harbor seal with 2 pups, and came in from the west side and spotted one of the tall ships coming out of the harbor. We paddled up to it and had several conversations with the passengers. This boat was motoring slower than we normally paddle.

While most of us were doing this, Sheila (who was paddling Paula's Manta because Paula suggested she use a longer boat to keep up with this group) and Dianne went back to the beach where Sheila tried Dianne's CD Squall. This was her first time in a closed deck boat, and she sounds like she is going to be trying quite a few at Southwind's Demo Days.

We then headed back and tried to pack the boats and get some lunch. Paula unfortunately figured out how to knock the rack off of her Jeep----again, so there were some choice words being mumbled as Paula and several of us tried to repair it.

The rack was finally repaired and we joined the rest of the group at Daddio's.

Still, a fun time was had by all.

    Steve Holtzman