Gillian Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 So about halfway through my first season of ocean kayaking I'm thrilled, relaxed, smiling more, excited, elated, calm, sore, and tired . . . I wanted to write a few trip reports but I'll have to squeeze it into one. We missed the Maine trip unfortunately which I hear had at least 3 top notch paddlers swimming, so I know that meant fun conditions, but as it turned out there were lots of folks around who showed up for show and go's locally, some of which have already been reported. However, it was some of my first times in rock gardens and with Billy shooting ahead with careful timing between waves and rocks, I remember following him with fast paddle and closed eyes . . . it was a thrill and a joy and once on the other side, my boat rocked in gentle swells while I watched local birds perched on the rocks as the rest of the group almost got crushed by some incoming waves in the rock garden. It always amazes me how we can be 10 feet from each other and I'm hanging out in my boat watching birds and I believe it was Rob, Kevin and Ernie were paddling thier hearts out trying to avoid some pretty big incoming waves. The rest of the week was spent locally in Salem and we tried our first night paddles Thursday and Friday. It's a different world at night and one that I've fallen in love with. The conditions have been particulalry benign lately which doesn't make for much excitement but at night the sound of the paddle through the water, the bow wake lit by moonlight and the overall quiet of night is breathtaking. Kevin, Julia and I were lucky enough to catch an incredible sunset and a beautiful moonrise . . . I also did a sculling draw and had my boat go sideways for the first time!!! Friday we were joined by Chris and we put in a bit later to get the full effect of the night paddle. We paddled from Salem Harbor to Marblehead and back and although there was a haze covering the moon sometimes, there was plenty of ambient light, not too much boat traffic and the glow sticks we had along with a some new light we had recommended by Alex made us quite visable. Chris thought it'd be great for a night paddle in Boston harbor with a view of the city and I readily agree although somehow I think my glow stick might not be quite the guard between me and large tankers that I would hope for Yesterday found me on the Brackenbury Cove trip, thank you Dee and Bob - great idea!!!! I've fallen in love with paddling but I do miss the days of sitting on the beach and doing nothing but napping and reading so yesterday's trip was a great combination of the two . . . Today I was so tired that I took a number of naps and found that the act of sitting down and standing up had become more of an artform than it used to be . . . Kevin of course has been strutting around unhindered Maybe I'll get there next season . . . . But I understand now why people can fall in love with paddling . . . it can be a sport, a social experience, a connection with the self, a connection with the sea, exercise, and for me at least it's brought me back to what's important in life . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I particularly liked trying to play in the rocks at night...if you're not careful, you can really get "hooked" The Fisherman's Brew at the Pig after the paddle hit the spot. Moral of the story: if you play in the rocks at night close to populated areas, be careful of those fishing from shore...you may be lit (and Gilly, by lit I mean glow sticks, etc., but the people fishing will more than likely not be visible.) As I recall, only one of the many we saw actually had a lighted perch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted July 10, 2006 Author Share Posted July 10, 2006 "Trying" is the key word . . . I remember getting into some rocks and not seeing a big swell behind me . . . I don't think I've ever done the back stroke quite so efficiently before . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 I had a great time paddling with you guys Friday night! That was my first time paddling after dark (I usually try very hard to make it back to the put-in by dark). I was really suprised how well you could see with all the ambient light.. "somehow I think my glow stick might not be quite the guard between me and large tankers that I would hope for :)" - So you do you mean, If I start waving my glow stick around the tankers won't do a 180 then run and hide? I'll second Kevin's comment about the Fishermans Ale -- Yummy! Keep posting those SNGs -Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted July 11, 2006 Author Share Posted July 11, 2006 "So you do you mean, If I start waving my glow stick around the tankers won't do a 180 then run and hide? ;)" wait, waving which glow stick? wait, what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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