Dana Point to Treasure Island
Twelve of us launched from Mother's Beach at Dana Point Harbor at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2005. We hailed from the counties of Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Paddlers included Henry & Kathy, Dave, Duane, Ken, Lee, Beverly, Dennis, Steve, Jeff, Jon, and Wayne.

Red tide conditions made for murky reddish brown water for the 15 mile paddle to Treasure Island and back. Seas were calm with cool, overcast skies, again.

We had many opportunities to paddle through and among the rocks due to very low tide and no surf. Normally, the surf is breaking over the rocks keeping touring kayaks out.

After a couple of regroups we beached at Treasure Island which had zero surf. We told tall tales, grabbed a few bites to eat, and launched back into the ocean. On the return we joked and chatted while paddling at a leisurely pace.

We returned to Mother's Beach before 1:00 p.m. without mishap or carnage of any kind. A fun paddle with a great group of kayakers.

Of special note is that this was Beverly's longest paddle to date and Wayne did the paddle on his SOT. Both did a great job!

A few left to return home while eight of us headed to the Brig for a well deserved lunch.

Kathy Pilcher

Directions:
From the 5 going south, exit PCH/Camino Las Ramblas and go right. At the bottom of the hill, turn left on Dana Point Harbor Drive/Del Obispo, which takes you along the harbor. Park in the second to last parking lot, where you will see kayaks, surf skis, a restroom and a swimming area marked off in the water.

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Submitted on July 3, 2005