We launched in as posted at 9:00 a.m. sharp at Shelter Island. It was raining lightly and cold. One of the paddlers was a bit late, so we left him on the beach, and he caught up a half hour later.

On the way out of the bay, to the right we saw a large navy submarine that was lifted high out of the water, apparently for maintenance. On the left, navy aircraft were occasionally taking off and landing.

At Point Loma, waves were breaking at four feet. A few of us skirted past the lighthouse in some rougher water to get a bit around the point, but any farther was a full-on surf zone. We were in touring mode, so we didn't go there.

As we crossed the bay entrance, a navy aircraft carrier was coming out. The paddle to the portage at the Silver Strand was pretty smooth, with the light rain continuing.

The surf was four foot at the Strand. I was hoping for some carnage, because there was some real potential for it, but this group was too good. Everyone made clean landings.

Usually, we did the 1/4 mile portage between the Hotel Del Coronado and the condo buildings. I never did like this portage spot and remembered a better one from a paddle in the late 1990's. We tried this spot this time, and it was a lot better. This spot is to the south of the last condo building and next to the northern edge of navy amphibious base. The portage distance is the same as the other one, but the launch on the bay side is at a boat ramp rather than through some bushes. There is also a restroom there.

I figured Kevin had the lightest kayak, so I picked him as my portage partner as we all paired up for the carry, which we all did with two people carrying two kayaks at a time. I brought my tie-down straps, and Kevin and I looped them through the grab loops and over our shoulders, which worked quit well, making the portage a lot easier.

We paddled on around Coronado, were we landed for lunch at the ferry landing. Then we crossed the bay to the downtown area, paddling under some piers and checking out the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which is now a museum.

We were back at Shelter Island at about 1:45 p.m.

The Coronado circumnav is a classic, and we had a great group of paddlers! I can't wait to do it again sometime.

Duane