Butterfly Beach to Hendry's Beach
Seven paddlers met at about 0830, give or take a few minutes, and prepared to launch. The sky was over cast and just a little cool. The sea was calm and the surf light. At 0900 we launched and headed west to Hendry's. The sun tried to come through the clouds but failed. The sea was calm with just a slight breeze into our faces.

Along the way a couple of us saw a couple of rocks to paddle between just inside the surf zone. Not really a place for glass boats but we went anyway. One of the boats met a submerged rock at the bottom of breaking wave and it now has some character. Just a little chip and some deep gouges which shoud repair quite easily.

We reached Hendry's in just about 1 1/2 hours. We all beached without problem, made use of the facilities, had some hot coffee or chocolate, a little breakfast for some and waited for the sun. It didn't show. Talked to locals about our kayaks and paddling in general. We stayed for an hour or so and then launched for the trip back. By this time the wind had picked up a little and we had a low following sea which made for some interesting paddling--with the right paddle speed it is possible to just surf the little wind waves which were developing. There was just enought following sea to make it interesting going back.

Batman and Robin, our dynamic duo, took the lead leaving us all behind. We played a little at the entrance to Santa Barbara Harbor then straight back to Butterfly Beach. We figured that Batman and Robin had hurried ahead to have nice hot barbecue waiting for us on the beach. Boy, were we disappointed. We were back at Butterfly Beach at about 1300,

All in all it was good day on the water as if there is there any other kind. The weather was little cool but the surf and sea conditions were beautiful. We ran into a small pod of dolphin off Hendry's and some seals all along the way. The comeraderie was great. Some of us hadn't been together for a couple months.

We expected to see a few of the Santa Barbara folk that we haven't seen much of this year, but... This was an easy going paddle, we were all relaxed and the pace easy. Just a great day.

Directions:

  1. 101 to Olive Mill Road in Montiecto.
  2. Exit Olive Mill Road and turn left.
  3. Follow this road past the Four Seasons Biltmore.
  4. A short distance later you'll come to a stop sign. Your there now and look for kayaks or cars and trucks with racks on them. Park and paddle!
    Mike Brown


Submitted on July 21, 2002