glad

Jason- you can sign up for the sun am class. Please try my email again . I'll put your name down. Please get your check to me asap-ok if it crosses in the mail-info below. Please email me the pertinent info noted below. Please check general message board friday night to see your final class assignment. karen > > > Put the date, time and "Rolling Class" in the > memo > > > section of your check. > > > Please include via email: > > > Name > > > Contact information: > > > Telephone numbers > > > Email > > > Emergency contact > > > ACA# if available > > > Boat type nstructions on the original general board posting for info.

jFor the Herring River put-in. Don't park close to the water but closer to the logs in the lot. Karen PS- this area is very tide dependent. Plan on at least 1-2 hours off of low ( and remember that the tide is later in this estuary). Otherwise you will be draggin your boat over commercial oyster beds. Nasty, sharp shells eat up your feet, shoes and the shellfisher persons have a fit.

What follows is the current list of participants for our upcoming rolling classes. If you have mailed me your check and your name is not listed or you'd like to change a time, please let me know at drkglad@yahoo.com Rolling clinic - 7/30 and 7/31-Class maximum = 8 Sat 7/30 9:00AM Liz N Peter B Rob H Andrea S Paul R Tom H Sat 7/30 1:15 PM Deborah D David D Mary B Patt P Chip W Michael E Chuck S Sun 7/31 9:00AM Joan H John R Greg P Fred C Judy W Sue M Gary B Jason K Sun 7/31 1:15 PM Mary B- Bob S David L Kristi M Ed L David C Peter K Philip P Directions to the car top boat launch area at Lake Cochituate - North Pond: From the Mass Pike: Take the Mass Pike Exit 13 (Natick/Framingham). After toll bear left toward Natick. You’ll be on Route 30. Go through the set of lights. Shortly after that you will see the Lake Cochituate State Park entrance on the right. DO NOT ENTER THERE! Keep going about another 1/2 mile, crossing over the Lake and the Pike, until you see a dirt road entrance into the trees on the left. It is not well marked but the gate post has a white “5” on it. This is the car top boat launch area. Turn left onto that road and drive carefully a few hundred yards to the lake. (If you get to the intersection of Route 30 and Route 27 you’ve gone too far.) Surface Streets: If you’d rather take Route 30 than the Pike, if you are coming from the west, follow the directions above from the Pike exit. If you are coming from the east, the Lake access road is about _ mile east of Route 27 on the right side just after the Wayland Cemetery entrance. If you go over the Pike and find yourself at the State Park Entrance, you’ve gone too far.

up with these fellows on a dark, flooded marsh...even if they did have a fish. Reminds me of that old movie with the men who get harassed on a river in the south. Major heebie jeebies! Karen

I completely support the idea of NSPN sanctioning of personal ads: But instead of asking permission I'll just post mine here...someone can slap my hand later. Warm, attractive, athletic, woman; progressive, adventurous, easy going, off-beat, eye doc with a reverence for the outdoors. Being in an unspoiled place outdoors fills me with awe and I'd like to share that with my partner. I'm curious and laugh easily. More adjectives available upon request. I am in search of a bright, fit, playful, ready, insightful man (43-55) for connection, love, marriage and possible family. I prefer a man who is quietly accomplished at either work or play. I try to bring positive things to my relationships and would like to use that to build a deep and lasting love with the right man. It would be a major bonus if you'd like to go paddling to places near and far with me. [Romany 16 white over white]

Bethany- first off, are you allergic to latex? If the answer is yes, then a dry suit could be challenging unless you could find someone to install vinyl. This has been one of the substitutes we use medically. If you aren't allergic; have you tried the silicone on both your neck AND the gasket? Also, try it 360 degrees? That way it's like silicone on silicone like ball bearings. That has worked the best for me. The silicone needs to be wiped off after each use because it attracts gravel which also doesn't feel too comfy next to the delicate neck skin. Let me know if you've tried the above. PS I know for certain that oils are particularly bad for latex so forget the vaseline. Remember when they told you in high school or college or wherever not to use oils on latex condoms?

As many of you know we have hired a consulting group and formed a committee to review liability and risk issues which concern many of our members, especially those who lead trips. One improvement which was suggested is that we want to be able to deliver what we promise. In an effort to “put our money where our mouth is”, we would like to have our website more accurately reflect the mission, limitations and aspirations of our club. A critical eye of the website and especially our “history” is a good place to start. I have included the text of our history and the link is: http://www.nspn.org/about-us.html Thank you for strengthening the vitality of our club by submitting your ideas to me. I will organize them and present them to the board of directors. Karen Gladstone Our History: We are a New England sea-kayaking club dedicated to education and safety on the water in an enjoyable, social setting. The club was founded in the summer of 1998 by Bob Burnett. His mission was simply to provide a safe group paddling experience through frequent outings in an informal "Show & Go" format. As word has spread and our membership has grown, we have expanded our organization and services through the work of many dedicated volunteers. In 2001, our Trip Leader Committee developed a comprehensive training and safety program. Today, we have more than 50 active trip leaders. In 2002, we applied for and received 501©(3) non-profit status under section 170 of the internal revenue service code as an organization dedicated sea kayaking education and safety. In 2003, our trip planning committee organized more than 60 formal trips (a 95% increase from 2002). Our trip leader committee began to develop more educational offerings to our general membership. Our members and our Board of Directors spearheaded many community outreach projects including work with challenged paddlers (Outdoor Explorations), local lake clean ups, children’s programs (with the Reading YMCA) and the publication of two safety pamphlets. Our web committee began working on the re-launch of the web site you are currently browsing. Our growth, presence and vitality come from our member network of volunteers. We will always remain, true to the spirit of our founder Bob Burnett, a friendly group that welcomes paddlers of all abilities to join us, learn with us, play with us and enjoy being on the water with us.

Are you buying the book? I heard there could be gracious compensation (likely a smile) for that.

Bethany Ericson's book signing for "New England Cabins and Cottages" has been rescheduled to this monday May 9 at 7 pm at the Harvard Coop. I'm going to meet Beth Uptegrove for the signing and then go out for a post, book signing 'pig out' somewhere in Harvard Square. Would anyone like to join us at the signing and/or dinner? Karen Directions; Enter through main entrance of the Coop from the Mass Ave side which faces the T kiosk. Take stairs to the third floor (or the elevator if you've had a really bad day or are saving your energy for the wild and crazy company at the meal). Apparently, once you get on the 3rd floor it is obvious where to go-or someone can direct you.

Leslie- I think I have Erica's phone number here somewhere. I have free cell phone service to Hawaii-so I'll try to reach her for you. Do you have Hawaii contact info I can give her? Karen

I've tried singing -"Volga boat men" and many things imaginable including rhythmic scat. It can be silly (isn't that part of the the point?)but effective.

Great report. I know that feeling associated with clashing blades. It's a primary reason for divorce or the desire to rip someone's face off...maybe that's a little too strong, but you know what I mean.

Now that I am trying out greenland style paddles, I can feel the difference in the 'softness' of the wood vs the stiffness of carbon fiber. It's a little jarring. However, most people would say that the Camano is 'the' all purpose paddle and probably a good choice for a first paddle. It is a little 'noisy' on it's entrance to the water, it's too big a blade but has a nice exit. If I was getting another carbon, I'd go with the epic light touring or the NEW little dipper by Werner before the Camano. Also you might want to consider the small shaft. Hope that helps. karen

I have tickets to symphony. I'd rather see this, though. Have fun. Great idea! Karen

I have a camano in 220. You are welcome to borrow it. I have lots to say about these paddles. Karen

Hey Les-I'm interested. Let's talk since Adam could tailor a class to our particular desires and weaknesses. Karen

How heavy is it? Is this the length of the explorer? Karen

Majorly impressive, Sing! I remember when you did your FIRST surfing session just a few years ago in Westport and you looked awesome then. Karen

Hey Les-that was a great report. Couldn't have done it better. And you are much funnier than I could have been...except when I was licking the chocolate off of my palm pilot. Thanks for your and Debs (Adam, I need a grammer check here) company. I really enjoyed it. Karen

I'll be renting some sealution boats in St. John for mostly day trips. There are Sealution II XS [14'9" 24" beam], II [16'6" 22 beam], II XL [17'/ 23] , Sealution [ 16'6" /22], Sealution XL [18'/23"]. Anybody know anything about which boat to chose for touring performance? I remember the Sealution as a clunky, slow craft. But, hey, any boat may do for a leisure trip. Should I just go for the longest boat with the narrowest beam? Thanks! Karen

I really learned a lot about epoxy this weekend; colors, viscosity, setting up times and more. I got that all important partial keel strip in, installed a D ring for my keys in my day hatch and patched my coaming. I really appreciated Bryan, Rick, and Dee's knowledge base, help, ideas and of course the 3 different opinions about how something should be done. Sounded like a group of doctors for goodness sake...with some great outcomes. Also thanks to the person who gathered my stuff into one pile. Karen

Karen

I know the kayak centre in Wickford does a paddle trip to Bonnaire in Jan and there is the Baja trip happening in feb. Does anyone have any other good ideas of other paddling clubs or outfits that would be doing a caribean or international trip in some warm location? I've been looking into Costa Rica and there are certainly outfitters down there but I don't have specific recommendations. Also, clubs doing trips might attract more experienced paddlers. I'm looking for first week of March most likely. Thanks, Karen

Thanks Brian for putting this together. I probably will show in the late morning sat. I'd like to; install the little wooden balls, put on a new skeg line. Mine is too small gauge fix the coaming blemishes with gel coat if possible. assess my bottom...the hull, that is...to consider a keel strip Karen

Very interesting story, Liz. Thanks for the post. Still it's a slightly scary decision to go out where it could have been huge breaking waves depending on the sea depth. I guess it's better than being slammed into something hard on the terra firma. What do you other folks think?