Michael_Crouse

Dee can't make it to Mystic tomorrow, so the session is offically canceled, no sign-up sheet in the parking lot. Feel free to post to private trips and gather unofficially.

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've given any updates or info, I've been busy for the past few months with a wedding, mine! Liz mentioned in a message, NSPN now has a first lady ;-) Kim and I got married on May 14th, the one day in May that it didn't rain. The month of June is pretty full with trips and skills sessions, July and August will be shaping up soon. June also has some professional instruction from Karen Knight and Bob Foote, see the calendar for the details. Karen and Bob having been coming to Massachusetts for NSPN for the past few years and their classes are always great. We'll be adding a separate conference for "private trips" these are those unofficial trips that get posted to our message board by members and non-members. This is being done to create a clear seperation of what's a sanctioned ACA event, with insurance, float plans, etc… and what is a group of people just getting together and going paddling. It will also be much easier to find the trips if they're own their own message board rather than mixed in with all the gear talk and general questions. Stolen Kayak Alert - Please give Doug Gray of Billington Sea Kayak and hand and be on the look out for a stolen yellow Surge sea kayak. The deck color is yellow with black seam and the serial number is glassed inside, 20127Y0501. The reward is $750 for its recovery and info on who took it. See you on the water soon Michael Crouse - NSPN President

There is a Lake Champlain Water Trail which should have some info on campsites, you might want to ask a member of the Lake Champlain Kayak Club http://www.ckayak.com/

http://www.bostonharbormarina.com/images/B...les/sanjuan.jpg Do we have a second place ugly kayak?

http://www.nspn.org/htdocs/dcforum/DCForumID3/5280.html amazing how google sent me back to our site! >...I need to get in touch with him. > >If you have his contact info or would tell him to get in >touch with me at adambolonsky@yahoo.com that would be great.

>Why is it considered unique? Ok maybe not overwhelmingly popular would have been a better choice. We have about 4 Surge owners in NSPN, compare that number to Explorers, Gulfstreams, etc....

>The Bering Sea demo that I'm considering is $1,500, thus my >temptation. If it's not the right boat for you than $1500 is too much. You don't want to be looking for a Currituck or a Chatham a year from now. There is always a good deal out there, just wait until it's for the boat you really want. I would say demo a Chatham and a Currituck, then think about the Bering Sea.

>What is your intended use for this? I would think you might >want a longer boat for the ocean. Ummm if 15'10" is too short that let he who doth not own a Romany 16 cast the first stone ;-) Seriously I don't know the boat but with all the Avocets and Romanys out there I don't think it would be too short. Too short for racing? probably, but not for general paddling. Have you tried many other boats similiar to this one?

You can do stupid things and make poor judgement calls with a group, you don't have to be alone to make a mistake. Mark is saying something positive here, someone has learned something from being involved with this club. Does he/she have flawless judgement, skills, etc..? No, then again who among us does? Will this person stick with us, learn more from us and hopefully teach us some new things too? I hope so.

You're on this page http://www.nspn.org/join-us.html using this link, right? http://www.nspn.org/NSPForm0305.pdf If I copy and paste the last link into my address bar it downloads the pdf file

It's been far too long since I posted an update about what's going with the club, so here goes…. Membership – Insurance Update We have insurance, the ACA has found new provider, and we're still affiliating with the ACA, so we have coverage. Why do we affiliate with the ACA and what does the insurance get us? One example would be coverage for pool sessions, most every pool requires proof of insurance and with the ACA we have insurance, this means pool sessions that cost less. This improved insurance comes at a cost, so we have to raise our membership fees. This was not an easy decision; the debate was long with good points on both sides. The new rates are $35 per individual and $50 per family, the new membership form is here http://www.nspn.org/NSPForm0305.pdf for downloading. The look of the form has changed a bit and it will probably again before the summer is over. The new look should make Jay and Monika’s job of processing all of our membership applications a bit easier. Please print neatly inside of the text boxes. The new single event fee for non-members is now $10, not $6. I think this was done to cut down on all the paper work for single events. The current Board of Directors is Dee Hall, Bill Gwynn (clerk), Paula Riegel, Ken Cooper, Sean Kimball (treasurer), Carl Carlson, Brian Nystrom, Christopher Godfrey, Suzanne Prichett, Karen Gladstone, Buddy Hogan, and Michael Crouse (President). Another big thank you goes out to the departing board members, Bob Baldridge, Rick Crangle, Deb Dempsey, Bethany Ericson, and Liz Neumeier. The planning has begun, so keep an eye on the calendar for trips and workshops. See you on the water soon.

I'll be there despite the snow. I saw a rough cut of this film a few years ago and I can't wait to see it again.

other links courtesy of paddling.net http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/01/Worldand..._into_dan.shtml http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee...te/11010228.htm Apparently they were in canoes and kayaks along with a powered catamaran for support.

Bob Budd wrote - "As with the attacking bear, more or less, you would be advised to set yourself near to a taller paddler or one otherwise sitting higher in their seat." I have a serious philosophical problem with that statement, the tallest paddler in the group is essential for navagiation since he/she has a much better vantage point. Stacking two small paddlers atop one another to assure the survival of the tall paddler is a much better option. I hope no one takes me seriously on this :-)

I think according to that definition a type V pfd is also a rescue vest. http://www.mtiadventurewear.com/ImageLibra...atriotMango.jpg Description from the MTI Website - "Very high flotation performance; designed for big water rafters, canoeists, and kayakers. * We recommend you train with a Swiftwater safety professional before using this PFD" This means that someone wearing a rescue vest while running white water would be in violation of this law.

The strongest paddler in first is sort of what we do when we launch and land in surf. The concept is pretty simple. The strongest paddlers are the first and last to land and launch. The paddlers who don't have experience with surf landings or launchings go in the middle of the group. In a group of 9 this is how it would work, #1 being the strongest, #9 being the weakest (bad term, I know) #1 paddler #3 paddler #5 paddler #7 paddler #9 paddler #8 paddler #6 paddler #4 paddler #2 paddler Generally in groups the middle paddlers are all about the same skill level, so thier may be no difference between paddlers #5 to #9. The idea is to have some folks experienced with rescues on the beach and in the water, by the time the three middle paddlers are landing 3 people are on the beach and 3 are still in the water to lend a hand if anything goes wrong. Anyone with an alternative method or with some improvements please chime in.

>I don't know anything about the Straus bill. A search on the mass gov site turned up this http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht03264.htm But this doesn't seem to be kayak related.

This is great, does it actually land on his boat?

I'm interested, the Argonaut could use a new foam seat and some more foam on the bulkhead. Last years workshop was great, thanks for doing this again.

I use 3mm pre-curved fleece lined gloves, I think they're Chotas. I keep an extra pair of gloves (for me) and some pogies (for loaning) in the day hatch. Many people buy the hunting/ice fishing gloves at Wal-Mart, I have never found them in stock, so I stopped looking and bought the Choatas. In addition to some indexing on your paddle I strongly recommend attaching something to the loop on your spray skirt. With neoprene gloves on it can be tough to find that nylon loop, especially when you're upside down, holding your breath, and your eyes are shut.

When we get the dates sorted out they'll be on the calendar. Right now we're trying to secure a pool on the North Shore and one in the Boston area.

We are still trying to sort out the details for the pools, unfortunetely one of the three pools we used last year has to have some repair work done this winter. Hopefully we can get all of this sorted out and get the dates posted in a week or so. >Wondering if the pool sessions are more firmed UP? >Would love to join in as many as I can! >Thanks NSPN Board !!! >Deb

I have an old pair of Choata Akonas (sp) and they have a reasonably thick sole but no support on the sides. They look a bit like a climbing shoe and they work pretty well.

I have a Retroglide Sabre and I love it, it's very comfortable, but part of that comfort comes from the stretchy shoulder straps. These straps aren't very good to grab onto if you're doing a hand of god or scoop rescue. Someone grabbed my should strap once and pulled it right off my shoulder, back down into the water I went. Again I love the pfd but you should be take a look at the shoulder straps. I still have my old MTI that is pretty beat up, but will keep you afloat, so if you need a loaner let me know. MTI has some newer vests that look very nice. If you really want a Serratus again MEC has a store in Montreal, road trip anyone?

It's definetely on the agenda. it was discussed a few months ago but that was when the bill was sent out for study, supposedly killing it. Obviously things have changed. We had also discussed the infamous "flag on a kayak" legislation. People can definetely fight this individually, which is what happened with ConnYak and some registration legislation several months ago. I know how I feel about this bill, but rather than just the BOD (10 people) or just me saying "the club is against it" or "the club is for it" I really want to hear from everyone on this. I plan on contacting my state rep, the ways & means committee and the author of the bill. But do I say "400 kayakers are against this and here are the reasons why" or do I say "400 kayakers support this" please let me know mike@nspn.org