20-mile Kayak trip from Long Beach to Catalina on SMALL CRAFT WARNING DAY part 1 This is part 1 of Steve and Sherri first kayak trip to Catalina.
We started in San Pedro Harbor and headed for Two Harbors Catalina.
We started much later than we planned (mistake number 1).
We were unaware that there was a small craft warning day (mistake number 2).
We were rescued by the US Coast Guard 5 miles off the coast of Catalina.
You should always check several weather and wind reports before making a trip like this.
The Catalina Life Guards informed us the most essential wind report to check http://www.noaa.gov/ this is a government website and they are the ones that post small craft warning day or gale force winds etc.
I also like to check https://www.windfinder.com/ and http://www.surfline.com/ .
If you get several sources all saying the same thing, chances are they are right.
It is also imperative to have a marine radio, a dry cell phone, and we also carry a waterproof satellite phone.
When your life depends on it, you need lots of back-ups in case anything fails.
You should also bring a compass.
You also need to know what your most significant dangers are.
Most people tend to worry about Sharks.
Sharks are one of the lowest things on your list of things to worry about.
The odds favor you dying of hypothermia or being run over by a small motorboat.
You need to know the real dangers so you can be prepared so you will not be a victim of your lack of preparation.
You also need to be in the physical shape that allows you to paddle a lot farther if you have to because things can turn out to be much worse than you could ever imagine.
Before ever attempting a trip like this you need to do a much longer paddle than this along the coast without stopping.
I can not stress enough how much preparation needs to go into a trip like this.