Author Archives: ChrisGriffith

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

Valley Wide Kayak Club Fundraiser Kayak Paddle at Lake Hemet


On Saturday, October 21st, 2017 the Valley Wide Kayak Club will hold its “14th Annual Charity Paddle and Barbecue to benefit Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times” – our non-profit neighbor that provides cost-free programs and services to children with cancer and their families. Sign up details at: https://www.classy.org/events/-/e135113

The Campsite is located just across the road from Lake Hemet where the Charity Paddle event is held. We cherish organizing this fun, active event each year in honor of Camp Good Times which serves over 1,600 campers in need each year. 

Come camp with the Valley Wide Kayak Group from Friday through Sunday at Lake Hemet Campground! Call Lake Hemet Campground at (951) 659-2680 to register your space in campground 2A. Upon calling, please mention you’re with the Valley Wide Kayak Club for the event Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. Register ASAP as these spaces will fill up quickly!

Skills Practice Session

Paddlers!  Come play with us.

Let’s take advantage of the warm water with a skills practice. 

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, July 15

RALLY TIME:                  8:30 am

LAUNCH TIME:              9 am

DURATION:                   1 – 2 hours

LAUNCH SITE:               Aqua Adventures Dock

VENUE:                          Mariner’s Cove, where there’s 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

La Jolla Sea Caves Paddle

Jen’s shop at the shores is providing tandem sit-on-top kayaks for this special guided paddle for the club. If you have never seen those caves, this is a great way to view them. SOT kayaks are a great and easy way to go through the surf and allow for sliding off the boat to swim inside the caves. Dominick Lemarie will be guiding us, and providing information about the caves in both English and French! The cost is $25 per person, which includes all equipment (or wear your own life vest). Kids 6 and older are welcomed (6-14-year-olds must be on a boat with an adult). We will meet at 8:30 at the LJ Sea Caves shop, located at 2164 Avenida De La Playa, above the Shore Rider Bar and Grill, and launch at 9 am for a 1-hour 40-minute paddle. You must call the shop and pay in advance, and there is a 20 person limit, so call soon. 858 454-0111. Also, email Jay Murdock for the waiver to sign and bring with you.

The Canoe

Since, the weather this weekend has most of us off the water, thought I would share this movie. 

This film captures the human connection and bond created by Canada’s well-known craft & symbol, the canoe. Through the stories of five paddlers across the province of Ontario, Canada – a majestic background both in it’s landscape & history – the film underscores the strength of the human spirit and how the canoe can be a vessel for creating deep and meaningful connections.

Skills Session This Saturday!

Let’s take advantage of the warm water with one more skills practice.

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, October 22
RALLY TIME: 8:30 am
LAUNCH TIME: 9 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
RSVP: Please let Jane Hardy know if you plan to attend

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.

11th Annual Kayak Batiquitos Lagoon Cleanup

The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF) is pleased to announce it’s 11th Annual Kayak Batiquitos Lagoon Clean-up event, the only time of the year when kayaks are allowed on the lagoon! This annual event is sponsored by REI Outdoor School and their Encinitas store, 1590 Leucadia Blvd., Encinitas, CA 92024 ((760) 944-9020). We also thank California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for being a partner with us in this very important clean-up event of Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve and helping to maintain its health.

You can sign up here:  www.batiquitosfoundation.org

Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6, 2016

Kayak launch times from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm

Meet at La Costa Park and Ride (I-5 and LaCosta Avenue)

$60 per person for two hours which includes registration, water safety instruction and time on the lagoon (tax-deductible!)

You can bring your own kayak or use one provided by REI. (Please note the minimum age for participating in kayaking on the lagoon is 12). Bring your appetite because the Dos Bandidos Baja food truck will be on site from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
Plan to spend a few hours at this great family event!

You will find important information about the event, including a registration link to eventbrite.com, at www.batiquitosfoundation.org

Skills Practice

Let’s tune up our skills while we have such warm water temperatures.

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, August 27
RALLY TIME: 8:30 am
LAUNCH TIME: 9 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.