The rain stopped and it looked like it might be a good day, after all. We shoved off at 0845, thinking that anyone coming for an 0900 launch would already be there. We headed out of the harbor and up the coast. There was a breeze at our back the main sea was coming from our left rear. The wind waves were at an angle to the main swell and there was a cross swell to boot. We continued up the coast to just past the State Beaches where 101 comes down to the coast.

Along the way, near Surfer's Point, we ran into a rather large pod of dolphin. We were treated to a dolphin jumping out of the water, totally vertical, in front of Patrick. Other dolphins were splashing and diving. Some would come at us at speed then suddenly dive going under our boats. We watched for a few minutes at the frolicking sea mammals then off we went.

As the wind picked up we turned to go back. Now we had the wind full into our faces, the majority of swell from our right bow and an occasional big swell from the right rear. This was an exercise in the balance, bracing edging and correction strokes. I estimate the winds at anywhere from 15-20 kt and when the rain started it felt like a hard, cold shower! Lots of work!

We finally made it back into Ventura Harbor. We took the entrance wide because of the cross seas that might have pushed us up on the rocks. The swell coming into the harbor made the entry onto Mother's neat with just a little knee lift to provide direction.

This was a day for paddling in real clapotis, cross swells and wind waves all from different directions, setting ferry angles to bring us where we wanted to go using the wind to some advantage and, except for a little rain for maybe 15 minutes or so, really good weather. All in all, it was a great day--the seas varying enough to make it fun, the best dolphin show I have seen in a couple years, good companions to chat and paddle with and a good physical workout.

    Mike Brown