Cabrillo to Smugglers Cove
Six paddlers in six kayaks, three plastic and three composite, launched and were in the water at 0830. We promptly split into two groups: Three composites went coastal and three plastic boats stayed close to shore and did a little rock gardening. There was very little surge and a very small surf so there really wasn't much to do but the small stuff was good practice in boat control. In toward shore there was very little breeze but, as we paddled further out, we could feel the increasing wind in our faces.

We reached the caves at Smugglers and did some caving finally landing at smugglers a few minutes after 1000.

An aside: As we launched from Cabrillo Coast Guard Los Angeles Group put out a call that an unknown vessel, unknown location, had called mayday with no further information. They repeated this several times. Just as we approached Smugglers I heard on Channel 16 "MAYDAY" and that was all. On shore we again heard the broadcast by Coast Guard LA Group ending with a request for any information. I tried to contact CG LA Group on my handheld and finally got a response from CG San Diego Group who relayed the info the LA Group. LA group advised CG Cutter 255 to contact me on 22A. CG255 was at Pt. Vicente. I could never make contact again, even after launching and we were on open sea. Just a point about the radios we use and their efficacy. Especially along an uneven coast or rocks.

We launched back out through a raging 1' surf at about 1100 and paddled straight across. That is until White's Point where Dublin Dave and I tried our luck at a pourover after threading our way through rocks. We then caught up with the others and headed back to Cabrillo. The wind that was at our back in the beginning of the return trip came back as we approached the beach. At the point I tried a pourover, just for timing practice. The wind blew me away from the point I had chosen and I couldn't get back. I realized I had my skeg still down. Up came the skeg and the boat control came back.

The last boats landed at 1230, give or take a few. The winds were so high that we helped each other carry boats up. We cleaned up and left.

I happened to just drop by Xstreamline and spoke with Gregg, the owner. He told me that the day Duane held his rescue practice several Great Whites spawning just east of Pt. Fermin.

Another great day on the water-no carnage, all that launched returned, all enjoyed the water, the company, the scenery.

    Mike Brown

Directions:
Picture of Cabrillo Beach
Take 101, 10, 405 or PCH (1), to 110 South (Harbor Freeway), all the way to the end.
Exit left on Gaffey, South to 22nd Street, left (East) to Pacific,
right (South) to 36th Street (AKA Stephen M. White Drive), left (East) and follow signs to Cabrillo Beach.

Pay admission--Car fee was $7.00 as of 13 July 2003. Proceed into park, staying to the right and going around the buildings. You will proceed on a causeway, with the bay on the left and the ocean on the right.

For ocean launch, park in a lot, on the right, past the lifeguard office. For bay launch, stay left when you enter the park, then park in the big lot, where you can see the bay to your right.

Submitted on August 24, 2003