[Paddlewise] Newport Breeze

The Dana Point buoy was reading 9 feet when I left for Newport this
morning and the wind was blowing like a banshee. I went for a paddle
last Wed. and there at the Secret Beach was a small bulldozer and sure
enough, today I found the sand all dredged up to the sea wall to create
a beach for the summer's dreaded Sand Urchins that are the bane of every
kayaker.

White water was whipping windblown willy nilly down the jetties as I
reached a Pirate's Cove wracked with waves. Across the channel, you
could tell the Wedge was being pounded by the foam flying over the
rocks. Even more impressive, as I sat and watched I saw green water in
the crest of a wave working its way landward.

I paddled out of the jetty to play in the windy waves. A few boat were
returning to port, weary of the constant strain. The wind warbled a
wretched sound across my ears--like a wailing wallaby on a walkabout.
Undaunted by the seas, the Catalina Flyer headed out bobbing over the
swells.

Sooner than seemed possible, my 40 minutes camera card was full and I
headed home. I hung out at Pirate's Cove for a bit, rolling and catching
a few waves that were wrapping around the point. It was a slog back to
the Secret Beach against the wind, but at least the Sand Urchins hadn't
arrived!

A Kayak Minute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2HEbfsQr7M

Mark
www.sandmarks.net
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