Paula Chavez and Sheila Kennedy met us at the beach but decided not to launch due to weather. The weather forecast was calling for 10 - 15 knot winds but we were not feeling them yet.

As we launched, there were a couple of sea lions in the harbor who watched us curiously for a while. The faster paddlers waited in the Pond for the slower paddlers to catch up. It was going to be a real challenge trying to keep this group together.

Bruce Fox, who is a River Guide on the Kern River for an outfitter, brought his new River Cat (an inflatable raft with oars).

The faster paddlers waited in the pond for the rest of the group to catch up and then we started out against the wind. It was only 9:00 AM and we already had the 10 - 15 knot winds. Peter and I were both at the end of the group and we noticed that the faster paddlers were already leaving the slower ones behind again. I was only 30 yards past the breakwater and I called for the lead paddlers to wait for the rest of the group. Then right next to Peter, one of the newer SOT paddlers capsized. Peter paddled over and tried to calm this paddler down and help him back on the boat. Unfortunately, he went right over again and Peter had to help him a second time.

As I looked around at the other beginners, I saw concern on some of their faces and Peter and I decided that it was too rough to continue. We called everyone back to the pond, and asked for a vote on who wanted to do a harbor paddle and who wanted a practice session in the pond. Paddling back to the pond was even easier for Bruce in his River Cat, because he just stood up and used his body as a sail.

The harbor paddle won and we set out to do that. As we paddled into the harbor, we saw some dolphins leaving the harbor (do they stop for food and fuel like a power boat?).

We had a nice relaxing paddle around the entire harbor and then all went to Daddio's for lunch. Because of the flexibility of everyone, we were able to take what was going to be a very challenging day for a beginner, and turn it into a fun experience.

See ya on the water,

    Steve Holtzman

LAUNCH LOCATION:
Hobie Beach in Channel Islands Harbor. Directions to Hobie Beach. Exit Victoria South (left) - towards beaches Cross - Channel Islands Blvd, continue south for 1 mile. Hobie Beach is immediately past the Coast Guard Station on the right side. Look for the skinny, colorful boats on the beach. View Map.