BCU 3 Star Training

Jen Kleck conducted a BCU 3 Star training yesterday. A total of 9 paddlers (Jane, Miki, Bob Jones, Jay, Brian, Joe, Tom, the other Bob) turned up for the class. The weather was prefect, we had a light breeze under sunny skies. We headed to the lifeguard station, and worked on our reverse paddling slaloming through the moored boats. With my Chilco, I have put the boat on a nice edge and work my way through. Apart from avoiding my classmates, I was able to move the boat through the course.

We then turned our attention to draw strokes. But soon Mike showed up with his Learn To Kayak class, so we crossed over to Islandia basin. There, we continued playing with various draws and rudder strokes. I played under the pilings of the restaurant. Not only did it give a challenge, it offered a little shade.

Then we worked on towing. Having some towing experience, I teamed up with Brian, who was new to kayaking. We worked our way out of the basin and headed up the channel. After a bit of towing up the channel, we then practiced becoming comfortable next to the jetty. We had a bit of current coming into the channel coupled with a bit of wind, so we had some minor conditions to deal with.

Jen then had us spin around and paddle backwards along the jetty. I brought up the rear, as I waited for the kayak traffic ahead to clear out.

As we cleared the end of the jetty, we headed toward Dog Beach. I unfortunately was feeling the effects of just having oatmeal for breakfast. Note to self, eat a better breakfast.

Bob went in first, and signaled that we could land. We took turns working our way in. I timed it perfect. I had a text book surf landing. I was able to back paddle over the waves and slipped right in. At the end I caught a nice little wave and surfed right in. Miki was the last one in, with Jen coaching her through her first surf landing. She did great! Everyone made in with their boat.

We grab a lunch, then back into the surf to play in the soup. This felt so good, the conditions were perfect. I did take a small break to rest the elbow, but it was so comfortable out there in it. We had a bit of confusion on heading to our next skill set. I was playing in the bigger surf, trying to retrieve my water bottle. I had Joe's for a while, but a good wave knocked it loose. Looked up to see most of the class outside the break, signaling for us to come out.

We headed to the north side of the jetty for rescue practice. I teamed up with Bob Jones. Our first skill was T-rescues, with a roll attempt first. Bob nailed his, as did I (extended paddle). After each person had done a rescue, Jen tossed in a race against the clock. I was able to get Bob back in his boat in a minute. WooT!

After that, we worked on Bow Rescues, or as the BCU refers to them as Eskimo Rescues. I was able to get Bob back up, unfortunately Bob just missed finding my hands and I had to swim. I developed a nice charlie horse in my left calf, so that made things more fun getting me back in.

We then practiced a bit more towing, including some contact tows, then headed back to the docks. We hugged the rocks and used the eddies to help push us along.

It was a great day on the water, I only wish it had been my assessment rather than just some training....

Father's Day - Paddle #14

My good friend Josh called up on Saturday and asked if I could take him paddling. His family had already started their vacation back east, and a last minute client issue forced him to stay behind. So we meet up at Aqua Adventures and got him in a boat. Jake asked if we could first head over to Mariner's Basin to check on a guy who rented a surf ski, but was a bit unstable. In fact he had to tow it over.

We crossed the channel, and found him on the beach getting ready to head back. I called the shop and gave them an update. Josh was really enjoying the paddling around. We head back into the bay and ran into Miki. She joined us as was decided to paddle up to the Bahia. There was a touch of wind, so we stayed on the north side of the bay as we made our way back to the docks.

Josh had a fantastic time. Nomi might kill me, because he might be hooked. We headed down to OB for some lunch. The line in front of Hodad's was insane, and the Chinese place was closed for some repairs. Instead we tried the Mexican place across the street. Not bad.

It was a perfect Father's Day on the water.

There's going to be fireworks

Since my family was returning on Saturday, I knew I was not going to be able to join in the SDKC coastal paddle. Instead I opted to assist in Aqua Adventures Fireworks Paddle. I figure simple paddles like these are great to slowly learn various guiding skills. Jake and Mike were both glad to see that they would have a third hand. We had two groups join us; a Indian family and some folks from Alpine. I helped Jake set up the boats and hand out the gear. Since I don't know the inventory, this is the part where I always feel dumb.

Jake volunteered to act as the tour guide for the grandma of the Indian family, who came in traditional dress. We pushed off at about 8:45, not bad according to Jake. We slowly worked our way toward Seaworld. Mike took the point and Jake acted as sweep. I moved up and down the group checking on various folks.

We were 'early' enough that we paddled over to the Barefoot Bar, where quite the party was going on. From there we followed the shore of Vacation Island, then crossed over to Fiesta Island. That last crossing was painfully slow. We made it just around the bend of Fiesta Island as the fireworks started. I missed some of them as I was pulling one paddler who came close to banging into the rocks.

When the show was over, we made a straight line back to the docks. Just before turning to in the basin, there was a massive fishing boat pulling in. It must have been 100+ feet in length. Once it entered, we made our way in, and back to the docks.

I was a fun evening, luckily without too much drama. A perfect way to end my vacation.

Sunday Morning @ La Shores

I meet up with Mike, Bob, and Claire to do some paddling from La Shores. We meet at 8am and were quickly on the water. Mike had lost a tow belt a few days earlier over by the caves so we headed over just to take look. Alas, no belt was found on the rocky beach. So we then turn northward toward Scripps Pier.

There a touch of a westerly swell, giving us about 3 foot seas. There was also a bit of wind coming from the west as well. We paddled in pairs as we rode the swells. When a good set rolled through we would lose sight of the other group. When we reached the pier, we took stock of the conditions. I voted to head back and enjoy the cove some, Bob agreed wondering about the wind picking up. Mike and Claire opted to head north a bit. We had some miscommunication about this. But through the miracle of VHF, Bob and Mike got things sorted out.

Bob and I decided to return back to the Caves and cruise by them. Neither had of us had a helmet and the conditions were not too favorable for poking our noses in them.

We paddled back to the launch point, and waited for a window to land. We waited a bit as we saw how the sets were coming in. Jay went first without too much trouble. I was just at the edge of the surf line, when I nice set rolled in. I was able to back paddle over the first two, but the third one was going to try to get me. I planted a nice high brace, rode it a bit, then was able to sweep my boat into a nice ride. My boat began to turn toward the left and I planted a simple low brace and side surf the last bit in. I was very happy with managing that landing.

We kept an eye out for Mike and Claire, but I knew that Mike would be fine on the water. I loaded up and said my goodbyes to Bob. Now where to paddle on Tuesday??

2009 Bay to Bay Race Results

Having missed last year's Bay to Bay race with my trouble-some elbow, I thought of a more enjoyable way to participate in this year's race. So I thought it would be fun to enter the Parent-Child category. Since I don't own a tandem, the kind folks at Aqua Adventures, lent me one of theirs.

The original plan was to enter the race with Ben, since there was a birthday party that Shira might enjoy as a substitute. However, Ben had some issues with self-control, and was grounded. Shira happily stepped up to the plate. It was tough lesson for Ben, but I am glad Shira was ready to go paddling. I felt bad having to pick one over the other in the first place.

Jen and Jake brought the tandem beast down to the starting line at Shelter Island. Shira was so excited to get in the boat and go paddling. She got high-fives from Jane Hardy, Jen, Jake and Mike Brown.

At 9:45, the starting horn sounded, and off we went!

Shira was paddling her heart out and loving every minute of it. We headed straight for Island Prime to the first bouy. The weather was perfect for racing, not too hot. There was a touch of wind, but it was mostly at our backs.

As we rounded the first buoy, we headed south toward Coronado. Instead of following the eastern side of the bay, the course now followed a more westerly route. This meant a longer channel crossing, but less boating issues.

A bit past the ferry landing, Mike Brown caught us and gave Shira a thumbs up on her paddling. Shira was hanging tough. She would paddle for a bit, then take a small break, but she was pulling her weight on Team Griffith.

We rounded the last marker and headed toward the finish line, now we felt the wind a bit more. Just then Shira's hat flew off her head. I quickly snatched it from the water and kept motoring on.

I kept my pace up, and giving Shira encouragement to keep on paddling. We crossed the line at 11:15:33, covering the 5 miles with an average speed of 3.4 knts.

We hauled the kayak up on to the grass, grabbed our shirts and waited for the results. Shira was so proud of herself for doing it.

Then, we found out we were first place beating the other entrant by nearly 11 minutes!



Here is Shira with her shirt and plaque. She was one tired little girl, as she nodded off as we rode back with Jake to the starting line. I can't wait for their kayak classes to start.