RE: [Paddlewise] I Knew it Wasn't Good!

Evil endos....!!!!


White's Point, Palos Verdes, CA
http://www.sandmarks.net/Freaks/Freaks1.html

My car covered in rain this morn didn't daunt me as the sky showed hope 
of clearing and there is nothing more pretty then a cloudy sky on the 
ocean with the sun streaking through! I was looking forward to returning 
to White's Point, the scene of my first RG outing back in '06. I 
remembered it having some interesting features and some varying 
conditions for different skill levels. But today was like that episode 
of Seifeld, "Two Face" and this time I got the ugly side! But enough of 
the drama, we all got out alive and with the aid of modern pharmacology, 
I may be able to get out of bed tomorrow!

I started out the day with such naches, as when Lenora realized her 
drain plug had gone missing, it was I who was prepared with an emergency 
roll of duct tape to set her ship-shape! We each made seal launches of 
varying heights and were instantly greeted by Dave and Steve who were 
returning from their ungodly early paddle! After a short chat, they 
headed home and we got to business.


Right next to our launch was a nice little smack wall to warm up for the 
day, but just south of it, there was a submerged rock that was kicking 
up a fuss right before the wall. Lenora was already in close and I 
started to mosey in when I heard Jack issuing a warning. Behind me was a 
wave about to break and Lenora and I had to scramble to avoid being fly 
swatted against the rocks! He mentioned he never plays in there and we 
suggested it might have been nice to know that just a tad earlier!

At the end of the same reef we found a really nice washover that kept us 
busy for quite a while. It had a pretty deep finish, so you could play 
in it with either the bigger or smaller swells. We didn't always bother 
waiting our turn, so we'd occasionally be bumping together and I ended 
up rolling a couple times.

We continued south to a feature I remember being  a big pool with some 
neat washovers, but today the tide had it mostly washed out. It was here 
where it seemed the rocks seemed rather mean looking with ugly jagged 
bits projecting everywhere. There are other mean looking rocks around, 
but these seemed mean with intent and we didn't end up playing here too 
long!

Back at our original washover, the tide and swell had risen making for a 
more energetic ride. I rode a big one over, turned to get a photo of 
Jack on the next big one and found myself shooting for the shallows. 
That had us ready to land back where we started for a bit of a break.

Heading out for our final session, we all move up to a higher notch on 
the seal launch level. I made a nice dive and we all went north. Jack 
kept close to the rocky beach dodging the waves while paddling to the 
next reef. It seemed a fun, rather benign feature with a slanted ramp to 
run up and over. Bigger waves were better as there was less chance of 
being left high and dry. Jack and Lenora were working on the last 
section, so I decided to tackle the middle. I wandered in on a medium 
wave which left me on the rocks waiting for something bigger to come 
wash me off.

I knew it wasn't good when the water started to ebb and my stern sank 
into a deep hole. I was now almost straight up and down with my body 
pretty much at rock level. The hull of my bow was now teed up facing the 
larger wave now making it's way in. It hit me and somersaulted me 
backwards over the rocks. My PFD and helmet seemed to protect me from 
the sharpies, but I was wondering if the lower half of my body was still 
attached! I guess the pain was a good sign that my nerves were all still 
functioning! I was worried that the next wave was going to finish the 
job, but I'd lost my paddle and was hardly able to move. I was lucky I'd 
ended up upright and  that a gentle wash took me off the reef. I called 
for help and Jack was right there to let me hold on while Lenora fetched 
my paddle. After a couple minutes, the pain seemed to subside and I 
rested while the others played on.

After a bit I decided I'd better call it a day and get back before my 
back cramped up for good. It was a painful paddle back, but I was mostly 
worried about whether I was going to be able to get out of my boat! 
Thankfully, leaning forward seemed to ease the pain and I got out OK. 
Jack and Lenora helped me get my gear back in and on my car. Lenora 
dosed me with Advil and I did pretty good till I got home and hobbled 
out of my car!

So really we had a great time and someday when the pain subsides, I may 
again have fond memories of White's Point. It was a rather freak 
accident, but then it seems freak accidents are always just one rock 
away when you're rock gardening!

Mark
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