Bill Gwynn

I just charted it out on my Blue Charts on the computer and got 19 miles around.

We met at Back Beach at 10:00am, and headed out to Staitsmouth Light in search of some fun amoung the rocks. There wasn't much to be had, but we made the most of what was there. A lonely seal popped up right in front of me with a look on his face that said, "what are you doing on my wave". I managed to get my camera out for a quick shot. We then headed straight across to Thatcher Island, there we some decent 2 foot swells that made it at least a little interesting. Once we got to Thatchers, there was a big sign at the boat ramp that said "Island Closed", we stopped for just a minute, then headed across to Lands End, we just peeked around the corner there, then decided to head back towards Loblolly Cove where we stopped for a nice lunch break. After lunch we followed the coast back towards Straitsmouth, and then back out to the light to see if the waves were any better, no such luck, but once again, we made the best of it, and had some fun. After a time check, we started to head back (5 hour time limit on the parking meter), on the way there was a adolescent seal hauled out on the rocks, we stopped for some pictures, and this young seal actually seemed to pose for his photo. We took a quick tour through Rockport Harbor, then back to the put-in. Total distance about 11 miles. Here's a link to the pics i took. [http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/080104]

LOL, I was in a Frenzy this morning, but after a relaxing day in and around Marblehead with my wife, I'm felling much better now. It was pretty windy, so we didn't go too far, but it was nice just to be on the water.

Some of these comments may seem obvious, but here goes. Should you learn to roll first, or get your bracing/sculling down first. My reasoning was if I could learn to roll, then I could practice bracing/sculling and if I fell over I could just roll up. Well, that was good in theory, but in reality...not so good. I took rolling lessons over the winter, and by the end of my second lesson, I had it down pretty good, I did like 10 in a row. I was learning the sweep roll as taught in "The Kayak Roll" video. It's easy when you are in a nice warm pool and have someone there coaching you and reminding you to setup correctly, proper blade angle, keep your head down etc. Well, once spring came, and I got out on the ocean, I decided I would try out my roll. 10 tries, 1 sucessful roll, damn that water is cold. I couldn't understand what happened, I thought I had it down pat. Well, over the past 4 months, I have attempted my roll every time I go out, and I was lucky if I got 1 out of 3 attempts. So, more recently I have been concentrating more on bracing/sculling. Started with low braces/sculling, then moved to extended paddle high bracing/sculling, and then just last week high braces/capsize recoveries. I did these over and over on BOTH sides. This high brace is basically the finish of a roll, I would fall over so far that my shoulder would actually go into the water, then high brace back up. Today, I went down to my local pond to specifically practice my roll, well wouldn't you know, I was rolling like crazy, on both sides even! It was like everything just all of a sudden came together. For me, the most beneficial excersise was the extended paddle bracing/sculling/rolling. I had this misconception that extended paddle maneuvers were for wimps, but in reality using the extended paddle allows you to get your boat completly over and back up with all that extra support you get from the extended paddle. This builds confidence, and allows you to feel the edge of your boat as well as getting the timing for hip snaps to come back up. So, in conclusion, It's very hard to have a reliable roll without good bracing/sculling skills. As a beginner, learning to brace and scull is very daunting task, because you end up spending more time practicing self rescues than bracing (at least I did). For me...the extended paddle was the answer.

There are two pages of pics, link to second page at the bottom or top of page.

Well, here it is Friday night. I know I should go to bed and get a good nights sleep. I also know that once I do go to bed I will start to think about tomorrows paddle. I get my self all worked up into a Kayak Frenzy. I think about that perfect roll that I still can't do, or that sculling brace I've been working on at the skills sessions. Eventually I will fall asleep, but inevitably I will wake up at like 5:30 am, and know I should try to get a little more sleep, but also know that it's not going to happen because i'm in a Kayak Frenzy. I Love this sport.

Let's go surfing...Woo Hoo !!!

Hi Harry, I have a really nice P&H Capella for sale [http://www.nspn.org/htdocs/dcforum/DCForumID4/183.html]. I'll come over to M-Head whenever you want and we can go for a paddle together.

Yes it was a great day, our level 2/3 quickly turned into a level 3 after passing Norman's Woe, it got pretty bumby out there. We had one capsize and Walter did a great job with a quick T rescue. I also snapped a couple of pics, they can be seen here: [http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/glsg]

You got a couple of really great shots. Thanks for posting them!

Here are the directions, [http://www.nspn.org/play-put-ins.html] near the bottom of the page. Plenty of parking and it's free. You won't have any problems finding the instructors, It's not that big of an area. You should be ready to go at 5:30, so you should probably plan on arriving around 5. As you know the traffic on 128 can be horrendous, all it takes is one tire changer to mess things up, so plan accordingly. I haven't taken Karen and Bob's rolling class, but I did take their strokes class last month. They are excellent instructors, and I'm sure you will have a great class.

Variety is the spice of life. I love the Capella, I just wanted something with less volume.

I have a P&H Capella you are welcome to use. I learned to roll with this boat. Maybe you will like the boat sooooo much that you will want to buy it, it's listed in the Classifieds forums. At any rate, I am located in Lynn, and it's available anytime.

I know it has been said before, but I just wanted to say it myself. The dedication, commitment, time, effort and quality instruction given by Rick, Mike, Dee, and others, is without a doubt one the most valueable privledges of being an NSPN member and greatly appreciated.

Hi Paul, My brother and I use the Sony DSC U60, I think it's a great little camera for a reasonble price (got mine for $219). The one thing I wish it had was a zoom, but I imagine that would add more bulk, more complicated mechanics, and more money. Both my brother and I keep our cameras in a PFD pocket all the time. They have held up very well after a years use. It's very waterproof, durable, and maintenace free (just rinse in fresh water). The other way to go is with a more advanced camera (Canon's seem to be popular) and the waterproof housing that goes with it. Just do a google search on "waterproof digital camera housings" and you will find lots of info. For me, the bottom line was I wanted a simple, small, easy to use waterproof camera, that I could keep in a pocket all the time. The Sony DSC U60 has fit the bill.

I'd tell you, but then....just kidding. It's just off Galloupes point in Swampscott, it's called Dread Ledge, but more commonly referred to as the "Spindle" it's less than a mile bearing 122 degrees true from the Swampscott town pier where we put in. Parking is limited especially on a warm weekend day (there were plenty of spots yesterday). It's all nice homes out on the point there, we have landed there (for navigation purposes) in the past without problems. Your best bet is to land on the rocks on the ocean side of the cut (not private), there are no sandy beaches, but there is a little area where it gets slowly shallow allowing you to get out and pull your boat up. This spot is best closer to low tide rather than high, as a matter of fact, I believe the rocks are mostly covered at High making it difficult to land anywhere.

I should definetly spend some time on the Cowboy re-entry. I can do it OK on flat water, but have never tried it in "conditions". Ps...anyone going to Chebacco skills tonight? I guess theres a chance of T-Storms.

PS. there are two pages of photos, don't miss the second page.

I suppose in the conditions you describe this may be true, although when I tip over it's usually because I did something stupid and not just the conditions. Some other exceptions I can think of are: If it was a big boat wake that tipped you, the hazardous conditions no longer exist. Yesterday my brother and I were out at Dread Ledge Cut in Swampscott riding some awesome waves, and after a couple of wet exits the waves just pushed us through the cut to where there were no more waves, so re-enter and roll worked here. Another alternative is to re-enter and roll with the paddle float on to provide the stability you need to hand pump. I guess another factor is the boat itself, some boats hold more water after a re-enter roll than others. My Capella held lots of water after a re-enter roll, but handled pretty well. My Avocet retains less water, but is more difficult to manage. For me, I would rather re-enter and roll (paddle float optional) than the standard paddle float re-entry (which I find difficult).

It really does depend on your Insurance company. In my case my Kayaks are covered by my homeowners wherever I am, and of course subject to my deductible. But I do know many people are not covered, or their coverage is limited. You can look into getting a rider on your existing policy. It seems to me some has posted this question before, but I couldn't find it in a search. If I recall correctly, it was $60-$80 annually to add the Small Boat Rider Policy.

We were paddling about 50 yards off Wingarsheek Beach, and a Female (she may have been a lifeguard) kept hollaring at us (we could barely hear her) that there were no kayaks allowed here. We weren't anywhere near any swimmers, and I was never aware of any "No Kayaks" rule before. What really ticked me off was there were hundreds of power boats anchored all along the beach, some of them much closer than us. We did move, I don't want to give us Kayakers a bad name. What really stinks, is that it's a great spot where it's shallow and sandy, a great place to practice skulling, strokes, rolls, whatever, which is just what we were going to do. Like I said, we did move, feeling like social outcasts. Is anyone aware of this rule at Wingarsheek? It was a great day for a paddle, we put in at Lanes Cove, went down to Goose Cove, stopped at Dirt's Dog's for lunch. Where did you go today?

Now I really feel stupid...first of all I forgot to bring my camera (I always have it), now...I just realized that I did have my cell phone, and it does have a camera. DOH!!!

You took the words right out of my mouth Liz...I agree...303 the covers and rims, it helps alot. Bill

My brother had his done at United Divers in Sommervile. I think the cost was around $65.00 total. Here's a link [http://www.uniteddivers.com]

For summer wear I have the Nike ACG Toketee mids. I'm pretty picky about my feet and I like these alot. [http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/14950/]