Downwind Paddle from L.A. (Cabrillo Beach) to Long Beach (Belmont Shores)
Conditions
Wind Speed: 20-35 mph, gusts to 40mph+, Gale Warning
Direction: 280-300 degrees, West/Northwest
Wind Waves: 3-5'
Ground swell: 6'+, West
Water Temp: 55-56 degrees F
Total Distance: 9 miles
Max speed recorded on GPS: 14.2mph
This was as good as it gets... Gale Warning and small craft advisory... Four of us set out from outter Cabrillo Beach on our Bark Stock boards. After a 1/4 mile paddle to get out of the lee of Point Fermin, we were immediately catching fast and fun runners outside the LA breakwall. 14 mins to get to the LA Lighthouse from outter Cabrillo Beach; we were flying.
When we passed the LA Lighthouse, we continued west along the middle breakwater surfing from one runner to the next... It was all time.
When we passed the LA Lighthouse, we continued west along the middle breakwater surfing from one runner to the next... It was all time.
Once we reached the opening of the Long Beach Harbor, we had showdown with a Princess Cruise Passenger Ship. As the four of us crossed the entrance, we could see the cruise ship in the distance heading our way. We thought we had plenty of time to cross the channel entrance, but those ships move a lot faster than you think narrowly missed us by a couple hundred yards. A close call, but a memorable paddle.
