Newport Harbor Pizza Paddle - September 2018 With Bonus Peddle To The Paddle Action
- Updated: August 29, 2018
- Post By: Matthew Hengst
August 29th, 2018
You can find write-ups of other pizza paddles here. For notifications on when we're doing the next one see our facebook group Pizza Paddle Associates. (Send me a message so I know you're not a spam bot!)
We've still been doing these monthly -ish but the conditions haven't been ideal for pictures or a write-up. That's unfortunate as we only have another month or two of launching in daylight and enjoying sunsets on the water but at least this months outing was a return to form.
I've been trying to kick up my activity level midweek and since my knee has further improved thanks to knee surgery and some significant gym work I've been able to start cycling again. This was the second time I managed to bike down to the beach and then do the paddle.
From my place back by the mountains it's about 26 miles down to the beach where we launch but only about 400 ft of gain. On my road bike with reasonable traffic and the usual coastal headwind it takes about 1:40.
Sending the boats with Jen and Kristen I left a little before 5 am and arrived at the beach with about ten minutes to spare. Just enough time to change clothes, stow the bike, unload the boat, and get down to the water.
We had a few last minute cancelations and one person who had the wrong day entirely so it ended up being a small -ish group.
Joining us for only the second time ever was Jobi fitness trainer extraordinaire who can usually be found motivating Kristen and I through workouts a few times a week.
No sooner had we launched but I was lamenting the fact I was rather thirsty and looking forward to a beer or two or three at the restaurant. At which point an unopened can of beer floated by in the channel. Life is good!
We paddled onwards enjoying our magical sea beer and the rather nice sunset that we'd missed out on the last few outings.
We also had a large amount of fish jumping out of the water all around us which isn't something I can remember seeing before.
We had a few more folks drive out to meet us at Pizza Nova a little before 8. The best beer they had this time around was the Bootlegger's Brewery Far Out Charlie Thai Tea IPA which is something that just needs to be experienced. And of course the food was excellent.
By 9:15 pm we waved goodbye to the others and started paddling back. Paddling after dark always stresses people out their first time but it's actually quite nice. Even on nights where there is no moon there's plenty of ambient light and the water is generally a lot smoother.
We made it back to the beach sometime after 10 and it was well after midnight by the time we got the boats sprayed off and back to my place. So another late night but well worth it!
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