[Paddlewise] BAR Hopping

3/18/09

I was lucky enough today to be joined by Barb and Ken to host a visitor from
the Paddlewise universe to our local waters. Jim Tibensky was out here from
the Chicago area to take care of some family matters and wanted to squeeze
out some time on the water. I was happy to lend him a boat, but as he's more
of a normal sized person, I wasn't sure how well he'd fit in my stretched
out Tempest. Ken was nice enough to paddle my Tempest so Jim could use his
Explorer and I reverted back to the Lollygagger.

>From my memory of his posts to Paddlewise, I remember Jim being fond of a
turn of speed and someone who hits the water over 150 times a year; I was
glad he decided to take it easy on us. Time was of the essence so we decided
on a long BAR paddle and we had a gorgeous day for it. I always feel a bit
smug when folks from the colder climes head out here and get to paddle under
the 75 degree sun on a winter's day! Barb and Ken tagged teamed him with
questions and gab as we made our way out of the harbor. K&B lagged a bit as
we neared the rocks of Corona del Mar. Conditions weren't big and I was
pleased to find Jim up for a passage through a rocky area, but just then a
nice sized set churned the water up a bit and as I didn't have my helmet on
the day, I begged off and we took a safer passage.

Did I mention it was a gorgeous day? Oh yeah, I did! We closed in at BAR and
Ken transitioned into rolling mode with Barb as his audience. I headed
behind BAR with Jim right behind me. The shallow tide called for a bit of
derring do to avoid the rocks exposed during the tidal surge, but Jim headed
right in with me in the rear. It was nice to have someone willing to take on
BAR in not the best of conditions. We headed in for another go through and
Jim got turned into the arch just as a nice sized breaker came through. The
surge took him back into the more rocky area, but he fought his way out back
towards the arch. Again a breaker sent him back and then the sucking tide
left him high and dry on one of the rocks that lingers under the water
guarding the arch. The rock was directly under his cockpit and his bow was
in the air and I let him know another wave was coming to hopefully free him
from his predicament. I was wondering if Ken could see his boat teetering
like a totter from his seaward angle, but Jim made an easy exit and we made
that our last pass of BAR for the day.

We continued on a bit south, but not so far as Crystal Cove before we
decided it time to head back. Jim evinced us a couple of speed jaunts and
impressed Barb with his hand paddle speed. I joined him trying to catch a
ride on a couple of passing wakes. As we neared the jetty and as we paddled
in, an unusual fog rolled in for an interesting change. Jim told us of his
upcoming kayak trips to Florida and the Med that had us wishing to join him.
It had been a quiet time on the water as far as sea life, but Ken had tried
to point out the Garibaldi and we did at least sea a seal feasting on a
halibut on the way back. Why? Just for the halibut!

Back at the Secret Beach, Jim's family was there to meet him and we were
sorry to send him off. It's been a lot of fun meeting the folks from
Paddlewise and sharing our water with them. I hope Jim will make it out here
again someday and we'll don brain buckets and have a real time in the rocks.

Mark

#
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