Opening of New Lagoon at Irvine Lake Postponed
Heavy rain this week forced Irvine Lake to postpone the opening of its new five-acre lagoon until March 3.
The lagoon was scheduled to open Saturday, but the banks were so muddy that final landscaping and finishing work had to be halted. The lagoon, within walking distance of the lake’s tackle shop and cafe, will provide accessible fishing right off the shore, next to an individual and group camping area. It has been stocked with rainbow trout but is off-limits until opening day.
On the whole, this week’s rain wasn’t bad news for Irvine Lake. Runoff from the three inches that fell Tuesday night and Wednesday morning raised the water level at the main lake seven inches, said Dave Noyes, general manager of Serrano Water District. It could have been much more--four to five feet--if another few inches of rain fell, but a predicted second pulse of precipitation didn’t materialize.
Rain or not, however, the lake is getting a significant influx of extra water, purchased from another water district. The lake, currently at about 30% of its 731-surface-acre capacity, will more than double in size by April, Noyes said.
That’s good news for anglers, said Steve Miller, general manager of the lake’s fishing concession. “It’s certainly going to change the whole look of the lake,” he said.
IN THE MOUNTAINS
Those hitting the slopes in Big Bear this weekend will have the opportunity to check out professional snowboarders at Snow Summit. The Vans Triple Crown of Snowboarding stops at the resort today through Sunday.
Today’s schedule includes the Snowboard Cross finals, Halfpipe qualifying and Big Air practice. The Halfpipe finals are Saturday and the Big Air finals are Sunday.
ON THE BEACH
The city of Newport Beach is offering a monthly series of beach volleyball tournaments at Corona del Mar, starting March 10.
The two-on-two recreational men’s, women’s and coed tournaments will be split into four divisions, beginner through advanced. Participants can sign up individually for all the tournaments except coed.
Details: (562) 435-9877.
SAILING
* A safety seminar that would qualify participants for this summer’s Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu will be held March 10 at Orange Coast College’s sail base.
The eight-hour seminar is $45, $40 for U.S. Sailing members. Transpac rules require 30% of a yacht’s crew, including the skipper, to have taken a safety course within the last five years. Details: (949) 645-9412.
* The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar has announced the schedule for its Angleman series. The yacht races, open to skippers belonging to a Southern California Yacht Racing Assn. club or a recognized United States Sailing Assn. club, will be March 17, March 31, May 20, June 9, July 14 and Sept. 22. Details: (949) 644-9530.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BICYCLING
Sunday
* 2001 Ride to Remember offers a United States Cycling Federation criterium, a ride-a-thon around an 8.5-mile course at the former El Toro Marine Base, a cyclocross competition and a safety rodeo for children 12 and under. Proceeds benefit Project 999, which supports families of peace officers injured or killed in the line of duty in Orange County. Details: (714) 647-4133.
March 17
* The Warrior’s Society Mountain Bike Pow Wow features three tough rides in the Santa Ana Mountains. The Vision Quest, recommended for experts only, is 52.5 miles with 11,500 feet of total elevation gain and two miles of hike a bike. The Counting Coup, for intermediate to expert riders, is 40 miles with 8,000 feet of gain and the Seek the Peak, for novice to intermediate riders, is 24 miles with 5,000 feet of gain. Details: (714) 894-8211 or https://www.warriorssociety.org
Saturdays
* Bicycle Club of Irvine rides, 9 a.m., meet at Deerfield Park, Irvine. Three routes, 10-15, 15-25 and 25-35 miles, each with a stop midway for breakfast. Rides finish at about 11:30 a.m. Ride leaders Scott and Sandy Angle, (714) 960-4068.
RUNNING
Sunday
* Brea 8K Classic benefits Brea Olinda High School clubs and organizations. Course with some rolling hills starts and finishes at Brea Mall. Details: (800) 344-5333 or https://www.brea8k.org
Feb. 24
* Race on the Base 10K and 5K runs at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. Course includes time on the runways at the base. Proceeds will benefit U.S. Water Polo’s National Aquatic Center at the base. Details: (562) 430-1073.
March 10
* March Mayhem 5K at Concordia University in Irvine. Benefits Kids Cancer Connection and the university’s cross-country and track and field teams. Details: (949) 854-8002, ext. 1845
BACKPACKING
Feb. 22
* REI’s Santa Ana store presents “How Three Geezers Walked the John Muir Trail and Lived to Talk About It.” Last July and August, Gil Thibault and two other self-described geezers hiked the 215-mile John Muir Trail. Join Thibault for a humorous slide show presentation as he tells his story and shares experiences of life on the trail. His talk will feature their physical training program, logistical planning and tips for a successful walk. 7 p.m. Details: (714) 543-4142
VOLLEYBALL
Ongoing
* JVB Youth Volleyball League has begun registration for play that starts in March in Anaheim. Instructional leagues for children in fifth through eighth grades. The cost is $95. Details: (714) 974-7907.
* U.S. Youth Volleyball League has begun registration for play that starts in March in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Instructional leagues for children 8 to 14. The cost is $90. Details: (888) 988-7985.
HOW TO REACH US
If you have an item for Orange County On the Go, give us a call at (714) 966-5904 and ask for Martin Beck or Rene Lynch. You can also fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail Martin.Beck@latimes.com