Paddling from San Diego to Hawaii, anyone? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

lamb · 09-21-2012, 10:00 AM

2 days ago, we were headed down to 1010 trench. Loooong ride, in pretty ugly seas.

Maybe 20 miles or so South past the Islands, I almost ran over something in the dark.

Weird bright white light, that I got close to really quick - I figured it must have been stopped, or moving slow. I could not see that well in choppy seas... Stopped for a while to see if the "thing" will signal back to me indicating that they may need help (yell at me, flash their light)... Nothing. I even thought I saw those things on a side that looked like paddles moving?!? Can't be... Gave it a while - no signal back... I figured I shouldn't be getting too close or too involved into this weird situation - you know what other kind of activity can be going on in the dark involving limited lights and small vessels close to the border... So we continued on...

The next day, on our way back, we see something small in the distance...
We get closer - it looks like really small raft?!? This can't be cool, we're like 50 miles down south, at least 30 away form the shore... They may need help....

WTF - a kayak?!?

Brent realises it's Rory Wilson, a math teacher on a quest to paddle from San Diego to Hawaii. He heard on the news a few days ago about his trip.

We wave to him, we yell Hawaii?! He confirms... We offer some fish - he turns it down. We move on.

I hope he makes it to Hawaii safe. Just looking at the seas down at 1010 he was headed to, that we ran away from after working it for maybe an hour on 26.5 ft cuddy cabin and 250 hp in the back - it will be tough.

Here's more info on Rory's quest and his kayak KROS:

http://www.bisd303.org/cms/lib3/WA01...nd%20Notes.pdf

I'll keep an eye on his quest.

And yeah, we did get rewarded for the effort; brought some lambchicken and dorado home:

GR6RR · 09-21-2012, 10:38 AM

Interesting paddle for Mr. Wilson, In the second photo he looks like "Bernie", crouched over like that in his yak. BTW Nice fish too Awesome info. Thanks for sharing.

porkchopcb · 09-21-2012, 11:12 AM

That's crazy!

sharjak · 09-21-2012, 11:32 AM

Looks like he has solar panels on the yak.

ful-rac · 09-21-2012, 12:41 PM

Hey I recognise that hat! That's gotta be Jim Day! Sure looks like a kayak that he would build!

Or maybe It could be Gregandrew in his new trident....?

StinkyMatt · 09-21-2012, 04:26 PM

Great read, the supply list forgot something he has on his trip, a set of ....

BIG BALLS

addicted2sp33d · 09-21-2012, 11:51 PM

That guy must have incredible arms and shoulders... and unimaginably large huevos.

09-21-2012, 10:00 AM	#1
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,563	Paddling from San Diego to Hawaii, anyone? 2 days ago, we were headed down to 1010 trench. Loooong ride, in pretty ugly seas. Maybe 20 miles or so South past the Islands, I almost ran over something in the dark. Weird bright white light, that I got close to really quick - I figured it must have been stopped, or moving slow. I could not see that well in choppy seas... Stopped for a while to see if the "thing" will signal back to me indicating that they may need help (yell at me, flash their light)... Nothing. I even thought I saw those things on a side that looked like paddles moving?!? Can't be... Gave it a while - no signal back... I figured I shouldn't be getting too close or too involved into this weird situation - you know what other kind of activity can be going on in the dark involving limited lights and small vessels close to the border... So we continued on... The next day, on our way back, we see something small in the distance... We get closer - it looks like really small raft?!? This can't be cool, we're like 50 miles down south, at least 30 away form the shore... They may need help.... WTF - a kayak?!? Brent realises it's Rory Wilson, a math teacher on a quest to paddle from San Diego to Hawaii. He heard on the news a few days ago about his trip. We wave to him, we yell Hawaii?! He confirms... We offer some fish - he turns it down. We move on. I hope he makes it to Hawaii safe. Just looking at the seas down at 1010 he was headed to, that we ran away from after working it for maybe an hour on 26.5 ft cuddy cabin and 250 hp in the back - it will be tough. Here's more info on Rory's quest and his kayak KROS: http://www.bisd303.org/cms/lib3/WA01...nd%20Notes.pdf I'll keep an eye on his quest. And yeah, we did get rewarded for the effort; brought some lambchicken and dorado home: __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

09-21-2012, 10:38 AM	#2
GR6RR Lucky Fisher Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: too far inland Posts: 366	Interesting paddle for Mr. Wilson, In the second photo he looks like "Bernie", crouched over like that in his yak. BTW Nice fish too Awesome info. Thanks for sharing. __________________

09-21-2012, 12:41 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Hey I recognise that hat! That's gotta be Jim Day! Sure looks like a kayak that he would build! Or maybe It could be Gregandrew in his new trident....? __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

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09-21-2012, 11:12 AM	#3
porkchopcb Junior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 9	That's crazy!

09-21-2012, 11:32 AM	#4
sharjak Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South OC Posts: 102	Looks like he has solar panels on the yak.

09-21-2012, 04:26 PM	#6
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Great read, the supply list forgot something he has on his trip, a set of .... BIG BALLS

09-21-2012, 11:51 PM	#7
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	That guy must have incredible arms and shoulders... and unimaginably large huevos.