Category Archives: Event

Upcoming Paddles

After spending a lot of Saturday mornings in Mariner’s Basin practicing our rescue and rolling skills, some of us are going to venture out the next two Saturdays.

Saturday, Oct. 2 – La Jolla coastal paddle -north or south and return

Drop boats off at the launch ramp by 8:30 before parking; launch at 9.  Will probably paddle a couple of hours and then find a spot for lunch. We may encounter some surf so please assess your skills before RSVPing.  This is an intermediate paddle.

Saturday, Oct. 9 – Newport Beach Coast Guard Station paddle.

1911 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar

It’s a good hour and a half drive–5N to 405N to Jamboree, then head W; need to leave here about 7 in hopes of launching by 9. There’s a small parking lot but plenty of street parking–it’s in a neighborhood. Sandy beach launch; bring wheels; bathrooms and boat wash facilities. Very pretty coastal paddle, appropriate for those intermediate paddlers comfortable in open water; similar to here, depending on the day.

As a reminder, you’re responsible for your own safety.

RSVP to Jane Hardy (janehardy@cox.net) for each session

Kayak Cleanup

Once a year, the San Diego River Park Foundation gets special permission to enter the San Diego River Estuary on kayaks and pull trash out of the water in this sensitive habitat. Join us on Saturday, January 11th for this unique opportunity to see the San Diego River from a new angle while helping out! 

The San Diego River Estuary is a critically important 330-acre wildlife area with habitat for many sensitive species, including endangered birds that nest in the estuary, like the Ridgway’s Rail and the California Least Tern. Over 100 different species of birds use this area as a rest area along the Pacific Flyway during their yearly migrations between Alaska and Mexico.  

We will have kayaks available for volunteers to borrow, but you are welcome to bring your own. 

While boats are in the water, shore volunteers will remove trash along the banks of the estuary and the adjacent San Diego River Trail. 

Kayaks will be sent out in two shifts: 7:00 am-8:45 am and 9:00 am-10:45 am. 

Please indicate which shift you would prefer when you RSVP.

Details:

  • This event is open to volunteers ages 13+, but volunteers under the age of 16 must come with an adult.
  • No experience necessary.
  • Closed-toed shoes are required.
  • Sun protection, water, and a snack are highly recommended.
  • Community service hours can be verified.

RSVP REQUIRED.  Limited volunteer spots are available. To sign-up for the interest list and receive full details, please email volunteer@sandiegoriver.org or call (619) 297-7380.

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 27, 2015

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

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

ALL BOAT TYPES ARE WELCOME: SOT’s, Decked Kayaks, Inflatables (if rigid skin, fabric reinforced)

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.

San Diego River Clean Up

Opportunity for Kayakers! The San Diego River Park Foundation has received special permission to enter the San Diego River Estuary in kayaks to remove trash out of the River on November 10!

If you can provide your own kayak, this is a great opportunity for a unique experience in your own backyard!

If you don’t have a kayak, but would still like to help out, they will be hosting a cleanup on shore from 9am-Noon.

RSVP is required and kayaker space is limited. To RSVP or ask a question, please email volunteer@sandiegoriver.org or call (619) 297-7380.

Kayaking around Coronado island

Call for support paddlers! The 3rd SEAL Memorial Swim is looking for some support paddlers for this event. They start just north of the rocks in front of Hotel Del and go all the way around and exit at Boy Scout landing by Glorietta Bay park.

The event is Saturday, September 15th The swim will start at 0700 and check in for the event starts at 0600.  They are looking for 2 paddlers. One to be the safety paddler to trail the group and the other to be the support paddler.

Most swimmers will be on relays and swimming for 20 minutes at a time and supported by relay boats. There will be a few solo swimmers who will all need their own kayak for safety and support.

It’s a great event and if anyone would like to help we will be having a luncheon afterward on a nice yacht right in the bay and they would be invited to participate.

If you can help out, contact Jeff Utsch <jsutsch@wrsf.com>

Skills Practice Session

Paddlers!  Come play with us.

We’ll use the usual format – buddy up and work on whatever suits you.

Generally, the veterans join in to help coach, so novice paddlers are welcome to get wet with us and be prepared for plenty of laughs.

DATE:                            Saturday, May 19

RALLY TIME:                  9:30 am

LAUNCH TIME:              10:00 am

DURATION:                   1 – 2 hours

LAUNCH SITE:               Aqua Adventures Dock

VENUE:                          Mariner’s Cove, where there is a nice beach and bathrooms

OPTIONAL:                    Getting wet, or not

RECOMMENDED:          Warm paddling clothes with a splash jacket or a dry top/dry suit

 

PLEASE NOTE:

These paddles are not sanctioned San Diego Kayak Club or Aqua Adventures events. 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 in small surf

Baja Kayak Fest


This is a rough water event for experienced sea kayakers.  You don’t have to be a superstar, but you should be comfortable paddling 10-15 miles in a day and are well-practiced at capsize recovery techniques. You should be comfortable in small surf and bumpy water.  Our location is a rocky peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean and provides the perfect playground for kayakers!  We will offer day trips for pure fun and rock-garden play, as well as skills development courses. Top coaches from the Pacific coast will mentor groups of 4-6 paddlers at a time!

You’ll find costs detailed on the registration form.  3 days of courses (including most meals) costs $525 (limited scholarships are available for professional guides who live and work in Mexico – ask us!).  Follow links for “accommodation” and “meals” for more cost information.  Round trip transportation from San Diego is available for $70 or we can help arrange to carpool with other participants.  Look around the site – you should find most of the answers to your questions!

http://www.bajakayakfest.com/

New Year’s Day Paddle & Festivities – OC Edition

Meet at the Coast Guard Beach in Newport Beach at 9 AM. Be prepared to launch at 9:30 sharp. We will paddle close to the surf line and the rocks down past Big Arch Rock at an exploratory pace (slow) with an optional landing through the surf at Toxic Beach if conditions permit. Please wear a helmet if you intend to land in the surf and or do a little rock gardening. If conditions are not suitable we’ll keep a safe distance from the rocks and surf.

This paddle is for paddlers comfortable paddling on the open ocean, close to rocks and capable of performing self-rescue. We look out for each other but none of us are paddling as instructors or guides.

 
Lunch and musical festivities afterward (noonish) at ‘Fireside’ (Bison and MacArthur outdoor food court by Chipotle). If you are unable to make the paddle you are more than welcome to join us for food, song and laughter. Featured tunes for the day, “Scream Like A Littler girl”, “Linked By Water” “Deep trouble”, “Roll Up or Drown (Out of OC)” 
 

San Diego River Clean Up

Once a year, the San Diego River Park Foundation gets special permission to enter the San Diego River Estuary on kayaks and pull trash out of the water in this sensitive habitat. This is a unique opportunity to see the San Diego River from a new angle while helping out!

The San Diego River Estuary is a critically important 330-acre wildlife area with habitat for many sensitive species, including endangered birds that nest in the estuary, like the Ridgway’s Rail and the California Least Tern. Over 100 different species of birds use this area as a rest area along the Pacific Flyway during their yearly migrations between Alaska and Mexico.

Thanks to the support from Aqua Adventures, we will have kayaks available for volunteers to borrow, but you are welcome to bring your own. Kayaks will be sent out in two shifts: 9a-10:30a and 10:30a-12p.

While boats are in the water, shore volunteers will remove trash along the banks of the estuary and the adjacent San Diego River Trail.

Limited volunteer spots available. To sign-up for the interest list and receive full details, please email volunteer@sandiegoriver.org