[Paddlewise] FW: Whale Hunt

Well, Craig, if you're bored you can read my latest trip report from
yesterday.


88 aught nine

It wasn't enough that I was out on the water till 8pm last night searching
for whales, I decided to join Dennis on his Dana Point hunt this morn. It
wasn't an easy call; I'd been blown past Abalone point last night and had to
fight a nasty head wind all the way back, so my body was complaining a bit
upon rising at 6:30. Still, I been skunked the night before and didn't want
to hear about everyone having to beat the whales off with a stick today!
Turns out, I had nothing to fear!

On the sand today joining Dennis, besides me, were Kirk from the SD area, BB
Bob and Ken and Barb. When we hit the ocean, we notice a flotilla of boats
mingling in our hunting grounds and wondered if the chase was already afoot;
turned out to be a massive outrigger race with accompanying support craft,
so they were out of our way in a flash.

It was a warm, muggy morning and nothing seemed to be stirring above or
below. We put in a few miles, but I can't tell you of the lovely scenery we
passed as all we saw was sea. On a first break, a few people saw spouts way
off on the horizon and we headed in said direction. While we were waiting
around for company, a lone kayaker joined us, turning out to be Howard who
missed our start because he'd forgotten his spray skirt. He was very rude
though, as he didn't bring any whales with him! He did add insult to injury
by telling me he'd been parked around Reef Point the night before while I
was out hunting and had seen whales spouting right in the area I'd been! I
figured while I was paddling home focused on the nasty wind and waves there
were whales cavorting all around me and laughing!

Soon the thought of lunch overcame the urge to hunt and we headed home.
Finally we were treated to the consolation prize of a few dolphins speeding
along. As we neared the Jetty, the water got pretty lumpy with some big
swells and all the boat traffic. We also were coming in at the same time as
the returning outriggers and had to stay out of their way. They had boats
carrying replacement paddlers who they'd drop off now and then to switch off
with tired paddlers in the outriggers, which was a fun sight.

Finally, the smell of countless tons of guano let us know we were back in
Dana Point harbor. The stiff wind fought us on the way home, but only stoked
our desire for lunch. We headed for a local BBQ sandwich place, where a few
of us took advantage of our disappointment to cry into a large schooner of
tasty beer! No blue whales, but still worth getting wet for.

Mark

#
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