Bill Gwynn

Well, I would say the best place to start is right here on this web site. For equipment list check here [http://www.nspn.org/play-what-to-bring.html] For information about NSPN sponsored classes check here [http://www.nspn.org/learn-classes.html] also keep an eye on the calendar for classes as well as organized NSPN trips. The forum is a great place to get specific info as well as getting together with others with similar skills for show-and-go excursions. Also there are several outfitters from RI to ME that offer classes. My favorite place is "MIkCo" located on Peaks Island in Casco Bay Maine. Not only is is a spectacular place to paddle, but the staff and instructors are first rate. Bill

Hi Roger, just wanted to make a small correction to your post. My brother and I's last name is Gwynn not Flynn. Didn't want anyone to be confused. I'm glad to see that you have taken our advise and started to acquire the necessary items for safe paddling. I will always speak up to unprepared kayakers, it's their choice to listen or not, but I think I would feel irresponsible if I didn't say anything at all. Hope to see you on the water. Bill

I was wondering why the water is so much clearer now than it is in the summer. I'm sure it's a combination of things. I'm sure that with the water so cold there isn't that much food (plankton etc.) in the water, also there is very little boat traffic, therefore no stirring up of things and less pollution. I was curious if any one could tell me what the biggest factor is regarding water clarity. Is it the lack of marine life in this cold water, pollution from boats, or something else I didn't think of? Bill P&H Capella...All White

My Brother had some work done by Strazkayaks. One sizeable repair that had damage down to the kevlar. Also had them do a complete refinish (Buffing) while they were at it. I believe he charged $100.00, and did a great job. Bill P&H Capella...All White

You are correct, it is javascript that opens the window. Popup blocking software should not stop this from popping up though. The difference is that you are actually clicking to ask this new window to open instead of it opening automatically without interaction. I would check your settings in your browser to see if javascript is enabled, and if you do have pop-up blocking software check the settings on it to see if that is causing your problem. Bill P&H Capella...All White

Front - Dry Day - Dry Rear - <1/2 cup P&H Capella (Kevlar)

The place locally to get your dry suit repired/modified is United Divers, 59 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143 Ph: (888)-628-3483, (617) 666-0410. http://www.uniteddivers.com Bill P&H Capella...All White

Try "right" clicking on the movie, and then choose "save target as" and save it to your hard drive. Or...log into AOL then minimize AOL, then start MS Internet Explorer, and use IE to go to the site.

There's plenty of space (6 gig) and bandwith (60 gig/month) so go ahead and post those movies. Bill P&H Capella...All White.

Today at the end of our Annisquam paddle my brother was getting out of his brand new Kokatat Dry Suit and the neck gasket tore all the way down the front. Needless to say he's quite bummed considering we were going to paddle tomorrow and Tuesday. So... whats the best way to get this fixed? Send it back to Kokatat? How long will that take? What about replaceing it himself ? Is this a fairly reasonable option? What special tools, glue, etc. are needed? I guess time to get fixed is the biggest concern, he paddles 4-5 days a week. Are there any shops locally that will do the job? TIA Bill P&H Capella...All White

My brother and I will be there. Bill P&H Capella...All White.

What a great idea...Sundays are perfect for me...please add me to your list. Bill P&H Capella...All White

I also recently got my Kokatat dry suit and the first thing I did was trim 2 rings off the neck gasket. The process is very simple. I put an empty 2 liter coke bottle with the gasket turned inside out, got a brand new exacto blade and carefully trimmed one ring at a time until the fit was still snug but not too snug. My brother was trying the stretch technique...it doesn't work, in fact you may damage the gasket if you stretch it too much. Bill P&H Capella...All White

This really happened to me this past March in Lynn Harbor. Water temp was 42, i was wearing a 3 mil farmer john with a semi-dry top. I fell in, and boy what a shock...the first minute or so was spent hyperventilating trying to catch my breath. My Paddling partner was quite a bit ahead of me in a brand new boat and had a grand total of 10 minutes in the cockpit. By the time he got back to me I was starting to catch my breath and think about what to do next, my thought was doing a T rescue that we had practiced the previous fall (this was our first paddle this season, just a short jaunt to try out the new boat). My partner expressed some hesitation about doing a T rescue because he was not very comfortable in this new boat that is 3 inches narrower than what he's used to. By this time my semi-dry top was completly filled with water, I was panicking and I just wanted out of the water. We were about 100 yards from shore and made the decision to leave my boat, and I grabbed ahold of my partners bow, on my back, legs on either side of his boat, and he paddled me ashore. 3 or 4 minutes later i was back on land and very cold, but happy to be alive. This was the beginning of my second season paddling and I had limited skills. This experience was probably the best thing that happened to me. As a result I learned first hand how cold 42 degree water is. Also it prompted me to join NSPN so I could educate myself and become a better, more knowledgeble paddler. This season I have spent a lot of time practicing rescues and skills (almost got my roll down) I think the paddle float re-entry roll is the quickest way back into a boat and I got that down pat. Well...I think in the situation we were in we made the correct decision, and i'm still here to prove it! Bill P&H Capella...All White PS Thanks to my paddling partner (my wonderfull brother Brad) for making me leave my expensive equipment behind and getting me ashore!!!

Last Minute desicion, thought I would make a quick post here. My brother and I are going to Swampscott...by Red Rock Bistro (Dales) put in between 12 - 12:30. Interested, meet us there or call my cell...781-858-2680. Bill P&H Capella...All White

My Brother and I were just talking about going up to Kittery on Sunday. It was just a thought, but we are going to paddle somewhere. Lets make a plan!!! Bill P&H Capella...All White

Bill P&H Capella...All White