After a short briefing we began launching one by one at about 50' distance between boats. A few of the more experienced launched and those of us on the beach helped the lesser experienced folk with timing advice and push-offs. This area can be a little tricky, even for the exerienced.

There were a couple of attempts by one paddler who finally made it on the third try. His relatively new boat was now christened with sand in the cockpit after dumping the water out. Best comment of the day by his friend, helping him:

"Do you member what you were dong just before you went over?"

"Yep"

"Then don't do that anymore."

"I wasn't doing anything."

"That's the problem..."

As I noted in the announcement, this beach can be a little tricky and almost all of us felt it. The break and current was such that if you launched at 90 degrees directly into the surf you made it to the hydraulic which then pushed you to the left. If you didn't brace into it and turn you went over. I think the more experienced paddlers just felt the current, like riding horseback, and went with it.

It took about 23 minutes before all of us were on the water and headed up the coast towards Point Dume. While waiting for the rest of us, the first to launch were treated to a pod of dolphin going through.

We headed directly for Point Dume. The water was warm and clear. The weather just great. As we paddled past Paradise Cove the winds began to kick up. I estimate from the white caps and 4-6' seas that the winds were in the area of 15-20 kt. We were keeping pretty close as a group except for the two that went surfing. The pace was pretty good, I estimate at about 4 kt as we reached the approach to the Point a little after an hour of paddling.

The winds had picked up as well as the swell. The tide was high creating a little more chop around the point and covering most of the normally exposed reefs just off the point. We stopped and took a good look at the conditions. Some of us had never been in anything quite this rough before and were a little intimidated but were game to go one. We split into two groups: One group went to the outside of the exposed rocks and one group paddling through the channel. We all made it without problem. More experience points earned.

There was a good surf at Westward Beach. Pirate's Cove was totally under water. Because of the high tide and sharp sloping beach at Westward Beach we elected to turn around and go to Paradise Cove. We again split into two groups--one going through the channel and the other around. Those of us who went through did so without incident. One of the newer paddlers did get me a little worried as he let the currecnt and swell carry him too close to the point rather than riding the swell out down the middle. As I paddled hard to get him out of the way before he got into trouble he realized his predicament, deployed his rudder and got the hell out of Dodge!

The outside group was not so lucky with a paddler capsizing in the rough. A good experience for all as the rough water rescue techniques paid off and he was rescued without problem. More experience points.

More experience points were gained in the following and rear quartering seas as we paddled towards Paradise Cove. Rudders were deployed and everyone seemed to be going in the correct direction. As we approached Paradise Cove we could see a set of huge swells breaking at the entrance. Not too inviting but the solution was simple. Some went far around that area riding the swells and some went on the inside coming in front of the breakers. We landed without incident on the sharply angled beach; landing one at a time and helping one another.

After a break for refreshment we launched without problem. Again, one by one with plenty of space between. The swell and winds had decreased and we all headed home towards Dan Blocker. There were straight landings, a couple of good broach landings and one got turned around after being all the way in. No real dumps, no kelp awards, just great landings. All in all there were about 5 or so OBE's (out of boat experiences), 2 rescues though nobody was really in danger, a lot of experience gained in clapotis and following seas. Debriefing followed the landings.

Some discussion is warranted. This was a paddle for advanced beginners and above. Nobody at any time was in any real danger of injury, no less death. The intital launching was discussed with everybody before we ever started to launch. We joined up and went over rounding the point and the options. Nobody was embarassed into going some place that they felt was significantly above their heads though they were encouraged to expand their skills. At the end, everybody agreed that they had a great day on the water and the newer paddlers all agreed they gained some skills and some knowledge of areas they individually need to work on. Everone agreed they would do this type of paddle again.

Dave and I, with Duane, George and Steve and a couple of others, had lunch together and went over the day. We had the right ratio of experienced to less experienced paddlers so that there was little risk of the experienced paddlers being overloaded should the need have arisen. The pace was more brisk than many of our recent paddles resulting in some tired and sore muscles at the end. The launchings, landings and rough water areas were led by a more experienced paddler and another experienced paddler brought up the rear and experienced folk almost 1:1 with the less experienced paddlers. Most importantly, the worst scenario was that a paddler had to swim as the real risks were minimal.

Oh, I almost forgot, we did see another whale. Quite far off but 3 or 4 of us did see it. It was a great day on the water! The weather was beautiful, the water was warm, clear and clean, and the company fantastic.

I would like to remind folk that rescue training--self rescue, 2 and 3 person rescue, etc.--made today almost risk-free for everybody. There are skill practice days and rescue training days frequently held in the Organge County area, the Cabrillo Beach-South Bay area and in the Oxnard-Ventura area. These are days to practice and learn. We encourage everyone, of all skill levels, to participate. It makes paddling safer and more fun. While we don't want people to go where they are truly uncomfortable we do encourage people who want to paddle to mildly expand their skill levels a little each time they go out. Today was one of those days! We had a great turnout and all of us came away with something.

Paddle safe and keep the cockpit up!

    Mike Brown

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.