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NateHanson

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  1. Hello paddlers! Once again Pinniped Kayak has a full spectrum of kayak adventures planned for 2024, including coaching for all levels. You can browse the season's offerings on our website www.pinnipedkayak.com We specialize in supportive, learner-centered paddlesports coaching, utilizing a range of incredible environments around the Mount Desert Island region of Downeast Maine. Multi-day sea kayak courses in Tide races and Rock Gardens. Whitewater training for sea kayakers who want a taste of freshwater. ACA L3 and L4 Instructor Training and Certification And our two marquee Fall events - Advanced Skills and Leadership Weekend in Lubec and Chasing Water Downeast, an inclusive community sea kayak event with coaching options for all skill levels and a sliding scale for all income levels I hope to see you sometime this year. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a note - nate@pinnipedkayak.com - or give me a call at 207-669-2174. Cheers, Nate
  2. Here's a little update on boats that are available, ready to go this spring. We've got a fabulous P&H Cetus MV, Carbon Kevlar Infusion layup with various Carbon Fiber upgrades, ready and waiting. Skip the 6 month long line for a P&H Custom Sea Kayak and paddle away in this gem this spring. Also in stock, Scorpio LV (discounted!), Scorpio MV, and Virgos in all three sizes. Delphin 150 and 155. Whitewater boats in stock include the new Pyranha Scorch (M), ScorchX, and Ripper2(L). We've got a couple used WW boats for sale as well. See the website, and drop me a line for more details. www.pinnipedkayak.com/gear Happy spring paddling! Nate IMG_3417.HEIC
  3. Hello paddlers, As many of you have probably noticed already the Pinniped Kayak course schedule is now updated for the 2023 season at www.pinnipedkayak.com There's a wide variety of course options, ranging from introductory skills, rough water play, multi-day journeys, tidal currents, instructor training, whitewater for sea kayakers and more! On September 14th, our annual tradition continues, with NSPN at Sullivan Falls - an awesome day at an unrivaled tidal currents training (and play) spot! Check it all out at www.pinnipedkayak.com, and feel free to email or call to discuss details. I'm looking forward to paddling with many of you again this year, and hope to meet the rest of you for a first time. Cheers, Nate
  4. Hello paddlers! Pinniped Kayak has a variety of ACA programs at all levels on the schedule this season. Instructor Updates for all levels, L3 Trip Leader Award, and Instructor Development and Certification at L3 and L4. Find ACA programs listed here: http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/sea-kayaking-classes... You can also check out the full Pinniped calendar, with options for intermediate and advanced skills development throughout the season http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/sea-kayaking-classes-calendar (Introductory course offerings will be added to the calendar shortly) If you have any questions, I'd be happy to discuss your goals and find a good fit. Email pinnipedkayak@gmail.com or give me a call at 207-669-2174. Looking forward to paddling with you again this year! Cheers, Nate
  5. Hello NSPN Paddlers! I've pasted my newsletter below. You can find the same thing with working hyperlinks over on my website. http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/news/2021/4/10/paddle-time Wishing you all a wonderful paddling season. Hope to see many of you up here again this summer. Cheers, Nate Paddle Time It’s 60 degrees, the Coast Guard just set out their seasonal buoys in Union River Bay, and a full schedule of courses has sprouted up on the Pinniped calendar! I think it’s time to get some paddles wet! It’s certainly been a topsy-turvy year for many of us, I’m convinced that the steady rhythm of strokes in salt water is just what I need to get all straightened out! As you think about your paddling goals for the upcoming year, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be happy to help you find training opportunities to match your aspirations, and I’d also like to hear about any plans you’re making for self-led adventure this summer. Here are a few highlights from this year’s schedule to get you thinking. Coastal Skills Week - In mid-July we’ll offer a cluster of courses to help emerging sea kayakers progress towards competent coastal paddling. These four days will include everything from rescues and bracing, strokes and maneuvers, and basic tidal planning and navigation in the context of a journey. Pick and choose which days best suit your needs, or join us for the entire progression. 3-day Paddler Development Intensive - Interested in pushing your paddling skills into some more challenging environments? We’ll take a best-of-the-area tour of some of our favorite sea kayak training grounds, and explore techniques for unlocking ease in these more dynamic environments. Tide races, cliffs and caves - all kinds of splashy fun! Instructor Training/Certification - Both L3 and L4 ACA instructor training and certification is on the calendar. Developing a deeper understanding of the components of paddlesport provides a foundation for effective instruction, but it also changes the way you analyze and improve your own technique. While our goal is to become skilled, intuitive instructors, the insight we gain on our own paddling performance is a huge side-benefit of instructor training. Journeys - You’ll have the opportunity to put practice into context with a handful of Journeys this season. Choose from day trips to destinations across either moderate or more-challenging waters, or a multi-day trip to the outer islands beyond Bass Harbor Head. These journeys are designed to help you refine tidal-planning, navigation and paddling skills on a trip that suits your goals and abilities. Skills and Leadership development with Todd Wright - As a coach and a life-long educator, Todd Wright is enormously thoughtful about how he can best support learning in paddlesports. As a raconteur he may have peaked a few years ago, but nonetheless, he’s high on his game. I’m very fortunate to have him as a contributing coach again this year. If you haven’t had the opportunity to work with Todd, you’ve got something to look forward to. Those are just a few teasers. I hope you’ll have a look through the complete course schedule and see if something else catches your eye. Equipment has been a bit hard to keep in stock this year! The pandemic has everyone getting outdoors more, and manufacturers are struggling to keep up. That said, I’ve managed to horde a decent supply of what you might need, from my favorite Kokatat vests to the new P&H Virgo, and new tow belt options from Northwater! You can have a look at some of what’s in stock on the freshly updated Gear Store page, and feel free to drop me a line if you have questions or don’t see what you’re looking for. Happy, healthy spring to everyone! See you on the water! - Nate
  6. Hey folks, We're coming out of our virus-shelter and running some courses this month! Hope you can join us for something, including: ACA L3 Instructor Development with Nate ACA L3 and L4 Instructor Updates with Nate and Todd Wright BC Core Coach and BC Moderate Water Coach Training with Todd Wright Full schedule available at www.pinnipedkayak.com See you on the water! Travel to Maine is now permitted with a negative Covid test for MA residents. NH and VT residents are exempt from testing requirements. (Hopefully Massachusetts will also be exempt soon.)
  7. Last week's L4 IDW at Pinniped Kayak was excellent - so excellent that Todd Wright is considering running another one sometime in mid-summer. We are hoping to accommodate a handful of people who wanted to participate in the May event, but couldn't make the dates work. To give some input on our dates for the next L4 IDW, you can comment here, or email me at pinnipedkayak@gmail.com. Thanks, Nate
  8. Hello Paddlers, I thought I'd share with you a short essay on where we find our motivations, and how important those are to both enjoyment and performance. First, a couple quick reminders of some upcoming events at Pinniped Kayak: WW for Sea Kayakers in a few weeks; ACA L3 Instructor Training next month; and more of those awesome 3-day Paddling Development Intensives, around lovely Acadia National Park - with a day on the coast, a day getting to know rocks, and a day at Sullivan Falls! Finally, I work more closely each year with a small handful of students, in a Long-Term Student coaching relationship. I have room for one or two more at this point for 2019. If you're interested in learning more, please let me know. Enjoy your spring! Hope to see you on the water.- Nate "WHY AM I DOING THIS??" (A SPRINGTIME REFLECTION FROM PINNIPED KAYAK) Getting lost is more than just a navigational problem for kayakers. If our mind isn’t focused on what motivates us, this whole kayaking thing can feel a bit pointless. This spring I’ve had a few people confide in me that after many years of kayaking, they’ve found themselves in the midst of a kayaker’s existential crisis - some variation of “What am I doing this for?” After kayaking for decades in some cases, routines can become a bit stale; initially thrilling rates of skills development can plateau; once lofty goals may look quite a bit smaller in the rear-view mirror; and sometimes the wake of our friends’ ambitions may have drawn us along on daliances that were more of a shrug than an enthusiastic nod. We may have lost sight of our goals, or simply moved past them. Whatever the cause, when we’re not in touch with what motivates us we suffer a double-whammy effect. We feel less enthusiastic about paddling, and - because state of mind has enormous effects on technical performance - we actually get worse at doing it! (click to continue reading)
  9. Lots of great experience above! One more crossing route that I don't think I've seen mentioned: Depart Stonington town dock; paddle up the west side of the island to a small MITA Island (I think it's called "The Fort") and cross to Northhaven from there. There's less big-boat traffic here than in East Penob Bay, and the open water section is only 3 miles. On the other hand, you're farther from the Hurricane Sound area. Don't miss dinner at Nebo Lodge on Northhaven if you want to indulge in a "civilized" meal at some point in your trip. Awesome cuisine and great cocktails, a few blocks walk from the town dock.
  10. Hi paddlers, Excellent opportunity for upper level instructor training coming up next month. Todd Wright is running a Level 4 IDW at Pinniped Kayak with me, and we can accommodate a couple more candidates. Between Todd's uniquely well thought-out approach to learner-centered instructor development, and the super fun and challenging paddling spots that this area has to offer, it's sure to be an outstanding L4 experience. If you've got any questions, feel free to drop either of us an email at twright@smcvt.edu or pinnipedkayak@gmail.com or you can reach me by phone at 207-669-2174. Course details are available by clicking here. (This can serve as a L4 update for current L4 instructors who are approaching the end of their 4-year window. And for L3 instructors, taking part in an L4 IDW updates your L3 certification.) Looking forward to paddling with you! - Nate This can serve as a L4 update for current L4 instructors who are approaching the end of their 4-year window. (And for L3 instructors, taking part in an L4 IDW updates your L3 certification.)
  11. Thanks for straightening me out. I've changed Tidal Currents to Thursday, Sept. 5th. Nate
  12. Still flexible at this point. Just let me know what you'd prefer. Thanks, Nate
  13. PADDLING SEASON IS ON THE WAY! You know what I did this week, instead of going surfing during a lovely February thaw? I finished up the 2019 course schedule for you! Proof that even extreme procrastination eventually must end! With all those hours at a keyboard finally behind me, I’m really excited to share another year on the water with all of you! I’ll be kicking off my season at the East Coast Paddlesports Symposium in Charleston, SC at the end of March, and I’d love to see you there. It’s a perfect warm-water venue for those of us looking to escape the New England mud-season. (March 29-31) I’ll start up in my home waters in early May, with a visit from Todd Wright. Join us for a 3-day “Season Opener”. We’ll hit some of our favorite paddling spots around MDI, including Reversing Falls, the spectacular cliffs, and wherever else the conditions take us. You can take a look at the entire schedule at PinnipedKayak.com, and if you have questions about anything, or want to discuss your personal goals for the upcoming season, don’t hesitate to call or email me. I’d love to hear from you. Among our varied course offerings, here are a few highlights: Whitewater for Sea Kayakers - Sure 97% of the earth’s water is salty, but some of the other 3% is actually pretty fun too! Let us introduce you to WW kayaking, to hone your rough water skills, improve your sea kayaking, and give you a taste of our other favorite realm. A hat-trick of our popular "3-Day Paddler Development Intensives" - Designed for maximum skills improvement, it’s sort of a soup-to-nuts instructional feast. We’ll make use of the best training venues that the MDI region has to offer, from Sullivan Falls to Otter Cliffs and beyond. Rocks, Tide Races, Open Water, etc. Available in May, July and August this season. Downeast Journey Training - Wondering what lies beyond the Schoodic peninsula? Come explore a vast coastline of challenging touring opportunities - the Downeast Coast! Nate will again run a fall training expedition to the Jonesport or Machias region for those who want to expand their trip-planning skills, tour through more dynamic waters than they’ve previously paddled, or just enjoy a great fall paddling adventure with a fun group. “Hey! I can see Canada!” ACA Instructor Training and Assessment available at Levels 2, 3 and 4. Sure it’s great for teachers and guides, but the biggest benefits I see from instructor training is the insight that candidates gain about their own paddling. It’s a worthwhile investment in your own personal paddling performance, and it can be a very rewarding process. For those paddlers who are looking to make big strides in their kayaking this year (regardless of your current level), I am accepting Long-Term Students. The most rewarding relationships that I have with students are ones which allow us to consider the long-view, and build a comprehensive plan for individual paddler development, throughout a season and beyond. If you are interested in committing to 6 or more days of instruction this year, I will commit to helping you to make long-term gains in your paddling development, and spending time with you on goal-setting and practice-planning, as well as incorporating some more time-intensive coaching tools like video analysis into our sessions. Please get in touch with me to discuss this possibility in more detail. Now is a good time to think about Equipment needs for the upcoming year. I keep a number of items in stock, including a variety of Werner paddles, Kokatat vests, and Northwater tow systems. And I’ll be receiving orders from Kokatat, Northwater, Snapdragon, Werner, P&H, and Pyranha this spring, so I can help you out with anything I don’t currently have on hand as well. Drop me a line. (Discounts for Pinniped students!) I hope you continue to find adventure in the outdoors this winter, and spend some evenings by the fire plotting grand summertime exploits on the water! See you soon! - Nate (if you'd like to receive occasional email updates from Pinniped Kayak, click here.)
  14. Sounds about right Mike. Todd has been said to resemble a barrel of monkeys, and I have, at least once, smelled like a barrel of monkeys. Should be fun! Nate
  15. Hello NSPN Folks, The complete Pinniped Kayak course schedule can be found on our website. Highlights can be found in the newsletter below. Today feels like spring! (Update - I put this on my site a couple weeks ago - today actually feels like the miserable depths of winter!) And while a paddling friend didn't quite succeed in tempting me away from my kitchen renovation to join him on the river this afternoon, I'm definitely having a hard time keeping my mind off paddling these days! Spring will be here before long, and with it, all kinds of adventures on the water. I hope you all have big plans this year, and I hope to share a paddling day with you at some point. Among our varied course offerings this year, here are a few highlights: Whitewater for Sea Kayakers, to hone your rough water skills, and get a flavor for our other favorite paddling realm. Two "3-Day Paddler Development Intensives" - sort of a soup-to-nuts instructional revue, making use of the best training venues that the MDI region has to offer. Offerings appropriate for those who are getting started, or have been paddling for a while but have not had a lot of previous instruction. Refine your fundmentals, with me, with Mark Schoon, or with Gordo Wissinger in these courses ranging from half-day clinics to a 3-day journey. Leadership courses at a variety of levels, with everything from navigation workshops, to training for guides, and BCU Sea Leader Training. Journeys from 1 to 4 days, in areas ranging from the islands of Stonington to some of Maine's most challenging sections of coastline downeast. If you have questions, course requests, or any equipment needs for the new season, feel free to call or email me to discuss them. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your winter! Nate
  16. The Alden Bird book is a good recommendation. (It's called "Let It Rain".) There are a number of decent WW options all over New England, though some are limited or low in the winter). Good surf and tide races on the ocean in the winter though, (and they never freeze!) Nate
  17. At the NSPN Leadership Workshop this weekend, there were requests for me to schedule a weekend of courses in April. Well, I don't require much convincing! http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/sea-kayaking-classes-calendar/?tag=April+Cluster April 22 and 23rd. We'll spend Saturday in some fun coastal venue around Mount Desert Island, refining boat skills and reconnecting our bodies to our boats and our blades. Sunday will be spent at Sullivan Falls. These courses are appropriate for paddlers with some previous instruction. If you have any questions please get in touch with me at pinnipedkayak@gmail.com or 207-669-2174. You can also take a look at the rest of our course offerings on our full Schedule. Recent additions include Whitewater for Sea Kayakers in June, and a 2-day Paddler Development weekend in mid-August. See you on the water! -Nate
  18. Hello everyone, We have a great variety of courses planned for 2017. Downeast Journey Trainings, Multi-day paddler development weekends, Tidal Current Basics, and Whitewater for Sea Kayakers are a few examples of what's on offer. I invite you to read about it all in our recent newsletter, and browse our schedule to see what catches your interest. I've left room in the schedule (particularly in August) to accommodate special requests, so let me know if you would like to arrange something to suit your schedule. We'll continue to add to our schedule throughout the season, so keep up with the latest offerings by following us on Facebook, or check our schedule from time to time. I look forward to seeing many of you for a Leadership workshop next Saturday, Feb. 25th at Gould Barn (free to NSPN members). And I hope to see you all on the water this summer, one way or another! Cheers! Nate
  19. Great news for next week! Carl Ladd of Osprey Sea Kayak will be joining us as a guest coach for both days next week. Wednesday Open Water Coastal Skills clinic, and Thursday Tidal Currents at Sullivan Falls. We have one space on Thursday, and a handful of spaces on Wednesday. Nate
  20. Hello NSPN'rs, Thanks for the big response again this year. I have a nine of you registered to work with me and Mark Schoon at Sullivan Falls on Sept 8th. There might be one more space available, so contact me if you'd like to join. I am offering a Coastal Skills tune-up on Sept 7th, which will offer a great progression into the Sullivan Falls course. We'll work on skills in the coastal evironment around MDI, finding some surf and rock-garden environments. Students at all levels have remarked that this day allowed them to make a lot more progress during their subsequent Tidal Currents course. This course will be with me, and has 3 spaces available at this point. Looking forward to seeing all of you up here soon. To keep you satisfied until then, here's a picture from yesterday at the falls! Nate
  21. I'd consider Michael the authority on this trip, having done it quite a few times. You'll find a wealth of information in his guidebook. Definitely doable in one day, but the flood current is indeed 1/2 mile or more offshore for much of the trip. I'd disagree with one statement above that the water is much choppier out where the current is stronger. This depends entirely on the wind direction and the current direction. I have seen days where the 1/2 mile close to shore is extremely rough during the flood, because the eddy current is opposed by the southwest winds. Similarly, I've seen days where the ebb current creates crazy conditions 1/2 mile offshore, while the eddys (moving north) are very flat. For those interested in paddling this area with an expert, I'll mention that Michael is leading a 5-day journey training along the Downeast coast, September 6-10. While exact itineraries in an area like this are subject to conditions, paddling the bold coast section from Cutler to Lubec is definitely on the table for that course. Nate http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/sea-kayaking-classes-calendar/?category=Journeys
  22. Thank you Peter. I'm looking forward to paddling with everyone again! At this point we have 6 people registered, so the $130 discounted rate is in effect for all NSPN members. We will probably cap the group at about 11 participants, to keep things reasonable, but still allow for a good crowd of club members. I've added a Coastal Skills Tune-up class on September 7th, because students this spring (including a few NSPNers) said that they got more out of their day at the falls after spending the previous day tuning up some foundational skills in the Porcupine Islands. We surfed a bit, we maneuvered around rocks a bit, and visited some skills that come into play at the falls, but which are easier to tune up away from the roaring din of the rushing water. $140 per person (my normal rate), but like the other class, if we have more than 5 NSPNers I'll bring a second instructor and lower the price to $130. You can find more details about these classes at the following link: http://www.pinnipedkayak.com/sea-kayaking-classes-calendar/ Thanks, Nate
  23. Pinniped Kayak has a variety of 3- to 5-day Journey Trainings on offer this season. Our programs, led by ACA-certified L4 and L5 Instructors, will help you develop the skills, judgement and experience you need to expand your own adventures by sea kayak. With a maximum group size of 5 people, outstanding destinations along Maine's Downeast Coast, and a focus on skills development, we don't think there is any better way to increase your abilities and confidence, and extend your paddling horizons. Give us a call to discuss availability and we'll help you decide which of our Journey Trainings is the best match for your paddling goals this year. Courses range from 3-days in the Stonington Archipelago, to a 5-day Journey around the Fox Islands, or the ultimate Downeast adventure from Schoodic to Lubec in September. Click here for a listing of Journey Trainings with Pinniped Kayak. Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks, Nate 207-669-2174 pinnipedkayak@gmail.com www.pinnipedkayak.com
  24. Whether you're active with your local paddling club, work as a professional guide, or just want to improve your skills for safely planning and managing trips with your peers in complex environments, our ACA Open Water (Level 4) Trip Leader Training and Assessment, June 24-27, provides you with the opportunity to challenge and expand your skills in the stunning paddling environments around Mount Desert Island, Maine. Join Ryan Rushton (ACA L5 Instructor Trainer) and Nate Hanson (ACA L5 Instructor) for one of the first L4 Trip Leader Training/Assessment programs in the northeast. 4 day combined Training and Assessment, $480 For more details click here
  25. About the GPS discussion, I'm no purist, and GPS has it's place. However, it is indeed quite possible to make a straight-line crossing in thick fog, across unknown currents of varying speed and direction, using only chart and compass . . . and lobster buoys. The lobster buoys are crucial. If they are spaced less than the limit of visibility, you can stay on a perfectly straight bearing and nail your destination every time. I find this much simpler and quicker than GPS, and it keeps my attention on the bigger picture, rather than staring at a tiny screen in my lap. That said, I'm not nearly as worried about getting lost in fog as I am about getting all chummed up. We are invisible to powerboats, and we can assume they aren't listening to VHF. So I am very very conservative when deciding whether to make a crossing in thick fog. I can navigate fine, but other boats are really surprised when they are staring at their radar all day, and then they suddenly come across a kayak in the fog. They are definitely not looking for us on those days.
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