rylevine Posted March 3, 2021 Posted March 3, 2021 Cold Water Workshop zoom session 4/8/2021, 7:00pm-9:00pm and CWW paddle 4/10/2021, 10:00am at Riverhead, Marblehead, MA. Background: In past years, NSPN ran very successful cold water workshops in the fall. They included an in-house session, beach session, and various on-the-water activities. The latter ranged from paddles and rescue practice to just dunking with a dry suit. COVID and the winter time frame made such an extensive workshop impossible. The goals are more modest this year. In the zoom session we would first discuss the scope and goals of safe winter paddling. There would be a review of cold water gear, the hypothermia kit, the dry suit, and recognition and treatment of hypothermia. We would also assess the needs of attendees for gear and suits, to be rented by NSPN from commercial outfits for the subsequent cold water paddle. As we did with the summer skills sessions, for the winter paddle participants will break into pods with 1-2 leaders each. COVID compliance with masks, social distancing, and pod numbers will be enforced. The beach briefing will demonstrate dressing in the dry suit, and include a quick discussion of gear and the hypo kit. We will also review strategies for keeping hands, feet and head warm. The beach briefing will be followed by launching for a short paddle - perhaps Riverhead to Dolliber. A quick lunch at the destination will demonstrate how to handle the inevitable out-of-the-boat chill down. Tips from experienced winter-time paddlers will be shared and discussed. Then paddle back to the put-in. If people want to test their dry suit and dunk, that could be done at the put-in with cars nearby. Overall, the session will be very pragmatic - just the nuts-and-bolts of winter paddling. In addition to comparing strategies and tips, useful for all kayakers, newcomers to cold water paddling will have an opportunity to safely experience a winter trip. If you are interested in attending a cold water workshop, please sign up on the calendar. Also, PM Bob Levine if you require a dry suit or other gear.
rylevine Posted March 29, 2021 Author Posted March 29, 2021 We have formed a message thread for participants of this year's Cold Water Workshop. Please sign on via the calendar if you are attending. Thanks! Bob
Patrick Donahue Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 Bob, Great picture. Am planning to listen in on Thursday night. Unfortunately will start driving to Virginia Beach on Friday morning and will miss the paddle on Saturday. Pat
Jim Snyder Posted April 8, 2021 Posted April 8, 2021 If you're a late addition or have trouble joining the zoom session call me, number in profile.
Phil Gassin Posted April 9, 2021 Posted April 9, 2021 Hi Jim, thanks for this great discussion yesterday evening. I will not be able to make it to Marblehead on Saturday, I will be white water paddling instead - season is short-
Jim Snyder Posted April 9, 2021 Posted April 9, 2021 To be clear, Bob is the driving force here, all I did was host the zoom.
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