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An IR bungee skirt will also stretch. Try leaving it on the boat a couple of days. A skirt will also go on and off easier if it's wet. Are you able to put the skirt on the rim by yourself easily?

Check out Chasing Rain by Alden Bird and Bruce Lessels AMC guidebook to new England whitewater.

A friend had a similar stohlquist which failed on a grand canyon trip. They replaced the suit with a current model. Sweet protection also makes goretex drygear that is sold in the US. Zoar outdoor in charlemont carries it, as well as Colorado Kayak.

Josko, This headlamp switches to red easily and is waterproof. http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Headlamp-Flashlight-Running-Camping/dp/B00R1KSK8GG

Josko, This headlamp switches to red easily and is waterproof. http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Headlamp-Flashlight-Running-Camping/dp/B00R1KSK8G

35mm film canisters?

Are Pogies an option for you?

http://www.oars.com/blog/grand-canyon-dories-they-call-me-groover-boy/

Hi Kevin, I am just curious as to why there is an additional fee for a recertification. And does that apply for WFA H20 or std WFA?

It looks like you are based in Stoughton, so I think that you will find warmer water much earlier if you look at the south facing areas of Mass. South facing beaches on Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay, Westport etc. I've paddled one day in Hingham and the next in Buzzards Bay and found water close to 10 degrees warmer. Regarding clothing, I think that drysuits are worth every penny you pay for them. And a drytop is also versatile and can work with a farmer john. Check out immersion research's outlet page, they often have 2nds or samples.

Kokatat will have a rear entry drysuit option - http://kokatatpr.blogspot.com/2012/06/gore-tex-icon-dry-suit.html

Ocean State Job Lot usually has no name wetsuits every spring for something like $25 - $40.

In a tent, although it would work well under a tarp or with a bivy sack

One of my friends swears by this cot for backpacking & camping. It has a lifetime warranty and packs down to about the size of a nalgene. http://www.luxurylite.com/cotindex.html

I rinse mine out with water, empty it, and then crumple up a paper towel and insert it into the bladder. Close the bladder and then inflate by blowing into the mouthpiece. The paper towel absorbs any moisture within a day or two. Been using this to clean/dry them for 20 yrs or so.

With latex socks sometimes it can be hard to pull a neoprene booty on. If this happens get a lycra sock to put over the latex sock(most dive shop).

On large drops some paddlers will toss their paddle away on the way down. This avoids breaking it, and also reduces the chances of an injury to shoulder or face. how to throw your paddle

Regarding the scotchguard, one of my friends puts some kind of waterproofing on his skirt and it works for him(he also puts in on neoprene gloves). I have a bombergear skirt that has a silkscreen finish on it that is supposed to help keep it waterproof. These are randed skirts, so you probably wouldn't want to put in a composite boat.

If you check Ebay Rick from Bomber Gear has some Predator helmets from $30 - $90(full face). http://myworld.ebay.com/pure-passion4ever/ Nanatahala Outdoor center has the vented wrsi on sale for $49 http://store.noc.com/Paddling-Helmets-and-...127-461/Product shredready.com often has good prices on overstock or cosmetic blems

Just pointing out an additional tool. Iwindsurf.com has historical graphing for many NOAA sites. Isle of Shoals http://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.iws?...=Wind+Yesterday They also have some additional readings from their own network(costs $ but you can still view historical data free). Data for Kalmus beach in Hyannis: http://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.iws?...=Wind+Yesterday

white's pond in concord is a nice alternative to walden. The water is clean and access is free. The only negative is parking(and no public restrooms), but you can drop gear off and park at the school around the corner.

If anyone didn't get in to this weekends NH whitewater school the Boston amc sessions have been scheduled: Dates: Series A : Pond: June 22, 24 River trip: June 26-27 Series B : Pond: July 6,8 River trip: July 10-11 Series C : Pond: July 13, 15 River trip: July 17-18 Experience the excitement of whitewater kayaking in a fun and supportive environment with an outstanding group of paddlers. Students will learn basic kayak strokes, maneuvers, and water safety skills on a local pond in Concord, then travel to the river during a weekend trip for a two-day instructional trip on Class 1-2 whitewater. Beginner Instructionals are taught in accordance to American Canoe Association (ACA) standards for Whitewater Kayaking. Students must be comfortable on and in the water and able to transport their own gear. Course fees for instruction and boat rental is $150 for AMC members and $170 for non-AMC members. (If you have your own whitewater boat and gear, subject to safety inspection, subtract $60 from the fee.) Camping and meals for the weekend river trip (~$50) are not included. To apply contact Packy at AMCKayak©aol.com

Suz - is the SeaO2 classified as a type 3 or type 5 pfd?

Check out Charles River Kayak in Newton, Kayak Centre in charlesetown/wickford RI, Osprey Sea Kayak in Westport, Billington Sea Kayak in Plymouth, REI. I know that Charles River & Billington have on site demos, not sure about others. FYI - boats(plus accessories bought at same time) in RI are exempt from sales tax. So if buying from ems or rei it may be worth a drive to a location there. Wild Turkey paddlers have weekly skill sessions & paddles out of Hingham. REI has had an annual boat demo the past couple of years in April at Sunset Lake in Braintree.

Umbagog lake in Errol NH is one option. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbagog_Lake Check out the rangeley lakes area in Maine as well.