The launch was promptly at 8 a.m. from the usual spot at (don't touch the water) Baby Beach. We paddled out in a tight group. At the first rock garden, Dana Point, the group informally split into two groups, an inside group and outside group. Not being known to excursive a lot of good sense I stuck with the inside group. Duane took the lead through the center of the garden and Lee was right behind him. I delayed for a couple minutes to take the helmet off my rear deck rigging and to put it on. When I looked up I saw Dublin Dave in front of me side surfing a wave between the rocks. Wow that was impressive. He then took a line through the rocks working toward the outside group. Not to question Dave's judgement, I more or less followed his line only skipping the side surfing. Dave graciously chose to stick outside to lead the group. I like to look at the architecture of all of the beach homes and hotels so I swung back inside to join Duane and Lee to get the closer look. The two groups paddled more or less at the same speed and united at the points. Duane, Lee and I snuck between rocks whenever there was opportunity. And the outside group paddled and chatted together stopping once to watch Dublin Dave roll.

We all landed at Treasure Island together. I managed to knock Kathy over while trying to hold her boat in the surge of the landing. She was a good sport about it and that turned out, fortunately, to be the biggest mishap of the trip. We all stood on the sand or waist deep water chatted and ate munchies while taking a short rest. Barbara showed us her new Dick Tracey GPS wristwatch, waterproof and all. It is a pretty neat toy, at least to all us overgrown kids.

The launch is well protected, no surf. However, Lee and I surfed a swell off the far rock of the point while everyone assembled in the water. The trip back followed the same format. The inside group chased the thrills while the outside group chose to survive and to be around to notify the next of kin. At one location I paddled between two close rocks having to sweep and turn to avoid running into Duane who was paddling through the surge behind the rocks. Lee surfed a breaking swell through the same notch, that looked really cool! Then at the next point Lee backed up to some steep rocks at the base of the sea cliff and waited for the swells to surge in. After a few small swells, a set came in and without breaking washed up the steep rocks lifting Lee's kayak at least six feet above the rest of us. The group all enjoyed the show.

The next excitement was past the Dana Point rocks. Duane paddled inside a rock just as a surge passed. It looked really easy but the timing was critical because some smaller rocks he paddled right over became exposed when the water withdrew. Just like following the Pied Piper Lee waited for the next swell to cover the rocks and with just twenty yards of quick stroking he was through. Heck, nothing to it. So I followed right down the Primrose Path and started paddling after the next surge. I started too far back and got behind in my timing. Half way through a breaking swell was heading for me broadside I hesitated in order to take the only refuge I had hiding right behind the exposed rock to shield me a little from the wave. That put me right over the submerged rocks. The swell swirled around and over my rock of refuge and hit me broadside. I braced into it and almost went over into the break. With the swell past and plenty of adrenaline I paddled clear of the rocks. Duane chuckled commented about me just pulling off the successful brace. We were a bit scattered padding through the bouncy water in front of the breakwater. We all assembled and entered the harbor together.

Nine of us started the day together and nine of us finished together, I just hope it was the same nine. The outside group appeared to have just as much fun as we crazys did. This is a quite nice scenic paddle and it was a not too hot overcast day and the nine friendly paddlers were of matched speed. It doesn't get much better than that.

Dave Houser

Directions
From the 5 going south, exit PCH/Camino Las Ramblas and go right. At the bottom of the hill, turn left on Dana Point Harbor Drive/Del Obispo, which takes you along the harbor. Park in the second to last parking lot, where you will see kayaks, surf skis, a restroom and a swimming area marked off in the water.

Picture of Dana Point Harbor
Picture of Treasure Island
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