Our launch was rather uneventful, and after pausing to congratulate ourselves on how well we dominated the 16" surf, we headed into the morning sun towards our destination. Since there were 5 of us, we eventually ended up splitting into two groups, 3 guys paddling a bit further off shore and 2 of us paddling closer to shore. Before long the 3 deep guys blew a whistle and called the shallow guys out to confer upon our paddle plan (or lack thereof). Eventually a compromise was negotiated and it was decided that we would paddle to Arco Island taking the direct, deep water route, and on the return trip we would paddle close to shore so that we could ogle the beautiful beach houses and beautiful beach people.

Since none of us had paddled this particular stretch of the ocean, there were a few surprises along the way. There was a spot where hell bubbled up to the surface and evil smelling spirits floated on the water looking for clean kayaks to corrupt. Fortunately the hydrocarbon zone only lasted about a quarter of a mile and we were able to escape without anyone loosing his breakfast to the devil. Other than that, the day was very benign. The sky offered us enough sunshine to brighten our spirits but there were also enough clouds to keep us from overheating. Initially there was no wind and the water was placid which allowed us to make good time on our way to Arco Island. But then just enough wind developed to give us some quartering seas which allowed us to practice our edging skills.

Arco Island is a small, artificial island built by the oil company to support some oil wells, oil tanks, and a few palm trees. Rumor has it that the oil company has removed the oil pumps and that the island is now controlled by a university. We decided not to land on the island because we didn't want to trespass and because the shoreline of the island is highly fortified with giant concrete jacks and large boulders. At one place there is an ocean level platform where an easy landing is possible, but Peter pointed out an interesting sign there that warned of a dangerous disease study being conducted. The disease study warning was quite an effective deterrent, probably because none of us had received a flu shot this year.

On the way back we decided a do a landing at Mussel Shoals. By now the surf was about 2-feet high. It was there that Paul proudly demonstrated a new rolling technique called a sand roll. After watching Paul roll his boat 360 degrees in about 2 inches of water, it occurred to me that Paul should consider installing a roll bar on his kayak if he intends to make the sand roll his signature maneuver.

Not far from there, as we paddled past Rincon Point, John spotted a woman walking 3 dogs on the beach. When the dogs barked at him he recognized the dogs as his own, and by coincidence the woman walking them turned out to be Pam, John's wife. While Peter and John went ashore to talk to Pam, Paul, Chris and I played around in the surf.

I think Chris got bushwhacked by a sneaky wave, because he ended up swimming with his boat in the surf zone. I offered him a bow tow to get him and his boat out of the surf line. That is when I discovered how much easier it is to tow a swimmer if he wraps his legs over the bow of your boat rather than letting them dangle in the water. Before Chris wrapped his legs over the bow of my boat it felt like I was trying to rip the Queen Mary away from her moorings. But once Chris had lifted his legs to my bow, it only felt like I was trying to tow a tug boat. The reentry assist went smoothly and Chris was quickly back in his boat. One of the pleasures of paddling with the Old Farts is that we frequently practice reentry assists. Assisting Chris back into his boat became just another practice session. Nothing to get excited about.

Later we discovered a rock garden near Carpinteria that was just too inviting to ignore. After we had paddled in and out of a variety of rock outcroppings, it occurred to me to exclaim "What am I doing paddling a 19-foot touring kayak through rock gardens?" John replied, "What am I doing paddling a skin-on-frame boat through rock gardens?" What we were doing was having a lot of fun. Fortunately there were no incidents, and not a single boat touched a rock.

In the end it was another amusing day on the water with good friends. Thanks guys, I really enjoyed your company today.

    Patrick Martin