I went for a ‘training’ paddle with my buddy Bryant Burkhardt the other day, as part of our preparation for our attempt to visit all eight of the Channel Islands of California next month (see http://www.expeditionkayak.com/content/?page_id=303).
Our ‘training’ consisted of a huge ferry glide under the Golden Gate Bridge from the north to the south tower against a powerful flood tide and then a playful paddle out to Seal Rock off the Cliff House adjacent to Ocean Beach, San Francisco.
We played in the tide and swell pushing through the spectacular natural arch at the north end of Ocean Beach before crossing to Point Bonita to play in the caves and arches there. Good times!
And today I paddled the boat I will be taking on the trip for the first time. She’s a beauty. A Cetus MV, with a metallic white deck and cool team graphics. We launch from Gaviota near Santa Barbara on Friday. Fingers crossed for calm winds and no fog!
Thanks to the guys at P&H for building such a beautiful boat. She handles like a dream – fast, playful and stable – the perfect balance.