[Paddlewise] Went for a paddle

Went out today on my longest paddle ever. Now don't sneer, it was a shade
under 15 miles. I launched from Balboa Island and headed south. I paddled
behind big arch rock to play in the swells for a while, but it was pretty
rough in there so I headed back out. I saw Abalone Point in the distance and
figured that would be a good place to shoot for. When I rounded the point, I
figured I might as well go on to Two Rock Point. Then I decided to go see if
there was anywhere good to land at Heisler Park in Laguna. I picked a small
cove at the north end which turned out to have about two foot dumping surf,
but I went in anyway. This was only my second surf landing, but I got out
without any trouble. I ate my lunch and contemplated the 2 foot dumpers that
looked more hazardous from the shore, especially as I'd never made a surf
launch before. I called a friend and told her to be handy in case I couldn't
make it out and needed a ride home. I timed it right though and paddled out
through a couple small waves without too much trouble. The only problem was
that while jumping in my boat in a hurry to get ready for the waves, I broke
my backband. I knew it was going to be a uncomfortable paddle home. I
remembered Duane's treatise on the superflousness of back bands and leaned
into my forward paddle. I soon came to the conclusion that proper form is
over rated and tried to get comfy against the back of the coaming. Perhaps
some day I'll have my belly fat sucked out and enough skin taken in to put
me into a permanent forward lean, but till then I'll fix my backband. I'm
afraid that at 270lbs, my boat fits me like a sausage casing. Paddled home
with seals, dolphins, jellyfish and waterskiers. Don't really know how long
it took me as my Casio fogged up in '86 and I just never bought a new one.
As I paddle alone 98% of the time, I never have to keep up with the Jones',
so I'm afraid I probably lollygag more than I should. Had a nice time and
feel like I'm finally getting used to 'real' kayaking.
Mark Sanders

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