OUTPOST.

Taming rough waters: Jonathan B. Cole, attorney and managing partner of a Sherman Oaks law firm, attempts to take his fifth consecutive title in his age group beginning Saturday during the U.S. National Water Ski Championship at Paradise Point in San Diego. The tournament will be staged at Ski Beach in Mission Bay and runs Friday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cole, 48, is a three-time defending champ for the 45 to 50 bracket, and took top honors in the 36 to 44 age category four years ago.

Information: [phone].

Book signing: Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest and author of ``A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond,'' highlights his adventures in a slide show and discussion today at Adventure 16, 11161 West Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles at 7 p.m. A second event is planned for Saturday at 3 p.m. in the JFK Library on the UCLA campus. Information: [phone].

Gulf of California: The Ventura County Blue Water Sportsfishing Club hosts a slide show and fishing history discussion of Baja California with Gene Kira, author of ``The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez.'' The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Oak Tree West Restaurant, 3955 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Westlake Village. Information: [phone].

Fishing 101: ``Introduction to Bass Fishing in Southern California,'' a course taught by WON BASS tournament director Ron Cervenka, is again being offered by the Community Service Department of College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Valencia. The Tuesday evening classes take place from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. from Oct. 5 to Oct. 26. Cost is $59; seating is limited. Information: [phone], ext. 3304.

Native plant fair: The California Native Plant Society celebrates its annual fair and sale, offering more than 125 fragrant, colorful and edible plants Oct. 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd. in Encino. Books, teacher information, expert planting advice, arts and crafts and children's activities are included. Admission is free. Information: [phone].

For the birds: Author and ornithologist Jon Dunn speaks during a San Fernando Valley Audubon Society meeting Friday at the Sherman Oaks-Van Nuys Senior Citizen Recreation Center, 5040 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Information: [phone].

Riding for a cure: The seventh annual Santa Barbara Bike Tour and Festival for Multiple Sclerosis is scheduled for Oct. 9, 7 a.m., at Leadbetter Beach, corner of Loma Alta Drive and Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara.

Hosted by the Channel Islands Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the fund-raiser helps provide critical programs and services that support international research to find a cure. The Rincon Endurance Challenge 100K (62 miles), Carpinteria Cruise Control 50K (31 miles) and the Coastal Cruiser 25K (15 miles) are races that vary in degree of difficulty to accommodate many riders. Entry fee is $35. Information: [phone] or [phone].

Young guns: The CALSO Elks will host its fourth NRA Youth Shooting Fair beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Elks Lodge No. 836, 2055 Elks Drive in San Bernardino.

The program is designed to give youngsters a thorough understanding of a wide variety of firearms, their use, history and safe handling. Cost: $20. Information: [phone] or [phone].