Interns from Pittsburg High School had the opportunity to welcome in the first day of Spring with a day trip to Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito for some fun kayaking and beach time. For the interns, this was one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and it did not disappoint! The day had perfect weather for being outside on the water, and the marina’s vibrant wildlife were on full display.
Under the guidance of our event partners from Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC), the interns were brought out to the beach for introductions and a quick name game. After storing their phones and dry clothes for safe-keeping and after getting fitted with personal flotation devices, the interns returned to the beach to learn the basics of holding a kayaking paddle.
Despite most interns never having kayaked before, they picked up the techniques for paddling forwards, backwards, and in-sync with a partner very fast. The ETC guides did a great job of checking everyone’s paddling form and also providing suggestions on how to maintain balance, especially when kayaking with a partner.
The last thing to do before going out on the water was to discuss critical safety and communication protocols. The ETC guides went over expectations for sticking within the boundaries set for the group, adhering to paddle signals to communicate across long distances, and what to do in the off chance of an emergency. And with that, the interns were finally readied in their double kayaks and released onto the water!
At first, the interns were guided in circles around the shallow inlet right off the beach in order for them to get a sense of their surroundings and to practice paddling before heading further out into the bay. Once fully comfortable with coordinating paddle strokes to direct their kayaks, the interns ventured out to meet the ETC kayaking leader who guided them along the coast.
The interns did an amazing job working together to propel themselves through the water. On the way back to the beach, they even had the chance to participate in a quick 100 meter dash, racing towards the finish line.
Before that, however, the interns learned about the marine ecosystem they were interacting with, including the eel grass growing on the bay floor below them. They learned that eel grass is a keystone species in Richardson Bay because it provides a critical “nursery” habitat for marine species to breed, feed, and find shelter in before braving the greater San Francisco Bay or even the open ocean.
Observing the wildlife, the interns also learned about the behaviors and adaptations of the cormorants sunbathing around the piers and the pelicans swooping through the air above them. They even spotted a trio of harbor seals that continued to pop up from the water’s surface, looking at the kayaks with curiosity before diving back into the water.
After returning to the beach, some interns wanted to freshen up and decided to go for a quick dip, so they beached their kayaks and ran back into the water. A few interns actually opted to intentionally capsize their kayaks for fun! Everyone enjoyed eating lunch and drying off in the sun before leaving the marina.
Thank you so much to ETC for their patience, flexibility, and excitement hosting Earth Team. They made this outdoor experience unforgettable. Also, shoutout to the Whale Tail Grants Program funded by the California Coastal Commission for supporting Earth Team’s environmental education trips.
