It started out peacefully enough, but a couple of miles downstream one of our local Santa Ana winds came blasting in rather suddenly. With winds locally up to about 20 MPH occasionally gusting to 40 it didn't take much time for the local chop to rise to the occasion.
For those familiar with Hobies in the wind, the only real concern is keeping your hat on while you take your "shower" and wondering why you didn't remember the soap. For others though, this can be an uncomfortable surprise
First rescue:
Soon enough I spotted a paddle kayak and proceeded to see if they needed any assistance. On the way I spotted another two kayaks lashed together. Turned out to be a couple of kids (without life vests on) whose Dad had left them to seek help (presumably).
We got ourselves organized and the girls hung on while the trusty Turbofins delivered them to their parents (who were standing on the shore wringing their hands). I wasn't too impressed with their Dad's headwork!
Second rescue:
Not too long after dropping the girls off, I ran across a row boat with a man and 3 kids that trying to get back but wasn't going anywhere. Naturally they had no bow line but I had a spare just in case. He happily accepted the help and between the two of us we got them back to the docks. His first question afterwards is where could he buy one of those Hobies?
Third rescue:
Once again I headed out to the back of the lake. By and by I came across a couple with a disabled motor. He refused any help saying he'd have it fixed shortly (just then his wind driven boat rammed a rock, knocking his wife down and almost overboard). I offered to hook them up while he fixed the motor and his wife wasted no time handing me a bow line. His was the longest tow but but the winds were mostly in our favor there. Surprisingly he never got the engine started before we arrived at the launch ramp.
The wind caught a lot of folks off guard. Four boats in one day is a record for me! I'd had enough, headed home and took a nap!
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