Take the Compass Navigation Challenge!

Watch KC row on the compass heading from the Santa Cruz Harbor Mouth to the Mile Buoy. See if you can row on a compass heading with accuracy. Comment to let me know about your navigation experience.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlefmhkQ1ic    

Watch out for Marine Debris - A TREE!

Beth and KC out rowing to the SC Mile Buoy come across a floating tree. Navigation hazards such as this tree are common in the area between the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Mile Buoy. Make sure you look over your shoulder every 20 strokes to avoid dangerous floating hazards.  Watch this Video to see the TREE.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7CDm9MGkdo 

Santa Cruz Harbor Mouth Shoaled

Each year the Santa Cruz Harbor Mouth is shoaled by tons of sand. This creates very shallow conditions and can be hazardous to boaters, especially human-powered boaters.  Here is live video of the Harbor at the end of December, 2012.

http://youtu.be/NTheFxdxmgk 

This sign is posted at the Launch Ramp

Rowers must take care not to row through the harbor mouth when waves are breaking  - even if the waves do not seem large. The area inside the Harbor Mouth also creates many opposing currents due to the backwash off the jetties combining with incoming swells. These currents can make controlling a rowing shell very difficult. Take care of yourself, take care of our precious Club Fleet. Don't row out of the Harbor if you observe any waves breaking. Watch the mouth for several sets to determine if waves are breaking across the mouth. Know the swell conditions and the tides before you sign out a boat. Relax, row some laps, work on your technique inside the Harbor when the ocean is rough. KC  

November Ocean Rowing in Santa Cruz

West Coast rowers are a lucky bunch, but there's no luckier than Santa Cruz rowers. Fall and Winter reveal a secret; folded between replenishing storms are awe-inspiring fog-free, flatwater mornings with crispy, colorful sunrises. Late afternoons disappoint local sailors and serve up many windless passages to early evening sunsets, perfect for a short rejuvenating row after a long work day. Check out our latest YouTube Video of rowing on our amazing Monterey Bay Sanctuary waters. November Rowing on the Ocean in Santa Cruz. Our Club President invites you to enjoy rowing our Fleet and adds her advice about remembering to tie down the boats every time. Listen to the beautiful sound of our repaired Lighthouse Fog Horn. This sound is your friend when you are forced to navigate home in thick fog.  Take care not to get caught out in the dark during our shortest days of the year. Remember, it is a requirement to display a white light in low light conditions, before sunrise and after sunset. Enjoy, and stay safe!

Rowing Your Boat in a Sea of Change

When you set out onto the water in your rowing boat, you felt fresh and excited. The sun was rising with welcome to the inspiration of a new day. The sea was calm, reflecting fluffy clouds.Your oars left perfect puddles. The trail of your boat was straight and true. You felt a wisp of chill on your cheek; a slight riffle on the water amused you. The tiny spout of harbor porpoise to starboard thrilled you and you followed along. Next, a sea otter and pup resting in a nest of kelp drew you to turn and hurry over for a better view.Suddenly, a powerboat came roaring out straight at you, so you turned to move off his heading and avoid the wake. The wind shifted, quickened, and suddenly the breeze became a shivering cool. The hairs on your neck lifted. A few droplets of water dripped off your hair onto your nose.You turn and see a huge wall of wet cloud overtaking you. A few moments later, you are engulfed in gray fog and you have lost your way back.This scenario is the introduction to a series of navigation and safety blogs for you. Together we will explore a variety of tools and habits that will enhance your safety on the ocean. No matter how simple or sophisticated your tools, the key to successful navigation is VIGILENCE. You must consistently use your tools and be aware of your surroundings to enhance your safety in a sea of change.