We had 15 boat, 2 SOT's, 2 Tandems, and a total of 17 paddlers to start. The weather forecast was a little disconcerting because there were small craft warnings posted on the NOAA web site. The Channel Islands Harbormaster did not have any flags flying and the water looked calm so we decided to paddle out past the breakwater and then decide to either continue to Gina, do a coastal paddle, or do a harbor paddle. We stopped and took a vote. The score was Gina 0, Coastal Paddle 15, and Harbor Paddle 2

Most people were comfortable with the 3 - 4 foot wind waves, and 5 - 10 knot wind. But 2 paddlers decided to go back together and do a harbor paddle. George Miller, one of our fastest paddlers, escorted them back and then quickly caught up to the group. The remainder of the group paddled towards the power plant.

Just before reaching the power plant, we noticed the wind was starting to pick up. Peter and I decided to turn the group back by paddling towards Gina for about 2 miles, so that we could then have the wind and waves directly astern and not have to deal with paddling in rear quartering seas.

As we paddled back, we saw a seal lion following us, several small jelly fish, several big jelly fish (about the size of a basketball), and a small sunfish about 3 feet in diameter. We also saw several dolphin just before we turned back into the harbor.

During our paddle back, one paddler decided to try swimming. Chris Wood came in for the assisted re-entry. I gave the emergency whistle signal of 3 quick blasts to alert everybody and then called Peter, who was in the front of the group. I told him Chris & I would handle it. Chris quickly got the swimmer back into their boat and I helped stabilize while the wet person attached their spray skirt. When I was told they were ready, I let go and we all started to paddle again. By this time, Peter and gotten back where we were and said, "Do it again, I missed the first one." Well our swimmer was very accommodating and decided to go back in the water. We did one more assisted re-entry and then paddled back into the harbor.

Chris and I made the mistake of failing to negotiate our fee prior to the rescues, therefore we had to buy our own lunches. Lesson learned----negotiate prior to starting the re-entry.

We all entered the harbor, and paddled back to Hobie Beach. As we came in, we could see that the harbor master had raised the small craft warning flags. All of us, then walked or drove over to Daddi-O's for some tri-trip, breakfast, or whatever.

    Steve Holtzman

View picture of Channel Islands Harbor
Platform Gina Nav map

Chris encouraged me to write up my version of events, so as to get the record straight! I had way too much fun. Please edit freely! Thank you SO much for everything today- you are terrific! Sharon

OK, I'm a slow paddler, really slow. Maybe it has something to do with being very new to kayaking. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my shoulders and arms would not look out of place on a guppy. None-the-less, the CKFers welcomed me on the Gina platform paddle. I suspected that Chris Wood, my sweetie, just wanted the chance to use his new tow line. My momma raised me to graciously accept aid from gentlemen, so I figured that I would at least get back to the parking lot.

We took off on a gloriously sunny, calm morning, encountering monstrous waves only when we left the harbor. (This is the carnage crew!) Shepherded by kind Steve and his relief, Pete, my patient sweetie and I took up the rear on a paddle up the coast. The tow assist worked wonders for my speed, as did some good tips on my stroke from Steve and Pete.

All went well until we headed back to harbor. With my Chris engine I was moving along nicely, even surfing a bit on the following waves. Suddenly, I flopped over into the water. Apparently surfing is not for amateurs! All my good training and practice came into use as I exited the boat, had it righted and was prepared to clamber back on. I then noticed several gallant paddlers rushing to my aid. Remembering my momma's training, and that everyone was anxious to try the rescue skills they had learned the week before, I graciously allowed myself to be assisted. After sorting out a nasty entanglement with the tow rope, a particularly awkward reentry and collecting miscellaneous gear from the assembled crowd, I was back in business. No sooner than we had begun to move, than Pete called out that he had missed my show, could I do it again? I, too cocky for my own good, brandished my paddle and promptly went over a second time!

With clear and patient instruction from Steve, able assistance from Chris, and clocking by an amused paddler, we were off again in two plus minutes. It was only when I got to Daddyo's that I found out why everyone was so helpful. Custom has it that rescued paddlers owe lunch and personal (very personal!) favors to their rescuers!

I think that Steve covered the paddle well, and I would like to add a couple of points. The decision to change the paddle route was based on the sound experience of our group's senior paddlers. If we had gone ahead to Gina, some of us could have run into serious trouble. The seas were even rougher out by Gina, according to some friends who were sailing in the area. Monitoring weather conditions and planning for winds and seas that could become more difficult than you may want to encounter might save a kayaker from getting into big trouble. We avoided this by simply changing our route. The other point came when one of our fellow paddlers tipped over. Within minutes, there were four kayaks assisting this person, and more were available if needed. It can be a little difficult to recover from a capsize in rough seas, and this was a great example of strength in numbers. If this were a single kayaker, or even two very inexperienced paddlers, they might have had a real problem. In the end, things worked out just fine. That's all I wanted to add, it was a fun paddle thanks again to our group leaders.