[Paddlewise] Day #16, Pushing it a bit

2/28/08

I was supposed to meet Barb and Chuck Freedman for the Thursday Afternoon
Paddle, but I was surprised when Ken showed up for the first test paddle of
his crash ravaged shoulder. Of course Ken is never know to push things, so I
figured he must be ready. In the mood for a new boat, I was checking out
Chuck's Nordkapp as we waited for the tardy K n' B. Haven't had a chance to
look one over much before.

It wasn't the ideal shoulder testing weather; there was a strong head wind
that would steal and progress if you stopped your paddling. Ken felt pretty
good, but felt a little pain in his ribs. Chuck convinced him to try his
paddle, a narrow bladed affair and he seemed to do alright. It was looking
pretty choppy outside with some swells making their way into the harbor, so
KnB decided to hang out in the harbor. That left Chuck and I to make a run
to Crystal Cove. That was my fall back position when Chuck suggested Abalone
Point. I told him, I'm not used to real paddling!

I've heard Chuck likes to chew up the miles and he set a pretty fast pace.
It was fun though, plowing through the wind and the head seas. We seemed to
slack of a bit now and then to where I could find enough air to converse a
bit. I quizzed him on his opinion of other boats and our pace soon had us
closing in on the first cottage of CC.

I was ready for a corn-nut break which gave the wind a chance to start us on
our home journey. We followed a more inshore route on the way home and Chuck
gave me a heads up on a couple waves sneaking in. A choppy rear quartering
sea also kept us alert. I was happy for a slower pace on the way home. Ken
and Barb were still hanging out at the launch site when we landed and we all
headed to a little know coffee place for more kayak gabbing.

Mark Sanders
www.SandMarks.net



Only 6 days on the month so far, but I'm lucky, it's a leap year so I have
one more chance to add a paddle
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