christopherG

all this talk and no one actually answered david lewis's question (adequately) about skwoosh seats (or whatever they are called): they were reviewed just a couple of months ago in sea-kayaker magazine, so go and look through the back-copies or archives...i to remember that they very much got the thumbs-up. gelcoat repairs? what do you intend doing to the upper surfaces, fer cryin' out loud, david? if you're going to bang your boat up, it'll be the hull, right? so go and buy whatever colour your heart desires...and never mind what everyone else thinks. (would i buy another all-yellow boat? probably not: the yellow hull a pain when you gouge and tear it on hard things below the water!)

no, they don't! longer means faster, right? you know that from boats...same thing for cars: they both move in fluid environments and are governed by the same laws of physics. ergo: longer cars rule! (sorry, liz).

car? well, that's a good idea -- so if and when the crunch comes, you can hear it all the clearer and sooner? ouch! i think you need a long, narrow, car -- perhaps a secondhand hearse would fit the bill? now there's food for thought...oh, and if you have one-piece paddles, stowing them will no longer be troublesome. why did we not think of this earlier? capital, watson, capital! honestly -- good luck, bob! ;^) (now, i must scan the classifieds: i can smell a run on hearses among that strange lot who prance around in skirts and wetsuits, whatever they are!)

bob, you might start carrying your boat upside down: that will give you more clearance, won't it?

are you sure about chalupsky, koop? on CRCK's announcement of his classes, they referred to him competing in hawaii and then coming straight here to teach on wednesday and thursday... i think he's trying for yet another win! yebo! bamba zonkhe, amazulu!

leslie, you need to get in touch with erica bernstein, erstwhile member of nspn and winter paddler: she went to hawaii and never came back, to the best of my knowledge. you'd probably get on well with her, too. one person might be able to put you in touch -- mr. bolonsky...

oh, yes!! i, for one, cannot wait to get my sticky little fingers around the new kinetic wing -- from all i hear it should be vastly entertaining and fun. regarding their other paddles, the carbon-nylon blades are of great practicality in being utterly rock-proof! yes, i love my carbonfibre paddles; but i always wince in empathy when i bash one of my paddle blades on submerged rocks (it can happen). i think i need a lendal (or two)... i hope there is a good turn-out for this: nick dyslin is always generous!

what a shame! this class is a necessity for anyone considering camping up in maine (in particular): last time jonathan held this same class there was a good attendance -- there must be some people who were not there and that are new-ish to camping or the "leave no trace" concept?

"forgotten about the day..."? of course he's forgotten about it...who the heck remember? it's been so long, we've all grown old in the meantime! who is this "kenC", one wonders? and MAAS? what is ? we do have a member here called Maas (he's from some strange country on the bottom of the North Sea) and then there's i-maas that is a curdled mixture of milk and whoknowswhatelse, much beloved of the zulus; but "MAAS"? oh, and shells: they are also found on the bottom of the ocean, aren't they, ken? when are you coming to paddle with us? ;^)

aha! the plot thickens: perhaps you refer to a ? (which is exactly into what an "allen key" or "hexagonal key" fits). never mind, suzie, when the new one arrives, you'll do the replacement yourself without the assistance of any helper (qualified or un-) and i know you'll do a good job of it...the important thing is to do it with a smile on your face!

volunteering, one here...

quite right; but what about an upside-down , followed by your good-side roll?! ;^)

two points, dear suzanne: (i)next time around, use some grease as lubricant when you screw the nuts on (vaseline would do fine; but a special anti-seize compound would be better) -- and, incidentally, coat the other bare steel components with grease, too. i use motorcycle chain lube. (ii)nuts of stainless steel often are softer that the bolts because of the susceptability of stainless to "burr" when tightened to itself (by itself, that is to say, same material) -- it is the nature of stainless steel -- a wonderful material; but there is stainless and there is "stainless", of course. another option might be to go to a hardware store and find "nylock" nuts to fit your bolts.

oh, tom's gonna love ya for that! see ya, ben. ;^ )

crane beach (back of)? well, something like that -- essex bay is of quiet, shallow places suitable for practice, where it warms up quicker. i think we'll find a number of folks will appreciate this sort of thing...

Even the later sessions ahead in April filled double-fast, folks! I have a waiting-list for every date and still today, one or two more enquiries are coming in...oy! There seems to be plenty of interest in rolling practice, in particular, so I wonder if we should think of an early day in the paddling season (May?) when we could have some practice time in a warmer spot (tidal and shallow, where the flood is warmed up faster than most areas -- Walter Mears knows exactly to where I refer)? I think we could easily-enough rustle up a number of "spotters" to assist those with a rudimentary roll who want to practise or those who just want to see if they do it... No professional tuition -- just a friendly half-day with competent helpers in plenty -- something along those lines? What level of interest?

...aaaah, yes: some textbook low-braced turns there...very cool...

STOP PRESS... 2nd April, 9th April and 30th April are what we now have booked. Same time (1945 start -- that's 7:45pm for some of you) and the sessions are two hours, costing $15 members and, now that ACA rates have gone up, we'll have to charge non-members $25 to cover the insurance. Those paddlers who have not thus far participated will get priority and how about we make the evenings semi-specialist, as follows...? 2nd: open practice for folks who have not had enough time in the pool or who have hardly participated; 9th: rolling practice with (hopefully) plenty of "spotters" available; 30th: general skills practice for newer paddlers who need to hone their wet exits, braces, rescues, etc -- also with "spotters" available in a generous ratio. I do have interest already from a number of folks; but I now await their responses regarding dates (Jason Kates, Rick Colby, Jim Hurley, Amy Semmes and John Waite, John Puffer, Jim DeCourcy, the Stoehrers, Walter Mears, Kevin Beckwith, Alan of the Andromeda, Lois McNulty, Mysticbos and Michael Williams -- please write to me off-line: cdwg at centennialfarms commie) Any input, ideas or specific needs, anyone? "Spotters" needed!!

I feel compelled to write to say a couple of things (some of which I have said in public before): (i) There are many ways to skin a cat and if paddling has to be in strict military array, with a "leader", "left flank, "right flank" and a "sweep" at all times, then I think I'll give up sea-kayaking. Far better, to my mind, that the person briefing the group emphasises close paddling and a communal awareness of , at all times. There has been mention recently about making trip leadership classes open for others to become "trip participants" -- good idea. It is under discussion. (ii) As motorists, do we shed tears every time someone dies in a traffic accident in Hong Kong or Venezuela? Of course not. Neither shall I (sorry!) shed tears for these two boys -- I don't have it in me. There is a limit to the empathy that a human being can summon and there are already too many people on this planet! Simply because I, too, like to paddle -- am I meant to feel deeply the tragedy of someone else's poor planning? (Neither do I slow down to gawp when there is an accident on the other side of the median!) (iii) What are we supposed to learn from this, really? Dare I say -- nothing? This club was because of Bob Burnett's desire to promote high standards of safety and competence and to paddle with like-minded seafarers. Providing that we remain within those parameters that he taught, that we learn (to use) sound judgement and that we remain sensible to the vagaries of the wild ocean, we stand a good chance of becoming safe and skilled kayakers. THIS concentration on the development of one's own skills is far more important than feeling saddened by every stupid, avoidable accident. (iv) Before anyone climbs on my case, let me state that I am not insensitive; I a parent and I feel sorry about these two boys; BUT this is irrelevent here and negative. Our very existence as a club should say more about us than a few patronising, sanctimonious words after such an event. I wish there was this manifestation on our message board whenever something like this happens: there is no point to it (Sorry, Adam: that's how I feel) OK? Flak jacket on -- the mob will likely try to lynch me, I am guessing...

This will be great fun and one hopes there will be a good turn-out: bring your friends! If all goes well, there will be another, similar evening of educational entertainment from another, similarly-highly-visible personage during March or April!

This morning, out of the blue, I have had enquiries from paddlers for pool time -- none of them having participated in any sessions thus far. As most will already know, sessions filled very promptly and I have had to disappoint a number of people. Last year, I believe we had a final session that was expressly for newer members/paddlers who wished to tune-up for the coming season and perhaps we can aim for the same thing again? This sort of evening would hopefully draw a high ratio of "spotters"-/assistants-to-paddlers. Some members have been in touch with me already, asking about space; but we need to know what degree of interest there exists and thus how many additional sessions can be justified. I already know about the following: Rick C., Jim H., Amy S. and John W., John P., Jason K. and perhaps one or two more. Anyone else really interested in some pool time for open practice or some assistance with anything? I think those who have not participated at all will get preference; but there could be space for others... Please indicate your interest level.

what do you mean about being "far enough out to sea for the beaufort scale to have any meaning"? sir francis intended his scale to pertain only to matters nautical, did he? so why, then, the definitions regarding "wind vane moved by the wind", "leaves and small twigs in constant motion", "whole trees in motion", "chimney pots and slates removed"...etc, etc -- you get my point. this is simply a wind force scale, probably more by mariners than most others; but certainly not monopolised by them. in fact, i seem to think that the weather forecasters used to quote beaufort scale numbers for local wx f/c when i was a child in britain (but i may be wrong). BTW, lizN has been quoting and using it ever since i've known her...

where do you think tom bergh's truck got all those miles on the clock? mexico, david, mexico...not once or twice, either; but numerous trips -- just ask him when next you see him!

"...I don't typically use the standard prone re-entry from the outside with ocean cockpit boats. It's much easier to come up between the boats and enter feet first from a supine/sitting position." and don't ever recollect seeing the nystrom come out of his boat -- and it has been quite a few years! perhaps in training...?

i cannot believe no one thought of MIKCo who run a couple of trips to the sea of cortez every year -- see below (and it will happen next month, february!) http://www.maineislandkayak.com/Cat%202004...dule%20June.pdf