[Paddlewise] Just a Tuesday Paddle

Ken and I hit the Secret Beach at noon to find sand-side parking and an
empty beach--no sand urchins to complicate our launch. We were heating up as
soon as we hit the water, this seeming to be the hottest day on the water
I've had this summer! But it was a beautiful day and the swells cresting
both jetties suggested there might be some fun to be had outside.

Tide was medium and rising as we paddled into the shore in front of Corona.
Ken had told me he'd brought his tow belt, so I figured I was free to get
into as much trouble as I wanted, but even though they weren't too big, the
waves hitting the rocks on shore had me keeping a polite distance.

I paddled up toward the backside of BAR to find a group of about 10
teenagers trying to scale their way to BAR. There was lots of screaming
coming from the girls of the group, with good reason--the waves looked
like they might take a few of them out! I hung out for a while
wondering if I'd get some teenage carnage on video, but it's amazing how
lucky teens can be.

I settled in behind BAR and although there was plenty of time for a pass if
you timed it right, I decided just to hang out. The operative word for the
ocean today was "dynamic", so it was fun dealing with the churn. Dealing
with the larger waves coming through the arch was made too complicated by
the large wrap around waves coming from the side. Finally one big wave came
in and threatened to swamp me, so I headed out. From on top of BAR one of
the teens yelled out he was glad I was leaving, he didn't want me to die!

Ken still hadn't had enough on the day so we headed to Toxic Creek Beach. I
usually head right on in, but today there were about 5 surfers who already
claimed their turf. We hung out outside and rolled a bit and I tried to get
sideways in the waves as they went by to show them breaking down the coast.
In my video, you'll see Ken helping me hook up my camera and then start
paddling back out to sea and none too soon, because out of nowhere came a
real big wave that I got to find a bit of air in.

That did it for Ken and we headed home. We had a lot of fun for a short
paddle. I had planned to go to San O, but all the talk of GWs yesterday
scared me off, especially as I don't like surfing the Delfin there on bigger
days all alone. So today was a good day and Ken's tow rope never left its
bag!

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/user/SandMarks Mostly hanging out behind BAR

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/
***************************************************************************