Kayaking the Harbor

So, you want to have a cool adventure in Ventura Harbor, but aren't quite certain what to do. Maybe you could try renting a kayak and taking a tour from the water side.

You could rent a swan (or a duck or a dragon) pedal boat. Honestly, those look pretty fun, but kind of, I don't know, touristy. 

You could rent an electric boat - those look like a pleasant way to see the harbor. You can eat and drink and have a grand old time, quietly buzzing around the harbor. Not quite my style, but okay.

Or you could rent a kayak. For about $20 an hour, you can get right out onto the water, amongst the yachts and fishing boats, the sailboats and dinghies. 

And, by "on the water" I mean ON the water! With the duck boats and the electric boats you're up high,  cruising along, which is okay. But, down there in that kayak, you're butt is actually at water level. Now you're right there, a part of the whole harbor pastiche. It's a blast!

Paddling the boat is only as strenuous as you want it to be. They feel plenty stable, and super easy to maneuver. If you find yourself momentarily out of control, say up against a rock, or perhaps alongside a docked yacht (I'm not telling...), it's surprisingly easy to push yourself off and get going again. It takes no experience whatsoever, beyond a sprinkling of commons sense.

We rented ours from Ventura Boat Rentals, and were impressed both with the quality of the boat and with the staff. They were breezy and fun, but seriously safety minded and conscientious. 

So, what do you do in your kayak? The big thing to do? Number 1 priority? 

Relax. Paddle out on the bubbling waves and slow down. Paddle over next to the rocks on the embankment and lose yourself watching the fish dart around in the shadows. Feel the gentle rise and fall of the small waves there in the harbor. 

Go visit the sea lions. They're a noisy bunch, and you'll find them on a number of piers and quays. Just a reminder: these chaps are wild, and not to be trifled with. But they are certainly fun to watch.

Take a look at the Gentry Eagle from the water side. Regardless of her condition, she is a thing of beauty. You might at first think she's sitting down in the stern, as if she were sinking. But, once you see that long, sweeping line that gracefully links her bows to the water line at the stern, you realize she's designed to look that way, like a seagoing dart.

In case you missed it earlier, relax. Let the wind and the waves bring you a long-needed respite from the crazy life ashore. To wit: there was a quartet of musicians playing in the plaza at the Harbor Village, and the music was kind of like this kitschy soundtrack to our yachting adventure.

A couple of caveats:

There are some rules of the road: get out of the way. Even though you have the right of way over both power boats and sailboats, do your best to make it easy for them to get by. If there's a chance you're going to run in front of a moving boat, relax and let it go first. It's safer, easier, and an a lot more fun.

Bring your sunblock, because you will get some sun. A lot of it. If you don't want to be out there in all that glorious sunshine, rent an electric boat and sit under the canopy.

You will get wet. I thought at first I would probably fall in or tip the thing over. A second in the boat and those fears evaporated faster than a twenty in a candy store. But, when you row, you paddle left side, right side, left side to move the boat in a straight line. Water runs off the paddles and into your lap. Whee. Actually, it was hot out there, and the water felt great.

So, there you go. How I spent my summer vacation. 

If you're up for a really cool adventure, you can't go wrong paddling the harbor!