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| We launched from the beach in front of the Marine Room into 1-3 foot waves. No problem, I figured, since we got the tip on where to "put in" from new friend Jake at Aqua-Adventures who was aware of our skill-level (one lesson/three times in the water). Jen got in her boat and I shoved her off the sand and into the surf. "Just keep your bow headed into the waves." It was nerveracking and exciting to see her paddling into and over the breaking surf! With her beyond the breakers I launched myself and punched through the whitewater. |
| We paddled toward La Jolla Cove bobbing up and down with the incoming swell. Pelicans swooped just over the surface of the water. Gulls flew overhead. My 17 foot Necky Chatham and Jennifer's 15 foot Necky Eliza were built for sea kayaking and we had no trouble covering the mile or so to the sea caves. In this picture you can see my orange dry bag, my Werner paddle and my bilge pump. The black hatch cover allows access to my bulkhead for storage. The bulkhead itself is airtight and keeps me afloat, even if I capsize. Our paddles are made of carbon-fiber -- they're strong but light. My paddle is 210 centimeters (7 feet) long but weighs just 25 ounces. It is ergonomically designed and has a foam core in the blade which makes paddling long distances a breeze. |
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| With no helmets and a bit of a swell we decided not to go into the caves but we got close to them. With my polarized sunglasses I could see bright orange Garibaldi swimming beneath me. |
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