[Paddlewise] A Kayaking Memorial

On Saturday I participated in a paddle that was very much out of the
ordinary. I thought it was just a good idea when I heard of it, but it was a
very moving experience and I'm extremely glad I was able to be a part of it.
The Santa Barbara Kayak Association is a very loose group of people who like
to paddle. We don't have meetings, dues or any of the other things a lot of
clubs have--just people connecting on the internet to get together and
paddle together when we can.

The following is a copy of a message written by the organizer of a memorial
paddle that was held for the victims of the Alaska Airlines plane that
crashed in the waters that many of us paddle. It's one of the most unusual
trip reports I've been part of.

Steve Holtzman
(Permission was granted by the writer for me to forward this to the list).

We all gathered as strangers at Tuggs Restaurant to depart for the Memorial
Service off of Silver Strand Beach.  We paddled back in as friends sharing a
common bond.  We had approximately 30 to 40 kayakers, two harbor patrol
boats
with lights flashing escorting us, and a 40 foot donated yacht. Paddling
with
us was a CNN Cameraman that weighed 300 pounds and had never been in a kayak
before.  This man earned his money that day.  On board the yacht was a KEYT
News Crew, and Smitty with his 88 pure white doves.  On the paddle out we
observed well wishers and news paper crews along the jetty observing us. We
rounded the jetty to find 12 to 15 foot swells and had to stay about 300
yards off of Silver Strand.  We all formed a circle, shared the Lords
Prayer,
and had a few moments of silence together.  We all then raised our paddles
towards heaven and the 88 white doves were released.  They flew in a circle
around us, gathered in a flock and flew towards the beach and headed south
along the coast.  The gasps could be heard from those of us on the water,
the
jetty, and the observers along the beach at the beautiful sight and meaning
of the doves.  It personally left swells of tears in my eyes to watch.  We
had all come together as strangers, said our good-byes to the victims and
families and friends, and paddled back friends.

I would like to thank all those who joined in the paddle, David Powdrell for
joining and his political influence with our club, Capt. John Lercel for
joining and donating his yacht time and fuel, Smitty for his doves and
services, the Channel Islands Harbor Patrol, CNN, KEYT, the LA Times, and
the
Daily News.

I would also like to thank who ever sent out the news about Lobster and
Steak
dinner at my house after the paddle.  It gave me warning to have the house
cleaned, buy the food, and change the sheets.  Pamela Lee Anderson of Bay
Watch fame was beautiful.  The US Navy, US Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, and
30
to 40 drooling kayakers all voted to exempt Pamela Lee from wearing a
PFD.....Grins, who was the smart a-- anyway?

Thank you all,
Kayakboy11

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