Club News

This fall SDYC is hosting the 2017 Moth and A-Cat North American Championships in the waters off of Crown Cove on Coronado Island. This location is new for us as most of SDYC’s races are held in San Diego Bay or Coronado Roads. For a local perspective, we interviewed Peace Officer/Lifeguard John Anderson of California State Parks & Recreation who shared some insight on the area.

1. What are the winds typically like in Crown Cove (speed, direction, time of day)?
   In the mornings, the wind is light, around 5-6 knots. Around 11am the wind picks up but varies in speed between 8 to 15 knots. Most of the time it is an on-shore wind, west to east
    
2. What about the water temperature and the currents?
   Right now the temperature is in the high 60’s.
    
3. Are there any famous historical facts or fun facts involved with Silver Strand State Beach or Crown Cove?
   Back in the 1920’s and 1930’s Coronado was an island but it became necessary to dredge the harbor for the larger Navy ships. The dredged up silt was used to build up the strand which before would be under water at high tide.
    
4. What are the most popular activities and watersports done in the area?
   Sailing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding on the bay side of the park. Surfing and kite boarding on the ocean side.
    
5. Do you have any insider tips about the area that you’re able to share?
   The Silver Strand State Beach is situated right between Coronado and Imperial Beach so access to restaurants and other dining is available. The historical Hotel del Coronado is just north of us where all the movie stars and other dignitaries used to stay.
    
6. What would you tell people from out of town to expect at Crown Cove when traveling in for the Moth and A Cat events?
   This depends on interest. For the most part, Silver Strand State Beach is a recreation area for a variety of different sports. Crown Cove is the bayside area off tower-9. This cove use to be a desirable area when parking on the bayside was allowed in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Due to the dredging, the cove drops off very quickly but at low tides will expose areas of land that are usually underwater.
    
7. How does this area compare to other parts of San Diego Bay (especially the area off the B Street Pier)?
   Silver Strand State Beach and the bayside of the park is the only area on the bay that has been minimally impacted with development. Although it is only 1.5 mile of beach, on the bay side it holds a natural untouched area from the 1950’s & 1960’s. There are killdear birds, rabbits, and legless lizards that inhabit the area among other species of plant life and animal life.
    
8. How long have you worked in the Silver Strand/Crown Cove area? And what is your favorite part of working there?
   I have worked at Silver Strand State Beach for nine summers. My favorite part of working in this park is the simpleness of the area. There is so much to see yet hundreds of people drive by without giving it a second look. I have seen the same groups of families plan their year or season to camp at Silver Strand or have an annual family get together at this park. I’m always amazed at the groups I see year after year.