Pictures from todays Palos Verde kayaking trip.

[puerco-bellies]

Ali and I went kayaking today. We did a 15 mile round trip from Royal Palms State Beach, to Point Vincentes. Weather was good, with only a slight breeze mostly cloudy, but a sizable 4-6 swell out of the Northwest. We took every opportunity to rock garden, which is to explore and maneuver though partially exposed rocks. With the swell we had to pass on a few spots, way to dangerous.

Abalone Cove rock garden.



We back in to, then turned around and nosed in to this cave just to practice maneuvering in tight spots with swell surge.



About to ride a swell surge through this slot in a rock. This is the second pass after the first Ali took our camera out of the dry bag while I paddled through



A small cave on the left as we passed through the slot.



As soon as the above photo was taken Ali turned the camera back at caught my "paddle face".



Most of the photos don't give you a sense of the swell we were in.. this is a needle rock that juts 40ft out of the water just south of Point Vincentes



My "I know that the camera is on me" face.



After paddling back we took almost an hour peeling off our gear and gathering the strength to load up the yak.



Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

[Haole Girl]

1. Wow! That looks like some tough paddling!

Thanks for sharing those! :D

[puerco-bellies]

2. Your welcome.

Poor DU lounge. You are like a captive audience for my photos.
:evilgrin:

[Haole Girl]

3. I love your trip/kayaking pics!

:hi:

[Zoigal]

4. Thanks for sharing the

pictures, Puerco B. Great shots. Looks like a lot of fun. I walk along that area almost every day.

[puerco-bellies]

6. Your quite welcome

PV is such a nice area to stroll, as well as to yak. Yesterday Ali and I walked down the trail at the "cove" to watch the longboarders at sunset. We don't live there mind you, but we do like it.

[Zornhau]

5. That's really cool

nice pics!

[puerco-bellies]

7. Thanks.

Here's a gratuitous one.

[devilgrrl]

8. Looked like a gas. How was the water?

We did Art-to-Go over in Pasadena today. :-)

[puerco-bellies]

10. Not bad at all.

Not much wind so the water was smooth. The water temp is down to the 62-60 range so we wear 4/3 wetsuits. With the suits we are quite comfortable if not down right hot. Because of the design of my suit I have no choice but to wear it zipped up. Ali's O'Neal is an older model so she paddles with it unzipped and rolled down to her hips. If we are going to do something risky she can pull on the sleeves and zip it up in half a minute. I wish she would wear the damn thing properly just in case a sneaker wave blindsides us and we go in unexpectedly. The shock of 60 degree water causes her to hyperventilate at the least, and hypothermia is a possibility. I love her dearly but she can be so stubborn at times. By winters end we will have bought her a "drysuit", very expensive but made for comfort, range of motion, and protection from cold water immersion.

[devilgrrl]

14. I've got a sleeveless full body suit.

Would that work out there?

[puerco-bellies]

17. Yes it will. If your suit is a 3/2 it should be good down to 59 degrees

While paddling you would feel quite warm, the suit is for getting rolled in to the water. A neopreme top, rash guard, and of course booties will keep you comfortable. Carry along a light wind proof shell jacket in case the breeze starts to get out of hand far from your landing site.

[Catshrink]

9. Beautiful photos!

Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. Don't you freeze your butt off?

[puerco-bellies]

11. Nope. We wear our 4/3 winter wetsuits.

We surf all year so we have the gear for winter water. We are going to aquire what are know as drysuits which protect even better, allow moisture to vent from the suit and prevent water and cold from entering in the suit. We will get them over time because a the high cost.

[havocmom]

12. Yes, enjoyed the pictures! Thanks

Grew up not far from there and used to love to watch the maniacs in kayaks! LOL

The day the Queen Mary came into Long Beach, my brothers went out to watch the festivities, and told of a lone chap out in his little kayak among all the boats, yachts, and that huge old ocean liner. My big brother, the old Coastie, was pretty impressed.

[puerco-bellies]

13. Maniacs, I like it.

We are quite new to the sport but have gone for it in a big way. Last May we camped on Santa Cruz Island off the Ventura coast. While picking our way around a tide pool several kayakers glided by with a front row seat to the entire coast. I told Ali that we should try it and we rented a couple then bought a old used one. About a month ago we bought a touring sit on top with a rudder and went back to the Channel Islands to paddle Anacapa Island. WOW, the only problem is finding places that can at least approach the beauty we found there. We are going to be heading North and South (mostly North) to find interesting, challenging, and of course beautiful sections of coastline. Maniacs indeed.
:crazy:

Edited because I have too.

[havocmom]

15. Santa Cruz - Ventura coast - another old stomping ground for me

When my daughter was born, there was an opening for lighthouse keeper/ weather radio operator for Anacapa Island. I REALLY wanted that job! LOL. Be careful around those Channel Islands. The water can be dangerous. But have fun in my ol 'hood! :hi:

[puerco-bellies]

18. The last day at Anacapa we paddled throug the Arch..

For the second time. The seas, wind, and seemingly currents had switched on to WTF!?!. Between the huge swell, rebounding swell, high winds, and ripping currents we carefully did a sweeping 180 before we got to Pinneped Point. The difference between the two days was stunning. We both had no trouble determining that we were way over our heads, and got back to the North side of the island as quickly and carefully as possible.

[SeattleGirl]

16. Another fun adventure!

Great pictures!

[puerco-bellies]

19. Thank you.

Just curious, do you know what the seawater temperature is up your way?