Photos By Erin O’Donnell ~
In what was likely the largest ever flotilla of kayaks, canoes, boats, skiffs and even a dragon boat gathered Nov. 29 in the Baywood Inlet forming into a giant peace sign in support of a major, worldwide climate change summit held in France, one of hundreds of local events across the world.
Called “Climate Fest,” the local gathering was held in conjunction with the COP 21 Paris Climate Summit among world leaders that started the following day.
The Lost Isle Tiki Boat anchored at the peace sign’s center, complete with a full bar serving Bloody Marys, bottles of beer and other cocktails, taking advantage of an extremely high tide, called a “king tide,” that flooded the inlet allowing the pontoon boat access to a place it normally wouldn’t be able to get into.
The flotilla was followed by a free concert and a climate action march through the streets of Baywood Park led by the Zongo All Stars band, ending at the Second Street Pier to watch the sunset.
While many of the boaters were locals, people from all over SLO County congregated on shore and on the water.
The king tide raised water depths to near record levels, and the unseasonably warm water temperature added 1-3 inches to the tide, according to local meteorologist John Lindsey.
The event was held in a place that if sea levels continue to rise, might someday be underwater.
