Skills Practice Session at The Pond
Bright and early this morning 13 paddlers met at Hobie Beach at Channel Islands Harbor to sign waivers, discuss what we were about to do and then we ventured forth to "The Pond" to get wet in the cooler than it has been water.

There were several paddlers who have never paddled with us before, and one who hasn't been with us for at least a year (Welcome back Denny!).

My brain was not functioning well because as I unpacked my kayaking gear, I realized that I had taken a spare paddle instead of my trusty Toksook. I was counting on the Toksook for rolling practice, but I had to settle for trying to use my Greenland Paddle (it's much harder to roll with and I couldn't get one done successfully).

After we paddled to the "Pond", Peter O demonstrated a paddlefloat re-entry, a paddlefloat re-enter and roll, and together with Chris Wood an Eskimo Bow re-entry and an assisted "T" re-entry.

Then it was time for others to get in the water and practice. Everybody got wet today with nobody standing around and just watching, We broke into teams of 2 with one experienced paddler to each of the newer paddlers.

Mike Kory hasn't been out for quite a while with us, but he seemed to be doing very well with rolling. We then decided to go around the outside of the breakwater and paddle through the clappotis and reflected waves. Peter, Chris, Richard, and I decided to hold back because Mike wanted to practice a few deep water rolls which he did without any problems.

After we rounded the breakwater and started paddling back to the beach, Mike K was in the sweep position. All of a sudden, we heard a shout. Chris and I were in the lead, and we turned around to see Peter paddling back to a swimming Mike. Peter and Mike performed a quick assisted "T" rescue and Mike explained that he was just paddling in when a boat wake caught him unaware. When he braced, he sliced the paddle into the water and over he went. It has happened to every one of us whenever we stop paying attention.

We then cleaned the boats and headed for Daddy-o's for lunch. Unfortunately for Peter, Mike claimed he had a family BBQ to attend---personally, Peter and I think he was trying to get out of buying lunch for Peter

All in all another fun day with several people asking when we would do the next one.

See ya on the water soon,

    Steve Holtzman

Click on the picture to see a larger image
Peter and Mike Condit signing waivers
Billy (Is it Sunday Yet?) Kroll
Kiddee Beach Parking Lot
At "The Pond"
Practice, Practice, Practice
And more practice
John rolling up
And more practice
   
And more practice
Peter doing one on one w/Richard
   

View Map
View picture of Channel Islands Harbor & The Pond


Submitted on August 31, 2003