Keith and Robin Elliott, Bev Waldron, Bob Glickman, Peter O'Sullivan, Lance
Pillsbury & I launched from Kiddie Beach in Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard this
morning under clear skies and a freshening breeze.
Bev headed out for her usual fast route around the harbor.
Lance and Bob headed south, but the wind and swells had picked up, so at the
entrance to Port Henueme did not like the conditions and returned back to the
pond after a trip around the breakwater.
The rest of us tested our skills in the pond. It was great to see Robin and
Keith again. They both looked comfortable on the water after a long absence.
Joe was working on becoming comfortable in a different boat. This boat has low
initial stability, so it is a lot different than his main boat. While pointing
out a power boat coming into the pond capsized. Peter was quick to start a
T-rescue, but it was a monumental task getting Joe back in his dry boat. After
a couple of tries he was back in his boat, exhausted, with the cockpit full of
water. After pumping half of it we decided it would be better to land, rest and
empty his boat. We made it to shore and stopped for a snack break and rest. As
we stood on the beach, Joe noticed he had lost his LA Dodgers cap. Then we saw
it floating in the waves with the brim sticking up like a fin. We launched and
headed back into the harbor and picked up Joe's cap on the way.
The highlight in the harbor was an approximately 150' yacht that looked to be 5
or 6 decks tall. It was straight sided so nearly every deck had the same square
footage. There was a large door at the stern that would hold a good sized
dingy. The bow, reaching all the way to the top deck, was perfectly
perpendicular, much like a Epic kayak, with a chrome plate the full height of
the bow. It appeared nearly new and was flying a U.S. flag topside and large
Anguilla flag on the stern.
The harbor was busy with boats, kayaks, and SUPs.
That is the way it was this last Sunday of June 2019.
Robert Tongen reporting.
