1/17/08 Went out for a paddle at noon today all by my lonesome despite some rather windy weather. Anyone from SoCal can tell you things were rather blustery here last night! Regardless, I was determined to break out of my rolling mode and actually make it out of the harbor. So Crystal Cove was the target. When I got the new boat, I actually considered removing my rudder--for all of 5 minutes. I realized that as little as I use it, it still essential when ever I try to surf this boat. Today I was glad just to have it in the harbor so I didn't have to fight the weathercocking. Outside the jetty, the world had that familiar wind blown look. I headed south accompanied by a small but constant rear quartering sea that was enough to keep you on your toes and toss an occasional wave over your lap. It was fun having to battle the small swells; I don't seem to get much chance in my waters lately. It was low tide, so I stayed a bit off shore. As I passed BAR, I noticed the wind seemed to be increasing a bit, but with it on your back, it's hard to realize just how hard it was blowing. As I got closer to Crystal Cove, I stopped paddling for a while and realized how quick the wind was blowing me to my destination. I thought of letting it blow me all the way there to save my energy for the trip home, but that's no fun. I paddled on and landed on the shore with a smattering of tourist gawking from the beach. Carrying the boat up from the water, I got a sense of how strong the wind was and had a moment or two of concern for my return paddle. I drank some juice and ate my half a PB sammy I was glad I brought and shivered from the cold. I donned my wetsuit top from my hatch and the mild sun help warm me. As usual at CC, several people came by to check out my boat and were a bit incredulous that I'd be trying to paddly my way back against the wind. I told them, trying to convince myself, that it would be a tough paddle, but nothing too radical, but I was starting to feel like I was challenging the Tasman Sea--with a REAL kayak! There was no sense to hang out on the beach any longer, so I turned my attention to my launch. The one foot waves breaking on the beach were nothing except that they were breaking just about sideways along with the wind. I thought I might provide a bit of excitement for the beach crowd, but despite the wind had a non eventful launch. I tried to stay close to shore to mitigate the wind, but there seemed no respite. I was just glad to see I was making any headway, as after a while, I passed the end of the cottages. On the long stretch of beach between there and BAR, I looked for large rocks as landmarks to catalog my progress. I took solace in the beleif that the people walking along the sand would take pity on me on my journey. I paddled on with the wind roaring in my ears and the spray against my face. I had a small but constant, plodding head sea and since I was so close to shore, an occasional larger set that would send me out to greet it. I took no rest to allow the wind no chance take back any of my hard earned ocean. I would wonder, as I came across an occasional bird floating on the water, why would they be out in such conditions! I felt a moment of elation when I closed in on the jetty and started my way to the beach. Ready to call it a day, I was surprised to see a kayaker heading out from the beach and even more to find it was Ken Fry going out to test his new Superior GP. I was real tired, but he convinced me to head to Pirate's Cove for a little Roll Play. I figured it was probably a good idea to try a roll when you're tired to see how well you do. We spent about half an hour rolling in the cold water and Ken really seemed to like how the new paddle rolls. Even his off side roll looked good. I stuck to extended rolls, but had no problem, just not much interest in trying! Ken gave me his paddle to try and with his urging and against my better judgement I tried a roll with it. Came through with flying colors and now I figure Ken's paddle has passed the acid test. The cold had us both ready to head home. This was a paddle I won't measure by the meager milage to Crystal Cove. It was a battle with the wind and the joy of being on the sea. As we passed the Coast Guard station, they were flying two gale warning pennants. One had half blown off the flag pole. Mark www.sandmarks.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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