by Steve King
The Tsunami Rangers return to their roots!
On a glorious warm and sunny weekend the Tsunami tribe gathered for a retreat on the San Mateo Coast and received a marine mammal welcome. As Captain Deb and Paula drove through
the Devils Slide tunnel they emerged “as if through a worm hole” to see humpback whales very
close to Montara Beach on a sparking hot afternoon. Liquid Fusion Jeff was driving up from
Monterrey Bay that afternoon and saw spouts along many sections of the coastal drive. I saw
two humpback also at Montara beach just off the break surfacing in unison as I drove home that
same Friday afternoon to greet the tribe and search for tequila provisions worthy of the
Rangers. Humpbacks were everywhere to welcome and greet us. It was an auspicious
beginning to a Tsunami retreat on Arbor Lane in Moss Beach.
This was a return to the roots in many ways for the Rangers. Don Diego Cien Fuegos and
Vice Admiral emeritus aka Capt Kuk spent many an afternoon surfing and rock garden hopping
in the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and at Sniveler’s Lane just north of the reserve. In fact several
epic Tsunami video moments were captured in these locations. Eric stood in the surf next to
Sniveler’s and delivered one of his most passionate and engaging soliloquys about the mystery,
beauty, power and challenge of where the ocean meets the rocks. He invoked Neptune and the
sea spirits as guiding forces of the Ranger ethos, “To seek new challenges where the ocean
meets the land and go where…” Literally only 50 yards from the spot where Don Diego
invoked the magic of the ocean, wave, rock and land interface, the now classic stunt at Sniveler’s
slit was filmed, miraculously with no serious injuries. If anyone reading this has not seen the
Tsunami Ranger videos of Don Diego’s half-submerged ode to ocean kayaking Tsunami style or
the stunt at Snivelers Slit get a hold of the video and enjoy!
The retreat began with a meal that included TR John Lull and June Legler, Kenny Howell, Nani Venegas, Jon Wittenberg and Amy Lin along with the Tsunami crew. We talked about the Hokule’a and the wayfinding of the ancient Polynesians and current wayfinders who have sailed this traditional masterpiece, a 62 foot vessel, 27,000 miles around the world’s oceans as part of the cultural renaissance of Pacific Island cultures. The Hokule’a had left Princeton Harbor the day before the retreat en route to many ports on the California coast. Toasts were made and many a yarn unfolded about past deeds, exploits and adventures with odes to Misha and other revered comrades.
In the morning we turned our attention to paddling the rock gardens of Sniveler’s Row and as a
few of us looked out to sea a few whale spouts greeted us. The wind and waves had picked up
and strangely, tho we had several days on the water, we did not have the pleasure of
communing with any 20 ton marine mammal friends at sea. We saw them breathing from land
but not on the water. We arrived at the put in at the end of Wienke way just south of Sniveler’s and slid or roped our kayaks down the ice plant, across the rocks and onto the beach.
The surf had picked up considerably from the day before but the launch was smooth for all, nothing like the Tsunami Race at Montara Beach where 9 boats were broken in the surf in a melee of smashing boats. Once was enough for that spot as Capt Deb Tortuga explained the night before. We paddled north bobbing up and down between the swell searching for our humpback friends. Or at least some us did that. Don, Jeff, Deb and Jon picked their way in and around rocks with swells crashing in many directions. These rock garden wandering wave warriors appeared and disappeared in and among the rock gardens for most of the journey, a sort of rock tonic for their Tsunami souls. As we returned the landings were smooth and we roped our kayaks up the ice plant and headed back to a hot tub and grub from El Gran Amigo, the taqueria that was an essential fueling station for Don Diego and Rangers after many surf sessions at the marine reserve. After a few appropriate rehydration activities we adjourned to the cliff face for a gorgeous sunset and a hatchet throwing contest. The winner was Jeff and the competition was stiff. As we arranged the winning three hatchets on the fence at sunset a raft of pelicans did a fly over of the reserve.
As we started our way back for our feast we heard what sounded like a juvenile hawk pleading
for his dinner. We saw the large silhouette of the bird in the top of a tall cypress, Deb did a
saber salute to what turned out to be an osprey, identified as it flew over us moments later. We
discussed next year’s retreat, Paula was promoted to lieutenant and Jon was advised that he would be tested next year as part of his passage to become a Ranger.
In the morning Deb and Paula headed to Utah for a solar eclipse and others headed north and
south. Don, Jon and Steve headed to the harbor for more. Inside Mushroom Rock we surfed long
smooth waves, at times almost into the slot, the place on the reef that broke a few boats in the
Tsunami races that began for years at the casa of Don Miquel Padre Tiempo. After quite a few
long rides Don suggested we head to Flat rock another place of memories and adventures. We
paddled through the slot out into a calmer sea on a glorious day. As we approached Flat Rock,
the after burners on Don’s X-Caliber fired up (latest design by Jim of X-15) and within a minute or two he was surfing along the beautiful curving break on the south side of Flat Rock.
That wave often drives into a wave arching around the north side to create a zipper wave that when hit at the right timing launches the kayak up into the void for a few moments of air travel ending with a thud on the other side of the wave. That was the high point of paddling for me on this retreat, when I slide down south wave, merged into and over the zipper, and was launched into space, what a magical place. At that moment I felt the spirit of Don Diego, who I know loved Flat Rock. We surfed a while and then I suggested we paddle not back to the harbor but onto the Marine reserve and take out close to my house.
We paddled into the slot into the reserve, and a bit of surf that was not lost upon Jon or Don.
This place was a surf playground for many years for the Rangers. Misha sailed over the rocks
there at sunset many years ago and waved away the Coast Guard helicopter that had
erroneously been summoned to “rescue” him when in fact he was in the zone and the only
problem he faced was the sea spray and wash blown up by the helicopter blades! Don Miquel
had at least one moment when his face and the rocks became one and the image of him with
blood trickling down his helmeted head has delighted audiences ever since. We then landed
safely on the sand beneath the eroding cliff of Arbor Lane and hauled our boats up a steep trail.
Full circle, this was Rangers returning to some of their roots, places of play, challenge and
teaching. We paddled and surfed Sniveler’s, Mushroom Rock, Flat Rock and the marine reserve.
Dined on Gran Amigo and enjoyed whales and Fortaleza. Grateful to Don Diego and Vice
Admiral Kuk for being inspired, loco, courageous, visionary, full of the spirit of adventure and for
creating the Tsunami Rangers, forever with gratitude to you both!
Such an honor & delight to get to meet you all
Thank you for your welcoming spirits!
Looks like you all had a great time!