La Jolla Launch - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 07-19-2008, 09:47 PM

Great shots of people actually using this public beach. I wonder where the seals went. When I was a kid, the seals were around, but kept to themselves over on Seal Rock, a bit north of the beach. Seal Rock is a preserve set aside for the seals. They were regular visitors to the Casa but slept, (and pooped) on the rock.

At some point over that last 20 years, they took up residence on the beach and someone decided that they were more important than the humans for whom this man made beach was built. I do not know the details as to how this came to be but it would be interesting to learn the history. If anyone knows, please post.

In response to Billy V's question, I do not have a key to the Casa ramp gate. I used to but they have changed the locks.

I am waiting for a response to my email to the Lifeguard Chief, Ken Hewitt, in which I asked for a clarification of the rules regarding launching kayaks from this site. Ken is a reasonable guy but he has to go by the rules. Should it turn out that the rules prohibit using this beach as a launch site, I would like to suggest that we try to get the rules changed.

I have two thoughts on this subject. The easiest solution would be to get our government, (remember, they supposedly work for us), to specifically aprove launching kayaks at the Casa. There is going to be a bunch of work done to the facilities there at some point. The lifeguard tower has been closed because it is falling apart. This facility will probably be rebuilt and upgraded. The beach is also supposed to be dredged to clean up the seal poop which has made the water in this area unsafe for human contact. As part of this upgrade, we could lobby that a dedicated kayak access be created.

The other option is that while they are reconstructing the lifeguard tower, they add a ramp to the beach on the south side of the sea wall. There is a stairway there now but stairways are not very kayak friendly. This access is not as sheltered as the Childrend's Pool beach, especially during the winter but it would be better than nothing.

I may be tilting at windmills but I think that if the kayak user community bands together we could make this happen. I will try to get things started. Is anyone else interested in helping out?

Bob

07-19-2008, 09:47 PM	#17
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Children's Pool Great shots of people actually using this public beach. I wonder where the seals went. When I was a kid, the seals were around, but kept to themselves over on Seal Rock, a bit north of the beach. Seal Rock is a preserve set aside for the seals. They were regular visitors to the Casa but slept, (and pooped) on the rock. At some point over that last 20 years, they took up residence on the beach and someone decided that they were more important than the humans for whom this man made beach was built. I do not know the details as to how this came to be but it would be interesting to learn the history. If anyone knows, please post. In response to Billy V's question, I do not have a key to the Casa ramp gate. I used to but they have changed the locks. I am waiting for a response to my email to the Lifeguard Chief, Ken Hewitt, in which I asked for a clarification of the rules regarding launching kayaks from this site. Ken is a reasonable guy but he has to go by the rules. Should it turn out that the rules prohibit using this beach as a launch site, I would like to suggest that we try to get the rules changed. I have two thoughts on this subject. The easiest solution would be to get our government, (remember, they supposedly work for us), to specifically aprove launching kayaks at the Casa. There is going to be a bunch of work done to the facilities there at some point. The lifeguard tower has been closed because it is falling apart. This facility will probably be rebuilt and upgraded. The beach is also supposed to be dredged to clean up the seal poop which has made the water in this area unsafe for human contact. As part of this upgrade, we could lobby that a dedicated kayak access be created. The other option is that while they are reconstructing the lifeguard tower, they add a ramp to the beach on the south side of the sea wall. There is a stairway there now but stairways are not very kayak friendly. This access is not as sheltered as the Childrend's Pool beach, especially during the winter but it would be better than nothing. I may be tilting at windmills but I think that if the kayak user community bands together we could make this happen. I will try to get things started. Is anyone else interested in helping out? Bob