Near boat to kayak accident at the Port of Sacramento!

I was nearly hit by some women rowing out in the Port on Saturday.  I was fishing close to the levee in the turning basin area.  There was what looked like a practice race happening with the women row teams.  They had 5 boats lined up side by side and were moving pretty fast up and back from the turning basin to the barge canal.  The boats are skinny but their oars are very long.  5 boats side by side took up the entire width of the channel.  I thought it was strange that they were occupying such a huge part of the water and felt like i was the only one who didn't know the rules or something.  Is there something i'm missing?  I was forced to paddle out into the triangular area of the turning basin to avoid being smashed into.  It's probably my fault and i just don't know the rules out there, but it seems that they should have had more control of the water they are using, or a better way of warning those out there.  The coach on a power boat should have come over and asked me to move and i would have. 

They act like they own the water. I usually watch out for them and get out of the way, but is at least one guy (I won't out him) who makes them go around.  The story is that on one particular occasion a Winklevoss and his team was forced around this kayaker during a race. 

Wasn't me!!!! Sharing the water is something I would usually say they need to work on, but, turning those things is tough and they only have the port to practice/race on... I say let um play... Give way... Our boats will take out theirs in a collision So beautiful and fragile. Love to watch the zoom of when they pull. Leaps forward sometimes even leaving the water for a bit. Sharing is caring

Dray I was out there on Staurday too. It was kind of annoying to be honest. When one of the powerboats asked me to move I looked at her with a blank look. She said thank you, and the boat when off. There were two different races going on so it made it hard to find an area to fish. When they finally finished it was almost time for me to go.

In the end, I still got to spend time on the water. So it was all good.

i was out yesterday and they were doing the same thing of not giving a crap about you being there. you gotta just share the port with them. If they do come too close to me i blow my whistle at them and i'm sure they'll freak out

That's the first time i've seen them racing 5 wide like that.  So if i see them lining up like that i'll give up my spot.  I don't want to tick off 5 boat loads of strong women with long sticks with blades!

i dont know whats worse , the rowing ladies
or all the floating trash. i do fish there now and then.
but i would not take any of my out of town friends.
maybe im spoiled up here in the hills. but up here i dont have to unhook t shirts
worm cups , drinking cups and picnic plates.

It happens elsewhere too... Back when Lexington was open to boats (other than the rowers), I was nearly run over by one of them. From what I've seen, they think they've got the right-of-way.
 

Hummmm? what would they do if Kayaks came thru there 5 wide (trolling)?

Do they need a permit to race there?
If so I'd ask to see it if they wanted me to move.
Be careful of the treble hooks on the Rapala I'm casting. 

I dated one of those gals, they do think they have exclusive rights to that water, same as the boating club there. I had a white north river dump me a few years ago, took him three drive bys to do it. They laughed, I waited at the boat dock. Long wait, but they wont mess with kayaks no more! 
I try and stay out of the rower's way, but some times they dont give you a path to do so, and it gets frustrating, but I at least try.

You should carry an air horn.uou know the portable one with a can.just in case it becomes dangerously too close and your not able to get out of the way

An air horn would be hysterically funny!!

Made me think of this craziness.  "Keep rowing girls..."

Reminds me of those dragon boat races. I agree with Dune. Get an airhorn!