We just cruised at an easy pace reaching Big Rock Reef in about 50 minutes where we avoided the far outside breakers. We stayed for a few minutes for a water and cool off roll break before continuing on to Crystal Pier where we played for while in the calm water before turning back.

On the way back we went coastal where we could without interfering with the surfers enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Dave and I practiced a "dislocated shoulder rescue" using the technique he learned from Jen and it worked well. We then did a T rescue to empty his boat out and that...well, didn't work so well the first time.

Reaching the La Jolla Caves we donned helmets to check the caves but the water was a little too shallow for my composite boat but we still approached. Here we were, 3 paddlers with PFD's, closed deck boats, radios and/or other gear among all those bright, plastic, SOT's with most of their paddlers not even wearing PFD 's. Like a little overdressed for the party.

We played in the surf for a while before heading to shore. Dave did some great rides, Doug did some great combat rolls and I caught a few, too. I was using a short Camano paddle which I am not full used to using and found my control in the surf a little lacking, especially when I almost took Dave out on a broach. He had the forsight to roll and I went over him; the result of good training and practice.

All in all a great day on the water. A good paced paddle and some fun at the end winding up at a local Mexican sidewalk cafe before heading home.

Another great day on the water

Mike Brown

Directions:
La Jolla Village Drive to Torrey Pines Rd
Right onto Calle de la Plata
Left onto Paseo Dorado which turns into Spindrift Drive.
The access to the beach is alongside the restaurant. There is usually better parking than at the boat launch.

View map
View picture of La Jolla Shores

Dave Houser adds...

I, Dave Houser, arrived early at The Marine Room in La Jolla to join Mike Brown's advertised paddle only to find Dublin Dave O'Conner wandering on the beach. We chatted and watched the ocean swimmers and a few SOT's go by. Mike showed up shortly we gathered our goods and were back on the beach at the advertised 9:00 a.m. and launched by a quarter after. It was a busy day on the water we saw Jeff from Aqua Adventures gathering a kayak surf class and La Jolla Kayaks was teaching a group at a cobblestone beach in one of the little coves.

The paddle for the most part was quite mellow because we behaved ourselves and the crazies were not in attendance. We stayed to the outside at the points, as the waves were large and quickly reforming inside through the rocks. The water was without chop and the swells just rolled by. We establish a fast pace, 5 mph, and even under the overcast got heated up causing us to stop and roll once on the trip out. We made it as far as Crystal Pier and stopped there to see the sights, chat and stay outside the surfers.

The trip back was also at the same brisk pace. Two thirds of the way back I noticed a kayaker in the water fussing around to get himself back on his SOT. With some effort he managed before we passed by him. There were also two attractive bikinied ladies lounging in inflatable kayaks that were with him and they were totally disinterested in all of the events.

A short distance pass the trio we stopped for a breather and Dave and Mike wanted to try an assisted rescue while simulating a paddler with a dislocated shoulder outside his boat in the water. Dave took the plunge into the water and stuck his right hand into the arm opening of his PFD. Mike maneuvered the empty kayak along aside his and tipped it out to allow Dave to do a wet re-entry and then Mike pulled Dave upright. The trick was for Dave to lay back on the rear deck to ease Mike's effort to roll Dave in his boat. It worked first time but it did leave a lot of water in the cockpit. Dave then plunged back out so a regular T-rescue would get him back in his boat without the water. Oddly enough, when Dave was just back in his boat something happened when I looked away and when I looked back Dave was back in the water between the two boats. Of course the two fair maids were paddling by just feet away, maybe that had something to do with it. Then to add insult to injury Mr. SOT paddled over and asked if they needed any help. I just couldn't believe it. This guy wouldn't even recognize a hole-in-the-ground and had come over to assist two most experienced sea kayakers. Of course his gracious offer was declined so he just paddled off with the babes. Well I was impressed. These guys have the skills the rest of us just wish for and they are out in deep water practicing more new skills. Skills are indeed earned.

When we got back near the put in there was a still shallow area where SOT's and snorkelers were looking at fish. The next thing I knew, Dave had put on a face mask and was hanging upside down looking at the fish and Mike was in a sea cave looking at the underside of dirt. I joined the circus of activity to see the sights and also to do a few rolls. After shasing all fo the Garibaldi, we paddled back to the beach in front of the Marine Room and surfed the three-foot breakers in quite a few times. This was my first surf session and several times I did not get the right amount of side lean while doing a brace. Fortunately my "combat" roll never failed me. What a hoot. A little Mexican food topped off the event, another great day on the water.