Rick crangle

I heard recently a name from the past and wanted to pass on a welcome back message. Chris Perkins was one of the founding members of NSPN and contributed immensely to the internet presence we had back then. Show and go trips were the mainstay of NSPN and we had them every week. Having a place to post and recap trips was invaluable. Thanks, nice to see you back.

We are there rain or shine.

Whitewater Boat Pyranha ina-zone (large) 7’ 8” long 25” wide

I just wanted to thank Mike for his fine presentation on waves and tides. Too often this subject is looked at in a simplistic fashion, only touching on a few aspects of these complex occurrences. His thoughtful assemblage of the concepts behind the origins of our tides, and waves, in all its intricate nature was refreshing. Just enough examples and data to peek your curiosity to learn more. Fine job.

Thank you Mike for the very thoughtful and comprehensive view of tide and waves. Well put together illustrations and data for each of your concepts. I think folks got a lot out of it.

Rob has done skilled job and thanks to him from all of us.

Paul, I remember those days and how many good trip reports we posted then.

I have many of David Bull's prints, including his Great Wave. There is a series on the making of this print very much worth seeing.

congratulations on your award ,well earned

Is that really a 10 o’clock (shove off), or are you going to get all nostalgic and soppy, Mr. Burnett… before we get down to business.

I remember a trip out of Nahant where Rodger, Bob, and I traveled over to Tinkers Island in amongst some nice swells. As we left the beach on the island we had to beat our way out through the quick surf and Rodger holed his boat. I think he was taking on water all the way back. I'll be there on Sunday. My first trip was out of Nahant, fall of 1998, not from the beach but from the ramp on the Lynn side at the beginning of Nahant road near the rotary.

There is a difference between being towed and teaming up to keep the group moving together. When two paddlers ‘team up’ it is a merging of there energies together, with some directional stability, that helps the paddler being on tow keep the pace necessary to move the group through a difficult section of travel. The one on tow may not have the skills yet to cope with the conditions at hand to the degree best for the rest of the group. However, that does not mean they are not still in those same conditions and the opportunity for learning is still there. Think of this more like drafting in a cycling, you must still do the work necessary to achieve the goal, none the less, there is a sense that your more of a team in the pursuit that goal. Remember that this is not like a dead weight being pulled along. Watch the tow line in action and you will see small bursts of assistance with plenty of slack in between. As for the necessity for two paddlers teaming up, this is a question about the groups soundness, so, here is how I draw the line. We grow by reaching deliberately above our last known comfort level, and most of us are willing to make accommodations for growth in others as we go. Reaching to accomplish a difficult (for us) windy crossing, or heightened sea state, or current is great. But, practice when there is less a stake. Winter paddling is not for everyone, you as a group are already in contention with the environment. We are out there because we have practiced and have the skills to even the odds a bit. The environment still has the upper hand and we are very small in its midst. The winter habitat is a place you must respect, for you are only out there because you’ve taken ‘temporary’ precautions, like dressing for immersion not just comfort. The reason we wear drysuits is to postpone hypothermia. The reason we train to do fast effective rescues, or better yet, avoid having to be rescued, is not start that downward movement that takes away our small assets for survival. I often go out midwinter by myself, not using all my assets, but you fully realized, down to the taste in your mouth, how exposed, how small, how alone you are in that world. You are only as good as you are prepared and someday you may be tested.

Rick S and I went to Jenness Beach to play. There were a lot of boarders but you could catch some nice 8 footers past the furthest surfers. If you could drop in to one of these you would scream, the fastest I've been on a wave. I did a nice endo to finish off the day, maytag and roll.

I just picked up a pair of bicycle gloves, synthetic leather palms and light breathable body, at REI on sale in a bin for $14 half hand, $19 full coverage. The last time I tried a circumnavigation of MV and Nantucket I got blisters between my calluses. This weekend I'm wearing gloves.

Of course.