Surf was pretty weak, but occasional stronger sets moved in later on. There were initially hordes of board surfers and a few other kayakers. We tried to stay out of each others' way, but it was crowded. The board surfer crowd thinned out greatly as the afternoon wore on.
The weather was spectacular-- warm air and water, sunny, light breeze.
We surfed Mando's Cove, the Point at Faria State Park and points in-between. Although the surf was nothing great, we got a lot of rides and kept busy paddling hard to catch and stay on waves and paddling back out. The beach was mostly sandy, so we didn't have to worry much about banging up our boats.
There was a guy in a big red sea kayak in surf for the first time, so we got a lot of rescue practice thanks to that. There was another clown in sit-on-top, with his little daughter perched up in the bow, sans PFD and helmet. He wove in and out of board surfers and kayakers as he kamikazied in on waves. Fortunately no disasters occurred.
Lee and I switched kayaks for a time-- he tried my Pirouette and I tried the Tempest 16.5. He loved the ancient Pirouette and is already shopping for one. I liked the Tempest, too, but not for surfing. It does catch a wave very easily though. Everyone did well, considering the boats they were using and the conditions.
Wildlife: We saw one sea lion, some kelp and assorted birds, including several in spectacular bikinis.
Zero carnage, numerous capsizes, combat rolls and beach rolls in the shallows.
At the end, it was just Lee, Mike C. and yours truly, holding on until 330 PM.
So, I'll have to work late and get up at 0500 Friday to make up for my indulgence today.
Regards,
George Miller
Directions- 101 just north of downtown Ventura, past Rt 33, take the "Beaches" exit and go under the bridge and north along the beach, for about 8 minutes. Look for my tan Landcruiser with a large American flag and CKF sticker on the back window. It will be parked across the road from the beach (on the right), near the railroad tracks. I think it's in the Thomas Guide Page 470, C-3 or B-3, a little south of Faria Sate Park. If you're coming south, from Santa Barbara, it may only be possible to get there by swimming or climbing down the mountains through the oil fields. You will have to carry your boat across the rocks, fight the local surfers and slay dragons to get down to the beach, but it should be worth it-- trust me.