Jump to content

Sandy Bay, Rockport Wet and Dry Salvages: Cancelled


Bolonsky Adam

I'll attend  

17 members have voted

You do not have permission to vote in this poll, or see the poll results. Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Recommended Posts

Hi Adam

Again let me say I'm very glad you're putting this together, Don't want to sound like a broken record on the launc locations but... in your signup sheet you say:

Quote

Also, since this will likely be an experienced group, let's be sure there's just one leader of this trip and not many

But as the leader you're not launching with the group, you're launching on your own. Everyone else so far is launching from Granite Pier.

I'd be more comfortable if you launched with and led the group, or else you could designate someone to act as leader/organizer at the place that almost everyone's starting from. I'm not gunning to be that person. It's just that my experience is that the start of the trip is the place to establish group dynamics, not somewhere in the middle of it. My $0.02.

Edited by Joseph Berkovitz
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

Got it, Joe. You made excellent points. Thanks. I'll launch early from downtown Rockport to meet everyone at the ramp at Granite Pier at 10:00. 

0.02's worth is always worth it.

So in case anyone needs assistance returning to the put-in due to changes in conditions, we'll talk about who is willing provide a return tow. We can sort that out on the ramp. 

Perhaps two paddlers will need to volunteer to provide a tandem tow, if necessary, due to distance. Or three, even, if the paddler who needs a tow is seasick or for some other reason can't keep their towed kayak stable - see attached. I've used the illustrated technique once or twice. It's hard work over a long distance but gets the job done. 

bulldog tow.png

Edited by Bolonsky Adam
illustration
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reluctantly wading in to this.

Adam, we haven't met yet but I want to say I appreciate how much thought and planning you're putting into trips to try to make them fun and interesting. While I don't disagree with Mike, let me try to be more positive. In hundreds of trips over eight years, I can only recall two that I've been on where a tow was necessary. Incidentally neither was in particularly challenging conditions. A lot more common are situations where either a member got in beyond their comfort level on a trip or changing conditions required some or all participants to change course for comfort and safety. While I'm not sure it's written policy anywhere, good incident management would never send one paddler back who was uncomfortable with conditions. While a large group can sometimes split into pods, sometimes the only solution is to change course to accommodate one paddler.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for keeping an eye on the forecast, Frederick. I'm watching the forecast also. 

My experience on Sandy Bay has been n'westerlies at 12-15 in aren't too difficult to deal with.  Fast ride out, wetter and more strenuous paddle on the way back. So that means we're doing the easiest leg first...and doing the difficult one at the end of the day, when we're more tired. 

The 20-knot gusts usually don't last more than five minutes or so. 

The swell will definitely be breaking on the Salvages, on both ends of the offshore breakwater, probably on top of Avery Ledge, and of course along the northern side of Straitsmouth where there is a ledge very easy to see and avoid. 

If the surge is too intense for us to land at Straitsmouth or Thachers, there's always the mainland Rockport beach at Gap Head. 

I'm still up for this trip if others are. Conditions make this a level 3/4 trip. So if anyone is not comfortable with this level a trip, I hope to run a Level 2 to the ocean trip before the temps get colder...an NSPN pass-it-forward tradition from a pretty long while ago. 

Alternatively we can hug the shore and go west towards Pebble, Cape Hedge, Long and Good Harbor beaches. Kind of boring though...

Finally, I'm not one to leave anyone behind. Having not met yet anyone who's a member of NSPN other than Bob, Geri, Liz and Karen (whom I know from long ago), I didn't know who would show up with what skills for this trip. I wanted to suggest several posts that perhaps no one would be able to help with a long-distance tow.

For my own piece of mind then, I'm going to be handing out a laminated sheet for us to say who wants to and can do what should any  relevant issues come up:

  • primary tow
  • raft for rafted-tow
  • secondary tow for a tandem rafted tow
  • CPR
  • first aid
  • outbound leg sweep
  • return leg sweep
  • VHF 16/22A if things go wrong
  • tools/repair
  • crossing guard for Donzi transit area
  • ch. 72 radio for the faster/further group 
  • ch. 72 radio the slower/shorter group

Thing is, since so many show up with gear relevant to the above, no harm getting it clear who can do what before we shove off. I can do a short distance tow, for example, to get someone out of a jam. But I'm not prepared to tow someone back to Granite Pier from the Salvages. 

I've simply found that quickly discussing all of the above simplifies group cohesion. For example VHF 16/22a. If several paddlers reach for their radios and start broadcasting on 16 all once, it can make whatever the issue is too confusing for the Rockport Harbormaster (closest responder) or the CG to get sorted out. 

Moreover, some of us carry VHFs that don't have DCS/GPS and we'd want to choose what seems the best option. 

Edited by Bolonsky Adam
bullet points
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not going to do this trip after all.   Because of the potential for challenging conditions, I would only do it with a small group of strong paddlers whom I know and trust.  Adam, I appreciate you taking the initiative and am looking forward to paddling with you in the future,  but I think this is not the right trip for me to meet you for the first time, especially in the role of de facto leader.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for letting me know, Frederick and Jody.

This trip is on so long as others are still planning on coming. I expect Bob and Geri, Karen, Bob B. and one other paddler will drop out. 

The forecast is the same: 

SUN AND SUN NIGHT  W winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft at 10 seconds and W 3 ft at  4 seconds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Adam,  I am a member of the board of directors of NSPN.  I am not speaking for the board, but I can tell you that behind the scenes, there is a great deal of consternation about this trip.   The problem is that we don't know you.  You may have skills on par with the best kayak coaches on the East Coast for all we know.  On the other hand, for all we know, you are completely over your head.   We have a lax leadership model which allows an unknown person to suddenly appear and offer a level 3+ trip under our auspices.  This makes me think we have the wrong leadership model.  It is my strong suggestion that you cancel this trip.   It is my hope you that you will join some other trips as an ordinary participant, get to know us and let us get to know you and gain our confidence.  We run on trust, which is earned by showing up and displaying competence and judgement. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Adam - thank you for putting your efforts into planning this trip. It's hard to plan when mother nature doles out something that is contrary to our intentions.  This forecast has been pretty consistent.  

 I don't feel comfortable in those conditions out to the Salvages. But  I'll look forward to going out with you again soon.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Postponing this trip to Sunday, September 15, same time, same location, same route.  

For what it's worth, I'd be glad to talk to anyone on the board about this trip, but I'd prefer a live phone call rather than DM's or forum threads. And please come along on this trip as rescheduled also if you have time want to.

Also, for what it's worth, I've posted and run two trips already without incident or anyone commenting on possible negatives beforehand: one in inner Boston Harbor, the other in outer Gloucester Harbor. 

The outer Gloucester Harbor trip was a level 2 once the winds petered out. We skipped the inner harbor by consensus, and split into two separate landing groups: one at Pavillion, the other at Oakes Cove, then all met on Rocky Neck for supper. 

The inner Boston Harbor trip, given winds and boat channel crossings, was level 2/3, given how much care we took as a group, but could have escalated had the winds picked up. In which case Bob H. and Eran and me, I'm confident, could have assisted anyone who needed help. It was easy to handle that trip - but since I've padded in Boston Harbor dozens of times, and have witnessed numerous channel crossings that turned into gong shows, I was only assertive when we crossed channels. I then simply requested that none of us pass the lead slower kayaker, that our bows and sterns overlapped during the crossing, and that we scanned right and left for the fast ferry that runs between Hingham and Boston. 

Moreover, it was quite nice to have a brand new member join us for I think what was his second trip on the ocean.

So feel free to call: (617) 306-0690 and I'd be glad to sort out any issues.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The forecast has improved for Sunday. I will be launching with a friend from Rockport. We'll be heading for the Salvages, etc. at 11:00 if anyone wants to join us. Send a direct message if you'd like to come along. 

We're launching from the public ramp next to Tuck's Candy store then parking around the corner up the hill on Main Street.

No meters, no fees. 

Sunday forecast:

WNW wind 9 to 12 kt. Sunny. Seas around 3 ft.

Edited by Bolonsky Adam
typos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Bolonsky Adam changed the title to Sandy Bay, Rockport Wet and Dry Salvages: Cancelled
×
×
  • Create New...