Paddlers and Kayakers in Dana Point Identified with Lanyards

Byline: Taylor Hill DANA POINT — When heading in or out of Dana Point Harbor, boaters often approach groups of stand-up paddleboarders or kayakers and wonder what might come of the situation. Many times, the individuals are novices in the human-powered craft activity and they are often are unaware of boating Rules of the Road and navigation principles, leaving boaters to be on their toes, in case a kayaker or paddleboarder should suddenly turn in front of them. In an effort to inform paddleboard and kayak “newbies,” Dana Point Harbor officials and a group of Dana Point harbor users created the Human Powered Craft Guidelines program. The new program seeks to get rental companies to place a decal on their boards and kayaks, showing a directional map of the harbor along with Rules of the Road. According to OC Dana Point Harbor director Brad Gross, the stickers — along with the large sign posted at Baby Beach, depicting the rules and map — have been a big step in the process of creating a safe harbor. A new program has been developed that should help boaters identify novice paddlers before trouble begins. Both on Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends, a group of volunteer...