rfolster Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 As we get into the colder weather, along with it comes colder water, which presents serious dangers requiring thoughtful mitigation and management. In this workshop, we will have both interactive discussion and active immersion opportunities to experience what works for cold water management, and maybe identify any areas of improvement. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “winter paddler”, this workshop is just as useful (and maybe even more important) to prepare for the start of next season when spring temperatures begin to welcome us back outside while the water can still be deadly cold. This workshop will be a perfect opportunity to figure out how you might need to be better prepared and give you the time over the winter to get ready. The discussions will cover topics such as: - Clothing (layering and protection) - Accessories (hats, gloves, etc) - Prevention (ways to avoid you or someone else getting cold) - Mitigation (how to manage when someone does get cold) The immersion portion(s) of the workshop will entail simply walking into the water to test gear and kit, as well as getting into boats and figuring out how to incorporate it all together. Wet exits, rolling, and re-entries (self and assisted) will be welcomed exercises, but not requirements Details:Who - any current NSPN member can attend this workshop (email membership@nspn.org for any help updating membership)When - Nov 20th at 9:30am.Where - West Beach in BeverlyHow - To register, please go to the calendar posting and click the Going button (see calendar posting if you need to change your status)Why - If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to post here or send me a direct message What to bring? Bring what you have, and let us know if you would like to borrow something. Here is a partial list to get you inspired: - Hot beverage - Hot food (like soup in a thermos) - Snacks (for energy) - Warm layers (base layer against skin and/or mid layer for added insulation) - Avoid any cotton, including socks and underwear, as it tends to hold moisture creating cold spots that hog body energy - Wool performs well as an insulator, even when damp, and tends to dry better than cotton - Synthetics perform very well, even when damp, and tend to dry fastest - Drysuit (if you have one). If you want to experiment with a wet suit, feel free, but generally they are uncomfortable in the boat - Paddling shoes or neoprene booties (crocks and such don’t provide any warmth) - Paddling gear and equipment (boat, paddle, PFD, spray skirt, helmet, tow belt, chart case, radio, etc) whatever you typically use - Warm land gear (jacket, hat, gloves, blanket, etc) - Shelter to hold warmth or escape wind (tarp, tent fly, etc) - sheet plastic is not recommended due to lack of breathability - Ground padding / insulation VOLUNTEERS - If you want to help with this workshop, or have extra gear to loan out, please get in touch with me to coordinate. Even if you have never helped with a workshop before and don’t want to be a presenter, there are other ways to help. Just let me know if you are interested in doing more than just attending, and we can discuss how we might be able to make that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhabich Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 There's a zoom presentation coming up that would be a good intro: No presentation is the same as getting in the water and learning how your insulation works...or doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Martin Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Would be happy to help out. I have a dry suit and have done some cold weather paddling. Just let me know what you need and where to be... Don Martin (978) 771 0576 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethS Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 I am happy to help out as well if you need me to. Just let me know. In any case I'll be there, it's always fun! Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Ryan Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Sorry to have to drop out. We are doing our Thanksgiving then w loved ones who are working on Thursday. Have fun friends! Im sure grateful to have you to paddle, learn and have fun with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 Location will be West Beach in Beverly (121 West St, Beverly, MA 01915). There is more than one West Beach around, so make sure you go to the right one! Let's plan on being ready to start by 9:30am. Weather is looking to be manageable, so let's hope that stays. Keep in mind that this is primarily a beach workshop, so be prepared to be standing around, potentially wet, on a 40-degree day. I recommend bringing extra clothing layers, and time for changing will readily be made available during the workshop. Bring what you have to stay warm while out of the water, and if you have extras to share, bring those as well. This will be a good day for experimenting and discussing what works and what doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Martin Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Confirmed. Will see you there at 9:30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfolster Posted November 17, 2021 Author Share Posted November 17, 2021 If someone is interested in organizing a post-workshop trip, it looks like it should be a nice day for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prudenceb Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 I hope someone will take and post lots of photos for those of us housebound and wishing very much that we could be there! Have a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Cooke Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 I am looking forward to this chilly event.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian McCormack Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 I am looking forward to a chilly beach day. I started Cold Water paddling last winter and my biggest issue was trying to determine what to wear under my dry suit. My effort involved discussing it with friends and just going through trial and error along with making detailed notes. The main issue was a trade off between getting too hot during paddling while being okay with a medium long swim. My old NRS dry suit just doesn't breathe at all. It reminds me of the old sauna suits I used to use while cutting weight for wrestling and boxing. ? I was planing to bring a range of clothes under the dry suit for different temps. I would encourage others to do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Berkovitz Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Per Rob's comment above, I will be organizing a post-workshop trip. Route and timing to be decided at the event, but likely leaving right after lunch (12:30? and landing by 3:00 at the latest). Tomorrow is forecast to be a very calm and windless day with very little swell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethS Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 That's excellent, I'd love to join the post workshop paddle! Should be a nice day for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Caivano Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Misery Island? I am in for the post paddle! R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Caivano Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 (and the workshop!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhabich Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Today’s advanced section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Martin Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Hello everyone, Attached are some pictures from yesterday. Thanks again to Rob and Joe for guiding us through the topics and making us think a bit... Happy Thanksgiving everyone, Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Charette Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 A few more pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATTHEW MCCAMBRIDGE Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 Hey I'm sorry to have missed this, will monitor NSPN calendar in the future! Great to find a bunch of people doing this kind of training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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