mattdrayer

I just tried the Doodle poll with a test email and it seemed to work fine. Anyway, we haven't had much more chatter about dates, and we're too close to this weekend for participants to line up skis + paddles if they don't own them outright, so let's aim for the weekend of 7/16-17 to give people more time to prepare for the session. I'm currently available both Saturday and Sunday mornings (9am-12pm), so whatever works best for the group is fine with me. Matt

I've created a Doodle Poll for the group to indicate which dates work best. Reminder that the expectation is for each participant to have a surfski and wing paddle for the session -- I have an Epic V8 and an Epic Mid wing paddle that someone can borrow (together or separately), and my friend Andy has a ski and I believe an extra wing paddle to use as well. Link to Doodle Poll: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/boYPNyKe Matt

It's July! Checking in on this thread to see what the group is thinking re: dates -- I'm not sure of the best way to coordinate -- @Jim Snyderthoughts? I'm looking good for Sat + Sun of this coming weekend. Sunday looks to be the better of the days with respect to the long-range forecast but that will likely change over the next couple of days. I'm also available July 16/17. No matter the date we should aim for the morning, say 9am-12pm -- it's easier to find parking spots over there in the mornings vs. the afternoons. Matt

6kts is approximately 6.9mph so I agree with the speed estimates although the ski make/model and of course the conditions also have a lot to do with it. At our Tuesday night race this week we used Grays Rock as our turning mark (5.25mi course). The winds were 16-18mph and the seas ~3ft. I averaged 5.25mph on the upwind leg and 7.75 on the downwind leg, with a few 1/4mi splits at 8+ mainly thanks to the wind and catching some great waves. The wing paddle enables you to dig really hard to get on the waves in those conditions, almost as if paddling an outrigger canoe. I also fell off the ski once we will discuss rudder choices and remounting during the session. I also agree that it’s entirely possible for one to paddle all day long with little risk of tearing something, however this in my opinion is less about the wing paddle itself and more about maintaining proper paddling form. We will cover that as well. Matt

That it is! It might be possible to use a high-angle paddle instead of a wing for the session, such as a Werner Ikelos, but a touring paddle like the Cyprus won’t do you justice for the session. The wing paddle really is the perfect match for a surfski. Matt

Last year was a lot of fun! If you have your own ski and wing paddle to use that is ideal -- any model is fine. I have an Epic V8 for someone to borrow, and I will also bring my V10 double for the group to tool around in. I have an extra Epic wing paddle as well. I will additionally connect with my friend Andy who (if available) can bring an extra ski + paddle, too. At the moment I'm looking good for all weekends in July aside from 7/23-24 -- that is the weekend of the Blackburn Challenge . @BethS if there is interest I would be happy to hold another session in August or September -- I'm also always up for a 1:1 session -- late afternoons / early evenings are best. A few people took me up on that last year. And of course, there are Tuesday night surfski get togethers all summer long at Lynch Park in Beverly. We do race, but we also have people who show up just to hang out and paddle. Matt

@Jim Snyder brought this Craigslist post for an Epic V8 to my attention — great price, it’ll likely go quick! https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/d/marblehead-take-your-ocean-kayaking-to/7495363192.html Matt

Hope y'all had a good time out there -- I did a quick 10k from Fisherman's out to Nahant and back (12:30-1:30ish) and the wind was whipping from the Northwest -- it's pretty much the worst wind direction for Nahant Bay. Lots of work and I really didn't have much fun at all. Oh well, I guess I'm stronger now... Matt

I'm also happy to put on a couple of surfski clinics in 2022. Introductory/intermediate/advanced topics, really whatever people would like to learn I'm happy to cover. Matt

Wat? Tell that to Scott Ide and Jerry Madore who tackled this years Blackburn Challenge with a C-2 in 4:13:39. Matt

You can watch me go around on Saturday morning all the same! I'm planning on doing a prep run, starting from the typical spot between 8:00am and 8:30am. You may see a couple other people doing the same...but it's not a race... Matt

This was such a fun morning, and you all did great! Thanks @Jim Snyder for organizing (and re-organizing) the session, and thanks to everyone who attended! Matt

Hope y'all had fun today -- I saw a lot of empty roof racks in the Riverhead parking lot when I finished my session this morning! I'll try to swing by Devereux this afternoon to hang out for a bit. Matt

For planning ahead I use Windfinder and for real-time radar visualizations I like MyRadar. I am currently running an iPhone 6s. Matt

Agreed that this will be an introductory workshop with the expectation that you have some sea kayaking experience, although you certainly do not have to be a renowned Arctic explorer or Olympic K-1 sprinter. As a general agenda we can plan on the following: Part 1 (Dryland): Orientation, Concepts/Theory, Technique, Training Part 2 (Shallow Water): Stroke/Rotation, Boat Mounting/Remounting, Getting Going Part 3 (Deep Water): Form, Stability, Stroke, Cadence, Glide, Speed, Hollering with Delight Jim and I spent about two hours going through the above with just the two of us -- for a group of 10 I think we should assume three hours for the session. For those of you who have your own surfskis, please also bring a leg or waist leash if you have one, in addition to your PFD. I have an extra leg leash and also a waist leash that I will bring for people to see/try. A shorter surfboard leash can suffice in a pinch, although they can be bulky. Also if your skis require any sort of tools for setting the footplate/leg length, etc., please bring those as well. Happy to answer any/all additional questions you might have. Matt

That was fun! We hit 9mph on our final sprint in the double -- teamwork makes the dream work! Matt

I'm overjoyed by the amount of enthusiasm! We will definitely hold at least one more surfski workshop at some point this summer. And, as a reminder, there is a surfski get together every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm at Lynch Park in Beverly (55 Ober Street) all summer long. We call it a race -- but you don't have to race. You can go for a paddle, hang out, try out some of our skis when we get back to the beach, and talk skis in the parking lot afterward. (Also FYI that I will not be there tomorrow night). Matt

I think it would be best to use an actual surfski versus the Eddyline -- the Caribbean is designed for fishing and so it's super-stable, but I think it would prevent you from really getting the feel of the ski's length, pedal/rudder system, and the nature of the forward stroke. Based on what I'm reading in this thread and my side-conversation with Jim Snyder, as well as a few friends of mine who have said they're interested in helping, it seems like we'll be able to pull together enough skis for everyone to use. Matt

I haven't tried these wing paddles, but for $189 + free shipping I'm like wow: https://www.amazon.com/CISI-SPORT-Performance-Lightweight-215-225cm/dp/B0776BF67S/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=CISI%2BSport&qid=1623350899&sr=8-2&th=1 I believe they are off-brand Braca paddles, possibly the IV or XI model. I contacted the seller to see if he's getting more after his current inventory runs out and he said he's not. EDIT: I have an Epic V8 G1 to lend for the workshop, as well as an Epic wing paddle. I also have a V12 available, but learning on a V12 is basically just a swimming lesson I will also bring the Double which will be fun. Matt

I have recently come into possession of a really sweet Epic V10 Double surfski! If anyone would like to go for a ride in Nahant Bay sometime, please PM me and we can work out a day. I have an extra wing paddle that you can use as well. Matt

Agreed the Ivan Lawler videos are excellent — I rewatch the full master class video at least once a season. There is also great Australian podcast Paddle2Fitness which covers a lot of technical aspects of paddling — short focused episodes are released fairly regularly. As far as paid online courses go, the OSK course appears to be expensive but at $119 for the annual subscription and ~20 hours of video content that’s only $6/hour plus it looks like there’s more included. Not sure how “good” the videos are, or how vibrant their online community is but it’s always YMMV with these things.. Mocke Paddling offers a bundle of courses as well for $20 per — I think they contain approximately three hours of content each which is ~$6/content-hour as well — seems to be the going rate for paid content. Their online courses are geared toward surfskis but there are lots of crossover concepts. If you are looking for a more interactive experience there are also many sport-specific coaches now who will work with you virtually in pursuit if almost any type of goal, however the cost is obviously higher than static video-based courses. Matt

Reminder that weekly Tuesday night racing at Lynch Park in Beverly starts tonight at 6:45pm! Average course length is 5 miles. Sea kayaks (SK/FSK) very much welcome to participate, although be warned you may find yourself taking a surfski for a spin post-race Matt

Oh, I so wish that I could have attended this session -- I ended up helping my son with his math homework and that was the right choice, but still Matt

Wow, pace > 4mph makes it a L4 trip? That's basically every surfski paddling session regardless of conditions -- you'll go faster than 5mph even just paddling lightly on a calm day.