Monthly Archives: December 2014

Whale Watch Paddle out of Mission Bay

 

joe_fluke_2

Joe looking at a fluke

The third weekend in January is historically when the highest number of grey whales are sighted off San Diego, so let’s go try our luck. This is an open ocean paddle for intermediate and beyond kayakers.  Because of safety reasons (staying together as a group), decked kayaks and fast SOTS (able to paddle 2.5 knots/hr) only please. Here are the details:

DATE: January 17, 2015

LAUNCH TIME: 8:30 (be there at 8 am please)

PLACE: Aqua Adventures dock (best place to launch, without going through the surf)

BOAT RENTALS AVAILABLE:  If you have open ocean paddling experience, you can rent a boat at the launch site. Call Aqua Adventures in advance to reserve equipment.  You must have prior experience in a decked kayak, or check with them if they have a fast SOT. Their number is 619 523-9577.

OUR PLAN: The round trip is approx 8 statute miles (unless we decide to also paddle further south along the kelp), and will take 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Our average moving speed will be about 2.5 knots/hr. The whales move down the coast along the kelp beds, so if you are anywhere near the 164 ft depth line (give or take 40 ft of depth), you may see them to the west or east, possibly within 500 ft of you. We have found that it is more likely to see whales near the kelp beds for some reason, and this is why the paddle out of AA has a good probability of a sighting. The Lat/Lon of the “Whale 1” waypoint on the map is:  N32 44.445  W117 17.390

map

EQUIPMENT: All safety equipment is required. If you have them, carry a VHF and GPS, with batteries fully charged. And, always wear your life jacket (required).  Remember to bring your water, food, hat, sunglasses, and camera. Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this email message.

IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Check your email Friday night after 6 pm if the weather looks bad. We will give an update if the paddle is still on.

Hope you can join us.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a sanctioned San Diego Kayak Club or Aqua Adventures event. The announcer of this event is not the leader of such, merely a “coordinator”.

Disclaimer: We will have experienced paddlers on this trip, but they will not be responsible for telling you what is or is not safe for you to do. We watch out for one another and assist one another, but all individuals are responsible for, and manage their own safety. This responsibility includes assessing your gear, skill level, and physical conditioning relative to conditions and location, as well as making decisions about what you will or will not do. Participants acknowledge that kayaking on the open sea or bay is inherently dangerous and can lead to physical injury including death as well as property damage. Participants, on their behalf and on behalf of their heirs and assignees, agree to hold the announcers and other participants blameless in the event of such injury, damage or death. Please join us if you want to mildly stretch your capabilities, but please stay home if you would be wildly stretching them. Participants should have bracing skills, be able to self-rescue and assist in the rescue of others. They should be able to launch and/or land along the rocky bay front.

Skills Practice Paddle

skills

We haven’t brushed up on our rescue skills in a while. Come join us on Sunday, December 21

8:30 – rally at the Aqua Adventures dock

9 am – Launch and paddle over to Mariner’s Cove

All boats and all skill levels welcome. Everyone helps everyone in this adult sandbox. This is a terrific opportunity to test out new equipment, gear, clothing, a new boat, and test your own rescue and/or rolling skills. Get wet, or not.

Long Exposure Photos Show the Elegant Hidden Patterns in Sports

A long-exposure shot reveals a kayaker's movement through space. STEPHEN ORLANDO

A long-exposure shot reveals a kayaker’s movement through space. STEPHEN ORLANDO

Canadian photographer Stephen Orlando has a far simpler approach: He visualizes the action using a strip of LED lights. Orlando’s long exposure photographs reveal the invisible patterns in activities like kayaking and canoeing. They won’t upend our understanding of these activities, but they certainly invite us to look at them in new ways.

http://www.wired.com/2014/12/long-exposure-photos-show-elegant-hidden-patterns-sports/#slide-id-1669107

Traditional New Year’s Morning Paddle

Mark your calendars, it’s that time.  Let’s continue the traditional paddle begun by Jeff Laxier some 10-12 years ago

DATE:                   January 1, 2015

TIME:                    8 am rally, 8:15 launch

PLACE:                  La Jolla Shores Boat Ramp or thereabouts (there may be road construction)

PADDLE:               North toward Torrey Pines

DISCLAIMER:        Each paddler is responsible for their own safety; must be able to self-rescue and be equipped with appropriate gear and clothing, and keep a 3-4 knot pace and is expected to stay with the group