Getting Closer....

Jeff is back in town for a bit, so I decieded to grab some of his time to keep working on my High Brace. We met at Baiha Point at noon today. After a quick warm up, Jeff had me demonstrate the state of my bracing. He had his camera out, so I'd be able to review the footage.

He noticed that my paddle was staying more parallel to the water. So I had made some proper adjustments. Jeff keep having me focus on an agressive hip snap. To aid in this, we added in spearing the paddle blade back out of the water. This motion helps the hip snap a little more.

Jeff also had me do a roll. He spotted my head lifting up a bit, but the roll worked as planned.

I was able to make good progress in putting the parts together. I had broken the brace into 3 phases: setting up and tipping - body into a C position and paddle shaft parallel, contact and snap, and finally the head flick and paddle recovery.

The first and last parts were clicking fairly well together. It was the middle sequence that was misfiring. I have a better sense of that section now. There's a little muscle memory forming.

At the next pool session, I am going to work on a C to C roll. Jeff suggested that this would translate well toward an even stronger high brace. I tried a couple, came close, but had to revert to a standard sweep roll.

I am getting closer to nailing this skill. I have until the 10th to practice this or I'll have to arrange for some video evidence.

Summer's End

As the evenings grow shorter, the ability to do the circumnavigation of Coronado also fades away for the Night Herons. Last Tuesday was probably that day. Realizing this, many of us made sure we did the trip. Four of us launched early, with the usual ribbing. Dennis, Teresa, Jane and myself pointed our kayaks toward Point Loma. The tide was going out, so we let that speed our boats along. Dennis recounted spending a morning up in the OC doing some rescue practice.

We soon reached the jetty, and began to look for a spot to slip over. I was hanging back as I was trying to get my water pack working. Dennis located a spot and we all slipped over single file. Expect me. I mistimed it and heard a nice scrapping sound and came to rest on a rock. I waited for a swell to lift me along. But now my boat has a gentle reminder of the trip.

The landing at the beach went fine. I side surfed the last bit in and the four of us were soon carrying our boats to the other side. We waited, carefully walking on the slippery and stinky mud for Frank and any other Herons who were chasing us. After about 10 minutes, we spotted the carrying their boats across the road.

As we entered the bay, a boat was leaving the docks. four of us grabbed it draft. They were headed to the concert at Humphrey's. we chatted a bit. Turns out he know Al, who paddles with the Herons as well.

We slipped under the bridge, as evening fell. Dennis motored along with Frank. I hung with Teresa for a while. We stopped briefly and Jane and her bright new light caught up. My left elbow was a bit sore from some yardwork, so I slowed my pace and watched my stroke carefully.

The lights of the San Diego skyline were beginning to twinkle to life. There was a bit of mist in the air, so the rays of lights from some of the bigger hotels forms beams into the darkening sky.

Jane and I cruised on home as Teresa's light danced ahead in the distance. The bay side of the trip was void of most boat traffic, although we had two good wakes to contend with. One from a yacht, the other from a cargo ship.

As we landed, the crackle from a fire on the beach filled the air (along with the music from the concert). All in all it was a wonderful paddle to mark the 'end' of summer.

Bracin' in the Pool

In the continuing saga of working on my high brace, I headed to the Wavehouse in Mission Beach for some time in their pool. The good folks at Aqua Adventures runs a session about once a month. There were about 6 or 7 of us there. Some were working on rolls or re-entries. I focused on the brace. It is getting better, slowly.

One thing that seems to help, is the be more agressive. Jane would position herself to provide a rescue if I missed my brace. I did a few rolls after missing, but the quick rescue technique seems to work well too.

I spent the first part of the session, slowly working through the components of the brace, trying to build some muscle memory.

Jen did offer some pointers. She suggested sweeping a little when the blade hits the water, and when you recover, reach for the forward stroke on the other side.

I still think I have a timing issue with the blade and my hip snap. I think I am snapping too late. Maybe some practice this weekend.

FYI: Jane snapped the photo of me setting up for a brace on my weak side.

Where's Jane?

Last Saturday, several of us decided to do the circumnavigation of Coronado. Both Jane and I missed the San Diego Kayak Club sponsored one in July due to the BCU 3 Star assessment we took.

Since I had just done the Night Heron version about two weeks ago, I drove down to Coronado and parked about where we landed that Tuesday. I was a touch early, so I walked out to the water to find probably the nicest looking ocean I have ever seen. There might have been 1 foot surf at best and the rest of the ocean look like glass. Sweet! Low tide was about 6am, so we also had that going for us as we paddled back around into the bay.



I went back to the car, and a few minutes later Diane Kemp arrives. She's the president of the SDKC. Comments on the early nature of the paddle were exchanged, then we unloaded our boats and gear down toward the water.

But still no Jane or any other folks. Hum... Did we get the day wrong. We gave her cell phone a jingle and nothing. We were not about to let such perfect conditions go to waste. So we drove the cars down a block to the boat ramp on the bay side. Grabbed the last few pieces of gear, slopped on the sunscreen and strolled back to our boats.

But still no Jane....

Down the shoreline, we saw two other kayaks launch. Could that be someone? At first we thought they were paddling up to meet us, but they quickly headed out to sea. We kept looking around, checked the cell, then decided to launch holding to our 7am launch time.

We pointed our boats toward Point Loma, and began a nice steady pace. The ocean was flat. Diane made a comment, to which I reply "Shh! Do not anger King Neptune!"

I looked back toward the beach and the ocean behind us to see if any kayakers were around, but even in those calm conditions, no one was to be seen.



We had to head almost to the end of the breakwater to slip over the jetty. Diane crossed first since I had the tow belt. As I crossed, a beautiful Garibaldi swam under me. We followed the jetty enjoying the birds as the sat upon the exposed rocks. Diane stopped to snap a photo or two.





The both of us continued chatting about all sorts of topics as we cruised along the shore of North Island. One of the piers on the base was being used by a large group of servicemen/women. We passed the Ferry landing and the boat traffic that was starting to pick up. We never really stopped along the way. I was trying a waterpack on my PFD, and the pace was relaxed enough that I never felt pushed. I would say except for some photo-ops, we just keep on motoring....




As we turned into Glorietta Bay, the breeze started to pick up. A gentle reminder of why we did wake up early....The sun was out from the early morning clouds, and the Hotel Del look great from this side as well. We pulled up the docks completing the 11.5 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes. A quick snap of Diane on the docks, since the camera was tied to her whistle during the paddle, we loaded our boats on cars, all they while wondering Where's Jane and the rest?



Well we found out about an hour later. If I bother to fully read the email and look up the address on the map, I would have seen that they meet about two blocks south of where we launched from. When the swung by where we had parked to unload, we had already moved our cars to the boat ramp. Since there is a slight rise between the street and the beach, they never saw our boats. They launched about minutes after us, but neither group saw the other. They also had a grand time. They cruised a bit slower and stopped for coffee at the Ferry Landing.

Taking the Wife out...

And so it begins.....

I finally convinced my lovely bride to come out kayking with me. The Thursday social paddle at Aqua Adeventures was the perfect the choice. I headed down to the shop early to grab a tandem with a rudder. I knew that wanted to make sure that the kayak had one, so she would have a nicer experience paddling in a straight line ;). I grab a plastic Necky for us, and I opted to use a rental paddle, so I happened to use a nice Epic paddle. Gee, too bad for me.



Anita arrived about 5:30, after setting up the twins with a new sitter (Lisa from down the street). I got her set in the boat, lowered the boat into water, and helped her in. She was a bit neverous, but I eased her fears. Mike B. was the lead guide tonight, so I knew we would be good hands.



The paddle was the standard Penguin paddle. Anita did great! I tried to give her some pointers about rotating rather than arm paddling. I know her arms are going to be sore. We caught the end of the Sea World water show, then headed on toward the penguins. Anita was really enjoying it.



We then swung past the Barefoot Bar. The group did split up, so Mike had us led the group to the last bridge to wait and regroup. I think Anita was a little proud of me having a little role in this trip.

The best part was when Anita turned to me and asked me to make sure that I get a PFD and paddle for her when I rent one next week when my folks come down. WOW!



We finally returned to the docks and stored our borrowed gear and headed home. The twins did fine with Lisa, so that was great. All in all It was a wonderful evening! Can't wait to do this again with her.

Sunday Morning @ Pt. Loma

Ok, having a degree in physics and being a computer programmer, you would think I would put 2 and 2 together. Earlier in the week, Jane sent an email out about a kayaker visiting from NoCal looking to borrow a boat and paddling buddy. Mike Brown, chimed in with a boat and to act as a guide. Later, Mike tossed out an invite to launch from Shelter Island and head out toward Pt. Loma. So, I drove down to Shelter Island for a 7:30am launch. Dennis was also there. I did not connect that the other paddler, Kevin, was the paddler from NoCal until after we launched. D'oh!

The four of us headed toward Pt. Loma under cool overcast skies. I opted to wear a long sleeve t-shirt since it was a bit cool. A nice change from about a week ago. I do need to get a long sleeve rash guard for days like this, and not wear the fabric of death.



We cruised out toward the lighthouse and around the corner. I hung back with Kevin and had a chat with him. I pointed out the sights as we paddled out. "To your left, you will see....."



As we round the point, the seas picked up slightly. According to Mike, we had 2-4 foot mixed swells with some light wind. I felt really good. We went past the breakers and cruised up the coast a bit. On the way back, the call of nature was heard, so I did practice my race pace at the end.

I did not have a chance to attach my water pack. Oh well.



All told I think we put about 9 miles under our keels. I think Kevin had a great time. He had a camera with him, so we see if any came out... 9/20 - Just added some of the photos that Kevin took that day.

By the light of the moon...

The weather in San Diego was starting to return to something 'normal'. The weather for Tuesday night look a typical perfect San Diego evening. A half moon was up in the early evening sky. During the summer, the Night Herons will do what is known as the Coranado circumnavigation on the odd weeks. Well it was an odd week.

I usually get to Shelter Island a bit early, traffic on the 5 south and me in my little Saturn with my boat sticking out always makes me nervous. Teresa showed up a bit early as well and suggested we do the circumnav. Initially, we thought we were going to run it backwards. The normal route is to leave Shelter Island and head out of San Diego Bay, cross over the jetty at some point depending on the tide. After making your way toward the lovely Hotel Del Coranado, land and do a small portage to the other side, then continue back along the North Island side toward Shelter Island. All told, it is about 10-11 miles of paddling.

Teresa thought we had a low tide at about 3-ish, so she wanted to do the trip in reverse. After much debate, we convinced her that she had tides reversed and it was high tide at 3ish, so the normal route would be the correct way to go.

Jane also joined us. We left a bit before the 6pm traditional launch time, figuring that the faster paddlers would catch us.

We headed toward the entrance to San Diego Bay, along the way we ran in to Al, who had launched from Coranado and was paddling over. We inquired about the surf conditions and if there were Dumpy sightings. He said it was running about 2-3 feet, with some dump. We decided to press on. We crossed the channel to the south side and headed along the jetty.

About half way down the breakwater, we found a spot that the three of us could slip across. We had a brief water break, then headed toward the Hotel Del Corando. It makes such a beautiful target. I really need a waterproof camera!



The swell did pick up slightly as we paddled onward. This was entirely new water for me. I had never done this trip before and was really excited about. I could feel the growth of my skills from taking the classes at Liquid Fusion. The boat felt right, the blade felt right, I felt right. This is why I kayak. Thanks Jeff.

As we neared the beach, we began the process of inspecting the wave action and locating a landing spot without swimmers or surfers. The sets were running about 3 seconds apart and typically in groups of three. We found a stretch of beach that look open for landings, so we decided to go for it. Teresa went first, flawless. Jane soon followed, another upright and dry landing. Now it was my turn. I tucked my Herons hat in my PFD and secured my sunglasses in my spray skirt. I let the group of three pass, then headed in. About half way in got a little sideways in a small wave, push through it, and landed without issue. Three text book landings. Smiles and congrats to all.

We carried our boat down the street, and dashed across the main road to slip back into the bay. As we started back toward Shelter Island, a water taxi was just pulling away, so I had to see if I could grab a draft. I slipped in behind him, and motored along for awhile, until the diesel fumes were to much.

The sun was slowly setting as we went under the Bay Bridge, the lights of Petco park were on in the distance (Padres lost 1-0 to the Astros). As we passed the empty beach by the ferry landing, we knew the rest of the group had come and gone.

Teresa motored ahead, while Jane and I cruised together. The coastal clouds started to move in and we lost our moon. As we crossed the channel back to Shelter Island we could hear the music from the concert and the fires on the beach. We did have some boat traffic, so we had to stop twice to allow them to pass.

I can now cross that trip off my list. I am a bit tired today, but my poor little girl has swimmer's ear, so she was up several times during the time, which did not help. We are doing this trip again on the 12th, but starting at the beach at Coranado.