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t shouldn’t have been a surprise when Frankie Michinock, 23, of Laguna Niguel, admitted that she didn’t have a printed copy of her award-winning 2018 Festival of Whales graphic.

After being identified as one of the top five logo designers from over 70 entries by the Festival of Whales Foundation Board of Directors, Michinock—who is rather humble—was blown away after being named a finalist, and later re-ceived just under 1,000 votes in the public voting section hosted on social media. Not long after the polls closed on social media she was crowned, leaving little time to absorb the news in full.

“I still can’t believe this. I’m in shock,” Michi-nock exclaimed while looking overwhelmed with the attention. “It’s unbelievable. I can’t thank my friends, family and everyone who voted enough.”

Home town pride and pressureThis was Michinock’s third time entering the

Festival of Whales logo design contest. The Laguna Niguel resident and Dana Hills High School graduate placed fourth her sophomore year of high school in 2010 and second in 2012, but said she has always identified with Dana Point as home and definitely felt motivated—and a bit of pressure—from her home-town pride while design-ing this year’s award-winning graphic.

Michinock said that it was during her time at Dana Hills, under the motivational tutelage of Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair Natalie Hribar-Kelly, that she began to believe in her skills in the arts.

For her latest entry, Michinock said she was inspired by the graphics on the trolleys that circu-late Dana Point for the design.

“I wanted to give my design a timeless feel,” Michinock said. “All of the designs (in the past) were incredible, but I thought it was important to create a graphic that appealed to a wide variety

FRANKIE MICHINOCK

47th annual festival of whales March 3-4 & 10-11, 2018

South Orange County local Frankie Michinock stands with her award-winning logo design at Ken Sampson Overview Gazebo in Dana Point. Photo: Daniel Ritz

of people. I wanted it to resonate with everyone who calls this town home.”

When speaking about the technicalities behind her design, Michinock spoke confidently.

“I wanted the whale to be the main focus, held by the waves and supported by Dana Point,” Michinock explained. “I have always loved Disney and have been inspired by their three-tier visuals too.”

She said the whale tail is meant to be “held” by the waves in the sea and its central position is symbolic

to the mammal’s cultural and his-torical relevance in Dana Point. The orange dot in the background represents both the sun and the “point” in Dana Point, a key

geographical location in Orange County.Color choice was also a large focus for Michinock

in her winning design. “I usually don’t focus too much on colors,” she

admitted. “I prefer to work in gray-scale. However, in this design, I relied heavily on my understanding of the Pantone scale that I recently studied in college.”

After graduating from California State University-Fullerton in spring 2017 with a double major in illustration and graphic design, Michinock is actively pursuing her passions in Orange County. These days, she said she is excited by innovative and creative package design, the intersection of beauty and tangibility.

“I’ve always been focused on function-first art. If it isn’t useful, I’m not interested,” Michinock said. •

he migration of gray whales along Dana Point’s beautiful coastline is one of the most spectacular sites one can experience. Whether standing on the shore, the cliffs or taking in an adventure at sea, the thrill and beauty of seeing these giants of the ocean never disappoints. It’s for this remarkable experience that Dana Point celebrates the Festival of Whales every year.

Over two weekends in March, Dana Point is alive with activities. Kicking off the Festival is the memorable parade down Pacific Coast Highway ending with the Street Fair at La Plaza Park. Festival activities range from Art in the Park, classic car displays,

the Diamond Dig for kids and band performances at Baby Beach. Whale watching excursions take place every day of the Festival.

This year, we have a very special treat. Serving as grand marshal of the Festival of Whales is the commanding officer of the U.S. Marines Corps’ 5th Marine Regiment, Colonel George C. Schreffler III. Dana Point is home to the 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, one of the largest and most successful Marine Regiment Support

Groups in Orange County. We are proud of our Marines and are very pleased to honor Col. Schreffler III and his 5th Marines as a part of this year’s celebration.

The Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash is not to be missed. Building and racing a boat made out of cardboard and duct tape requires creativity, ingenuity and a certain bravado. Another one of my favorite events is the Whale of a Pancake breakfast at Baby Beach.

Don’t forget to make time to shop and dine around town. Our local merchants are what make Dana Point special for residents and visitors alike. Be sure to visit www.festivalofwhales.com to learn about all of the family-friendly events offered. Shuttle services and water taxis are available to take you to and from events.

This is the time of year that makes us proud to be a part of this special coastal commu-nity. I hope you and your family and friends join the fun at this year’s Festival of Whales.

I look forward to seeing you!Mayor Richard A. Viczorek

As we embark on the 47th annual Festival of Whales, it is important to look back at the natural and human history of this iconic celebra-tion. Scientists believe gray whales have long used the Dana Point Headlands as a wayfinding landmark on their annual roundtrip migration

between their cold Arctic feeding grounds and the warm water birthing and calving lagoons of Baja Mexico. It is this annual 10,000-mile magical migration that served as the original inspiration for the Festival.

Whale watching in the area was the idea of the late San Clemente High School sci-ence teacher Philip Grignon who convinced sportfishing company owner Don Hansen to run whale watching excursions for students. Hansen started these trips from the San Clemente Pier in the late 1960s, where his fishing operation was then running. Hansen moved to Dana Point as Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching just before the Harbor opened in 1971 and put the city on the map as a great place to see whales in their natural environment.

Although, that first year, the Festival of Whales was a yet unnamed and informal celebration of the annual migration of the huge marine mammals, so began the 47-year tradition of celebrating the big grays.

The idea for the Festival’s creation is credited to two local women. Grignon gave some credit for the idea to his San Clemente High School colleague Patricia Cassi. And the late Orange County/Dana Point historian Doris Walker is credited with organizing the first Fes-tival of Whales Parade in 1973. It began as a costume parade for children, and under her guidance continued to grow each year. It is now an epic kickoff with floats, bands, giant helium balloons and more, parading down Pacific Coast Highway on opening day.

As the Festival nears its golden anniversary, its original spirit continues to flourish, making it one of the most highly anticipated, fun and exciting events of the year. Join us and be amazed, entertained and inspired to appreciate and protect the majestic ocean life right off the coast of beautiful Dana Point. •

Welcome to the 47th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales

FROM THE MAYOR

SECOND PLACEMika Denny

Santa Ana

THIRD PLACESTEPHEN DORSEY

Sabin, MN

FOURTH PLACETORY ELENA

Ventura

FIFTH PLACEVICTOR SOKOLOW

Capistrano Beach

IT

Meet the Festival of Whales Logo Contest Winner

The Festival of Whales:

A Brief History

BY ANDREA SWAYNE, EVENT COORDINATOR

OTHER LOGO CONTEST FINALISTS


nxious energy rippled through the air as 58 Dana Hills High School (DHHS) students prepared to board Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watch-ing’s boat the Dana Pride.

Each year, students from DHHS fine art classes—including A.P. studio art, video production and drawing and painting classes—set sail out of the Dana Point Harbor in order to gain inspiration for creative projects to be displayed and sold during the annual Festival of Whales celebration.

DHHS fine art teachers Krista Rodriguez and Chau Tran, whose classes were attending this year’s Festival of Whales inspiration trip, voiced that this whale watching experience has more to offer their students through the challenges it presents, than its leisure.

“The tones of the water, the texture of the skin of the animals, it all becomes so much more real. You can emulate as many things as you want, but there is nothing like the real thing,” Tran said.

For some students, the Festival of Whales inspiration trip is a routine day on the water, for others, never before explored territory, but for all, growth is formed from stepping outside of


the stable platform of the classroom, and step-ping foot into the wind and the waves.

Sky Hernandez, a junior at DHHS, had never been on a boat before this trip. When asked how that could be, she responded simply, say-ing that she was afraid of the ocean.

“I’ll go to the beach sometimes, but I have never been on a boat. To be honest, I’m afraid of the ocean,” Hernandez said, adding that her older sister inspired her to attend.

Rodriguez voiced that this is not an uncom-mon experience for students in her DHHS classes.

“For a lot of us, the ocean and things like boats are second nature,” Rodriguez said.

“But we have to remember that for some, just because it is close doesn’t mean it’s their real-ity. Boats are expensive and time consuming; it’s amazing to be able to bring these kids into a new world right in their own backyard.”

For some DHHS Students, in retrospect, the most inspiring moments may have been what they have learned about themselves as much as any natural elements.

“It’s beautiful, I had no idea. I’m a little shaky, but I like it,” Hernandez said calmly, sitting on the back deck of the Dana Pride. Succumbing to sea-sickness earlier in the trip, she now sat firmly planted on the deck, eyes peeled for her prized gem—a gray whale.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mela-nie Shams, a senior at DHHS, combs the deck of the Dana Pride like a sailor who has earned her sea legs.

That’s because she has. The 17-year-old video production student is

attending the trip to work on her video editing and interviewing skills. Shams, who aspires to be a lawyer, seems to float along the boat as others warily cling to the rails for support.

Her comfort is evident; managing her move-ment on the boat as opposed to surviving the rise and fall of each step, Shams is taking advantage of the opportunity to intertwine her passion and her education.

Occasionally cracking a smile, Shams main-tains an obvious sense of control amongst her classmates, keeping her own personal progres-sion to herself.

Once the Dana Pride returned to the Harbor, the students seemed to have settled in. Quietly and contently taking in their surroundings, a majority appear more contemplative; sitting along the railings with their feet hanging over the passing waves below.

“It’s astonishing,” Rodriguez said. “What you learn when you aren’t in complete control of all of the elements.” •

Cetacean Creation

Dana Hills students set sail in search

of inspiration amongst the waves

ABY DANIEL RITZ

Find a Photo Opp Stop, snap a pic and post it to Instagram with the hashtags #festivalofwhales and

#danapointharbor for a chance to win great prizes!

Might as Whale Take a Selfie!


Parking and FREE Shuttle InformationThe FREE shuttle runs each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and services most parking lots and event locations. Daily and $3 per hour ($6 minimum) parking is available at Doheny State Beach at the numerous automated payment machine kiosks located throughout the park, or better yet through the Passport Parking app available for smartphones and tablets at www.ppprk.com/park. The benefit of the Passport Parking payment application is, in addition to making the initial payment for parking, time can also be added remotely from your phone or tablet.

Walking Directions from OCTA Bus StopFor those guests that are utilizing the OCTA bus stops on PCH, you can reach the Festival by walking down Dana Point Harbor Drive to the Harbor’s Golden Lantern entrance area or you can enter Doheny State Beach (direction sign at bus stop near bridge), walk along the barrier fence, then proceed toward the beach to the marked Festival of Whales shuttle stop. Ride the shuttle FREE to all event locations.

March 3• Street Fair at La Plaza Park• Dana Wharf (In front of Dana Wharf

Sportfishing & Whale Watching in the center of the large parking island)

• El Torito CourtyardMarch 4• Ocean Awareness Day at Baby Beach• Dana Wharf (In front of Dana Wharf


• El Torito CourtyardMarch 10• Dana Wharf (In front of Dana Wharf


• Along the Harbor walkway• Near the Clam Chowder Cook-Off at

Baby BeachMarch 11 • Near the Concert on the Water/Spirits

Garden at Baby Beach• Dana Wharf (In front of Dana Wharf


• Along the Harbor walkway

Parade Day Shuttle (March 3 only)FREE shuttle service will be available one hour prior to the Festival of Whales Parade. Park in the Harbor or at Doheny State Beach and ride to the drop-off location for the northerly Parade Announcer Stand. At the conclusion of the Parade, meet at the drop-off location and the shuttle will return you to the Harbor.

Street Fair Shuttle (March 3 only)FREE shuttle service will be available from all Harbor locations to the Street Fair from Noon to 4 p.m.

Water TaxiDaily service during the Festival will be offered between Dana Wharf and the Ocean Institute from noon to 5 p.m. Round trip tickets are $5 per person. Take in all the great sights from the water! Your captain will share interesting facts and features about the Dana Point area and its fascinating history.

Whale of a Concert Shuttle (March 11 only)FREE shuttle service will extend until 6 p.m.

Festival of Whales Merchandise

Event Map

Getting Aroundthe Festival

Items may also be purchased online at www.festivalofwhales.com


The Dana Point Festival of Whales 2018 merchandise of-fering will include short sleeve T-shirts in youth and unisex adult sizes. Youth sizes will be available in tropical blue and indigo blue and adult sizes in ice gray, white and navy blue. Adult long sleeve tees and zip-front hoodies will be available in charcoal gray and navy blue. Five-panel snapback trucker hats will come in charcoal and white/navy. A sport pack backpack and classic tote bag in white will also be offered.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

MERCHANDISE BOOTH LOCATIONS



Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Festival of Whales Parade 10 a.m. Pacific Coast Highway 1

Whale of a Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale Walk Painting 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Doheny State Beach 16

Marine Mammal Lecture Series 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Harpoon Henry’s 13

Ocean Institute Education Center 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7

SoCal Woodies Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

The Legendary Corvette Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Art in the Park10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive 12

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harbor walkway near Mariners Village 6

Ocean Awareness Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale’s Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Diamond Dig11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale of a BBQ11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach Park 15

Kids Fishing Clinic and TripNoon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Dana Wharf Docks 3

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Walking Tour of Town Center 2 p.m. Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway 8

Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby2 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Drone Demo 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Dana Wharf Whale Watching 3

Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash8 a.m.-1 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Boat Builders’ Breaky and BBQ on the Beach8 a.m.-Noon. OC Sailing & Events Center 15

Whale of a Beach Cleanup - FESTIVAL OF WHALES TOAST TO THE COAST9 a.m.-Noon. Doheny State Beach 16


Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. OCean Adventures catamaran, Dana Wharf Dock 3



British Invasion Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Antique & Classic Boat Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. East Marina Parking Lot 6


Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale10 a.m.-5 p.m. Island Way and Dana Point Harbor 12

Seventh Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Baby Beach 15


Capt. Dave’s Under the Sea Eco Carnival Noon-2 p.m. Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Deck near Baby Beach 4

Harbor Music Series Noon-3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Capt. Dave’s Presents “Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?” 2 p.m.-3 p.m. OC Sailing & Event Center 9





British Invasion Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Sailing & Stand-up Paddling Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7



Harbor Music Series Noon -3 p.m. Dana Wharf, Mariners Village 10

Whale of a Concert on the WaterNoon - 5 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits GardenNoon - 5 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Kids Fishing Clinic and TripNoon-12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Dana Wharf Docks 3


FILM Screening: ‘Sonic Sea’6 p.m.-8 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

FESTIVAL Schedule of EventsWEEKEND ONE WEEKEND TWO

Wyland Art Lessons in the Wild 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. OCean Adventures catama-ran, Dana Wharf Dock 3


Street Fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. La Plaza Park 2


SoCal Woodies Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

The Legendary Corvette Car Show10 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor walkway 11

Sailing & Stand-Up Paddling Clinic10 a.m.-4 p.m. Westwind Sailing, OC Sailing & Event Center 7



Whale’s Tale Tallship SailingAdventure 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ocean Institute 5

Whale of a Pizza Party 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Baby Beach 15

Harbor Music Series Noon -3 p.m. Mariners Village 10

Dana Point Historical society Walking Tour of Town Center 2 p.m. Blue Lantern Street/Pacific Coast Highway 8


SUNday, March 4 SUNday, March 11SATURday, March 3 SATURday, March 10

Whale WatchingEvery Day of the Event

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Ocean Institute 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (March 4, 10 a.m. only)

Whale Watch from the Bluff Headlands Nature Interpretive Center

8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Purple numbers coincide with map

locations on page 6.

Annual Events

The Festival of Whales Parade March 3; 10 a.m.The Festival of Whales Parade kicks off the two-weekend celebration of the California gray whale migration with a route along Pacific Coast Highway beginning at Selva Road and ending at Golden Lantern. The parade em-braces the Festival’s “Magical Migration” theme, with parade floats, costumes and giant helium parade balloons. The parade also includes a variety of bands, classic automo-biles, business and military entries. www.festivalofwhales.com.1

Street Fair March 3; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation hosts the Street Fair and Whales and Tails Wag-a-Thon at La Plaza Park. Shop at over 70 vendor booths, enjoy music, food trucks, a kiddie area, pet costume contest, souvenirs, a chance to win great prizes and more. www.petprojectfounda-tion.org 2

Sand Sculpting Competition March 3; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.OC Parks presents a day of fun, sun and cre-ativity for families, friends and sand sculpting enthusiasts. Contestants may choose to build whales, ocean creatures, pirates and ships, surfing or tropical island-themed creations. Walk-up entries accepted. 15

Doheny State Beach Whale Walk PaintingMarch 4; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.Help paint a life-sized whale to add to the collection on the Doheny State Beach “Whale Walk” near Boneyard Beach Café. Paint and brushes will be supplied. Free and open to the public. 949.233.0476 or [email protected]. 16

Ocean Awareness DayMarch 4; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Associa-tion, Ocean Awareness Day features interac-tive displays, demonstrations and entertain-ment showcasing ocean and environmental programs and issues related to our ocean. 949.923.2255, www.danapointharbor.com. 15

Diamond DigMarch 4; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club hosts the pirate-themed Diamond Dig at Baby Beach. For one hour, guests dig for buried treasure, including toys, prizes and for one lucky pirate, a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry donated by Marinelli Fine Jewelry. Tickets are $20. 949.204.7084 or www.monarchbeachrotary.com. 15

Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby March 4; 2 p.m.The Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby is a fun spin on the traditional “Rubber Ducky Race” at Baby Beach. Duckies may be purchased the day of the event at the Dana Point Woman’s Club booth at Baby Beach. Prizes will be awarded

to first, second and third places. $6 per rubber duck or two for $10. Attendees need not be present to win. 15

Cardboard Classic & Dinghy DashMarch 10; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.Westwind Sailing hosts the 3rd annual Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash, a fun-filled, family oriented day that includes a cardboard boat building contest (Cardboard Classic) and race (the Dinghy Dash), exhibition booths, food, music and awards. It’s fun for competitors and spectators alike. Teams will work through the morning designing and building their crafts with cardboard and duct tape and then com-pete by age division in the afternoon, racing in the Harbor with nothing but a paddle and their cardboard ships. $40 per team. Sign up at www.festivalofwhales.com. 15

Whale of a Beach Cleanup – Festivalof Whales Toast to the Coast!March 10; 9 a.m.-noon Bring work gloves and a recyclable bag or bucket and help clean up Doheny State Beach. Meet Park Naturalist Vicki at the lifeguard headquarters and learn more about how to help maintain our precious coastal resources.16

Artsand Culture

Art in the ParkMarch 3, 4, 10, 11; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Local artists display an impressive variety of fine art and craft for sale at the corner of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive. The Dana Point Historical Society will provide free information on local history and display historic photos, books and gifts for purchase. 12

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale March 3, 4, 10, 11; 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.The Dana Point Fine Arts Association hosts an art show and sale on the Harbor Boardwalk ad-jacent to the boat docks in Mariner’s Village to the east of The Coffee Importers and Harpoon Henry’s. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, pastels and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available. www.danapointfinearts.org. 6

Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour of Town Center March 3, 4; 2 p.m.See and hear the stories of historic landmarks such as S.H. Woodruff’s 1920s planned com-munity and Bluff Top harbor views, circa 1818 to 1939, that represent the area’s early history. 949.248.8121 or [email protected]. 8

Dana Hills High School Young Artists Show and Sale March 10; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. High school art students display artwork for show and sale in a variety of mediums on the Harbor walkway at Island Way. 12

CLASSIC CAR AND BOAT DISPLAYS

SoCal Woodies car showMarch 3, 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.The best from the Southern California Chapter of the National Woodie Club. The Club’s goal is to promote the woodie car, and the role it has played in automotive history and California surf culture. 11

Pacific Coast Corvettes Presents the Legendary VetteMarch 3, 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.The Harbor walkway will be replete with several generations of Corvettes. Enjoy a variety of beautifully restored and preserved examples of the classic American sports car known col-loquially as the Vette. 11

Antique & Classic Boat ShowMarch 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.The Antique & Classic Boat Society will display a variety of vessels. The ACBS is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of historic, antique and classic boats, as well as providing education about the vessels’ heritage. 6

British InvasionMarch 10, 11; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Stroll the Harbor walkway to see a unique dis-play of fine British motorcars including Austin-Healeys, Jaguars, Triumphs and more. 11

DANA WHARF WHALE WATCHING

AND MORE

Marine Mammal Lecture Series March 3, 4, 10, 11; 10-11 a.m.This special lecture series includes continental breakfast at Harpoon Henry’s. It’s perfect for those who want a one-on-one educational experience. Kirsten Donald, (March 3) Pacific Marine Mammal Center; Alisa Schulman-Janiger, (March 4) California Orcas/Gray Whale Census; Todd Mansur, (March 10) Gray Whale Foundation; Justin Viezbicke, (March 11) NOAA Fisheries Entanglement Response. www.danawharf.com. 3



EVENTS & ATTractions



The Festival of Whales Parade

(Cont. on page 10)



Kids Free Fishing Clinic and Free Fishing Trip March 4, 11; Noon–12:30 p.m.; 12:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m.Free dockside fishing clinic where children will learn hands-on fishing techniques from the experts and have the chance to win fun prizes. After the clinic, Dana Wharf will run a fishing trip from 12:45-5:15 p.m. Free for kids with a paid adult. $46 + license and equipment. 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com. 3

Wyland Whale Watching Art Lessons in the Wild March 3, 10; 10-10:45 a.m.Learn from one of the masters of marine art with a dockside presentation and art lesson aboard the OCean Adventures catamaran, via video feed, by renowned environmental artist, Wyland. Guests will learn how Wyland has creat-ed some of the most well known marine wildlife paintings and sculptures. $5 per child. Children receive a free whale watching trip ticket to use after the lesson. www.danawharf.com. 3

Drone DemoMarch 3, 4, 10, 11; 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.There will be a 30-minute presentation during the 2.5-hour deluxe whale watching trips dem-onstrating how drone operators get the perfect shot while maintaining a safe distance from whales and other marine wildlife. Adult guests receive a copy of Dana Wharf’s DVD, the Shores off Dana Point ($20 value). 3

DOLPHIN SAFARI WHALE WATCHING

AND MORE

Capt. Dave’s Under the Sea Eco CarnivalMarch 10; Noon-2 p.m.Bounce the day away in the under-the sea bounce houses, take photos at the selfie sta-tion and learn how you can do your part to keep our ocean clean. Dive deep with Captain Dave’s

one-of-a-kind underwater viewing pod simula-tion, and more. All ages are welcome. Carnival is free; face painting is available for a small fee. 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com. 4

Capt. Dave’s Presents: ‘Entangled Whales: What Can We Do?’ March 10; 2-3 p.m.Learn about recent disentanglements that Captain Dave and others were involved with, including the first disentanglement effort of a blue whale that recently made national headlines. Discover more about what is being done, including new equipment Capt. Dave is developing for tracking whales. OC Sailing and Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place. 949.488.2828. www.dolphinsafari.com. 4

FOODOPTIONS

Whale of a Pizza Party March 3; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.Grab a slice of Beach Harbor Pizza and a drink, served up by the Veritas Lodge adjacent to Baby Beach during the sand sculpting contest. 15

Whale of a Pancake Breakfast March 4; 8-10:30 a.m.Join the Dana Point Woman’s Club for a pan-cake breakfast adjacent to Baby Beach. While there, purchase a rubber ducky for the club’s Rubber Ducky Derby later in the day. 15

Whale of a BBQMarch 4; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.A hamburger and hotdog barbecue will be served up by the Knights of Columbus adjacent to Baby Beach during Ocean Awareness Day. 15

Seventh Annual Whale of a Clam Chowder Cook-OffMarch 10; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.Sample a variety of tasty chowders from local

restaurants and organizations and then vote for your favorite. Taste every entry for $10. Prizes awarded for “People’s Choice,” “Best Booth De-sign” and “Mayor’s Choice.” The Perpetual Tro-phy will be presented at 4 p.m. Game booths for all, and a beer and wine garden for adults over 21 with a valid ID. www.fishforlife.org. 15

Boat Builders’ Breaky and BBQ on the BeachMarch 10; 8 a.m.-noonBreakfast is served by the Veritas Lodge at the OC Sailing & Event Center. Fuel up while watch-ing or participating in the Cardboard Classic/Dinghy Dash boat building contest and race at Baby Beach. 1

Whale of a Concert BBQ and Spirits GardenMarch 11; Noon-5 p.m.Enjoy scrumptious barbecue specialties and a Spirits Garden (for those over 21 with a valid ID) while enjoying the Concert on the Water at Baby Beach. 15

LIVE MUSIC

Harbor Music Series March 3, 4, 10, 11; Noon-3 p.m.The Dana Point Harbor Association hosts live music (soloists and small ensembles) in a variety of styles in the Dana Wharf Courtyard, and on the grassy area at Harpoon Henry’s near Mariner’s Village. 949.923.2255. www.danapointharbor.com. 3

Whale of a Concert on the Water March 11; Noon-5 p.m.Head to Baby Beach for a free outdoor concert. Bands perform on the water atop a floating stage. The concert features three bands: Ane-sha Rose & Midnight Whiskey (Noon-1 p.m.), The Trip (1:30-3 p.m.) and The PettyBreakers 3:30-5 p.m.). 949.248.3530. 15

OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING

AND MORE

OCEAN institute education center Weekend on the Wharf March 3, 4; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Explore the history of sailing along the Califor-nia shore. Learn how sailing impacted develop-ment of Dana Point via interactive history discussions about Richard Henry Dana Jr. See a whaling exhibition, tour the historic tall ship Brig Pilgrim, and more. Discounted admission $5, this weekend only. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org. 5

OCEAN institute education center Magical Migration March 10, 11; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Take a hands-on journey into the mysterious and captivating world of whales and explore

a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to these magnificent animals. Follow the migra-tion of the gray whale as you move through the facility, starting in Baja, moving on to the California Coast, and ending up in Alaska. Tickets $10 for non-member adults, $7.50 for non-member seniors and children. Members and children under 2 are free. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org. 5

Whale Watching Eco Tours aboard the R/V Sea ExplorerMarch 3, 4, 10, 11; 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.Join marine educators in exploring the ocean from top to bottom while searching for some of the world’s largest and smallest creatures during the 1.5-hour cruise. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org. 5

Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventure aboard the Spirit of Dana PointMarch 3, 4, 10, 11; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Explore how time and discovery have shaped man’s perception of the gray whale on this tall ship sailing adventure while gaining insight into man’s evolving relationship with the ocean and the giants that roam the California Coast. Adults $60; children (12 and under; minimum age 4) are $40. Members receive a 10 percent discount. Weekend admission to the Insti-tute is included with the sail ticket purchase. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org. 5

Film Screening: ‘Sonic Sea’ and Q&A with FilmmakerMarch 11; 6-8 p.m.The Ocean Institute is honored to host a screening of Sonic Sea, an Emmy-winning film about protecting sea life from the destruc-tive effects of oceanic noise pollution. Learn more about the film, noise pollution and the Natural Resources Defense Council during a question-and-answer-session with co-director and co-producer Daniel Hinerfeld after the film. Tickets $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Cash bar, (for those over 21 with valid ID) food and refreshments available for purchase. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org. 5

SAILING AND PADDLING

Sailing RidesMarch 3, 4, 11; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Take a sailing ride and learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14. Ages 5 and up. Tickets are $15 per boat with a three-person maximum per boat. Call Westwind Sailing for details. 949.492.3035. 7

Stand-Up Paddling Clinics March 3, 4, 11; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Join the SUP craze during a 45-minute clinic. Each clinic is held on the hour, depending on weather and conditions. Ages 12 and up; 12- to 14-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $10 per person. Life jackets are provided. Call Westwind Sailing for details. 949.492.3035. 7

Diamond Dig

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While in Dana Point for the Festival of Whales, there are many options for visitors to see ocean wildlife up close. Choose from three businesses offering different whale watching experiences.

Set Your Sights on Whale Watching

Land Locked? Walk along the bluff-top Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center’s 3 miles of trails to view the whale migration from above. The Center is open daily from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and the trails are accessible from 7 a.m. to sunset. 34558 Scenic Drive. 949.248.3527. www.danapoint.org.

Join the Ocean Institute’s scientists on a whale watching cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. The 2.5-hour cruise will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 4; 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10; and 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 11. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and active duty military members and $25 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.com.

Hop aboard one of Dana Wharf’s adventure cruises for a chance to catch a glimpse into the huge variety of underwater wildlife with their multiple whale watching trips every day. Cruises depart on the hour and are narrated by expert captains aboard a variety of vessels. Tickets vary, but range from $15 to $55. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern. 949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

Captain Dave’s provides trips aboard their customized cata-marans, which allow guests to get up close and personal with wildlife. The Mantue’a offers eye-to-eye underwater viewing pods and a hydrophone to hear below the surface. Multiple trips are planned for both weekends of the Festival. Tickets vary depend-ing on the trip and range from $20 to $65. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive. 949.488. 2828. www.dolphinsafari.com.

Captain Dave’sWhale Watching

Safari

Dana WharfWhale Watching Ocean Institute


here are a remarkable number of year-round whales and dolphins just off of the coast of Dana Point.

Throughout the year, various species can be seen including blue whales, humpback whales,

fin whales, minke whales, and the gray whales that Dana Point is celebrating with our annual festival.

With so many beautiful animals to encoun-ter, like it or not, whale watchers are on the front lines for protecting and helping whales, regardless of if they’re on a commercial whale watching vessel or operating their own recreational boat. Anyone who watches whales may be the first to spot one in trouble, and as a result, most rescues begin with a sighting from a whale watching boat. Without help, injured or entangled whales can suffer greatly and die.

In 2016, the most recent year that official federal data became available, 71 whales were reported entangled off of the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington. This includes 54 reported humpback whales, four reported endangered blue whales and one killer whale. 2016 represents the highest annual total of reported whale entanglements off of the U.S. West Coast since NOAA Fisheries began record keeping in 1982. An estimated 308,000 dolphins and whales worldwide die every year because of fishing gear entanglement.

The majority of these entangled whales were spotted and reported first by whale watchers. Many of these vessels not only reported these animals to the proper authorities, but also stayed with the whales until trained rescue teams could arrive. This action resulted in some whales surviving their entanglements. Unfortunately, however, the majority of whale disentanglement efforts fail to remove all of the entangled gear, and as a result, the entangled whales often die later.

The vast majority of whale and dolphin entanglements worldwide are caused by active fishing gear. Dungeness crab traps are the pri-mary source of entanglements off of California. In 2016, 19 humpback whales were reported as entangled in commercial crab trap fishery gear.

The rope and buoy attached to the crab traps are what entangles the whale. So, if we eliminate the rope and buoy, we could end the majority of the entanglements.

As I write this, I am in Australia to meet with the president of Fiomarine Industries, an inno-vative company that has designed and built an electronic pop-up buoy called the Fiobuoy. The device allows the rope and buoy to stay coiled up on the bottom of the ocean until a fisher-man flips a switch on his boat. A sonic release is triggered and the buoy and rope float to the surface. The Fiobuoy will automatically provide its location to the fisherman and the local Fish

Whale watching is fun, but there are important precautions you should take to ensure your safety and the safety of the whales. We asked National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Education Coordinator Alicia Keefe to share guidelines for whale watchers and boaters at this year’s Festival of Whales and beyond.

Guidelines for all whale watchers• Whale watching can be a positive and

enriching experience when conducted responsibly. We must remember that our presence has an effect on whales and their habitat. Just like us, whales need space to find food, choose mates, raise young, socialize and rest. When we get too close, approach too fast, or make too much noise, we can interrupt natural behaviors and cause unneces-sary stress.

• Stay at least 100 yards away from all marine mammals.

• Be cautious and quiet when around areas of known or suspected wildlife activity, at haul-outs, and bird colonies.

• It is illegal to harass marine mammals, which means to disrupt their natural behaviors including feeding, nursing, resting and migration. To report viola-tions, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforce-ment Hotline: 1.800.853.1964.

Additional guidelines for boaters• Look in all directions before planning

your approach or departure from view-ing wildlife.

• Reduce your speed to less than 7 knots while in the presence of marine mam-mals.

• Move parallel to the animal’s direction of travel and keep their path clear. Do not approach from the front or from behind. Avoid any abrupt course changes.

• When whales are traveling close to shore, stay on their offshore side.

• If a whale approaches you, put the engine in neutral and allow the whale to pass.

• View whales for no more than 30 minutes. This will reduce the cumulative impact of all vessels and give consider-ation to other viewers.

and Game Authority to prevent loss, or fishing in restricted areas. The buoy has a fail-safe electronic and galvanic release that can be set to release whenever a fisherman chooses. The Fiobuoy has the potential to eliminate most entanglements.

An individual buoy can cost about $10,000. I convinced the CEO of Fiomarine, John Fiotakis, to send me one of these buoys in the hopes we could get crab fishermen off of California to try it. John assured me that if he received an order of 200,000 Fiobuoys, the equivalent of the num-ber of Dungeness crab traps currently operating off of California, he could mass produce them and lower the price to about $300 each.

Crab fishermen and conservation orga-nizations have formed a working group off of Central California to solve the problem of entanglement. Conservation groups like the Center for Biological Diversity have sued to stop the problem. And lawmakers are consider-ing legislation to prevent it. Commercial crab fishing has not changed much in the last century. Maybe it’s time to bring crab fishing into the 21st century. If not Fiobuoy then some similar technology can certainly be fine-tuned to eliminate these entangling ropes and buoys. After all, how much is a whale worth?

If we can end the Dungeness crab trap entanglements here in California, then we can do the same on the East Coast as well, where endangered right whales risk extinc-tion because of entanglement in similar gear, (along with some other issues, but the biggest cause of death is entanglement), according to a recent NOAA report. And then the U.S. can be a model to help solve this problem worldwide, where we are losing nearly 1,000 dolphins and whales every day to entanglement.

After whale watching the last few weeks off of New Zealand and Australia, I can once again

Capt. Dave holds a gillnet removed from a gray whale: Photo: Mike Johnson/Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari

tell you that we have some of the best whale and dolphin watching in the world in Southern California. Thankfully, most whales we see off California are healthy and free of entangle-ments.

What you can do to help whalesIf you spot an entangled whale, please call

1.877.767.9425 or hail the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16. For your safety, do not approach the animal or attempt disentanglement. Remain at a safe distance, and if possible, stay with the whale until trained rescue teams arrive or another boat can relieve you. Make a note of the location and species of the whale or a description. Without getting too close, try to get photos or videos of the entanglement, which can provide helpful information to rescuers. This stage is critical as most reported whales are lost if no one stays with them.

Buy U.S. caught fish. We have more restric-tions on our fishing and less bycatch than many other countries. These restrictions mean that fish cost more to catch in the U.S. and imports are likely cheaper. That is unfair to U.S. fishermen. Importing fish caught without as many rules means more whales, dolphins and other animals die. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) specifically bans this type of trade and prohibits importing seafood that is caught with more bycatch than our U.S. fisheries allow our fishermen to have. However, this law is not being well enforced.

You can support new laws that protect whales and dolphins with the enforcement of the MMPA. •

Capt. Dave Anderson, along with his wife Gisele, owns Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. He formed Orange County Whale Rescue and has been involved in many whale disentanglement efforts.


For more information, visit www.bewhalewise.org.

The website is continually updated with new information.

Tips for Safe Whale Watching

Whale Entanglement and How Whale Watchers Can Help

TBY DAVE ANDERSON

TK

SHOP & DINE DANA POINT HARBOR

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