California Kayak Friends

CKF Music

We have lost some of our underground outlaw status. The CKF web site now shows an unofficial music department. Our authorized unofficial 2009 concert season is getting underway.

Black Canyon:
The current music dept. members are all signed up for the Black Canyon Trip (03/13 - 16/09). Friday night (3/13) at Lake Mead will be our first performance of the year. Come join in the fun.

Mission Bay:
Next it's down to Mission Bay for the symposium (03/27 - 03/29). Friday night I'll be playing in the tent at 6:30 PM to start the opening ceremonies of The 2009 Southwest Kayak Symposium. Saturday night we have a classic beach party complete with bonfire. Bring something to play, blow in, or beat on. Duane Strosaker always unleashes a new kayaker comedy routine. I have an extra guitar to loan out and Jen at Aqua Adventures has acquired up a couple of guitars for events. Remember talent is optional, enthusiasm a must. The symposium beach party is a high point in kayaking social events. Every year it just gets better.

Alamitos Bay:
The CKF fest date has not been officially announced yet, usually in May at Alamitos Bay.

San Simeon:
We will be at TAKS in October at San Simeon.

Thanks for your unofficial support.

Steve Wilson, self appointed Director of the unofficial CKF Music Department, Offical Staff Musician for Aqua Adventures, personal friend to and unofficial member of The Old Farts.

This song belongs to the club members of CKF. Here are the lyrics to most of the verses that I’ve performed at various times for different occasions.

Verse 1
We launch in the darkness
Out through the surf line
Free of the land once again
In a few hours
I’ll be on Catalina
Setting up camp with my friends

Chorus 1
Who are these paddlers I’m traveling with
With sand in the cracks of their ends
Fiercely independent and outspoken
Somehow we all remain friends
You’re my California kayaking
My California kayakers
My California kayak friends

Verse 2
There was a young lady
Who paddled the ocean
She wanted some paddling friends
An ad on a billboard
She thought a good notion
That’s how our story begins

Chorus 2
We gather together on this beach
With sand in the cracks of our ends
Fiercely independent and outspoken
Maybe that’s why we’re all friends
You’re my California kayaking
My California kayakers
My California kayak friends

Bridge
I love being on the water
Where each day is new
I love being on the water
With every one of you
I love being on the water
The motion of the sea
I love being on the water
When it’s just you and me
My kayak and me

Verse 3
Up in Ventura County
They call themselves the old farts
No one’s disputing their claim
From Smiling Jack in San Pedro
To Jen and Jake in San Diego
See them playing that rock gardening game

Chorus 3
I paddle with Darwin and Dublin out of Orange County
Rafael out of old Mexico
Seems like anywhere I put my paddle in the water
There’s somebody there that I know
They’re my California kayaking
My California kayakers
My California kayak friends

Verse 4
There was a young man
He paddled the ocean
Every paddlers friend
He kept this club going
When nobody else would
I just want to say thank you Len

Chorus 4
Now we gather together on this beach
To honor our fallen friend
Fiercely independent and outspoken
We will all miss you Len
We are your California kayaking
Your California kayakers
The California kayak friends

Bridge
I love being on the water
Where each day is new
I love being on the water
With each and everyone of you
I love being on the water
The motion of the sea
I love being on the water
When it’s just you and me
My kayak and me

Verse 5
I know a good man
A kind gentle father
A true blue kayak friend
He’s been feeling burned out
So I thought we ought to
Throw a party for our friend

Chorus 5
Again we gather together on this beach
We still got sand in the cracks of our ends
Fiercely independent and outspoken
We come to the aid of our friends
Lee we’re your California kayaking
Your California kayakers
We’re all California kayak friends

Final Verse
So launch through the darkness
Go out through the surf line
Be free of the land once again

Lyrics and Music by Steve Wilson
Copyright 2005

About the song
Verse 1 came to me just after we (Duane, Dave, George, Jon, and I) loading and launching our boats through the surf in the dark on the first of several Catalina crossings and camping trips for me. I hope they never end.
Verse 2 pays tribute to Joann Swartz for starting the CKF
The bridge was inspired by a Len Goodman e-mail to the membership in which he said “I love being on the water where each day is new."
Verse 3 came from something my friend Roby said. He was amazed that every time I took him paddling there was somebody at the launch point I new.
Verse 4 pays tribute to the late CKF President Len Goodman who lost his life at sea.
Verse 5 was written for our friend Lee

The song is in the key of D. For those that want to work it out here are the basic chords.
Verses, D Dmaj7 Dadd9
Chorus, G Em A
Bridge, A G Em D