La Jolla Shores Paddle
Four of us, Jon Brindle, Teresa Boli, Thom Bolander and I, launched a little bit late from La Jolla Shores (because the trip announcer was late!!!!!!) into some overcast but otherwise flat, calm and almost windless waters. We headed northward chatting and viewing the native wildlife of seals and dolphins all busily feeding.

After about an hour the predicted swell began to creep up behind us along with just a little breeze at our backs. The breezed quickly grew to producing white caps and the swell increased in proportion so, after about an hour and half, we headed back. We were beginning to realize that the feeding frenzy of the seals and dolphins along with the massing of birds congregating on the water had some portent of what was coming.

It seemed like we were really flying back and the La Jolla pier quickly came into view. But, the harder we paddled into the wind and swell the pier just never seemed to get closer! We were met with a little rain, lots of wind building from 12-18 kts and some eye-stinging spray. It took us about a half hour come back over half way and another hour and half to make it to shore and perfect landings in the 1/2' surf of the protected cove. It was a great workout day on the water; unplanned as such but...any day on the water beats any day at...

Mike Brown

Submitted on March 21, 2005