B

My thoughts are with you all in the wake of this storm. I hope you are all OK. Perhaps even getting out to enjoy some of what we have here in the Northwest. SURFS UP!!! Seriously, I hope you are all well.

Yay, for practice in conditions!!!

Here in Puget Sound the tidal flows create some pretty strong currents creating boils either as a product of whirlpools or water being forced to the surface by flowing over a drastic decrease in depths. Whirlpools , created in our case by two opposing directions (current and back eddy) of moving water, creates a vortex sucking the water towards the bottom. The water that was pulled down by the vortex is then released at the bottom of the vortex to create a boil as the released water reaches the surface. In less restricted areas, the flowing currents simply flow over sharp increases in the bottoms contour pushing the water to the surface near that point. We literally have small mountains under the surface here in Puget Sound specifically around the San Juan Islands where I teach expeditioning classes with an emphasis on currents. Bob Burnett

That's the Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium in San Francisco next week(end. If you do, I've got the Lagavulin or I can buy you a beer if you like. I'll be there on Monday. 206-321-0011

For DUMPERS, forwards is faster and safer in my book. On the back of Big and Dumpy here on the left coast. Side surfing leaves you with nowhere to run. If you survive the first one the next is going to suck you out and crush you. Back paddling is great for landing in big stuff. It gives you the power to paddle into an oncoming breaker to maintain some control. The secret to backpaddling is practice Derek Hutchinson always made a big deal of learning to backpaddle with gusto and control. I have great control thanks to Derek's insistance and practice. As for landing using the backshoot technique, you simply backpaddle until you just reach the breakzone. After an almost breaking wave passes under you, SPRINT! Keeping an eye on the next wave for the break. If you aren't clear of the break, sprint forward to give yourself control or if you must, reach beyond the breakzone, and repeat until you are on the beach safely. BB

I wish you all well in the new year and am hoping to pass your way this year for some fun. Bob Burnett

You actually wash your kayak? No rudder, no skeg, just learn to paddle properly.

Here is a picture from Yellow Bluff on the inside of the GG bridge from that weekend. I had the pleasure of meeting but not paddling with Peter since we were in different sessions. I can corroborate the conditions as described by Peter. Yellow Bluff is a small version of Woods Hole on a good day. It's best experienced of a strong ebb with a reasonable swell coming in the Gate.

John I work for George Gronseth and there has been talk in conjunction with SK mag to produce volume 2 of Deep Trouble. I can put you in touch with the right people out here if one of you wanted to take on the task of an eastcoast edition. Bob Burnett

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Looks like I stepped in it again. My apologies to Kevin and Gillian. I didn't know it wasn't public. I'm going paddling now and staying off this friggin board. Too much drama for me. Happy trails, BB

As I see it, you don't need me to kick start the machine. All you all need is desire and a little time. As is said, "Many hands make for lite work." The old NSPN wasn't the work of one person, it took many dedicated members to make the machine work. From what I'm hearing(just stories), Kevin left the presidents position because you all weren't happy with his work. Let me say this again. One person can't do all the work! Harsh? YES. Reality, YES. I don't know anything but what I've been told so I can't make any judgments. You've taken action, now it's time to step up and put your money where your mouth is. Step up or shut up! Here's the challenge: 10 members = 20 trips @ 2 trips each. If you want to do more go for it. On each trip occurs a SOLO. That's a Sudden Onset Learning Opportunity, or as some call it here, Sudden Hazardous Incident Training or SHIT. Also during each trip someone teaches a stroke for all to practice during the trip. Remember that "follow the leader" exercise Mike spoke of? 5 members teach a focused 4 hour rescue session or a focused stroke session. The point is - If you build it they will come. It may take a little time, but if you work together as we did in the early days you can have an active healthy club again. Oh, one more really important thing. "Politics ruins everything" BB

Why not subscribe? http://www.oceanpaddlermagazine.co.uk/shop...;products_id=29

As long as you are buying the Guinness all week brother. You BTW, are first on the hitlist. Maybe I'll just have Alex take you down Joking aside, not all students benefit from my style, but the hungry, focused ones do. Most have had serious coaching in their past and get it. B

As usual........YOU ARE THE MAN! Thank you for all of your hardwork. B

I made my statement based on what I've heard from others that remembered the old days and from the level 4 trip I was on last summer when I was kept in check by Rick. I was surprised and disappointed at not being allowed to instigate a little practice. Afterward hearing statements like "we just don't do that anymore" bothered me. Where does the important learning come from if not the leaders? Is everyone having to pay for training when it's at your fingertips? The learning needs to start at the lowest level trips. Hell, I used to bail out of my boat on simple trips around a protected harbor and make people rescue me. It's the simple things that count. Press the fundamentals. Getting sharked is for those game, for those that are in the arena of combat conditions. Scenario based training should be included in every trip, by every leader. My point is that it's the simple things that count. The water is 50 degrees on average year round here and I'm in the water all the time. My point is simply to "teach for independence". Sometimes that has to be instigated. B

Hi all It was apparent during my visit last summer that the character of the club had changed drastically. When I talked about setting off a little rescue practice in some bumpy water I was given the evil eye and told not to. It was my intent when the club was started to practice an important skill, rescues, by providing intentional practice sessions through causing chaos whenever possible. To some this method wasn't attractive, but others seemed to thrive on it. It was the "OTHERS" that became the stronger leaders and teachers in the club back then. Where is the club now that they are not participating? Please go back to your roots. The warmer side of NSPN does no one any good. My students here on the west coast thrive on "the shark in the shallows" or as you all used to call it "getting Bob'd". I don't do it out of the need to be mean. I want you all to become stronger. Sometimes that means a little push is needed for practice to begin. Don't enable dependence, Teach for independence. That used to be the NSPN way. It's up to you to carry on the tradition. B

Press Release Boston Bob Burnett joins the Kayak Academy Knowing that this amazing sea kayak teacher's experience and philosophy of "Combat Kayaking" would fit in well with ours, we asked Bob to join us in the middle of last summer to teach tidal rapids and surf for George Gronseth (Deep Trouble) at The Kayak Academy in Seattle. This year he will be working full time teaching and leading Tidal Rapids at Deception Pass and Surf Survival, as well as programs new to the Kayak Academy. This year he will be teaching a 5 day San Juan Islands Expeditions classes for paddlers proficient with basic strokes and are fairly paddling fit for 15 mile days in loaded boats. The focus will be on building SOLO expedition skills in a dynamic environment of wind, 3-4 knot currents with plenty of tidal rips. Although the San Juan Islands are not as remote as the Kayak Academy's Open Coast trip in Sitka AK, they offer some of the most challenging paddling in currents and beautiful scenery in the Northwest. We have also added more Tidal Rapids classes as a follow up to our 5 day training class for those that are ready for learning to handle currents of 6+ knots in our famous Deception Pass. Bob is also leading and teaching one of the more challenging trips that a sea kayaker can do in the Northwest. The Famous "Cattle Pass" trip from Anacortes to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. This one day journey of 23 nm will take you south across busy Rosario Straits on a 3+ knot, sometimes wind opposed, current and then through the famous boat eating Cattle Pass with currents running 4-5 knots with all it's standing waves and kayak sized whirlpools on the way to our take out. You just never know what you'll get for conditions on this challenging journey. Bob will be doing what he does best, pushing you to the limits and beyond, challenging you every step of the way, building new skills around every corner. Also, being the worlds largest and most experienced retailer of Kokatat Drysuits in the world, you may also even hear Bob's voice on the other end if you call us to register for classes. Please watch for our NEW website and on-line store coming soon at WWW.KayakAcademy.com

CG Video of the boat attempting to be recovered. http://www.youtube.com/uscgimagery

Hey all I'm working for teaching for the Kayak Academy for my second season. Check us out on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kayak-Academy/65918031829 Bob Burnett

Ross, I wish you were out here to paddle with us. You'd fit right in to our gang.

Next stop......Vineyard Sound

Crescent Beach Washington that is Sat and Sun. Be there.

Having paddled some of the best of both coasts I miss what home has to offer. The Maine coast is a fond memory that I hope someday to return to for a long summer of paddling with my friends.

I concur, Derek may have an attitude, but many of us have benefited from his teaching and philosophies first hand. I engaged him to teach several classes here last fall and he is still one of the best even at 75.