Avalon Harbor saw a pretty busy Labor Day weekend, very similar to 2021: 327 boats arrived and stayed a total of 1,415 nights, compared to Labor Day weekend 2021 with 342 boats that arrived and stayed a total of 1,276 nights.
The National Weather Service gave Avalon Harbor ample warning regarding the possible affects Hurricane Kay may have on Catalina Island. We are very appreciative to all the boaters who heeded the warnings and left for the mainland; the local boats hunkered down and faired the storm.
Sadly, what would have been the 62nd Annual Catalina Outrigger Race, scheduled for September 10 and 11, had to be canceled due to Hurricane Kay.
Avalon Harbor saw some minor damage, but Descanso and Hamilton Cove were harder hit. The rip-rap supporting Descanso walk-way failed and Descanso Beach Ocean Sports lost deck boards and some of the kayaks washed away. Hamilton Cove had damage to their float/ramp. The rip-rap along Pebbly Beach Road was washed away in numerous places.
Kay didn’t ruin the fun at the Catalina Wine Mixer which was held the same weekend. This event has become increasingly popular each year.
The always popular Art Festival was held on Sept. 16, 17, and 18. The wine festival was held the same weekend on Sept. 17.
New to Avalon this year was the Ben Carlson Foundation paddle out.
This is prone paddling and participants left Avalon early on the 17th, paddling 30 miles across the Catalina Channel to Newport Beach! There were about 50 participants.
The Catalina Film Festival was held the last weekend of the month. The 12th Annual Film Festival began in Long Beach on the 21st and 22nd, then came to Avalon from the 23rd to the 25th.
September boating events:
• South West Yacht Club visited the week of September 11th.
• San Diego Yacht Club arrived around September 14th.
• The annual Fun Run with about 44 “go fast” boats arrived on September 23rd with 44 boats.
• The annual War Heroes On Water fishing tournament with 43 participating boats was held the last weekend of September with awards dinner on September 26th.
September 2022 Harbor stats
• People aboard boats—7,724
• Vessels Moored—1931
•Vessels Anchored—164
• Moorings Sold / Transferred—2
• Citations Issued / Discharges—1 / 0
• Total Cruise Ship Passengers / Visits—14,837 / 7
• Weather Warnings—3
• Rain Days—3
• Rain—0.52
• Average Temp, High—77
• Average Temp, Low—66
• Average Sea Temp—71
The winter mooring rate of “pay for 2 nights, get the next 5 consecutive for free” begans on Oct. 15, 2022, and ends on Palm Sunday (April 2, 2023).
