B

Sorry, this one from the PSPN site was so funny, I had to share it.

B

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From: "Scott Thompson"

Date: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:09 am

Subject: Dances with Beaver

Perhaps I would not have mentioned this occurrence, (which will

forever after be refereed to as the "Beaver Incident" within my

circle of friends,) but for the fact that I paddle a wooden boat.

Last Monday I took an evening paddle from Woodinville up the

Sammamish River to Marymoor Park and back. This is a total of

around 10 miles. Referring to the Sammamish River as a "river"

is akin to revering to 7-11 as a restaurant. You can buy stuff to

eat in 7-11 and the Sammamish River has water in it. The river is

more of a trough about 35 feet wide and generally has a barely

perceptible current for most of it.

Last Monday evening was a scorcher and by the time I was a

mile or two into the return trip I was in need of a breather. So I

took my feet off of the foot braces and slid down into the boat and

just drifted a bit. Not long after this I noticed a small beaver

swimming opposite me, giving me a wide berth. I ignored him

and continued my float. Little did I know that the little delinquent

had snuck up behind me until he gave the water a tremendous

whap with this tail about 10 feet from my boat. Being the skilled

paddler that I am I handled this like an Inuit of old. (read: I

nearly

fell out of the boat)

Lest I fall pray to any more marine rodent shenanigans I sat up

properly in the boat and continued paddling. Even I, a dumb city

boy, know that beavers slap their tails on the water as a warning

to invaders of their territory but a mile or two down the route I was

thinking about that beaver laughing himself sick back in the

reeds someplace. "If that ever happens again", I thought to

myself, "I think I will answer him with a whap of my own by

slapping my paddle blade on the water". After all, if we allow

such creatures to run roughshod over a kindly kayaker what is

next? If I remember correctly the Spanish/American War was

started over a similar incident. (I could be a little off

here-history

is not my strong suit)

Well, being taught that a good kayaker should always practice

his or her skill set in calm conditions I thought that I should give

a good slap or two. I raised my paddle and brought the blade

down quick emitting a satisfying crack on the water. That was so

nice that I thought I would give it another one for good measure.

As soon as the blade hit the water the second time the world's

largest beaver, about the size of a manatee, came charging out

of the bushes that line the river toward my beloved wooden boat.

Like a scene from Jaws!

I don't, or at least I didn't up until that time, have any irrational

fear

of beavers but anything charging at you suddenly from a blind 20

feet away can cause you to pause. (read: need to change your

wetsuit)

Well I believe that the behemoth of beavers must have thought

initially that I was a rival come to give him the business. Once he

was within 10 feet of my boat he realized that I was not worth the

trouble, did a U-turn and let me go on my way. And I, with a bit of

an adrenaline rush, did just that.

Scott

Pockets are great to have to carry extra stuff, but always remember that anything you add to the FRONT of your PFD could hinder your getting back into the boat on a rescue. I would be more likely to add a Lotus backpack, as I use, or a small Eagle Creek belt pocket to the straps on the SIDE of the vest.

B

There will be a next time damn it!

B

J

Left it behind. I don't want to take up any potential paddling days with it. You need to get out more. I'll fix it on return. For now, the JBWeld repair stick is doing just fine

B

If you've got the time I'll bring the Explorer. I've got the $$$. I'll make it worth your while! You can fix my neck gasket at the same time.

Otherwise I was leaving the boat here for repair. I sure would love to have my own boat later in the week to run over the rear deck of that PT.

B

You mean the Skunk boat still lives?

Hey Dave, don't I still owe you a lesson for those tires?

B

Years ago John Leonard installed a much needed graphite embedded keel strip on one of my Gulfstreams. My Explorer is quickly becoming a victim of my need to play again. I tried to be nice to it for the first couple of years, but my rockfinding abilities have been rekindled.

What does it take to embed the graphite?

B

Ben

Please email me the info @ paddleseattle@yahoo.com

B

The first trip that formed the INSANE was something like that for at least me. We had paddled up the Merrimac on a cooold New Years Day in 98 when the tide turned and with the wind and tide moving it towards the sea, pack ice came flowing down the river at speed, causing the group to scramble to avoid it. Some headed for open water, others for shore east of the Rt. 95 bridge. I on the otherhand headed for the closest eddy. BIG MISTAKE!

I was quickly trapped by the ice and it was getting farther and farther from me to open water the longer I waited. I tried using my paddle as you did only to fail. I then resorted to shuffling ACROSS the TOP of the ice with my gloved hands. Lucky for me I was paddling a boat with a flatter bottom. All the while I was watching the bouy in the river being driven under the ice by the current and ice until it finally disappeared completely. It took what felt like forever to get to open water and freedom.

Lesson learned: Run like hell for the open sea, not the eddy. We all heard it before we could see it coming around the corner. It's a sound that I'll always remember.

B

Thanks all

Looks like I'll be looking at the ICOM line and then sending my HX350 to the factory for work. The AA battery compartment seals gave way in the Cal surf and I've been running on the NiCad pak since. I've always liked the option of AAs for longer trips. I'm not one to keep a radio in a bag, especially when it's SUPPOSED to be submersible. Better protected and working than dead I guess. At least I'll have a spare.

I like the way Brian has set up the shoulder system for radios. I used to duct tape radios to a set of ammo belt suspenders when I was in the military.

Many thanks,

B

Which VHF radios have NSPN members had success with and why?

B

Dear EXNSPNer

NSPN has always been a place where one can feel free to post their opinion with the fear of being "flamed" by others of differing opinion. I would personally appreciate it if you wouldn't bring this type of behavior to our home. In return, I promise not to come to your home and do the same in front of your family.

If you would like to discuss this further, you can call me at 206-321-0011.

Respectfully,

Bob Burnett

Congrats old friend! I'll follow you anywhere, in any conditions.

B

Author Rick Crangle

Date/Time 01-03-04, 09:01 AM (EDT)

Message

I’ve been with this club since the turn of the century, sounds impressive doesn’t it, but it is a very brief time, just a trick of words, and NSPN has only just started. One thing is a fact in my life though, in addition everything I have with my wife and work, that I now have more friends than I ever thought I would. This loose cadre of ever growing friendships is now part of what defines who I am in a way I would not have predicted. You are part of my life and I don’t say that lightly. If you find something that is worthwhile in its simplicity, that enriches your life by just participating, can you deny it a place? I don’t mean kayaking, because I hope there is something that is more than this activity alone. I am talking about the interaction that is found between ourselves and our environment, oneself, the water beneath our boat, and the friend we choose to be there with. I will not deceive myself with any more importance given to this activity on the sea, it is not for defense of family and country, or food on the table, we are not obliged to be there. I will not give it less importance due to the people that I am fortunate to be there with. As much as I enjoy kayaking I can not share it, if I don’t have anyone to share with. I do kayak alone, and love it, yet, you can tell a story to someone who doesn’t speak your language and something is always lost no matter how you hard you try, or loud you talk. I like sharing what we do, even when there is nothing said, just being part is more than needs to be said.

That is my selfish reason for being as active as I can in this organization, it is for what I get out of the membership, in the true meaning of that word. There is always someone new to meet and always someone to learn from and with, and a common language, kayaking and the sea. So, keeping this group together, and growing, is important to my life, not the organization, the people. We are not a website, we are the people that give it meaning every post, and we are not a certified 501©)(3) non-profit status under section 170 of the internal revenue service code, we are friends paddling together on any Saturday you can remember or haven’t had yet. That is worth keeping alive, worth helping to grow, and worth participating in. I’m not going to tell you that I know how to address some of the conflicts that we have as a growing organization, but just remind you of what I think we have to win or lose. It is a new year, good time to work out our minor differences. This is not work, the only work is having fun. We need to loosen our grip a little, a light grasp of the paddle will get you a lot farther, on a long day on the water.

We require only one skill... that you come back, and charge one duty... that all come back.

Rick

Are those that introduce such bills not seeing the root cause? Maybe those that are in control of larger, more powerful vessels:

1) Shouldn't consume intoxicating substances and control these vessels.

2) Simply pay attention to where they are going.

Maybe kayakers should simply stay out of the channels and away from high traffic areas and maybe be required to learn the rules of the road. It's working for cyclists.

Flags? Am I missing something?

NSPN, RICKA, CONNYAK, BSKC, and other large clubs have the combined resources to create and promote a solid educational program that should be required before a person takes to the waters in a kayak.

NSPN has produced a safety brochure for the masses, maybe it's time to unite the clubs in New England or even the country to form a stronger force against such thoughtless bills. The internet really does make the world a small place.

Where is the ACA in this fight? Aren't our dues supposed to work for us?

B

Now I realize that I haven't written any trip reports in my almost 3 yr. absence from the east coast; usually it was because I didn't have the time to write anything in detail. My recent trip 4+ hours from my home in Seattle doesn't require a lot of detailed navigation info as my 10 day San Juans trip does. I'll write that soon, I promise.

Earl called to see if I was up for a few days surfing in Makah Bay on the Northwest Coast of Washington. Since I have no job to go to, I thought I'd at the least go for the trip. We headed out on Wed., stopping at Crecent Beach just west of Port Angeles to check the surf conditions. Crecent is about 50 miles east from the mouth of the Straits Of San Juan Defuca. The beach had 3-4 ft. surf. We kept going towards Makah.

Our arrival at Makah was late, around 3pm. We were expecting Barry, a Port Angeles Paddler to join us, he hadn't arrived yet. Earl decided to take me on a hike to the end of the trail at Cape Flattery while we waited for Barry to arrive. We drove 5 miles and then hiked out another 1/2 mile to the point.

Cape Flattery is the Northwestern most point of the continental US, bordered to the east by Neah Bay and to the south by Makah Bay and home to the Makah Tribe. When we reached the end of the trail, I was in quickly transported back to my memories of the wild and remote areas of the Maine Coast during a storm. Unlike those memories, it wasn't stormy here. The conditions were mild with an 8 ft swell. From the point, I could see sea caves and arches that were screaming to be played in and explored. I had been to the Mendecino coast in the fall to explore the sea caves, but conditions then were benign.

In talking with Earl we both thought that an assault of the Cape was going to be our plan for the next day if Barry showed up. A storm was approaching, but I had no problems with this trip unless the others did. Earl was a 4 Star paddler and an avid big water kayak surfer. Barry I hadn't met yet, but Earl vouched for his skills since they done their ICE together and Barry had spent time open water paddling with Chris Duff. Barry arrived later that night and we agreed that Cape Flattery was our goal for Thursday.

The morning came with a pre storm calmness that was almost scary. The forecast was calling for 12ft. swell and 15-25 knot NE winds. We knew this would be a one way trip if we departed from Neah Bay. We decided to go from East to west and then south to Makah Bay to use the wind to our advantage. The trip itself was only around 10 miles, but there would be no bail outs anywhere along the way other than Tatoosh Island that layed a mile off Cape Flattery; if that were the case we be landing in wind driven waves and refraction on the east side.

Out around the breakwater at Neah Bay and into the swell we rode. At one point a sweel so large rose up to break on the island at the end of the breakwater that was easily 20-25 ft. That one got everyone's attention as we wove our way through the boomers in the Strait. Every ledge, reef, and rock became a lesson in the power of the sea for Earl who had spent little time in such conditions.

Barry was a bit uncomfortable, but he had spent plenty of time sailing the west coast, so he knew what to expect. As we paddled the wind grew stronger and our speed increased. We were on the last couple of hours of the ebb tide which also help move us along.

Upon reaching The caves and arches at Cape Flattery, it was clear that the sea conditions, an ever steepening 12+ ft swell was going to yield to our desire to explore the caves and arches. Carefully we threaded our way through the rocks of the Cape to find the small somewhat protected beach in the lee of the big breakers. I needed to pee and I wasn't wearing my wetsuit. Having experience landing on the Cal coast in dumping waves, this looked easy. I decided though that it might be best to land backwards so I could keep me eyes on the incoming dangers. A quick landing and departure had us moving again towards Makah Bay. It would be another 4 miles before landing.

Most of the west shore of Cape Flattery is covered by a rock garden about 1/8 of mile from shore setting up a dangerous landing in these conditions. Although we were now in the lee of the wind, the swell steepend as we approached Makah Bay. The last few miles was like slidding down a snow hill in both directions. We finished our trip landing in heavy surf on the south end of Makah Bay. Luckily, I enjoy paddling through the surf zone backwards, so I was able to roll under the biggest stuff. I was just worried about blowing out my back again as I had done in the Cal surf.

Earl and Barry blasted into the beach and then went back out for more. The trip for me was fun. For Earl and Barry, it was a learning experience. I just kept thinking how great the trip would have been with the likes of my hardcore friends back east. You know who you are.

Bob Burnett

Right on! Just don't forget Bob and Geri Hayes had a big part in starting the club. It was Bob's 40+ trips schedule that I became the default leader on that first year and almost lost my marriage.

The nine day trip to Maine didn't help either.

B

My Yahoo profile got hijacked and I have lost access.

Please subscribe PaddleSeattle@yahoo.com and unsubscribe Cqyaka@yahoo.com

Many thanks,

B

In my response to Jim's resignation, I was so angry that I forgot to thank him for his efforts on our behalf. Now with Lisa's departure, I am only saddened. Lisa, Jim, thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of the members of NSPN. Having given so unselfishly of your time to keep our paddling home and family growing and active can only be highly commended. Thank you, thank you, thank you, a thousand times over. I hope that paddling with NSPN for you two becomes fun again.

Now dawns a new day in NSPN's life. Time for the voices of critisism to stand up and put forth their efforts towards changing the things they feel needs changing. Get out there and make a difference, but keep one thing in mind...it's all about our members and their needs.

Let's get back to the basics,

Bob

I've started another group, yes another group, that will benefit it's members through free and open communication. I wish I had this group when I was working on my certifications.

It's open to all that teach sea kayaking, certified or not. You just have to be willing to share your knowledge if you are experienced or keep an open mind if you are seeking knowledge.

Group description:

Our community is open to all Sea Kayak Instructors and Coaches to share ideas on learning, teaching and coaching. It is my hope that all members will benefit from the open and free communication resulting from this group for the overall benefit of our sport.

Instructor/Coach aspirants are welcome and encouraged.

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SKICF

Bob Burnett

It's a sad day when I see someone who has worked so hard at trying to do his best for our club depart due to crappy politics. Jim is one of my closest friends within NSPN and a former student. Since my departure in 2001, I've spent hours on the phone with Jim discussing club happenings and goings on. Some of you think Jim was a hard ass in his execution of his position. As much as it kills me to see how complicated it's become, it's still our club; it just happens to be a business that needs to be run properly. In most cases, he was just maintaining precident.

There were many things these days that are at issue with the BOD, most have unfortunately been inherited from the 1st BOD. How they meet, where they meet, how elections were executed and how often Board members held their positions were all thanks to the first two generations of the Board. This Board unfortunately is just following precident.

Sure, change is good, but not at the expense of our friends. I have many friends on both sides of the political stand off and it doesn't make me happy to see them pitted against each other. As for what I can see from some of the recent posts, there isn't too many people responding to Bob Baldridge in regards to issues they are concerned with. Look, if all you do is piss and moan on our beloved message baord and don't follow up with action, you're no better than the people(my friends)you're bitching about.

I've asked the board to try and get back to basics. I'd like to see the club take a break from all commercial offerings, and start spending the membership money for a scholarship fund as I had dreamed when we started the club.

You, the membership, is driving this change through your actions. Don't shoot your mouths off and when it's time to do some work, say it's someone elses problem. That's just wrong! You wanted this, now get off your asses and do something about it.

Just remember, the folks on the other side of the table are my friends, and yours.

Politics ruins everything!

Bob Burnett

Founder NSPN

NDK Explorer - all compartments are bone dry.

CD Gulfstream - a little leaky in the fore and aft compartments.

B

Mark

Go visit one of NSPN's original trouble makers @ EMS in Hingham. Braintree resident John Leonard has been haunting the southern waters for many years now. He might need a little roughing up, but you can get him to show up on S&Gs from time to time. Especially if it has anything to do with surf or fast currents. If he shows up in his Pintail, he likes having his rear deck used as a speed bump; look closely, you'll see my mark.

If you have the skills, a S&G in Woods Hole usually brings out the beasts of NSPN, if the water is big and fast that day.

A membership roster was thought about in the early days, but privacy was the important theme back then. We didn't want to be the cause of anyone getting spammed. Times have changed. The club I'm affiliated with now, Washington Kayak Club prints an annual membership roster which only includes members that have their dues in by the 1st of Feb. If you join or renew after that, you lose. Most members don't allow their e-mail addresses to be used either. They're still relying more on paper than the web and they are the oldest/largest kayak club in the country.

B

No leaks, no soft spots in the hull, few flaws indeed. I haven't used the skeg yet, even in 40 knot beam winds. It might have been luck, but I don't want to try for those odds again. Besides, it has a very special story behind it.

Bob Burnett

A Proud NDK Explorer Owner

See it as a support group! I wouldn't give mine up for anything.