Day 78 - SEDA 'Wanderer'

We had 60 - yes sixty - people signed up for our Aqua Adventures July 3rd fireworks tour tonight. Add about 10 guides and a handful of visitors and we ended up launching almost 80 people off our dock by 8:15. From here to the cove where we watch the show is less than a mile but moving that many people took about a half hour. The trickiest part was crossing the main channel which we did in a series of pods of ten or so kayaks so we wouldn't end up with a quarter mile long string of kayaks plugging up the entire channel. Once in the cove it was just a little wait until the best fireworks show in town started up.

I tell everyone that, once you've seen it, this show is one by which you will judge all other fireworks shows. Normally for a half hour straight there is hardly a moment when there isn't sparks in the air. Tonight, after an entire crate of ordinances blew up on the launch barge, they did have to pause the show for ten minutes while they sorted it out. After that short delay the show resumed and later finished with a grand finally that is what GRAND FINALLIES should be.

Bringing all of those people back to the dock is always a bit more challenging than the way out mainly because most were in a hurry to get back as they were very ready to get out of their boats. It all went off without a hitch until the Seaforth sportfishing boat named "Legend" came out of Quivira Basin going way faster than the 5 mph speed limit in Mission Bay allows. This 80 foot fast moving boat caused us concern for those of our group just finishing their way across the channel. I tried to reach the captain of the boat on the radio but it appears that he didn't want to have a conversation about his reckless boat operating any more than he wanted to slow down to avoid hitting boats in the channel. Seems how the captain wasn't interested in communicating on the radio I turned to the only sign language I know to express my opinion of his pioliting skills.

Jen, Paul (our British friend visiting for the summer), and I opted to paddle canoes whilst guiding the group tonight. The higher vantage point and maneuverability of the canoes make them the perfect craft for an outing like this. Not to mention all the space to bring any extra gear that may be needed on the water (and cherries of course). I was in a SEDA Wanderer which belongs to a very good friend of ours, Teresa, who must own a dozen canoes herself. It handled quite nicely with enough speed to run up to the front of the pack when I needed and turn-ability to thread through the crowd of kayaks in our group.

SEDA canoe review

Manufacturer = SEDA
Brand = SEDA
Model = Wanderer
Material = Kevlar
Type = Open Canoe
Length = 17'-6"
Width = 36
Weight = 60 lbs.
Cap. = 1000 lbs.

Location = Mission Bay Paradise Point Resort July 3rd fireworks show
Time = 8:15 PM
Distance = Approx 2 miles
Duration = 2:00
Avg. Speed = N/A
Conditions = Slight breeze w/ high thin marine layer