New Years Day Paddle - Sandy Beach

What a great way to start the new year! An exciting day today. I, Delta Kayak Adventures , had scheduled a social paddle today at Sandy Beach on Sherman Island to try and introduce new people to the world of paddling. I was blessed to have the opportunity today to introduce someone new to the sport. Unfortunately she got a little more than her feet wet today but she has a great attitude and is looking forward to getting on the water again when the weather is a little warmer. Thanks so much to Jim Schneider and Jenni Thompson of the Lodi Paddle Club for your assistance today! Kayakers are a great group of people! All the paddlers I have met have been more than willing to lend a hand and share their wisdom and experience with fellow paddlers.

Numerous paddlers from the Lodi Paddle Club and other paddling clubs from the area showed up for a great day on the water. I arrived at about 9:30 a.m. and there were several vehicles right behind me loaded with boats. There was barely a stitch of wind when people began launching. It was a bit on the chilly side but the sun was shining brightly and soon warmed up a little. The wind started to pick up around 11:00 but it wasn't too strong. I was finally able to get on the water about this time and paddled to one of the nearby islands and enjoyed a snack with a friend. We returned to the launch around 1:30 and ate lunch with more friends. The wind had died down and the three of us returned to the near glass like water and paddled toward Mayberry slough.

Just after two of us launched we waited for our other friend to join us just outside the launch area when an aluminum boat occupied by a couple of duck hunters and their dog passed us by. As they neared the dock their dog moved in the boat and somehow fired the shotgun that was pointed towards the picnic area where our kids were playing. Needless to say, my heart stopped until I knew everyone was o.k.. It was a scary reminder that as paddlers we're not alone out there and need to be aware that it is duck season and there are hunters out in areas of the delta that we may like to paddle. We need to make lots of noise to let them know we're out there too!

It was nice to meet so many wonderful people today and hope to see you back on the water soon!!

First sunset of 2013!

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