shewhorn Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 If you read my ENTIRE post you: 1) Are REALLY bored 2) Are REALLY bored 3) Are REALLY REALLY bored and need to go out for a paddle Quick note... I'm too lazy to proof read this so enjoy all the horrible grammar and spelling errors! LOL I had a bad food day today. Normally I eat quite well trying to avoid foods with artificial ingredients and other garbage generally unfit for human consumption but today was not one of those days. My alarm awakened me at 5:40 AM after 5 hours of sleep. It all started the previous night when I thought I might venture out to Salem to meet up with Kevin at Salem Willows. I lowered my boat down onto my car, loosely fastened all the tie downs (that boat doesn't need any help with getting any more dents), through my Rubbermaid bucket of goodies in the car as well as the paddles and my Tomato. Had I waited until the morning to do all that stuff it's very possible that I'd have forgotten something critical to the trip (like the boat). Back to Tuesday morning. The alarm goes off, I took a shower to warm up, grabbed my keys and hopped in the car at about 6:10 AM (don't worry, I dried off first and put some clothes on before getting in the car). This is where the junk food part starts. Having not eaten anything at home (duh) I figured that I needed to pick up some bio fuel so I stopped at the local convenience store. Breakfast was two bottles of OJ (not from concentrate... at least that's OK although sugary I figured it would get utilized rather quickly), a Nature Valley Peanut Butter granola bar (the best of the granola bars) and some snack wells. I also picked up an additional granola bar and some Chex mix (it's breakfasty and when licking my fingers I figured I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the food and the ocean) as well as plenty of water for the voyage. Even at that time of day traffic was heavy on 93 south bringing back memories of commuting everyday to Bedford, MA and Boston, MA. It was a nice reminder as to why I enjoy my current commute of about 4 feet from my bed to my desk so much more. Fortunately in this case I wasn't headed to a job. I had the bananna (as my girlfriend calls it... no, not THAT, my boat... no not that either... oh never mind) on the roof which made the traffic less annoying. I listened to NPR to pass the time. The exit for 95/128 came soon enough and the north bound traffic was of course very light (glad I wasn't going south though... what a nightmare). I arrived at Willows around 7:25 and was expecting to see a car with Gillian's boat and one empty spot next to it since I was late but I was the only car there. I got everything ready and called out for Kevin on 72. Fortunately for me I'd not read his message about not being able make it (some silly excuse about work http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0035.gif ). It was a gorgeous sunny morning and the seas looked calm. I've never been out on the ocean solo before. Seeing as the weather was nice, and the seas calm, I figured this would be the day to do my first solo trip in salt water. With my chart handy on deck I figured I'd cross the harbor towards the lighthouse on hospital point and then hug the coast up until West Beach near Great Misery. You know... it's amazing how different conditions can be from standing on the shore looking at them to sitting in a boat paddling in them. Now mind you... the conditions were "calm" and while I wasn't scared you could say I was intimidated by the experience, even if only by a little bit. Still, I knew I was ready and prepared. I've practiced my wet exits and self rescues, the water temp was 62 and I had a full wet suit on (minus something on my head other than a hat and sunglasses but I did have a 6/5/4 mm hood with me if needed). If worse came to worse I had a VHF on my PFD and a cell phone in the dry bag... blah blah blah, I even have a roll that's been working for me. Still, with all the prep and practice the what ifs still run through the head. It probably didn't help that I've just read Keith and John's account of their Plum Island adventure and although this was a sunny calm day, reading that is probably akin to reading a Stephen King novel before taking a walk in the woods on a pitch black night. I suppose it's good to think about the what ifs though. Anyhow on to the actual paddle. I figured I'd use this opportunity to practice my forward stroke. At 182 LBS I'm thinking that maybe I'm a smidge light for my boat as it LOVES to go directly into the wind or downwind. When weighted down a little more (carrying significant amounts of water (for drinking... not just sloshing about) it tracks a little better. Keeping on course required constant edging but with the chop I found it much harder to keep a constant edge and keep the boat stable. I figured in the interest of being able to focus more on the forward stroke I'd put the skeg down. It's there and using it would mean less fatigue on my part allowing me to concentrate on the task at hand so down it went (or so I thought). The skeg deployment didn't seem to make much difference but I didn't really question it (normally it's very obvious). I reached the lighthouse and then east/north east towards West/Misery. About halfway there I caught a glimpse of my skeg slider and noticed it was not where I had put (possibly explaining why it felt like it made no difference). I moved the slider back again and it just sprung back up. OK, something is wrong here. I figured I had a rock or something stuck in my sked although I was curious as to how the heck that would have happened given where I've been recently. Oh well. I guess we're working on edging today instead. Back to the mental thing. It seemed as if I was just hitting a wall and couldn't edge my boat more than half of the angle that I can normally edge it. I attribute this to choppier conditions than I normally practice on and being alone (the latter being a mental issue). I pushed right up to the limits of what I was comfortable with and perhaps a bit beyond resulting in a few well needed low braces to keep the rubber side down. Each time I used the low brace it was automatic and I seemed to surprise myself each time, not because it was automatic, but because it worked and I wasn't upside down practicing my roll. http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0158.gif I arrived at the beach, landed, and got out for a nice stretch. I looked at my stopwatch which indicated that it took me almost exactly an hour. I waded about waste deep for a few minutes to cool myself down and to drink some water. After I had sufficiently cooled down and topped off the tanks I flipped the boat to look at the skeg. No obstructions. Hmmm... I flipped it over again, popped my head in the cockpit and observed the skeg cable as I actuated the slider. AHHHHhhhh... there's the problem. The cable housing was no longer anchored to the slider assembly. I also found a rusted out clip of some sort in my cockpit. I'm guessing this was the culprit. I popped the housing back on and the skeg worked once again but I'm sure that it's temporary. I'm now adding a new item to my kit.... nylon zip ties! I think that would have provided a more robust fix than just relying on a friction fit. A little later a guy walking his gargantuous German Sheppard on the beach approached me and asked to look at my boat. He asked some questions and we chatted for a bit. It turns out he lives near the Salmon River in Colorado and is touring the US enjoying his retirement. He pointed over to his mode of transportation which was a nice touring motorcycle with a sidecar for the dog. I bet the dog is in heaven. It's like the ultimate window to stick your head out of! I ate my second peanut butter granola bar, munched on the Chex mix, drank some more water and decided to head back. With the skeg properly deployed this time it was easier to focus on the forward stroke part of the game. On the way back the wind picked up a bit and I was noticing the ocassional white cap. In addition based on the direction of the boats during my crossing I also was probably going against a little bit of current. I defintiely paddled a lot harder on the way back than I did on the way out but despite the wind and current my return trip was also about an hour. Average heart rate for the entire paddle was 147 peaking at 166 (I wasn't sprinting on the way back but despite the fact that there were hardly any boats out I still wanted to make quick work of crossing the channel). My GPS has finally died on me and I can't revive it this time. I really wish I had more stats (it's a geek thing, it doesn't matter but I like numbers like that). So, to conclude the junk food part of the trip by the time I got the boat back on top of the car and all my gear put away I noticed that the popcorn/ice cream place had opened. I figured if I was gonna eat junk food today I may as well go for broke, besides, I DESERVE a reward for my first solo ocean voyage. I asked for mint chocolate chip (the best flavor ever and if you don't agree with me you're just wrong http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0203.gif ) which they were out of so I opted for a small chocolate chip ice cream instead. It was the perfect end to this trip as it was still warm and sunny out, warm enough that my lick/slurp frequency couldn't keep up with the drip frequency. What I've learned from this outing... I need to work on edging in more challenging conditions. Well, I need to work on a TON of stuff, but that item is something I lack confidence in at the moment. I think this means I need to get my butt to as many SNGs as I possibly can. Cheers, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyork Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Joe, Your trip report reflects my beginner journeys a litle over a year ago. Those initial solo outings take courage, advanced preparation, and most importantly, sound judgement. I think you will soon find yourself venturing out alone more and more, as I do, and realizing that your paddling experiences need not be restricted to the preferable group outings. There's just so much to explore and so little time! Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Joe way to go! I have yet to venture out into the ocean by myself yet Very brave and I think probably one of the reasons you weren't edging your boat as much was knowing that you were out there by yourself and if you go too far over, you've got yourself to count on and that's it. At least I know if I'd been out there by myself there'd be no edging what so ever Very impressive, great job and even more impressive is that you went to a 7am paddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwells Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Good going, Joe! Wish I could have joined you, but it wouldn't have been a solo then... I went out off Pavilion Beach on Tuesday for almost three hours for a lesson with Alex. At some point during this time something "clicked" - I was no longer paying attention to every wiggle, every wave, every heartbeat. I started to enjoy the paddle without thinking about the paddle (I think that will make sense to all.) Your edging comment was what made me smile the most - eaxactly the same feeling I have. One thing to do it at Kingston, another with wind, current, and chop. But now I see the day when that also will be second nature. Once I learn to roll, then I hope to have my first "solo" also. While probably not necessary, I think that having a roll helps with conifdence. But I am so much more enjoying this than even two weeks ago. (Thank you Alex!) Brian P&H Capella 163 Red/White/Black trim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Brian you rock!!! Sounds like it's going great, and other people may disagree, but don't worry about the roll so much. It's the easiest way to recover from tipping over but it's not the only way and for some people (even some of the best paddlers out there) it can take a really long time to get a reliable roll. We can practice the paddle float re-entry and a couple others so you'll have a couple self rescues that you're totally comfortable with while you're working on your roll . . . I'm so psyched to hear that you're feeling more comfortable . . . and one day when you get a new or different boat you get to start with the Jimmy Legs all over again as you learn the new boat (I mention it 'cause that's what I'm going through now with the new Explorer!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwells Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Thanks, Gillian! The desire to learn a roll is also so that when partipating on an SNG or trip one does not have to bother others for a rescue. For practice sessions, a rescue is okay, but I still possess the newbie attitude of "let's not bother the others". Yeah, I know, all of you were once newbies, etc. When I go out to my "personal pond" for practice by myself, I am always practicing solo rescues. Learned a new one on Tuesday to add to the practice. But I would still like to roll like Joe, you, and the others. I know it will happen some day, but I'm taking my time to learn the basics that so far has allowed me to now feel comfortable and confident in the kayak. In fact, on Tuesday I found that when swimming or standing outside the kayak for rescues that I felt much more comfortable inside instead of outside the kayak - more steady instead of nervous. Great feeling, that. Brian P&H Capella 163 Red/White/Black trim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Brian, never let not rolling stop you from going on trips - hey I don't have a roll really and I go on the level 3 stuff - everyone is responsible for themselves but I think it was David (correct me if I'm wrong) who said on a recent SNG thread that "we won't leave you hanging out there" - nobody is ever going to leave a paddler stranded - everyone tries to assess each others skills and would say hey maybe you're not quite ready for this kind of trip, but you should definitely go out there regardless of a roll and remember that we all look after each other when we're on the water - that's the point of going out in groups apart from telling dirty jokes and laughing at each other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwells Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I'll take that as an invitation to look to you for my next rescue. And the one after that, and the one... Well, maybe not a great idea making fun of someone you need to have rescue oneself. Reconsidering... Did I tell you how good you look in the new Explorer? Brian P&H Capella 163 Red/White/Black trim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 OH KEEP TALKING CHARMER!!!!!! You can have all the rescues you want!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shewhorn Posted September 21, 2006 Author Share Posted September 21, 2006 >Did I tell you how good you look in the new Explorer? From what I gather so far if you didn't tell her, she'd be more than happy to tell you or otherwise push you in the water if you don't agree LOL http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/scared/scared0018.gif Cheers, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 hahahahah joe, very funny. and so true. and i'm so tipping you over next paddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Thank God I'm not the jealous type or all would be tipped. FYI, if somehow everyone ends up in the water the next time we go out, it has nothing to do with this. It would just be my attempt at practicing an "all in" rescue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brwells Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 ...and always present is that certain GIANT knife. So, after Kevin tips me, Gillian rescues me, and that will begin an endless cycle. Yippee! Get to learn, real fast. Brian P&H Capella 163 Red/White/Black trim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shewhorn Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 And who's going to rescue Gillian? If any NDK pirates attack my ship I may have to retaliate! http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/fight...ighting0040.gif Cheers, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest _rick Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Should have had a chop suey sandwich at the willows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I've heard this as well...I really need to try that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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