TRR PALO ALTO TRIP REPORT ALVISO SLOUGH FIRST DAY OF SPRING PADDLE March 20, 2021 – By: Carlisle Landel
Participants: Carlisle, Maggie, Stephen, Kent, Bill, Sandy R, Rudy, Mike O, Artie, Doug, Mike M, Eric
The Vernal Equinox, First Day of Spring—a perfect time to launch 2021 on-the-water activities for Team River Runner Palo Alto. A quick email to the troops (“Who wants to go paddling this weekend?”) was all it took to organize a noon meetup at Alviso Marina County Park to paddle Alviso Slough.
I suspect that almost everyone was like me after a long paddling layoff: “Where did I leave my sunscreen?” and “Oh Snap! The cam straps are still at Maggie’s place—I guess I’m gonna have to use a throw rope to tie the three boats to the car mumble grumble curse.” Still, everyone showed up more-or-less on time and with all their gear, masked and raring to go. We welcomed new members Mike Malone, a transfer from TRR Walter Reed, and Eric Larkin, a local Navy vet sea kayaker. After the requisite temperature screen was complete and quick review of the float plan, we launched and started our on-the-water day under a blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds.
Taking advantage of the low tide, we paddled upstream to “The Slot”, the tidal race outflow from one of the former salt evaporation ponds that now fill and empty with the tide. There we worked on moving water skills: ferries, peel-outs, eddy turns. The Slot provides a great learning environment, with current speed increasing the farther you go upstream. Doug got his first moving water experience while paddling our new IK, and was quickly ferrying and peeling out like a pro (demonstrating once again the utility of the IK as a learning tool). Mike M quickly began knocking off the rust and showing off the skills he got at Walter Reed. Rudy and Maggie and Artie dialed their skills back in and got their groove back. Stephen demonstrated his astounding ability to hold his beath while signaling for a successful T-rescue. Eric got some nice moving-water practice in his sea kayak. Kent and Sandy and Mike O did some skills polishing, and Bill and Carlisle even got to do a little surfing as the tide came in and raised a small surfing wave. After over an hour of solid practice, we paddled back to the marina and packed up our gear, the first paddle of 2021 a resounding success.
Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and perspectives to her endeavors. As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their voices are heard. Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for growth and empowerment. In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes. Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace. Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports landscape.