Trip Log: Outrigger Canoe Sailing the California Channel Islands

Step 9 Santa Ana Gale at the Launch Site

The launch site is excellent. It's right at the Ventura harbor entrance. Seen here from the observation tower at the Channel Islands interpretive center. A nice beach with Hawaiian canoes on it, plenty of parking, and a straight shot to the islands. Which we can't see because suddenly there's a Santa Ana wind blowing out to sea. Damn. Lots of blowing dirt in the air. The wind is really loud. The palm trees are bending and swaying. The main doors to the center are closed due to the wind, and people enter through the side doors.