Photo courtesy of City of Antioch
An up-close way to enjoy being on the water
Paddlesports offer distinct ways for people to enjoy nature while getting up close with expansive waterways, and kayaking is one way to do that.
Kayaking has seen consistently more participation in the past five years, according to the Outdoor Federation’s 2019 Special Report. Today, kayaking is the most popular water sport, with more than 11 million participants in the U.S., the report states. The popularity of the activity is evenly split between men (51%) and women (49%).
Anyone who plans to go kayaking this summer probably should invest in their own board, experts say, because the right kayak depends on where you will use it.
For example, sea kayaks can be especially helpful in rough, choppy waters, while tandem kayaks that carry two or more people take up more storage space.
Touring kayaks are designed to go long distances while sit-atop kayaks are best for beginners and casual paddlers.
Additional supplies also will help your overall experience and make it easier:
Paddles: Many kayaks are sold with compatible paddles, but it’s a good idea to have spares.
Life jacket: A life jacket must be worn whenever you are in the water. Kayaks are relatively stable, but they can still tip over, and life jackets will help keep you afloat.
Racks and carriers: Kayaks can be
Kayakers can get into the water with little or no experience or training, especially with the appropriate gear.
transported to the water on roof racks that are strapped onto the tops of cars or SUVs. Then carts or trailers can help take the kayaks from your vehicle to the water because kayaks can be heavy and cumbersome.
Spray skirt: Staying dry while kayaking helps keep you comfortable, so this device helps prevent water from splashing onto your legs and lap.
Other supplies can include special gripping shoes, hats and gloves.
Metro photo
Antioch Marina more than just a place for boaters
With summer quickly approaching, many could be searching for water and boating activities to entertain themselves while escaping the heat to keep cool while still enjoying the sun.
Described as a “sail boaters’ dream and fishing paradise” on its website, the Antioch marina offers a variety of fishing locations close by along with a wide channel ideal for motorized and non-motorized boats.
Owned and operated by the City of Antioch, the Antioch Marina sits on the south side of the San Joaquin River near where it meets the Sacramento River. Opening in November 1988 and located at “foot of L Street” at #5 Marina Plaza in Antioch, the Antioch marina is located about three miles west of the Antioch Bridge and one mile north of Highway 4. The Antioch marina offers more than just a place for boaters, according to Antioch Marina Administrative Assistant Tania Abigail Briceño.
“We’re not just offering slips. We offer a premier waterfront experience,” Briceño said. “Here at the marina, we try to make boating easy for everyone, and we have great staff who knows boating inside and out.”
Services include availability of both covered and non-covered berths (a place where a boat can be parked), ranging from 24 to 50 feet, along with a 100-foot public dock available on a first-come, first-serve basis behind the Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill restaurant, according to the City of Antioch’s website. Other services include:
♦ Metered electricity (charged by the kilowatt hour).
♦ Overnight and temporary guest docks.
♦ A boat launch ramp, with launches at $5 per launch (and valid for 24 hours), while annual launch passes may be purchased for $100 (valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31). Up to three permits valid for 72 hours maximum per visit is also available. All launch permits may be purchased at the marina boat office, and must be paid before launching boats.
♦ Fuel dock station featuring Chevron products, including mid-grade gasoline and diesel.
Amenities include:
♦ Computer-controlled access gates and on-site marina office open five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday)
♦ Exclusive access to Berther restrooms and showers.
♦ Free waste pump-out station.
♦ Coin-operated laundry facility.
♦ Parking lot featuring 180 vehicle spac -
es, 80 spaces with vehicles with trailers, and 12 ADA-compliant parking spaces.
♦ A shore-side park which includes a fishing pier, picnic area, and walking trail.
♦ Access to the Dow Wetlands Preserve, which includes seven miles of trails with platforms for birdwatching.
In addition to handling the dayto-day operations and making sure everything is running smoothly with coordination of schedules and communications, Briceño, who has worked at the marina for three years, emphasized that the atmosphere at the Antioch marina resembles more of a community. It’s a social hub for people who want to share their love for boating and the water. Briceño said that people are also invited and encour-
aged to take a tour to see what sets them apart from other marinas.
“I believe for those boaters who seek the community experience who seek a home away from home, I want to portray there is a big sense of community here,” Briceño said. “I try to bring that energy to try and make the best experience for everyone. I’m more of a heartfelt person, and it spills out of my job description.”
Briceño added that the Antioch marina represents more than just a place another marina or place to launch and dock boats. Briceño, who grew up in the community and on the Delta, said life has come full circle for her to come back at work at the same place where she spent a lot of time creating many
memories with her family.
“This place is really close to my heart, “ Briceño said. “We sincerely appreciate the trust and support this community has shown us. Our mission is driven by a commitment to serve, grow, and build together. When you choose to stay with us, you’re not just selecting a service; you’re choosing a team that truly cares, listens, and is dedicated to showing up each day with purpose. We’re excited about the future, and hope you’ll be a part of it with us.”
For more information, including rates, pricing, along links to tide and fishing information, visit www. ci.antioch.ca.us/antioch-marina/ – Advertorial
SEAN TONGSON
Photos courtesy of City of Antioch Various views of the Antioch Marina.
BRICEÑO
How to protect your boats against mussels on the Delta
ater experts along the Delta and at the state level are asking recreational boaters to be aware of the golden mussel, the area’s newest invader, and are offering ways to protect your boat.
Roger Mammon, president of the West Delta Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association and secretary of Restore the Delta, said golden mussels are a threat to the Delta. “I’ve seen pictures of outdrives on a boat that are clogged with mussels,” Mammon said. “They will attach to just about any hard surface, and they reproduce quickly.”
Warnings are being issued elsewhere in Northern California and in the Sierra. At Lake Tahoe, boaters and paddlers are being encouraged to stay up to date with the strengthened protective procedures at Lake Tahoe. The Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection stations, boat launches, and marinas are opening for the 2025 boating season, and now is the time to be informed of new and mandatory procedures before heading to the water this year, according to Southtahoenow.com.
Changes this year include mandatory decontaminations and more processing time
for motorized boats traveling from other areas, as well as more roving non-motorized inspectors at recreation areas.
Several California lakes have implemented boating restrictions, some involving temporary closures, to prevent the spread of a cousin of the quagga mussel, the golden mussel, according to the website.
Golden mussels typically range in size from 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length.
In response to the recent detection of golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in the Delta, the state of California has developed a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework to address this urgent invasive species threat. The discovery in October 2024 marked the first known occurrence of golden mussel in North America. To combat this threat, the framework provides coordinated strategies by multiple California departments to prevent further introduction and spread of golden mussels, as well as to contain and suppress infestations to minimize their impact on the environment, water
conveyance, recreation and agriculture, the state said in a press release.
In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering $1 million in grant funding to boating facility operators to enhance efforts against invasive mussels, particularly the threat of golden mussels. The money supports projects that help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive mussels in lakes, reservoirs and waterways, ensuring the long-term health of state waters. The grant solicitation and application link can be found on CDFW’s website.
“The discovery of golden mussels in California is a serious challenge that requires coordinated action and a long-term commitment,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This response framework recommends critical steps that must be taken across state, regional and local levels to limit the spread and mitigate the impacts of this invasive species.”
Added John Yarbrough, DWR Deputy Director for the State Water Project: “Taking coordinated action to address this invasive species will help safeguard critical water
infrastructure like the State Water Project from the negative impacts golden mussels can pose to water delivery systems. Using this new framework and close collaboration with partner agencies, DWR will implement strategies to address this invasive species and minimize impacts by monitoring for the mussels in (State Water Project) waters and developing a mitigation plan.”
First found locally in the Port of Stockton in October last year, they have since been spotted at the Discovery Bay Marina on Feb. 18, Big Break Marina last Dec. 17, Old River last Nov. 14, Dutch Slough last Nov. 21, and various other popular spots frequented by East County recreational boaters. Officials say they believe they were first carried into Stockton by a ship from an international port.
Unlike zebra and quagga mussels, which require more calcium in their environment to thrive than is available in the brackish Delta, golden mussels are well suited to live in local waters, experts say. The mussels are freshwater bivalves notorious for attaching in dense clusters to hard surfaces such as pipelines and other water system infrastructure, causing blockages in pipes and screens. Removing them from water facilities incurs millions in additional maintenance costs. Currently, however, no issues have been reported in Discovery see Mussels page 5B
Bay, where the town has one set of pipes discharging treated wastewater into the Delta.
Even if there were problems with golden mussels – or another invasive species – the Town of Discovery Bay has neither the funding nor the authority to treat beyond its own water and wastewater infrastructure, according to town General Manager Dina Breitstein.
In addition to damaging structures, mussels are highly effective filter feeders. They reproduce rapidly and consume large amounts of plankton, depleting the water’s resources and leaving little for the native fish that rely on it for sustenance.
Eradicating the mussels is challenging and virtually impossible within the Delta. Quagga and zebra mussels have been wreaking havoc in lakes and water systems in both California and Colorado for years. While those species have been successfully eradicated in closed systems by draining water to expose them to air for long periods of time, golden mussels are recent invaders, with little to no data on their behavior and control strategies, according to a recent report from the Water Education Foundation.
However, Catherine Mandella, an environmental scientist with the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), said golden mussels began harassing South America in the 1990s, and local agencies may be able to learn something from those experiences.
“Now some things will be different, because it’s a different part of the world and there will be varying factors,” Mandella said. “But the issues they had are issues we are facing.”
Though Mandella said the golden mussels could cause more problems than people realize, she also noted the “robust” prevention programs developed for quagga and zebra mussels will help slow the spread of golden mussels.
All boats entering and exiting the water in state-operated lakes are inspected for signs of mussels and other invasive species. All boats must display a quagga sticker, paid for separate from the boat’s registration, and the sticker fees fund statewide prevention efforts like education, outreach, early detection monitoring and watercraft inspection stations. Boats without stickers are cited by law enforcement. The state recommends any items that come into contact with water be thoroughly cleaned, drained and dried before being used in another body of water. She noted that means not just boats, but ropes, tubes, boards, water skis, mountain bikes, kayaks, paddles, pets and anything else that touches water.
“The measures taken to prevent the spread of the mussels are the same,” Mandella said. “There are many invasive species, so clean, drain and dry everything you use, because if it is not an invasive mussel, it could be something else, even something microscopic. Spread the message, not the mussel.”
Mussels
National Safe Boating Week offers tips for all boaters
National Safe Boating Week is from May 17-23, 2025, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season.
This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible.
“We’re committed to teaching boaters that the best boating experience is a safe day on the water,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, a nonprofit dedicated to helping create a safe boating experience for all boaters and the lead organization of the Safe Boating Campaign. “This National Safe Boating Week, prepare for a great boating season by inspecting your boating safety gear and commit to providing comfortable life jackets for all your passengers to wear every time you go boating.”
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities, and that 87 percent of those
who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
♦ 75% of boating deaths were because of drowning
♦ 66% of those who drowned were good swimmers
♦ 564 reported deaths in 2023 (the latest year for which statistics are available)
♦ 75% of deaths were on boats on which the boater had no safety training
♦ In 2023, California was second only to Florida in the number of boating deaths (33 to 56) and the number of boating incidents (339 to 619).
There are many options for boaters when it comes to choosing a life jacket. When selecting a life jacket, a boater should check that it is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for the water activity, and fits properly.
“The best life jacket is the one you will wear,” said Phillips. “Whether you’re going fishing or just enjoying a ride on the boat, make sure you’re prepared for the adventure by wearing a life jacket and knowing
how to use required safety gear.”
The National Safe Boating Council recommends these tips for boaters:
♦ Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.
♦ Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.
♦ Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board before you leave the dock.
♦ Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket is of no use in an emergency.
♦ Use an engine cut-off switch –it’s the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly
The best life jacket is the one you will wear.
– Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council
fall overboard.
♦ Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.
♦ Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating incidents in 2022 were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
♦ Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones, and always travel at a safe speed.
♦ Never boat under the influence.
A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.
♦ Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency.
How to keep your boat and its passengers safe on the water
Discovery Bay Marina officials have a few tips for how to stay safe on the water this summer.
All hands on deck should be prepared and aware of what to do in case of a water emergency. The owner and founder of Pacific Coast Water Rescue, Captain John Garza, teaches water safety at the Discovery Bay Marina He has seen 40 cases of water accidents in his 35 years on the bay, “In each case the common denominators are no vest, no lanyard and drinking,” he said.
Garza offered a list of ideas to help prevent water accidents for this summer.
Verify your California Boater Card
A valid California Boater Card is required for anyone operating a boat with a motor of 15 horsepower or more and older than 16 years.
The state requires anyone and everyone operating a vessel to have a California Boater Card, which can be obtained with a certification from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and by passing the state-approved boater safety education exam.
Boat safety is one of Garza’s priorities at the Discovery Bay Marina, so he helps ensure that boats are equipped with the necessary equipment and safety measures, and also offers boat training for vessel owners.
“They get trained on how to operate their boat, check their boat and operate the required safety gear,” Garza said. “They take a 60-question, written tests that we instruct them on from Powerpoints and then we give them hands-on instruction on dealing with things like if somebody is overboard and how to get them in.”
Renew and post your mussel sticker
Along with a certified and up-to-date boating license, boats are also required to have an identifiable and registered mussel sticker.
Freshwater boats cruising bodies of water, such as rivers and reservoirs are required to have the DMV mussel sticker. The sticker can be purchased online and requested through the DMV.
Captain Frank Morgan said that a common mistake boat owners make on their first cruise of the season is not having an updated and posted mussel sticker, which is proof that payment was made to help prevent Quagga and Zebra Mussel infestation. Mussel stickers are a requirement for all water vessels, including Jet Skis, as a way to protect the water.
“It is easily spotted if you don’t have one,” Morgan said. “There are mussels in different bodies of water that can be invasive to other places. So, they have inspectors to check that they aren’t stuck on your boat.”
Hooked lanyard
A lanyard is often known as the captain’s safety lanyard and is used to ensure that if the operator of a vessel is thrown overboard that the engine will shut off.
The rules for helming a boat are meant to keep the excursion fun. There are a lot of rules to orchestrating a boat, but they are meant to ensure that safe fun is made. Garza said that
although people wear their lanyards, if they aren’t connected accidents happen.
“A crew that I trained got there and the boat was spinning three people in the water and the guy they saved still had his Lanyard on, but it wasn’t attached to the boat,” Garza said. “If he would have had the Lanyard connected, the boat would have stopped when it hit something.”
Garza said this is one of the most common mistakes sailors make when hoisting sail. Remembering just one simple step could save lives.
Have accessible safety equipment
The most important part of any water voyage is being prepared for any kind of wave. The best way to be prepared is to have easy access to safety equipment like life vests, fire hydrants, anchor lines and navigation lights, officials said.
Life jackets save lives. Make sure you and all passengers have a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket onboard and always wear it while on the water. Life jackets are the most effective means of preventing drowning in the event of an emergency. Kids younger than 13 years old on a moving vessel must wear one.
Being prepared doesn’t mean just having these items on board, but having them easily accessible, up to date and annually checked.
“A lot of bigger vessels have signaling devices, which a lot of times are flares,”
Morgan said. “A lot of times people turn in their flares 55 years later and they’re out of date. So they should look at the names and dates of their flares and signaling devices to make sure those are currently not out of date.”
Safety is important out on the water, and keeping boat equipment up to date is important for a safe and stress-free journey, boating safety experts say.
No drinking and sailing
Boating and DUI laws may not seem alike, but they do have some aspects in common in what is legal in regard to drinking and sailing.
The legal blood alcohol level of boating is the same as driving, a person operating a vessel with a blood level of 0.08% or higher.
“It’s always the person drinking that causes an accident on his or her boat,” Garza said. “By far, drinking is the number one denominator of water-based accidents.”
Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal but it also significantly impairs judgment and reaction times. Alcohol is dangerous for passengers too. Intoxication can cause slips, falling overboard, and other dangerous accidents.
Other safety tips include:
Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changing conditions. Sudden storms or rough waters can pose significant dangers. Always have a reliable means of communication onboard to receive weather updates.
Let someone know your boating plans before you depart. File a float plan with a friend or family member detailing your itinerary, expected return time, and contact information. In the event of an emergency, this information can be crucial for rescuers.
