Kayaking in the Channel Islands
It was crisp (cold) morning in May when I decided to throw all caution to the wind and go Kayaking(for the best kayak within budget read this reference). I was in Oxnard, CA on a trip, and was scheduled to go, while the rest of my team went hiking.
"I can hike in Los Angeles", was my thought for choosing to go kayaking. As the day came closer, I grew apprehensive. I am overweight and did not want the embarrassment of the kayak tipping over. The water is cold in California, though you would not think so.
Well, I mustered up all my courage and got on the boat, which was to take us out to the Island. The service is run by Island Packers. These guys are great, with a focus on safety. Before going on the boat, they made sure that the waters were tame enough to go on the hour-long trip.
It was an interesting journey. Think turbulence in the water. It is a good thing that I love water, and never get seasick. The ride was a great opportunity to meet other people setting out for the island adventure. The couple that I was to go kayaking with was from out of the county. They were celebrating a birthday.
The water seemed to be throwing the boat around for a little while. We had to hold onto each other if we wanted to go anyplace. I needed to go to the bathroom, but there was no way I was going to attempt to move from the top floor to the bottom while the wave was so strong. Eventually, it did calm down, and we even saw a couple of whales and sea lions.
When we reached Anacapa, we dropped our bags and the hikers off on the Island, while we changed into our gear. I thought we were going to be in the type of kayak that you had to sit in like on TV, but our guide prefers the sit on top kind. He says it is easier for beginners and does not tip over as easily. I was sold on that point alone.
Our guide was Mike Lamm, who is well known on the surfing circuit. He is a coach, competitor, and all around great guy. I could not think of a better person to take me kayaking for the first time.
The boat went out a little into the water, and each person climbed down the stairs to get in the boat. You feel the cold water because you have to go one or two rungs under water to sit in the boat.
Since I was the least experienced of the group, I got in last. Lamm gave me the basics of how to row. It was sort of easy since I had been canoeing before, but it had been years.
We then embarked on a three-hour journey around the Channel Islands. I saw all kinds of wildlife, like the protected brown pelicans, tons of sea lions, and gorgeous starfish.
In the beginning, I was little unsteady, so Lamm hooked my boat to him, but that got old and I dug in and found my inner kayaker. It was great. I went in a wonderful cave, and close enough to the sea lions that you could smell them.
I was also hampered by the fact that somehow the seat cushion had come loose, so my back was killing me, and I was leaning further and further back. I thought it was normal, but when I mentioned it to Mike Lamm, we paddled over to a small island and switched out boats.
The water was so clear that you could see the plant life below. I wanted to stay longer, but we had a boat to catch. In the end, there was no rush since the rest of my party was running late.
You hear most often of Catalina, but Anacapa is the Island that is a must see. It is not developed, so you see nature at its best. It was unspoiled by development. There were no vendors, restaurants, or hotels.
If you want to sleep on the island it runs about $15 per night. The boat to the Island runs about $42 for adults,, and kayaking with Mike Lamm runs from $79-$179 depending on how many hours you are out there.
I had a blast kayaking on that chilly day. It was made great through my wonderful guide, Mike Lamm. I wonder if he gives surfing lessons.
