NorCal Kayak Anglers

Dive Zone => Kayak Diving and Spearfishing => Topic started by: Wilderness medic on December 31, 2017, 08:12:13 PM

Title: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on December 31, 2017, 08:12:13 PM
The girlfriend and I headed out at 4:30 on the 2 1/2 hour drive to Anchor Bay to meet up with Adam and Ryan. As soon as I pull up the lady starts demanding I hurry up and pay her. I ask her if it's ok if I check to make sure the water conditions are safe for us first. She replies with "The water conditions were superb yesterday, many people had an excellent time, please provide me with monetary compensation for the use of our facilities. Please do not cause me anymore problems." It seems oddly rude but it's early so I apologize and tell her I didn't mean to cause any problems. She again tells me to hurry and not sit down there drinking beer. (It's 7 am???) She starts trash talking Ryan and Adam and says we can't go down to unload until they move. She then takes off to tell them to hurry up.

I head down to unload. She's standing there watching and tells me to hurry up again. I take 5 steps over to make sure the water is even dividable before unloading the kayaks and all the gear and she follows me and says "The water is flat, unload NOW and go." I tell her I need to check for myself. She replies that I'm no longer welcome and tells me to leave. Okaaaaaay. Sorry camp Nazi, you got it. I'll never spend a dollar here again. FYI the breakers were too big for my girlfriend who's new to ocean kayaking to safely launch in.

After leaving I get a text from Ryan that her methed out henchman called the sheriff on me to report me as driving drunk. Hahahahaha unreal...long drive for this extremely rude lady to ruin my day.... I wrote the experience up on their page reviews, but of course it was immediately deleted and I was blocked from the page ;D


Luckily I gave DG a ring and he was going out. Shot Kathy a text and she headed down to Albion too. Duane, Dan, Dan 2, Kathy, and the girlfriend and I headed out and found 35'-40' vis!!!

Me and Duane parked in 45/50' and did a dozen or so drops looking for vermillion. No luck, but found at least one ling on every drop. One drop 3 were swimming up to me. At 50' this stupid ling swims up to me, and I push him away with my gun. He doesn't get the hint and swims back at me so I popped him.

Went in a bit shallower and my girlfriend shot her first limit of lings while I was off getting skunked hahaha...... Kathy shot a nice ling and a cab.

Great day with amazing conditions. Glad it turned around from that nightmare experience of being treated like trash for no reason.


(https://i.imgur.com/DjWDv3V.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/Hr2gfEL.png)


(https://i.imgur.com/8DbprF0.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/bAxaNzj.jpg)
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: DG on December 31, 2017, 08:29:28 PM
Told you not to loiter and drink on their property.  Especially at 7am.

Nice hanging out with everyone.  Great day.  Still not completely over my cold so it was a little challenging.  A couple of us did end up finding some Verms.  Lots of lings out there. 
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: AnnieAreYouOk on December 31, 2017, 10:57:40 PM
Nick and I went to Anchor Bay on Christmas weekend and had a pretty similar experience. She was super rude and didn't like where we parked, was super passive aggressive in letting us know we were parked in the wrong spot by telling her boyfriend super loudly over and over, and charged us more than the sign said it would cost. There was only one other car there all day. Not sure why it was a problem to park where we initially parked.

You made the right call in going to Albion and plus you dove with some awesome people!! Congrats on the fish and sweet pics!
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: DG on December 31, 2017, 11:54:04 PM
Do they have new managers?  I haven’t been there in awhile but never been treated like that. 
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Chadrock on January 01, 2018, 12:28:43 AM
Sounds like the same thing that has been going on for the last handful of years. I refuse to spend my money there.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: DrHabanero on January 01, 2018, 12:38:32 AM
Well I guess I'm glad I cancelled my trip there this weekend. Not a good way to bring in the new year. lad you got out and had a blast.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 01, 2018, 04:17:31 AM
Do they have new managers?  I haven’t been there in awhile but never been treated like that.

Someone did mention a new ownership switch a handful of years ago in one of the reviews. From what it sounds like these two treat most people this was. I talked to Jason last night and he said a few years ago all those trailer people and that lady banded together and bought it up. And now they all run it like Nazis. I know she was there a couple years ago. I remember her being unfriendly... but not like this. She called the methy henchman over to protect her like I was going to assault her or something. Crazy lady   :smt044
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: chopper on January 01, 2018, 03:33:49 PM
Damn, sorry to hear about the start to the day but it sounds like it ended well. I haven't had the "pleasure" of dealing with Anchor Bay and definitely don't plan to. Have had similar experiences at Timber Cove and am done with that place. Both locations are great, but not worth the aggravation.

Cheers,
Brad
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: dirkbeachman on January 01, 2018, 07:29:06 PM
maybe we should have a mass 7 AM "loiter and drink beer party!" up there! JK. Albion seems to always have a nice vibe and I've met some good people both in the campground and out on the water
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Widgeon on January 01, 2018, 08:13:26 PM
Wow, that sucks about the camp hosts. I was there 4 years ago with Rider and they couldn't have been nicer. If I'm going to make that drive, I'll hit up Albion now instead.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: ravensblack on January 01, 2018, 08:50:51 PM
Never ever had a problem with Tess.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 02, 2018, 08:35:11 AM
Never ever had a problem with Tess.

Super bizarre. She’s always seemed snappy but this was straight up psychotic out of nowhere. Sorry I’m not into drowning my girlfriend Tess!! It makes it worse she was demanding we go out repeating it was flat. RyanG went out and got into trouble, and he’s experienced, not new like she is. 
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Azkikr on January 03, 2018, 10:52:35 PM
Heard same
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Duckguy on January 04, 2018, 03:33:36 PM
That's very odd. We've been camping there for 25 yrs or more. About ten years ago, the family that owned wanted to sell the place for a resort development. They found out the easements from the owners of the homes behind the Anchor Bay Store pretty much prevented that. A group of "annual renters" formed an LLC and ponied up the money to buy it. Now, there are 40 families and individuals who own it. Tessa, the office manager, has no share in it, and neither does Fred, the maintenance man. To my certain knowledge, neither of them does drugs of any kind, and Tessa is adamantly anti-drugs. She is, however, quite religious. Over the years, Tessa has suffered enough abuse to be very direct, but she is not insulting, and her English is excellent, if slightly Tagolog accented. Writing her as speaking pidgin-English smacks of racism. Fred is an ex-marine and a very straight shooter. He masks being a Hoosier fool, but he's very smart. Treat them with kindness and respect, and that's what you'll get back.

As an addendum, the office opens at 9 am. If you saw Tessa, it's because you got her out early. You can always pay the day-use and launch fees in an envelope at the window.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 04, 2018, 04:15:33 PM
That's very odd. We've been camping there for 25 yrs or more. About ten years ago, the family that owned wanted to sell the place for a resort development. They found out the easements from the owners of the homes behind the Anchor Bay Store pretty much prevented that. A group of "annual renters" formed an LLC and ponied up the money to buy it. Now, there are 40 families and individuals who own it. Tessa, the office manager, has no share in it, and neither does Fred, the maintenance man. To my certain knowledge, neither of them does drugs of any kind, and Tessa is adamantly anti-drugs. She is, however, quite religious. Over the years, Tessa has suffered enough abuse to be very direct, but she is not insulting, and her English is excellent, if slightly Tagolog accented. Writing her as speaking pidgin-English smacks of racism. Fred is an ex-marine and a very straight shooter. He masks being a Hoosier fool, but he's very smart. Treat them with kindness and respect, and that's what you'll get back.

As an addendum, the office opens at 9 am. If you saw Tessa, it's because you got her out early. You can always pay the day-use and launch fees in an envelope at the window.

Sorry bud, you're wrong. I am quoting verbatim what she said, how she said it. So if her English is good, then this must not have been Tessa. I did absolutely NOTHING to warrant the straight up insulting rude behavior. In fact I went out of my way to be extra polite once she had already insulted me just to try and defuse the tension, however she continued pushing more and more. As I mentioned in the first post, its early and I understand we aren't all too chipper at 7am, which is why I allowed her to speak to me so rudely for so long before I had enough.

As far as paying at the window, again incorrect. As soon as we pulled in Fred jumped in front of us speaking 90mph like he was on something, and told us to wait while he got her. He physically blocked us with a cone until she came storming out and starting demanding we pay immediately without delay for even a question. I would have loved nothing more than to pay in an envelop and go about my day rather than have her stand over us watching and yelling to hurry up.

Look at their reviews for yourself, this isn't the first experience like this involving those two. I can't say those were 100% accurate but I can say that about mine, since I witnessed it first hand.


You can say whatever you want and believe I deserved the way I was treated, but as an ocean goer you should understand safety and how ridiculous it is to not allow us to look, and demand we launch immediately. Especially considering it was NOT safe, and an experienced guy got into trouble.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wldrnshntr on January 04, 2018, 04:17:50 PM
Wife and I stopped by couple months ago and she was super friendly, even came out and moved pylons so I could get my truck turned around.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 04, 2018, 04:35:55 PM
Wife and I stopped by couple months ago and she was super friendly, even came out and moved pylons so I could get my truck turned around.

Well apparently I have a hateable face then.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: The Barge on January 05, 2018, 08:57:41 AM
I have an annual day pass at Anchor Bay and fish there often.  I've found that the secret to good relations with Tess is to never cross the line where the pylons are before getting her OK.  Just park on the right side where Adam and Ryan parked, just before the cones and the office window.  Driving your car past the cone zone is limited to overnight campers.  Tess has had many bad experiences with people parking in camping spaces and not moving, blocking campers and waking people up early in the morning so limits access to avoid this from occurring.

When you arrive, pull over to the right hand side to park just before the cone barrier.  You can then walk down and check out the conditions before paying your fee.  If before 9:00AM, there are envelopes where you can pay for access. Rates are stated on the signs at the office.   If after 9:00AM, pull over to the right and go over to the office to chat with Tess.  She is usually helpful and friendly.  If the camping area beyond the office is not crowded, she will give you direction on where to park closer to the beach.   Otherwise, parking on the right side just before the office works.

I was at Anchor Bay the morning you had your altercation with Tess and Fred.  In my opinion, you could have avoided the blowout by taking the approach recommended above.  I agree with Duckguy - if you treat Tess and Fred with kindness and respect, that's what you will get back.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 05, 2018, 09:37:03 AM
Huh??? Did I pull past them? If you were there then you know that  No, I did not. I stopped before the cones and put it in Park. I did everything t that was demanded and treated Tess with respect and politeness until the very end when I had put up with more than I should have already. Also, when I pulled up Ryan and Adam were already at the beach, and they relocated to where you’re talking about after. Tess was already pissed with them and took her aggression out on me.

I’m not sure what part you guys are missing on this. If you have a good standing relationship with them that’s great. However I wasnt even given the opportunity to build that with their immediate and continued behavior, and that’s what I’m writing about.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Archie Marx on January 05, 2018, 09:52:47 AM
Tess can be pushy, but ive found both of them to be incredibly helpful if I:

A. Pay right away
B. Park where they tell me to park

I fished Anchor a few times last year, and didn’t have any trouble with Tess or Fred. The last time I was there I broke a shear pin and a rudderpin on a surf landing. Fred walked down to the beach with a cart and helped me haul my stuff up, and refused to take any payment.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wldrnshntr on January 12, 2018, 11:01:01 AM
Wife and I stopped by couple months ago and she was super friendly, even came out and moved pylons so I could get my truck turned around.

Well apparently I have a hateable face then.
I thought I was the only one with one of those :smt044
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Archie Marx on January 12, 2018, 03:38:01 PM
Wife and I stopped by couple months ago and she was super friendly, even came out and moved pylons so I could get my truck turned around.

Well apparently I have a hateable face then.

I don’t think it’s your face. Applying pidgin English to an Asian person who does not speak pidgin English might have more to do with the underlying reason/s than does your hidious face.  :smt002
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 12, 2018, 03:53:35 PM
Wife and I stopped by couple months ago and she was super friendly, even came out and moved pylons so I could get my truck turned around.

Well apparently I have a hateable face then.

I don’t think it’s your face. Applying pidgin English to an Asian person who does not speak pidgin English might have more to do with the underlying reason/s than does your hidious face.  :smt002

The funny part is that is almost word for word what and how she said it. And my almost I mean exactly how. Defend her all you want and keep saying that’s not what she said. All that does is make it funnier because you weren’t there so you really can’t say anything about how she talked to me. I haven’t experienced her charm as you. I’ve experienced it as me, and that is what happened.

If you’ve had good experiences with them great, I’m happy for you and believe it. However this is how they treated and spoke to me. I don’t care if you want to tell people about your good experiences but don’t keep telling me what I personally experienced isn’t what happened

 :smt006
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: ryang85 on January 12, 2018, 03:58:39 PM
 she has been always a little rude in the past but im very good at keeping my mouth shut so i just do as asked to and keep a low profile.   I have pretty thick skin for being yelled at and rarely talk back but she pushed my buttons pretty damn hard. The guy has been  always friendly to us was a little  unhappy that morning but perfectly fine, probably just swammped by campers.
She came out and instantly was upset with us at 7 am. Sort of demanding money in a really rude way, we paid and didnt say much and she told us to park up by the register and we asked if it was possible to unload down there if we are quiet. ( no time limit mentioned)  fred said no problem just be quiet and we thanked them both. Then we unloaded quietly  ( wispered and didnt slam anything within 10 minutes) wheeled my kayak down and adam was just about to bring his so i walked up to see gio and saw his girlfriend and was gunna tell him to check out the breakers, she met me half way told me "you better move now or leave, i dont have time to deal with you,  your wasting my time hurry up now," and was nearly yelling,  I said "ok we will move as fast as posssible,  sorry i was just trying to be quiet" . And i turned around and went back to the kayaks and helped Adam finish up his  stuff and she stood there and watched us unload as fast as possible.  Then we parked the truck where they said to and basicaly gio described the rest accurately word for word. 
Afterwords me and Adam just tried to get to the water as fast as posssible and get away from the whole situation.

 Ive launched in bad places and am pretty expirienced with bad conditions,  but i had a breaker curl on me and throw me over my seat and inside my tankwell on my trident 4.3.   Luckily i calmly let it take me back onto the beach and kept a hand on the handle so i didnt get hit with the back of my kayak in the face, but new  kayaker could have easily panicked under the whitewater and got hit in the head or face.
It was better off for gio to head north than to have his girlfriend never want to sit on kayak again.
 
Could have used a little bit of a quieter morning though



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 12, 2018, 04:04:21 PM
That must be a lie from Ryan because Tess assured me the water was flat and demanded we go out without looking multiple times. Apparently concern for not getting someone killed is causing problems and asking for piss poor treatment.


Or am I lying about that too?  SMH :smt044
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: crash on January 12, 2018, 04:09:32 PM
That must be a lie from Ryan because Tess assured me the water was flat and demanded we go out without looking multiple times. Apparently concern for not getting someone killed is causing problems and asking for piss poor treatment.


Or am I lying about that too?  SMH :smt044

I don’t think anyone has said you are lying. They are calling you racist.
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: Wilderness medic on January 12, 2018, 04:11:45 PM
That must be a lie from Ryan because Tess assured me the water was flat and demanded we go out without looking multiple times. Apparently concern for not getting someone killed is causing problems and asking for piss poor treatment.


Or am I lying about that too?  SMH :smt044

I don’t think anyone has said you are lying. They are calling you racist.

Even funnier. Quoting someone doesn’t make you a racist. If someone talks a certain way and you repeat it, that’s not racism. I didn’t deny the lady any equal opportunities or treat her differently based on her race. I repeated her. Give me a break.

And yes, the comments imply I am lying if she did not talk that way. Again funny that everyone seems to know how she spoke to me without being there. Psychics.

Maybe she talked that way in half sentences because it was early. I have no idea and I don’t really care because her grammar isn’t relevant to her treatment nor her race. The negativity, insults, and shitty treatment are what’s relevant
Title: Re: Anchor Bay Campground staff, and Albion NYE dive
Post by: moon on January 27, 2018, 11:09:39 PM
Your videos are good.