Four of us met at campsites 54 & 56 at about 1300 hours Friday. Meeting were our dynamic leader, Duane Slammer Strosaker, Dublin Dave O'Connor, Lonesome George General Carnage Miller and me Mike Boat Bender Brown. Our women, having sought out all the weather forcasts abandoned us for warmer, possible dryer pursuits.

At 1400 we all went down to the beach, no sand, just rocks the size of hens eggs up to ostrich eggs. I was not about to enhance my reputation by launching my brand new Current Designs Caribou S on that stuff. Luckily I had brought my plastic Looksha Sport. There was a bit of surf which made timing critical. I launched at the proper timing interval and did well only to get slapped in the face by a single wave. We mosied southward around the point and joined the board surfers. At least Duane and George caught some good waves, I got a few small ones part way and Dave practice his rolling. We stayed until about 1530 and headed back to our launch site. Three of us landed without incident. Dublin Dave came in on a higher swell than he expected. Duane, George and I rushed over to assist. Duane grabbed the front toggle and George the rear when Duane yelled, "let go, back away..." as a large breaker hit the steep rocky beach. We watched as Dave was hit by the breaker which lifted his boat and propelled it higher up on the beach looking much like a rocket sled! Dave kept his kayak straight and upright--good job. I swear he was off the ground!

Boats back at camp, Duane and Dave proceded to make dinner while George and I drove into Goleta for dinner at the Elephant Bar--good food, good atmosphere, and it was warm!

Returning to camp Duane and Dave had a great fire going. It took the mild chill away. Soon we were joined by Steve Hull Cracker Wilson and his guitar. For the next couple of hours we were treated to some great folk music--some of it kayak oriented and very original. Around 2230 we were joined by John Skin Boat Petersen. Pami, would be spending the night home, nice and warm, and would joinn us Saturday afternoon for Sunday's short paddle.

We discussed the beach and the consensus was to launch out of Refugio Beach the following morning. We were ready to leave at 0800 but waited until 0830 because others said they might show up. None did.

Refugio Beach was empty; the camping area was closed and it was really a little too cool and early for day folk. We launched without incident. Well, almost. I was again slapped in the face by a swell from nowhere. Also, I was using a touring paddle and this was a new boat so a decided to do strokes and bracing warm up and ...capsized. I discovered my roll worked well and off we went.

The seas were a little choppy from wind, about 10 kt, and combined swells from the south and north (general directions). We met an occasional seal, a beach full of turkey vultures and a lot of gulls. The wind was at our backs but was supposed to turn from the northwest. About 2.5 miles from Gaviota we stopped for a consensus decision and decided to paddle on to Gaviota. The wind was at our backs, the major swell was rear quartering and it was fun in the new boat.

It took about 40 minutes to reach Gaviota. We all landed without incident, well, almost--Dublin Dave started in when he got hit from behind by and outside breaker and capsized, rolled up quickly and continued on his way. The entire park was closed and looked like disaster has struck from the ocean debris. The wind had picked up, the skies were darkening and the temperature dropping and we decided to get snack, drink and get back to paddling home. We launched without incident except that I was hit, again, with a sudden swell out of nowhere at the end of the surf zone.

The wind had picked up the swell had increased as well as wind waves and heavier chop. We estimate the wind to be in the area of 20-25 kt with higher bursts. What took 40 minutes on the way in took 2.5 hours on the way out. We found a beach in the lee of the wind and landed for a few minutes. We warmed in the sun, ate a little snack for energy and launched. The surf had picked up but there was a good intervals between sets. Again, I got hit in the face--I am convinced this specific wave follwed me all day!

We paddled back with bits of sun shining through, increasing winds, higher swells and ominous dark skies gaining on us. We had a dolphin along side for a very short while. Lonesome George took off in his Looksha Sport like it was jet propelled. Duane and Steve were somewhat in front of Dave, John and me. As we rounded the point to Refugio there was a high outside breaking surf. We paddled around the back of it and rode the rising swell to almost perfect landings.

We beat the storm, but not by much; Within two minutes of landing the rain began. At about that time some of us were wondering why in the world we were out there in 48 degree weather, beginning rain and increasing winds stripping out of wet clothes and exchanging them for dry! The winds picked up, the rain increased. Most of our boats were already up. John put his skin boat up when a good 35 kt gust lifted it off and dropped it to the ground. No damage but really scarey.

It took a little more than two hours to paddle from Refugio to Gaviota. It took 4.5 hours to come back. On a scale of 1-10 the participants rated the trip from 4-8 for difficulty. While no one felt in danger at any time the higher numbers reflect the fatigue by some of the boaters having to knee lift most of the way home and the constant wind in the face mixed with dueling currents. There is a lot to be said for boat design. There was a single rudder boat--the Looksha Sport--which is not a distance paddling boat and it is a tribute to George's skill and endurance that he was able to paddle the distance at his speed.

There were two boats without skegg or rudder, a skin boat and two with skegg. John was tired from knee hanging, the rest made no complaint except as noted by George who worked harder than anyone else. I know because I also have a Sport and I know how much work it was to make it track in Mexico. This was my first trip in the Caribou S and it was really a pleasure. I was really amazed how well this Greenland style boat tracked and controlled without the skegg. On one landing George pointed to the right of where I was landing to avoid rocks. Coming in on light surf I was able to control direction with my knees and a little bow draw as if driving a car on the freeway. Having always had a rudder before I was totally amazed. How time changes us all.

The wind and rain added to the length of the day's paddle was enough for this weekend. George split for home. Steve went back to camp then headed home. Duane, enjoying his camping experience, stayed in camp and cooked his dinner. John and I collapsed our tents in the rain and packed up. Pam came up to meet John and joined Dave and me at the Elephant Bar for another good meal.

It was cold at night, wet at the end, windy and choppy but...we all agreed, we would do it again. We plan to make this an annual event. There were no injuries, no damaged boats and a lot of skills in carving boat direction, knee lifting, paddling in following seas & winds, refined and developed. Would we do it over again, given the choice. You bet.

Any day on the water beats any day at work--

    Mike Brown