I paddled westerly towards Pt. Dume. I have not paddled alone for several years. There is usually someone from the core group to paddle with but today was not one of them. I had to get out on the water---two weeks of no water makes me a very dull guy if not downright grumpy! As I rounded the first little bump in the coast line into Paradise Cove I found the beginnings of the wind. It started as a slight breeze but I just kept paddling.
I had dressed for water and I was really getting warm as I got parallel to Paradise Cove's pier. I decided to roll a couple times to cool off. This was a hard thing to do. I practice a lot and I know my combat roll is better than my planned rolls. Now I was out here totally alone, nobody to even think about a rescue should it become necessary. I did it, it worked, I did it again! Idid not realize how much wind and current I was fighting until after my second roll--I started west of the peir and I was now significantly east of the pier.
I paddled on setting a time limit of 75 minutes before turning back. Barbara was waiting on the beach I didn't want to worry her. The wind was picking up as a neared Pt Dume with 2 minutes to go on my watch. I could feel the wind, now, and white caps were forming. I had gotten almost to the little channel that runs between the large offshore rocks and the rocks just east of Pirate's Cove (at the point), about 50' in front of me up went the tail of a whale. Down he/she went then up and blow and then just drifted outward as he/she sank leaving a footprint on the surface about 30' long. I am sure this was either a Menke or Humpback whale as the color was brown. I sat there and just looked for several minutes but didn't see the whale again. What a time to have not had my camera with me.
By the time I turned around the wind and current had pushed me back about 1/3 the distance of the little cove that separates Pt Dume from Paradise Cove. The wind had picked up as did the swell on the open sea. I was able to surf the swells most of the time reaching a point parallel to Paradise Cove in 15 minutes--it had taken me almost 35 minutes to go the other way. I was having so much fun surfing that I didn't realize how far out I was going until suddenly I was able to see the Unocal station at Corral Canyon to my left and I was about 2 miles off shore.
I am now glad I had a rudder on my boat. With the rudder I was able to surf most of the way in without broaching in the rising swell and white caps. As I approached the shore all became calm and I landed without incident. The return trip did get a little rough. I am sure that 2 years ago I would have really been anxious being out there in the wind and following sea. My thanks to Pete, Patrick, Steve, Duane and all the others I have paddled with and learned from.
What a great day on the water! The only negative: the sound of Harley Davidson just seemed to be overwhelming every sound of nature. Here I was, at least a mile off shore and the sound of noisy Harley's just seem to spoil the pristine beauty of the area; disturbing the reverie of my commune with nature. What a shame.
Mike Brown
PS: For those who think I am down on motorcycles--I am/was a biker and I still think it is the greatest way to travel on land. That doesn't mean that bikers have to give everybody around a headache.
Directions:
If coming via the 101 Fwy, exit at Las Virgines Road/Malibu Canyon and
go South towards the beach and then turn right on PCH.
Dan Blocker Beach is the first beach just north (actually west) of Pepperdine University on Pacific Coast Highway. Driving north on PCH passing Malibu Canyon, then Pepperdine, you descend a grade; the first life guard tower is the meeting place. You will have to continue up a little to the Union 76 station to turn around and come back to the first tower.