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Walden Wednesdays are coming to an end for 2017. Weather permitting I believe the consensus is that September 27th will be the last Walden Wednesday for the year. I currently hope to arrive around 4pm. Note that as of September 20th the water temperature was 71 degrees, and the park was closing at 6:30pm meaning we get off the water around 6pm.

Anyone want to come out and play this Wednesday? I would like to arrive around 4pm. Note that Walden is closing at 6:30pm these days, which means getting off the water around 6pm. The National Weather Service is also currently predicting "Showers likely, mainly before 2pm," but is NOT predicting thunder. Since I expect to get wet anyway, I consider the chance of showers to be a minor inconvenience.

I plan to arrive around 4pm if someone else posts they will join me. Forecast looks warm.

I expect to arrive around 4pm this Wednesday for the final Walden session on the calendar for 2017. Last week the water temperature was 78 degrees according to The Walrus. However, with the cooler air temperatures predicted this week some form of thermal protection is now recommended for comfort. Concord public schools resume this Wednesday. That combined with the cooler air temperature forecast makes a closing unlikely. However just in case, plan B for this week remains Whites Pond (See the Walden Wednesday Plan-B options Discussion Thread for Whites Pond logistical details). Basically if you don't get a space marked for car-top boats, park at the school. Definitely do NOT park in the private beach club's upper parking. While I am very open to continuing Walden sessions into September on a week-by-week basis, I will be in Maine next week, arriving home late the following Tuesday. So others will need to step up and organize next week, and perhaps announce the following week as well.

As of Sunday there is a chance rain will cancel this week's rolling practice. If weather permits, I'll again plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. Last week's plan B diversion to Whites Pond was very successful (See the Walden Wednesday Plan-B options Discussion Thread for Whites Pond logistical details). We had a good turnout, and it was easy for some people to arrive later than others. In my case I even paddled White-Water this Saturday and Sunday because of paddlers I met on Whites Pond last Wednesday. So in the rather unlikely event that Walden closes but we are not rained out, I'm definitely heading to Whites Pond again this week. However, I still hope to enjoy Walden's waters. If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for other useful details.

I'll plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. Different plan B than last week. If sometime this Wednesday Walden tweets that they are closed, this week's plan B experiment is Whites Pond (See the Walden Wednesday Plan-B options Discussion Thread for details). Basically, if I see online before I leave that Walden has closed even if they plan to reopen, or if I find myself locked out of Walden when I arrive, I'm heading to Whites Pond. Otherwise I will enjoy Walden's waters. If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for other useful details.

This thread is to discuss Plan-B options for the few times each year Walden reaches capacity and closes on a Wednesday. My ideal Plan-B: Is very close to Walden for last minute redirects. Has generous easy free parking. Has clean deep water making it rolling and rescue friendly. Is friendly to late arrivals. Bathrooms are highly desirable. Does NOT have invasive plants. August 9th, 2017 Walden closed for the second Wednesday this summer, so I paddled with Dan on the Concord river. It was a very nice 2 hour and 15 minute paddle. A 7 minute (9 to 16 minutes at rush hour) drive from Walden makes it a very good last minute option. The put-in is free with plenty of street parking. However, it does have invasive plants, it was shallow (I scraped bottom at least 5 times), and water quality was suspect making it neither rolling nor rescue friendly. Within a few minutes of launching, paddlers are also out of sight of the boat ramp, making it less than friendly for late arrivals. Driving to the put-in, I discovered the Concord Visitor Center has some public bathrooms a few minutes away. The put-in itself lacks bathrooms, but is sufficiently wooded and private for improvised solutions. Google Maps describes the put-in as 181-299 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA 01742. White Pond is also close. An 8 minute (10 to 16 minutes at rush hour) drive from Walden. However, AMC Boston’s White-Water paddlers have their pond social there on Wednesdays. That means a crowded boat ramp where we should be extra polite, we can drop kayaks but cannot park. We have to park at the school a couple of blocks away which is a walk, but is also free parking. The pond is rolling and rescue friendly. Practice would take place right at the put-in so it is very friendly to late arrivals. We would put-in right next to a PRIVATE members only swim beach. Technically non-members are not supposed to use the beach restrooms, and there is not enough privacy for improvised solutions. Though I have heard of people getting permission from life-guards to use the restrooms. I have also seen the restrooms closed and locked. I do not know the current invasive plant status of White Pond. The AMC Boston group often goes to a local pizza place afterwards, if we are friendly we would probably be welcome to join them. Google Maps describes the put-in as 5B Plainfield Rd, Concord, MA 01742, the school where we would park is Willard Elementary. Some other options were discussed in the weekly July 19th thread after the first Wednesday Walden closed this summer. The Upper Mystic lake in Arlington/Winchester/Medford was interesting until I saw that Google estimates the rush hour drive on Wednesday from Walden to Mystic at 24 to 50 minutes. Unfortunately, the traffic tends to get worse the closer we get to Boston. Does everyone like the idea that if Walden closes on Wednesday we go with Plan-B even if Walden reopens in the afternoon? If we go with that plan and Walden closes before noon, we could probably relax the "Is very close to Walden for last minute redirects" ideal if there is a much more attractive Plan-C option. Anyone have any other Walden alternative suggestions? Any strong preferences among the Plan-B/Plan-C options?

After cancelling for weather last week, I'm definitely looking forward to visiting Walden this week. The forecast currently looks nice for this Wednesday. I'll plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. Same plan B as last week. If sometime this Wednesday Walden tweets that they are closed, this week's plan B experiment is the Lowell Rd boat ramp which Google Maps describes as 181-299 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA 01742, about a 7 minute drive from Walden Pond which was discussed in this previous Walden thread. Basically, if I see online before I leave that Walden has closed even if they plan to reopen, or if I find myself locked out of Walden when I arrive, I'm heading to the Lowell Rd boat ramp hoping to find a friendly face joining me there. Otherwise I will enjoy Walden's waters. If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for other useful details.

We had a great time last week at Walden. The forecast looks good if a little hot for this Wednesday. I'll plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. With a predicted high of 89 degrees Walden may be very popular this Wednesday. So same plan B as last week. If sometime this Wednesday Walden tweets that they are closed, this week's plan B experiment is the Lowell Rd boat ramp which Google Maps describes as 181-299 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA 01742, about a 7 minute drive from Walden Pond which was discussed in this previous Walden thread. Basically, if I see online before I leave that Walden has closed even if they plan to reopen, or if I find myself locked out of Walden when I arrive, I'm heading to the Lowell Rd boat ramp hoping to find a friendly face joining me there. Otherwise I will enjoy Walden's waters where Dan has assured me: If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for other useful details.

The weather odds look excellent for Wednesday. I'll plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. If sometime this Wednesday Walden tweets that they are closed, this week's plan B experiment is the Lowell Rd boat ramp which Google Maps describes as 181-299 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA 01742, about a 7 minute drive from Walden Pond which was discussed in last week's Walden thread. Basically, if I see online before I leave that Walden has closed even if they plan to reopen, or if I find myself locked out of Walden when I arrive, I'm heading to the Lowell Rd boat ramp hoping to find a friendly face joining me there. Otherwise I will enjoy Walden's waters where Dan has assured me: If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for other useful details.

The weather odds look good for Wednesday. I'll plan to arrive around 4pm assuming someone else posts they want to join me. I think there is a good chance we will get to Ooh and Aah over Peter's new Gearlab paddle. So this week's Walden is also a Gearlab Rendezvous! Bring your Gearlab or at least Greenland style paddle if you own one. As always everyone is welcome, even if they don't use a Greenland paddle. If you haven't attended before, see the NSPN Calendar Entry for useful details.

Anyone want to join me this Wednesday on Walden Pond? (Note: Jane is traveling this week.) I could get there as early as 4pm, or as late as 5pm.

I'm offering rolling instruction again this summer through the New Hampshire chapter of the AMC. My plan is to meet students Monday afternoon/evening at a pond in Hudson, NH. Go to https://activities.outdoors.org/search/ and search for kayak rolling to find the official listing. Then click the "Email this person" link with questions or to get on the waiting list. Bill Voss

Weather is looking good! If another person posts they are going, the event is on. (Unless the rangers close the park.)

Last Wednesday some attendees made tentative plans to go out for dinner afterwards this week. Totally optional, but consider yourself invited to join us afterwards. I don't currently have any schedule conflicts, and dinner makes it even more tempting. I'm currently waiting on a more reliable weather forecast before I commit. However you can certainly attend without me. If two people post they are going, the event is on. I don't have to be one of the paddlers attending. Bill

The forecast looks good for this Wednesday. My default arrival time is 5pm, but I'm also open to arriving around 4pm if others prefer. 4pm certainly worked well last week. I plan to be there if someone else posts they will be joining me.

Pond rolling resumes at Walden! If you haven’t attended before, see the calendar entry for logistical details. Last fall we adopted the policy that unless at least two people post their intention to attend, the session will be considered canceled. That way hopefully no one will show up and find themselves alone. I hope to attend the vast majority of sessions, and I certainly hope to see lots of old and new faces there again this year. Come have some fun! If you are attending the 5/31/2017 session, please reply to this thread. (Weather forecast permitting, I hope to post GOING next Tuesday.)

Biddeford Recreation Department is offering indoor pool sessions for rolling and rescues on Saturdays March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2017. Come join in this great learning environment and get your paddling skills tuned up or learn something new before the season arrives. Location: Biddeford, Maine, indoor pool Time:2pm-4pm All clean boats are welcome! Long or short. Cost is $20 per session, checks can be made payable to "Biddeford Recreation" Please preregister online to reserve space and pay with a credit card at www.biddefordrec.com FMI bdunphe@biddefordmaine.org 207-283-0841 ext:4210 Brian Dunphe Program Coordinator and Instructor

I will be accepting TWO sea kayak students who really want to learn to roll. Intended for the kayaker who still wants someone standing next to them as they learn to roll. Part of each session will be spent learning to roll, the rest of the session students will work on assisted and self rescue skills with the NH AMC Sea Kayak Training and Paddling Practice general class. Rolling focused students must commit to attend all five Saturday evening 6:30pm-8:00pm practice sessions at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua in New Hampshire. Saturday, March 11 Nashua 6:30-8:00 Saturday, March 18 Nashua 6:30-8:00 Saturday, March 25 Nashua 6:30-8:00 no session April 2 Saturday April 8 Nashua 6:30-8:00 Saturday April 15 Nashua 6:30-8:00 [Easter weekend] Rolling focused students will need to bring a sea kayak, neoprene spray skirt, PFD, helmet, paddle (European or Greenland style), and a desire to repeatedly capsize. All equipment must be clean (hosed down at home) to keep the indoor pool area clean. Kayaker's nose plugs (has a cord unlike swimmer's nose plugs) and goggles or swim mask are also strongly suggested. The rolling instruction is offered on a “pay if forward” basis. However access to the pool sessions is $80 paid via the Merrimack Valley Paddlers white water group. All participants will be required to sign the AMC waiver. If you want to be a “Rolling Focused” student, go to this Meetup page, scroll down to “join the conversation” post “I want to ROLL!” then register for NH AMC Sea Kayak Training and Paddling Practice as usual. The two students who show up March 11th with the oldest “I want to ROLL!” comments and all required equipment will be my rolling focused students.

Newbury Kayak and Canoe will be hosting pool rolling sessions at the Ipswich YMCA again this winter. The dates for this year's sessions are: December 4; January 8, February 5, March 5 and April 2. Sessions are open to anyone interested in learning to roll or just wanting to practice their roll and have a little fun. Attendees should be intermediate or higher kayakers, the lessons are suited to beginner rollers, not beginner kayakers. If you have questions, please contact the shop. Sessions are all on Sunday evening, running from 5-7. Arrive at 4:45 to be ready to get in as soon as the pool is available. Bring your own boat (super clean!) or rent a boat from the shop. Cost is $25 per session, hands-on (group) lessons are an additional $25. Boat rental is extra - contact the shop. Go to newburykayak.com to sign up. Space is limited to prevent crowding.

NOAA currently predicts "mostly sunny, with a high near 80." If someone else will also commit to be there, I plan to drag myself to Walden for some rolling despite such a dismal forecast. :-) I would suggest we either arrive around 2pm and leave around 5pm if we want steady air temperatures, or arrive around 3pm and depart around 6pm if we want less traffic on the way home. I'll let the first person who commits to join me pick between the 2pm and 3pm arrival times.

Indoor pool sessions offered by Biddeford Recreation, in Biddeford Maine, starting Saturday, October 15. Saturday October 15, 2pm-4pm Saturday October 22, 2pm-4pm Saturday October 29, 2pm-4pm $20 per person per session Please preregister online or call Brian Dunphe for more information. 207-283-0841 www.biddefordrec.com

I'm back in town, and looking forward to Walden again this Wednesday afternoon. I plan to be there assuming someone else also posts that they are going. I can be flexible about time, getting there around 2pm, 3pm, 4pm,... Next person to post can pick. I believe the Walden boat ramp gate is now locked at 6:30pm. So plan on getting off the water by 6pm at the latest. By now drysuits are definitely recommended for comfort. Though we will probably still see a few swimmers without even a wetsuit.

Some paddlers are planning to meet at Walden this Wednesday arriving at 3:30pm for rolling, rescues, etc. Everyone is welcome. I'm not sure yet if I personally will be there, I'm recovering from a sprained wrist. I believe the boat ramp gate is now closing at 7pm, which pretty much means off the water by 6:30pm. Though there is a good chance the 3:30pm group won't last quite that long.