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Easter Plunge - April 17th - Cancelled!

rfolster

By rfolster
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rfolster

rfolster

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Over the years, a hardy group of NSPN members have gotten together for what first started out as a cold water practice session on Easter morning. While it was short, they had great fun and promised to get together the following years and make it an annual event. Thus began the Annual Easter Plunge.  This will be a combination discussion/paddle/cold water practice event tailored to the wants and needs of the group. You’ll have the opportunity to review tips and techniques for dealing with cold weather and water, test out your gear while we do some cold water rescues, or just have a paddle! LOTS of hypo kits and chocolate will be on hand and careful attention will be paid to all paddlers’ condition and well-being. Come join us for this CAM (Chocolate Adventure Model) event.

You must have the following:
- Food and a hot beverage
- Drysuit with proper footwear and appropriate under layers (if you don't have a drysuit, inquire about borrowing or renting)
- Neoprene cap or hood
- Neoprene gloves or poggies
- Wool or fleece hat
- Wool or fleece gloves or mittens
- Down or synthetic insulated jacket that fits over your PFD
If you have the following, you should also bring them:
- Storm cag
- Warm outer pant layer (worn at launch to unload and pack boat)
- Spare under-layers (in case your primary set gets wet)
- Padding to sit on (camp chair, carpet square, piece of foam, etc)
- Hypo kit (various items to help deal with hypothermia for yourself and/or others)
- Group shelter

We recommend that everyone put together some form of hypothermia kit – see this post if you want more information on what to include: http://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/9825-hypo-kit/. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the gear. The start of a good hypo kit is a thermos of hot tea/chocolate/soup/water and a warm jacket/blanket/tarp. Do you have any hand or feet warmers from skiing? An old yoga mat is a great ground pad. A tent fly would work as a wind shelter. Don’t worry about packability if it’s just a day paddle – you have plenty of room in your boat. Put together what you can and we will compare different ideas. 

If you would like to attend but don’t have a particular piece of kit, just let us know. We should have plenty of extra stuff on hand to care for everyone. So bring your bunny ears (really!) and join us for some cold water fun! We will even have extra ears on hand for those who don't have them.Location and details to be determined, but will most likely be in MA north of Boston.  For questions, please post here or send me a Private Message.

Post to this thread if you plan to attend. 

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Ken

Ken

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Do you have an expected length for this paddle?

I may or may not be free but if I am and it's within my distance limit, I'd be up for it.

 

-Ken

 

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rfolster

rfolster

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12 hours ago, Ken said:

Do you have an expected length for this paddle?

Probably 105cm. (sorry, couldn't resist the opportunity for a bit of a paddling joke)

If anyone has time restrictions for the day, post so we can figure out timing.  We are currently up around ten participants, with room for more!  We still need to figure out details, but depending on the group, we can all paddle together or split up into to pods.  We generally plan to start around 10am (I would say that is a "ready to paddle" and start beach briefing), and paddle until somewhere around 2-4pm, depending on the weather.  The goal of the day isn't about distance or speed, but for many, it is the first group trip for the season, seeing friends again, and maybe getting wet for the brave.  And CHOCOLATE!!

I think we will again look at Salem Sound area (West Beach is a typical launch spot), and start looking at weather next weekend to develop a plan.  Wind and temperature are the critical elements this time of year, with water temperatures in the low 40s.  Since those aspects tend to be quite variable, we need to keep our plans adjustable.

 

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rfolster

rfolster

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Sunday Zone Forecast: W winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft.
Point Forecast @ Baker I: WNW wind around 12 kt.  Mostly sunny.  High: 51 °F.  Seas around 2 ft.
Water temperature is around 44°-45°

Currently planning to attend (please update if you are or are not going)
Prudence
Vladimir
Jeff
Don
Janet
Joe
Dan
Beth
Stephanie
Mike (maybe)
Cathy (maybe)

Location: West Beach (121 West Street, Beverly MA)
Time: Ready to launch by 10:00am
Duration: 4-6 hours
Trip Route: TBD

Wind will be a factor for the weekend.  Being from the WNW, there will be protection along the shore.  Misery, Baker, Gooseberrys are trip options, but greater wind exposure.  Can go E or W along coast, but limited stops for "relief" breaks.  Feel free to voice your opinions here, but regardless I recommend bringing plenty of warm clothing, food, drink, etc. just in case.

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