The Western Seaboard
Memorial Day Paddle
A voyage deep into the Monterey Canyon.
Story/Photos/Videos by Marc Owerfeldt

Water is cold only when you think it is cold.

old Inuit proverb

Posted on May 25, 2020

Venturing miles offshore all by myself is an intense experience. My senses are hightened, I listen to every sound, keep my paddle quiet and I think almost exclusively about safety.

The yellow can marks the 4 mile boundary.
Large school of anchovies (I jigged up about a good dozen for bait).
Seagull taking off.

Sea otter asleep.
5 petrale, 1 canary.
Petrales' underbellies are white/pink (one of my favorite food fish).

One of the photos shows that I clip my paddle when I put it down, something I don't do when paddling with a partner (though I would still have a backup paddle should the main paddle get lost). Amongst my most important safety features (and in no particular order): a Personal Locator Beacon, float bags in bow and stern, a VHF radio, GPS, backup GPS, drysuit, PFD, first aid kit, magnetic compass, water, food, safety knife, tow rope.

Another run along the southern shoulder of the canyon.

Distance: 17.5 miles, Duration: 8 hours