bob budd

Aside from the revelation that answers.com is a poor dictionary I don't understand what "small subculture" you are referring to.

The Coast Guard explicitly asks that you only fire a flare in a real emergency. They also ask that you call to report firing a flare so they can call off any search activity it initiates.

From the coast guard, "Do not shoot off expired flares. The Coast Guard recommends that you dispose of them at your local fire department or contact your closest Coast Guard station and ask if they hold flare training/demonstration days for the public." (The Orion site mentions donating them to the CG for this purpose.) With the upcoming weekend I am curious if someone put you up to posting this question.

>...you'll...be...with more experienced paddlers... Carry your own safety equipment and never depend on others to provide said equipment for you. You could get separated in fog, something could happen that some of the group need to take someone to shore and you are left without the gear you depended on, etc.

The URL http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/ displays a map of the coast. Click on an area on land and get the typical Mish Michaels (or pick your favourite weatherperson stalkee) report. Click on an are on the water and get the marine forecast showing expected winds and water. Try to look at the trends of the winds before and after you paddle for several reasons. One is that things can change during the day and this gives you some warning of shifting winds. The last time we were out we followed a forecast of SW winds, heading into the wind for an easy return. Another thing is that the forecasts will change over the course of a day and a week. This need not chasten you but serves to reinforce the dynamic nature of New England weather. One advantage to a "SINK" boat is the option to dip into the water in a roll or to skull over on your side. This allows one to cool off and thus dress on the warm side, which I consider safest. This means making sure you have enough water, always good practice. There is a recent thread regarding dress that might give you further insight on dress. P.S. - When Brian ends up inverted he always "says" its intentional.

>...my learned friend Kates >refer to "the Rolls Royce of replacement backbands", did he >not?... I think he did it to provoke a spelling lesson, feeling left out as he hasn't gotten one yet.

Interested in Greenland Strokes Maneuvering / Rolling BCU training if Greenland Rough water training Rocks, Ledges, and Surfing

Ever since we were in Boston Harbour this past fall I have been using a paddle float as a back band. This was originally just a replacement strategy but I see little reason to return to a backband. It is very comfortable and can be adjusted without tools. Something to consider in lieu of a painful trip while you are working out the details on whatever course you choose.

NO GUINNESS?!

Yakima sells the units that attach to rain gutters, roof racks, etc. separately. I don't know if you bars will fit inside them. The Yakima site has a pretty extensive list of compatible vehicles. They are the only company I have experience with.

David, I never took you for a sensitive guy. I wasn't calling you out personally. Considering how the club might look if everyone washed their gear at the beach is a similar sentiment to parking our cars in at the put-in. We present a positive public image by tidying up, and doing most anything else, using minimal resources.

I responded to "wash my boat and gear". I recall the day when we took all the stuff out at home and rinsed it. When we realized the water used we started filling up a bucket and dunking things. This got old (and cold in the fall/winter) and now we only rinse(wet/dry suits)/wash(fleece) the things that touch our skin. I don't even rinse my boat of sand, mud, etc. It has been appropriately named.

I would suggest that, especially given the number of paddlers likely to be there on Saturday, that we not use the faucet to wash off our gear or boats. This is a public water supply, we should wash our gear at home rather than use the public resources at this or any put-in. If you need to wash your boat you can do so at either beach and carry the rinsed boat over the mud/sand.

I think Jeff Casey should post pictures of his "roof rack".

I can recommend the Subaru Forester. The rack is rated to carry three typical kayaks. We do this with one set of saddles and the vertical bar system. If putting the boat up alone we set the bow on the rollers in back and make no/minimal contact with the rear door then lift the rear and slide it on the car. It takes care and practice but after my first attempt this winter (Rodney's nose job) I have loaded and unloaded my Orion in the driveway. Dee has had no incidents with her Currituck or her Yar. The Yakima systems are well made and work well. I also know where you can get one (a Forester) used.

So I was out on Lake Cochituate today and somebody says its difficult to roll a Pungo. Wouldn't you know, there was a pungo at the beach. By now somewhat bored with monitoring the parade of novices trying out boats at the party, I decided to give it a go. I recall rolling my Easky in the pool after Jeff Casey and I swamped it, hatches and all. So the open cockpit didn't seem to be a big deal. When I got in there was enough of a lip on the deck/cockpit to get some grip with my thighs. I thought about paddling out to a deeper point but stayed relatively close to shore, afterwards this turned out to be a fortuitous choice. When I capsized I nearly came out of the cockpit. I pulled my butt back in, did a sweep that did Chris Thomas' teaching proud, and up I came. Without flotation, however, I was now sitting in a boat inclined more or less at 45 degrees and floating only by virture of the air bubble in the bow. While it was difficult to paddle and rather prone to capsize, I managed to get the boat to shore where we got the water out of it. I originally thought of posting this in a trip report for the day but we didn't see any whales.

Got home last night after playing b-ball and found a third victim for my latest half-day escapade. Passed on the particulars and checked the weather again, still moderate but acceptable S or SW winds. My original intent of going up the coast towards Gloucester had already evolved into exploring the Salem Sound archipelago should we wish to ride the wind back to the put-in. My aching wrist, the victim of a bone collision during a pick from which there was no clear winner, gave me slight pause. Morning began with early light, I crawled from the sack at 6AM. Having packed the night before I had time to recheck e-mail and the weather report. A confirmation from our fourth from the former, more or less the same story from the latter. The sticky, wet, air made me wonder if we would end up in the midst of a pop-up thunderstorm. I got out of the house in good time and thought I was the first one to the launch. The fire engine red boat, already in the water and airing out what turned to be a new boat, was our third. While I unloaded Roger came back to the launch, Walter arrived, and Jason arrived last. Jason was paddling his new Shadow, actually the second delivered to him the first having arrived looking not unlike a somewhat famous Outer Island. We four were soon in the water and headed out of the harbour. As we emerged from the mouth of the harbour the forecast wind was there, the water having a playful swell. We headed towards Misery Island passing to the northeast of the island. Our next stop was the Gooseberries, eschewing Wilbur's swimming spot for a pile of rocks peeking its head above the low tide. We spent some time discussing Roger’s first survival suit/dry suit and other important topics. Walter handed out energy bars to all takers. As the rising tide shrank the rock pile we returned to the water. We headed out to the Breakers, happening upon some seals, then headed back around Baker’s and went between the Misery Islands. With the wind at our backs, the cloudy skies clearing, and the sun rising in the sky the temperatures had some of us sculling down to dip our arms and torsos. As we headed through the harbour to the put-in we passed a few stink boaters. We all noticed the young woman sitting in the back of one boat, she wasn’t wearing a PFD. We saw another pair heading out in open cockpit boats, Walter got close enough to check for PFDs and exchanged pleasantries. Jason carried a GPS, it credited us with 10 nm. As with other morning excursions, I stood at my rig packing the gear and wishing I could stay out in the sun and water.

Since the "twig" has been broached I will pass on that we built a GP to the dimensions in the popular white paper and found the loom was too short. A second GP for me would be built a bit longer. The solstice weekend is certainly the largest single gathering of NSPNers each year and usually includes the most experienced (and opinionated) paddlers.

http://www.vancourier.com/issues03/011103/sports.html

Departing from Manchester (by-the-Sea) at 8AM to return by noon. Likely course is up the coast to Kettle Island, perhaps take in Misery Island, Gooseberries, etc. The usual protocols.

>Does anyone have any good techniques in approaching people to >mention something? Stick to facts such as hypothermia, make it relevant to the existing water temperatures as regards dress. It's important to phrase it as this is what happens if rather than this is what you are doing wrong. Perhaps they would better accept the risk if you discuss what they know about getting back into their boat in the event of a capsize. The issue of how to call for help if they were stranded might peek their interest. > What have some of the reactions been? I've never spoken to a poorly prepared paddler but having addressed similar concerns in other contexts there is the expected range of reactions. If someone doesn't want to listen you have to respect their privacy. >Any thoughts? If I take it upon myself to speak to someone, and I would have this weekend if it hadn't been so comfortable lying in the sun on that rock, I would do it hoping to save someone's life. The worst thing you are likely to get is a few rolling eyes at which point you move on and know that you did your best.

>...a casual, personal choice... The choice of how to dress for paddling is not at all casual. It is, however, entirely personal. >...60F...50F...45... There are no absolutes. Someone swam in the ocean this weekend in bikini undies and seemed no worse for the wear, the goal being acclimation to the water. (To me swimming essentially naked in 50ish water is definitely a personal choice.) The enemy is hypothermia. You need to undertsnd your limits and research/recognize the realities. There is so much more to know than the water temperature. My dry gloves worked well all winter except when I was paddling into even a modest wind. Consider taking a dip at the lake and/or in the ocean in controlled conditions. If/when you do so in your boat the first time, consider removing the skirt first. Consider testing your gear before comitting to being on the water in current and future conditions. The silent and/or self-imposed peer pressure of the group can lead to an unwillingness to complain.

...Looking for advice...often the opening to an extended and lively discussion. I have paddled for several years and will tell you what works for me. Before I go on you need to understand that I am the sort of person who doesn't want to have any more gear than necessary, a rarity in this club/sport. Further I generally dress for the water, not the air, i.e. I am usually dressed on the warm side. This can mean you consume a fair amount of water, an issue if you are paddling away from a ready supply. The warmth provides a ready excuse to keep up on sculling and rolling. Another approach is to work harder to warm up. I'd rather have the option of conserving energy or matching pace with fellow paddlers. Enough philosophy. I, like most of the paddlers, own a "farmer john" wetsuit. I have seen these without zippers that cost less. Consider the difficulty of putting on/taking off the suit. The wetsuit maintains a thin layer of water between body and suit that the body can warm. As such the suit should fit snugly to the body. (You may notice how the suits can complement the wearer.) Upon entry to the water there is generally a flushing of fresh water into the suit, so the better the fit the less of a shock entry to the water is and the less energy you use staying afloat/alive. At minimum I wear a "first layer" (low-weight fleece) long sleeve top under the wet suit. I have a thin, long-sleeve, neoprene shirt and a paddle jacket. The paddle jacket generally has a closure mechanism at the neck and wrists that discourages water entry but is nothing like a gasket. Depending on the weather I can put on one or more of these layers. I wear water shoes. I have both wide and thick feet and booties are simply not an option. I have found that Merrell and Solomon are comfortable. If you intend to land where rocks are you want to make sure have stiffness in the sole and toe protection. I wear paddling gloves. I used to paddle with those modern paddles with smooth shafts and found my hands didn't grip well after applying sun screen. I now use the one true paddle and my hands are continuously in the water. You also get some protection from barnacles, etc. I'd rather deal with the modest increase of heat, though consider how you feel paddling with and without gloves. Comfort and tactile feel are very important. I wear cheap sunglass with a tether. I often keep them on well after I'm inside and can't figure out why its so dark. I also wear a hat, a few years ago I realized I cannot go outside without a hat. Cheaper than the Rogaine cocktail (did you know that rogaining is the sport of long distance cross-country navigation in which teams of two to five members visit as many checkpoints as possible in twenty-four hours?) With tethers comes the potential entanglement hazard.

There is no curse in bad judgement. While the girls lost and the boys found were young and prone to such lapses, others should not be. Yesterday we watched roughly a dozen paddlers land on Straitsmouth Island. We were swimming a bit and even with the wet suit I found the water quite a thrill. Nary a one of them wore more than a t-shirt. They were all wearing PFDs except the golden lab.

Tourists and boaters alike in the North Shore tremble when they hear of the headless kayaker. Those who have seen this phantom say it stumbles about in a dry suit, flails its arms wildly, and says "It's dark in hear". Those who look upon it are said to be turned to jelly, unable to contain their mirth. Take care, you may be the next.