1/21/08 Trying to catch up from my slow start on the year, I decided to join Dave O'Connor for his proposed paddle to Laguna on Sunday. It was a small group with Barb and Ken making the foursome. On our way out of the harbor, Ken was having trouble with his boat, so we landed at Pirate's Cove to try to fix it. On the beach two large water dogs were playing and as is usually the case, they figured anything that washes on shore is fair game. The big yellow lab came bounding and barking up excited about his new play toys. He tired of us and soon we were back on our way. Outside the harbor what we had assumed would be an easy long paddle suddenly looked a little more complicated we had quite a steady headwind to face with a choppy sea--not what we were expecting. We settled in for a long paddle with the roar of the wind in our ears. We were accompanied at one point with a large pod of rambunctious dolphins, one of which came up right next to Barb. They treated us to a bit of jumping and tail wagging and were on their way. We were mostly all spread out dealing with the task at hand, the wind making it difficult to paddle together and talk. Barb and Ken had their new GPs for their first long paddle. When we got close to Abalone Point, the consensus to push on to Laguna lagged in the face of the wind. Three of us decided to land at El Moro beach to stretch before heading home. Dave threw caution to the wind on his landing attempt and had to back paddle at the last minute right into a mean shore break that deposited his hat and shades on the beach ahead of him. It was kind enough to leave his head intact. Ken and I timed our efforts a little wiser and Barb guarded us from asea. It was a short break, the only thing of note was the dead seal on the beach near where I landed that appeared to have been providing food for all the shore birds for quite some time. It was a good chance to observe the anatomy of a seal! On our way home, I donned my helmet and stayed close to shore. It was pretty calm except for the Three Sisters who'd roll in occasionally. I went inside the reef at Reef Point trying to keep my eye out for any big ones when a wave came in refracted around the reef and started breaking almost parallel to the shore. I decided to try to surf it past the rocks and out of harm's way, but on the other side a large wave quickly formed on my beam. I was in rather shallow and rocky water and just barely got turned around to make it over its crest and the next one that came in. Back in the harbor, we went for some roll practice, but for Dave and I in just tee shirts, the 52 degree water was pretty chilly. Dave impressed us being able to roll on both sides with Ken's GP, but we all got cold pretty quick and headed for shore. We held our after paddle debriefing at Java City where we were surprised to be joined by friends Bob and Meri who had gone out on a harbor paddle on their own. We monopolized JC's outdoor table much too long considering our meager purchases then headed home looking forward to our next meeting on the water. Mark www.sandmark.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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