It was a cool, relatively calm, sunny morning with a +6.5 ft tide coming in at
Kiddie Beach, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard this morning. Bob Glickman, Peter
O'Sullivan, Lance Pillsbury and I unloaded our boats into the designated launch
area and were visiting, discussing that we had received a call from Joe
Barrett, that time had gotten away on him and he was just now leaving Simi
Valley at 8:00. A passing pedestrian told us, "A Boat Is Drifting Away!" We
hurried and looked and sure enough one of us had underestimated the incoming
tide and surge from the swells and boat traffic. Here was a nice stitch and
glue kayak adrift in the swimming area. The owner quickly jumped in a plastic
kayak and paddled out to retrieve his boat. Joking then commenced with
questions like, "How did it feel to paddle a real boat?"
Lance and Bob soon left for the Pt. Hueneme Power Plant. Peter and I hung back
keeping kind of busy waiting for Joe to arrive. He arrived at about 9:20, did I
mention that launch time was 9:00? The most important thing was that we got on
the water! It was about 10:00. To make up for being late, Joe brought oranges
and protein bars that he had stopped to buy on his way to paddle. He also
regaled us about how much he enjoyed (did not) seeing the ballet "Black Swan"
the previous Sunday.
We headed out through the pond in a NW direction on smooth undulating 3 foot
swells. There were no birds on the breakwater, very little boat traffic, but
lots of sun as we paddled. We met up with Bob and Lance and they reported not
seeing any wildlife either. Lance and I made a trip around the breakwater, then
it was time to pack up and head home.
It was really a nice day to paddle, the sea, wind, and sun all enjoyable.
That is the way it was this high tide Sunday after the full moon in January
2020.
Robert Tongen reporting.
