I'm not normally one to stir this kind of pot. But... What is it about paddle boarders and kayakers that you don't like?
I understand that, as a frog, you like water spiders, but.... :-D
From the shore view, they illustrate So Cal active watersports. Fun and energetic. A great addition to the harbor atmosphere. My wife loves to watch them.
From an ocean going boat, for which the harbor was designed, their presence, when adding poor navigation skills, ignorance, and/or obnoxious attitude, can create a ludicrous endeavor for the boat pilot.
In the summer, there are hoards of them crowding the waterways. The harbor rules are to stay at the edge of the channels, but they go right down the middle, criss cross, cut in front of you, etc. Some gather in the middle and chat, while boats try to steer around them. Others fish and drift in the channels and harbor mouth.
Many of them have their backs turned, and never look behind them, and meander left and right without indication. Then more shoot out of dock channels, while others are busy looking at sea lions. Or distracted by their dog passengers that are barking at the sea lions.
I've had to reverse more than once, gears whining. I've emptied my air horns over the years mostly at human powered vessels.
Many don't have vests. Even children with no vests. I've seen a baby sitting in front of the mother with no vest.
At times on summer weekends, it's just unbelievable. It's like trying to safely drive a tractor/trailer through a long street full of kids playing.
10 years ago, nobody had heard of a paddle board. And kayaks were still few. Now everyone can afford to own and store a vessel capable of being used in a harbor, and launch with no fees or fuss. Which has caused relatively small harbors like ours to be overwhelmed with these vessels, many of which are piloted by people with zero knowledge of nav rules and boating laws.
I think the majority are very good at being safe, but there's a large quantity who aren't. And even the safe ones can be a hazard, if only due to their quantity.
I said don't get me started.
