We started off towards Gaviota. The pace was very slow and the group began to really spread out. Batman and Robin, the dynamic duo, AKA George and John, stuck to the coast playing just outside the surf zone.
We had stopped for a little break for everyone to catch up and the couple on the tandem SOT turned back after less than an hour on the water. Since our newest paddler, Andy, was being mentored well I took off and caught up with the Duo and we played around in the very small surf and I did a little rock gardening (which I said I would never do in my composite boat, oh, well).
The rest caught up with us we again started off together, at least for a few minutes. I stopped to count boats, again, and saw that Peter had landed with another newer paddler on an SOT. They needed a stretch and I guess the paddle was a little much so Peter escorted him back. Thanks Peter.
George had the same bug I had previously and needed a little exercise. The rest of us stayed reasonable close together all the way to Gaviota and all landed without incident. The trip up took almost 3 hours, a little more that I had anticipated. We took a nice break--restrooms, a snack, make adjustments, etc. Great weather and good conversation.
We launched, again without incident, and sort of split into 2 groups which split into 3 groups which spit into 4 groups. George, John and I were together at a reasonable pace when George needed his stretch again which left John & I plus the main group not far behind. After paddling a little while I turned around and, well, the others were almost out of sight behind us. I radioed Patrick who said some of the paddlers were showing signs of fatigue. I suggested a rest stop and George found a good beach to land. John continued on, he was getting tired and didn't want to stop and have to get started again. George landed and I was about 10 minutes behind when Patrick advised us that the rest didn't want to land because it would have added a little distance to the trip.
Now we had George, John and me, each our own group. Gareth and his significant other ( I apologize as I am really bad at remembering names) seemed to be right behind me, and the rest somewhere around the point. Now at least 5 groups-4 1's and the rest.
Close to landing I spotted a pod of Dolphin about 1/2 mile off shore. They appeared to be feeding and playing so I paddled quietly close to them and let the swell carry me in. They paid no attention to me for several minutes. Then I saw a couple of Dolphin faces looking at me. Once came over to my bow and got within 5' when he suddenly dove under my boat and gave a big splash of his tail. I counted 30 and then realized there were two pods, one going up the coast and the other down the coast.
I paddled on after advising Patrick of the pods for the rest of the group. The water was clear and I could see the bottom in places. As I was looking down I was surprised by a huge shadow that was swimming below and parallel to my boat; the largest thresher shark I have seen from a kayak.
As I approached the landing area George was helping John beach his boat. I landed right behind. Elapsed time for John and I about 2:15. The remainder of the group was about an hour behind except for Gareth and his SO in their tandem Feathercraft.
Mea Culpa: I forget that most of our core group has been paddling together for 4 years or so and we have grown up, as it were, together. It has become a social experience among many of us as well as a sporting activity. What I consider an easy pace for a coastal paddle is fine for "regulars" but too fast for some of the newer folks. My thanks to Patrick for keeping everybody as together as possible for the trip back. I made too many assumptions. One was not being specific enough as to the requirements of this trip; not making a safety check prior to launch assuming everybody knew the rules (problem solved without much delay), misjudging the actual mileage (actual miles: 8.86 miles each way coastal, 7.65 miles straight across), not looking back often enough on the way back and, lastly, leaving someone else to do my job by keeping everyone together. I beat myself up enough on these points since getting into my car and having lots of time in traffic to ruminate on the day.
As we add paddlers to our group we have to be more specific. Maybe we should do what the bicyclists do: fast, medium and slow groups on the same event. I hesitate to be more restrictive; that is counter productive to our goals--gaining members and promoting kayaking as a serious sport. On the other hand, we all have limited times to paddle. If our paddling needs are not being met then we do a disservice to ourselves. These are thoughts and I am open for suggestions (other than sea anchors to handicap us).
Mike Brown
Picture of Refugio State Beach