By Russ Albertson

Clear Lake, California provided a perfect setting and beautiful weather for this year’s annual Splash In. (Russ Albertson)The West Coast Seaplane Association’s annual “Splash In” was held at Clear Lake, Calif. in September, 2011 and was certainly the place to be if you have an interest in some fun aviation!  “Splash In” is the perfect description for this event that attracted seaplane pilots and fans from as far away as British Colombia. 

More than thirty seaplanes arrived over the weekend to participate in the activities and perfect weather at Lakeport, on the west side of Clear Lake.  The city allows the association to utilize an inactive high school athletic field located at the water’s edge with a short dirt ramp to the beach.  It was great fun to watch various planes land in the water, lower their landing gear as they approached the beach and taxi right up onto the grass field.  Amphibious seaplanes, equipped with retractable wheels, certainly add a great versatility to the adventures possible for these pilots.  Buoys and docks were also available to planes not equipped with wheels.