Mike Jones - Mostly Paddleboarding: Carmel Beach

Last year, on April 16th, I had plans to go for a 15-mile paddle with Nick Bryson. But I fractured my radial head (left arm) on the 15th - which is how my skateboard wound up in Sayulita, Mexico, courtesy of Mike McDaniel.

This year, sans skateboard, things are going better. I've been working up my mileage and, today, I did my first 20-mile paddle of the year - an annual milestone.

Lately, most paddles have been in Monterey, from San Carlos Beach. I was feeling like a paddle at my home waters was due. I was up at 5:15 a.m. and planned to be on Carmel Beach before 6:30. I had everything organized, easily heading out the door only slightly late, at 6:20.

It was an especially gorgeous morning (in case you weren't up), so I brought my camera. [Click on photos to enlarge, hit <esc> to return.]

I've admired this low-tide view often. This seemed the perfect time to take the shot.

But I dealt myself a delay. I noticed a couple of days ago that my GPS mount was getting loose from my board (it's held there with dual lock tape). My neglect was rudely pointed out to me as I paddled through the Carmel shorebreak. Fortunately, I always attach the GPS lanyard to my water bottle cage, saving the GPS. But that didn't stop King Neptune from claiming my GPS mount. After I found a place to nestle my now unmoored gadget, things got underway.


Sunrise beams on Pescadero Point.

Where not to paddle.

The entire paddle was sun-soaked and mostly windless. It began at low tide and ended at high tide.

I love the out and back high mileage that Santa Cruz offers, with so much gorgeous coastline. In Carmel, without a paddling partner, I restrict myself to staying somewhat closer to land, and prefer not to round Pescadero Point and head for Cypress Point. But the scenery is so amazing, I didn't care about doing laps. It helped that Stillwater Cove's kelp bed was still passable, and it got better as the tide rose.

I settled into a sustainable pace. Once I get underway, I can always rely on this to clear my mind's clutter. Getting into the physical and out of the cerebral on regular basis is something that helps make my life especially good.

But today, there were so many other things in addition to paddling to enjoy and draw inspiration from. And I wasn't alone in thinking so. There were several kayaks, two Monterey-based dive boats, two divers venturing out from Stillwater Cove on bodyboards, and a stand-up paddler. I couldn't help but pull out my camera ...

Stillwater Cove, down below.

I take Joe Bark with me everywhere I paddle!

One kayaker told me about how good salmon fishing is this year. Now, if I could just learn to like fishing and figure out how to fit that into my next 20 miler ...

It's been an unforgettable year.

I got into downwind paddling (wish I would have started that years ago!), broke my arm (I sent the skateboard to Sayulita, Mexico), paddled some fun ones -- including another Jay Race, Pier-2-Pier (gotta), Kauai's Na Pali Coast (HUGE thanks to Kanesa) and the Island-2-Island relay (that's Channel Islands -- HUGE thanks to Kathryn). And then there's the endless support I got from DeeAnn!!!!

That just left the Question: How to end an epic paddling season?

Answer: An epic paddle with friends out to Point Lobos, followed by Mike McDaniel’s way-epic Mai Tais and lots of amazing food. Thanks to Mike ("M2") and Mile 22 (check 'em on www.mile22.com and like 'em on Facebook -- there should be a 'way like' button') for getting us together.

A solid south wind was on, so we had to work for it. But when we got close to Point Lobos, we were completely sheltered from the wind. We just hung out there in glass and amazing light. The paddle back to Carmel Beach was a fun downwinder.

Click on any photo to enlarge.