BethS

I'm putting in a vote for someplace not more than an hour or so from Boston, just my preference... Would someplace on the north shore be a possibility?

Excellent, and who cares about the weather, we will be wearing dry suits right? (actually I do care, hoping for a nice sunny day!) Any idea when this event will begin? I vote for anytime after 11 am, although I COULD do a LITTLE earlier I will bring my boat!

Count me in for the 21st as well, it will be the "maiden voyage" of my drysuit also!

I am pretty sure I can go, it sounds great!

Update, I cannot do the 31st, but I am definitely interested in April 4/21.Thanks for organizing!

I am interested, I can do the April 21st, and possibly March 31 as well.

I finally just got a drysuit, (can't wait to try it out!) after years of improvising in fairly chilly water. I've tried a number of combinations; I found the neoprene jackets too restrictive to paddle in, but I do like the NRS thin stretchy neoprene tops, I think they are 1 or 2 mm thick. You can layer them, or wear them over a thin wool or synthetic layer next to your skin as well. I use a 3ml farmer john, and I also purchased a drytop on sale, which helped a lot. With this arrangement plus a neoprene hood I was fine in late May/ early June, BUT I never paddled alone or strayed far from shore on the early/late season ocean in this getup; I would not trust it for prolonged exposure to cold water. If I swim in it, the drytop does keep MOST of the water out, for a while, but only for a while... Others with far more knowledge than me will have more to say on this topic I'm sure, but basically I felt that this gear just bought me time, and also made rolling/capsizing much less traumatic; but it would not be enough to keep me safe for an extended period of immersion even in moderately cold (55F) water, never mind in winter.

Hi Warren and Pru, I DID get a drysuit today on sale at REI, so yes I am in for the May trip, thanks!

Many thanks to both of you! Lots of good advice, esp regarding experimenting with going slower w/ the wing. Part of the problem I think is that my Greenland technique is not that great; therefore I am going a lot slower/ don't get as tired, because I'm not (as you point out) doing nearly as much work! The wing paddle I think forces me to have at least somewhat OK technique in order for it to work at all, which means I am automatically going to be doing more work, and getting more tired as I do it. Also you are right about cadence; it's a lot faster w/ the Greenland, sort of like a lower gear on a bicycle, which is less tiring. I also have a reg size wing, not a small, which was probably a mistake at least for longer distances. Anyway, I will keep at it, I'm glad spring is (almost) here!

Wow, this thread is so long and technical that I confess I will probably never read all of it, at least not all at once.. for what it's worth, in my experience w/ my wing paddle yes I do go faster, at least 25% faster, and yes, I am more tired and sore the next day. In fact, I'm more tired and sore the same day! (25% more perhaps!) I'm zipping along, but after about 4 hrs I am pooped! What I am wondering is whether the wing would be a good choice for an all day/mutiday trip; I have hesitated to use it for this because of getting tired out, but maybe I should just slow down to my normal pace while using it? Typically I don't realize I'm going faster till I'm at my destination faster than normal, and I'm having fun so I don't care! Clearly I need to experiment more with this, but I'm wondering what other people might think/do. BTW, I usually use a greenland style paddle, occasionally a regular touring paddle. I can go all day with the greenland, make decent time, and do it again the next day; it's definitely easy on the body, at least for me. But maybe it's just what I'm used too? Perhaps if I used the wing at a slower pace I would realize great benefits with distance efficiency... Of course maybe I just need to be in better shape (always working on that)! Thoughts?

Spoken like a true morning person! I'll try to remember all this the next time I am up at 5 am...

I'm interested, just sent you a message Warren.

I'm interested; I can navigate but my skills have gotten a bit rusty... and there is so much to know!

I'm interested; I use a greenland paddle almost exclusively; sounds like a nice trip too! I'm not sure if I'll be free that weekend, but I might be. Keep us posted as the time gets closer!

I agree, I was just going to say not today, but hopefully another time soon! BethS

Hi Les and everyone; I will check in the the morning to see what the weather looks like, If its a nice day it sounds great. My cell is 781 526-6985, if you wish to call me for any reason. I am comfortable in surf/rough water, so unless the weather is horrible (in which case I won't go) I will be OK in the boat traffic, wind, waves, etc. Thanks, BethS

depending on weather, I might be interested in paddling out to see the ships come in, anyone else interested? I've never done this before, so would want to go with folks who know where to best see them from... BethS

How about mondays in July at Mystic, is anyone planning to be there? BethS

I'm not feeling too great this morning, think I'll take it easy today after all, so sorry to miss it! BethS

HI Rob; I'm not sure if I can make it after all, I may be coming down with a cold, I'll see how I feel in the morning. BethS

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jun 26 2009, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Just a heads up to avoid future confusion for folks that this is not an L2 trip: L2:Paddling will be on lakes, sheltered rivers, harbors, tidal estuaries, etc. L3:Paddling may involve limited exposure to open ocean with access to sheltered water or landing near at hand (less than one mile). Open ocean exposure and the crossing to the Willows technically bumps it to L3. The L2+ designation was decided upon since the trip typically has L2 conditions on an L3 route. I'm planning to come also, I'll see you all there! BethS (yellow and white Nordkapp LV)

I'd be interested in mystic lake sessions, and Mon eve works for me! BethS

Hi, this trip sounds great! I'm interested, do we just show up or do you need us to sign up ahead of time? -BethS