RogerPollock

Going to try Greasy Pole, Gloucester to Magnolia again. Launch time, 10 a.m. 4-5 hours on the water.

Another Friday off to paddle. Not completely sure on game plan, except someplace on Cape Ann, perhaps Salem Sound. Somehwere to linger in the rocks or surf. Open to ideas. Forget what the forecast says - only one thing for certain, whenever I take the day off it fricking rains. Actually, the weather man's saying 85 degrees, but it's only Monday.

Wonderful surf at Good Harbor on a raw spring evening. Buoys were reading shy of to just over 4’, and the biggest sets we saw proved that out. Perfect for a short boat session. Not a boardie in sight until just before dark, and even then just one. The best surf was in the first half hour or so, nice clean rollers, before the wind picked up and things got a bit sloppy. We did a few practice rolls before we got going to shake the jitters; hadn’t been in the short boats since the fall. I got tossed four times in the foam – one a very cool flopping ender – and no swims. Just gotta hang in there . . .1 . . .2 . . .3 . . roll . . .When you’re all heated up from sprinting around the water feels quite refreshing and not that cold. Spent the last of the sunlight playing in the very nice surge on the rocks at the corner of Salt Island, which was great fun. Never did rock play in a WW boat before. So maneuverable. It’s enough to give one ideas.

Bob, Time-wise, I don’t know. I’d say anywhere from 4 to 6 hours on the water, depending on what you and others are up for. Couldn’t see later than like 4 o’clock. There’s no real plan but to head south and poke along the coast, hit a couple of the islands. Hopefully it will be a good day to play in some rock surge for those who care to. Directions: Greasy Pole – Take Route 128 N to exit 14, turn right onto Route 133 east. Drive 2.9 miles on Route 133. Turn left onto Route 127 and drive 0.4 mile to the public landing on right. Small parking lot at the landing and street parking along the beach. . Hope to see you . . .

An experience from which I gained better judgment . . . had the day off around this time of year, had a bad cold, but was determined to paddle, so loaded up on antihistamines, cavalierly disregarding the “may make you drowsy, so don’t drive or operate heavy equipment” warning and launched alone from Pebble Beach. The stuff kicked in somewhere on the seaward side of Milk Island, and I was just about nodding off to the smooth tune of the foghorn when I made it to the seaward side of Thatcher’s. I lounged woozily on the boat ramp and shared my sandwich w/the seagulls. I drowsed there for like an hour until I was awake enough to make a run for shore. Was a tipsy, dipsy deal . . . NOT SMART, Roger. Mrs. Pollock would not have been pleased.

Anybody have the day off and want to paddle, or need an excuse to play hooky? Launch @ 10 a.m. from Pavillion Beach in Gloucester (greasy pole) which is now re-paved and back in business. Poke along the west side of the harbor down to Norman's Woe/Magnolia. No real rush to get there or to get back. Have the whole dang day to myself. They're talking a chance of rain as of today, but unless it's a monsoon, I'm going. Open to other suggestions on Cape Ann/North Shore as well, if anybody's got any . . . It's still drysuit season (will the end ever come?)

Launch from Lane’s Cove in Gloucester @ 9 a.m. No firm float plan. Low tide 8 a.m., so will check for “popcorn” surf in mouth of Annisquam, though it’s forecast as a mellow day, so not likely to see it. More likely, head toward Rockport, meandering in the rocks - which it looks to be a better day for (optional, or course, for those who may want to just hang and watch). Again, weather/conditions expected to be benign. This is not a “Victory at Sea” day. Pace will be leisurely. Back at put in at 2 pm. Have to take kid to soccer practice . . . Drysuit a must . .

I'll join you guys for Tuesday . . .

Ken, I've taken a bunch of Friday's off this summer for paddling purposes - next Friday (the 11th) being one. Would you like to get out? My plastic boat is always up for some bashing . . .

I used to wear a farmer john all summer, and, actually,I wasn't all that hot. I was at the size limit with the thing to start, and now have really outgrown it. In summer now I wear neoprene shorts (wich I found for eight dollars)and a polypro shirt for sun protection. I may even just go totally lax this season and trade the neo booties for clogs. Clearly, I'm not ideally protected, but I'm comfortable . . . and happy . . . I'm intrigued by the wetsuits Sing talks about, wondering if I wouldn't be better off. I just sweat SO MUCH in the drysuit -even on the coldest winter paddling days (it's a Palm, me-too breathable fabric). I mean, who am I kidding? I am NOT DRY in the thing. The wetsuit anyway would keep me insulated when wet(sweaty) vs a dryuit with swamped, heavy thermals. Any kind of winter stop for break or lunch, with any wind, and I'm instantly hypothermic, because I'm so clammy. I borrowed a Kokatat Goretek drytop one time, and, really, it was quite nice. A great item for fall time. If you've got a reliable roll, you might as well be wearing a drysuit. They are expensive, though. But, it's relative - I've bought two $40 paddling jackets now, the first having delaminated, and the second is a realy p.o.s.

M88. Had it a year. Been dropped three times from the top of a tall bookcase. Gets taken every time, submerged, neglected. Holding up fine.

Thank you for the replies. It’s excellent to see the serious message about cold water/warm air, has been heard . . . and to see folks who might not otherwise post do so . . . To address a few points which may well be representative of many people: <- somewhat apprehensive about how our skills/fitness would hold up vs people that clearly have been going out regularly skills These are reasonable concerns. Nobody wants to be a drag on anybody else. However, Show & Go’s (Private Trips) are public, open trips. If the poster had a desire not to be “held back” they probably wouldn’t post it. After all, somebody with more skill than the poster could show, and then the poster would be the one holding back, no? Regardless, it’s not about that. It’s about meeting new people (which is the aim of posting a trip) and enjoying paddling, having experiences and learning – in an informal way. It’s a community of peers (consenting adults interested in sea kayaking) pursuing the same interest. Who has what skill/star/cert/level of fitness/boat is incidental. Obviously, one has to judge for themselves if a show and go is appropriate for them and their boat and their gear and their fitness, etc. Certainly, speaking for the group I paddle/post with, we’re happy to answer inquires in that regard. Also, there’s always only the vaguest of plans. Gloucester Harbor, Essex River, etc, so accommodations can be and are made, like if somebody’s rusty from the winter. So, again, please come along. p.s. Not that this is the way it should be done, but for what it’s worth, I stumbled upon my first NSPN Show & Go in late November in my fist boat (having paddled it once), with a Farmer John, a windbreaker, a PFD, and a pair old running sneakers. No skirt, no pump, no float, no clue . . . They lent me a skirt and still took me with them.

Any sea kayakers in the club? Two north shore show & go’s for today ('xcuse me, "Private Trips")for today and no posted interest, and in our case, no takers. What gives? Isn’t this what we do? Beautiful day, pushing 70 degrees, perfect sea kayaking in shoulder to overhead swells, watching the surge burst up the rocks. For me, a little surfing & combat training at Good Harbor, a little cold sea water up the nose, and yet another lost pair of sunglasses. Are folks waiting for somebody to tell them it’s okay to paddle? It’s okay, you know. You can. Part of the show & go equation is the showing. So many postings, so few takers. Baffling. Can anybody shed any light?

Current cuts a swath throught the cove, and the eddies on either side are very, very calm, so easy to duck out and sit and rest. Some rocks line the cove, so you can lean you elbow on them and relax. Insofar as actually getting out of your boat and, say, having lunch? I don't know . . . good bet it's ALL private property, and there was a broo-ha-ha some years ago with the immediate abutter and kayakers. Others may be able to elaborate. I'd err on the side of caution and good public relations, and not land (xcept in case of medical or xtreme emergency), and be prepared to spend a good few hours in the boat. Don't want to spoil access to a good spot. Plus, time flies when you're havng fun. You're so busy practicing ferrying and peel outs, you're not concerned with landing . . .

Note the following dates on your calendar 6/2 & 6/3 6/16 & 6/17 6/30 & 7/1 7/14 & 7/15 All are dates are day trip opportunities to go and play in the flood current that shoots under the bridge at Goose Cove in Gloucester. It's like white water paddling in a sea kayak. Current runs like seven knots with lots of foam and bubbling water. I've been a few times, and it's an absolute blast, and GREAT rough water practice, w/easy bail outs at hand. You'd leave from Corliss Landing off Wheeler Street – or Lanes Cove for a little longer paddle - at 10 or 11 o'clock depending. You want to be there about two hours before high tide, and once you're in, you're in. You can't get out for at least two hours. Dates reflect high tides ranging from 12 to 1 pm.

>I would suggest that an equal reason for dissatisfaction is the lack of Show & Goes/Private Trips. Beg to gently differ a little there, Al. Review a month's worth of S&G's, and there's a quite a lot, not even considering it's winter. Actually, I think there are far more than when I first joined. Granted it's some of the same people posting, but who cares? They're paddling. Take advantage. Go with. >I sure would like to go to more new places with new people (Al Coons is boring and tends to go to places he knows) and push my limits more often . . . The way the club's set up now, S&G's are the place to push it, and we do. We surf, rock-hop, play in current. Come along. You can push it as much or as little or as gently as you like. So far, anyway, we've always come back unscathed, and certainly we don't indend otherwise. >Note: I believe many of those who are the most active posters here are experienced kayakers who have a group they can often paddle with...often from the club...and often without having an official or private trip. Many of them give a great deal of time to the club and o others. However, the group that most needs more trips of each kind are those we are unlikely to hear from here. It's an unfortunate fact that many of the experienced kayakers do their paddling without making it available to the public. There's a lot others could learn from them. They have their reasons though, and it's their choice, I guess. Of course, our reasons and our choices say a lot about us, but . . . There are two of us, anyway, who've posted, say, 80% of our trips together, sadly to find, often, that few if any come along. Maybe it's us. Maybe we're uglier than we realize. Maybe the calendar idea whould help? Come along. We want to meet and paddle with new people, too.

I don't have the technical knowledge to debate what you're saying or offer alternative. There may be somebody out there who does. Again, I think if there's a will there's a way . . .

>As private trips are primarily set up and executed in a short time frame the calendar may not help alot. Might not. Or it just might. What's the harm in finding out? Unless it requires massive capital, time, and efofrt? >Those who post a private trip also might not bother to post it on a calendar so the efficacy of the practice may be limited. This is the 21st century. This is a cyber based club. There must be some easy and inexpensive mechanism to automatically link the two together. >The content of the post is largely the discretion of the paddler who posts it so putting additional demands upon these paddlers might mean they won't bother to post their trip at all. See reply 1 & 2.

>Most day trips aren't planned too far in advance because we try to judge the prevailing conditions and make midweek decisions regarding conditions, etc. True. And if there were a "private trip" calendar, one could even post a standard day trip, say, a month in advance, giving people a much longer look at it and more time to reserve space on their own calendars and look forward. I think this is a big advantage of the "official trip". Of course, if conditions were a blow out, you call if off and post something the night before. If conitions are maringal, it's each individuals call. Be cool to be able to look a month view, see what's posted, be able to click on a link to the thread on the message board and see who's signed up, and what being discussed about the trip. Given what Nancy says, and I bet she speaks for a good silent majority, it would be an interesting experiment, you know, in the interest of science and stuff.

>in the meantime, if it doesn't violate club by laws amend the calendar section so that it isn't JUST official trips...that way you have something on the board to generate interest - or what about setting up a private trips calendar that members can access so that they can post their trips and there will BE SOMETHING to generate interest to the casual lurker/dropper in? set it up side by side in the calendar section?> I mean, DUH!! A private trip calendar! This is such a hugely simple, in your face, obvious solution to some complicated problems . . . it's beautiful. Is this the first time this has ever been suggested? Nancy further down the thread says, >Some of us cannot go on a (private) trip planned at the last minute.> Would the board consider doing this?

>Again - look into it before you say it. We're just talking "what if's" and ideas here, Suz. I've not done nit-picking research on everything, for goodness sake. I guess the point is, if there's a will there's a way. >The local Y's require insurance when you have a group. Other alternative would be to have a local ACA instructor use their insurance and then sponsor the group that way. Why would (or should) they do that for free though? Huh? All I'm saying is, just for instance, NESC had no shortage of pool sessions these past few winters, that even some club members took advantage of, just pool sessions, not instruction in the pool. Obvilusly, they have insurance to be able to do this, and obviously they charged people for it. Why couldn't a local kayaking club with no insurance simply direct its membership to such an outfitter? From what I saw, NESC's rates were quite reasonable, and not much more than what the club charges for pool sessions. Could work. >Are you sure on the insurance? If so, what are the rates? Provide the info. I believe the BOD has looked into alternatives and they really aren't that good. Am sure on the insurance? No. There was a discussion on another message board, with many clubs around the country chiming in, indicating there was insurance out there with similar coverage at a better value, with many indicating they were dropping the ACA. If our board looked into it and found otherwise, nothing has been said publicly. Perhaps they looked in the wrong place You wrote: "TLT and therefore Trip Leaders are the one area of the club that has the most risk, it's where everything comes back to in the event that there is an incident on the water. The Board of Directors carries the ultimate responsibility as they "blessed" the program and the implementation of it including the trainers. No major incidents have happened but they could do and they have done so in the local paddling community. Society is litigious, would you want to serve on the board if ultimately you were the one responsible for everything? Then you wrote:">What if NSPN wasn't a corporation? What if there was no board to sue? No leaders to train, or leaders to lead? No "official trips"? ertainly such ideas must make some shudder, those that built the thing up, but . . . it's doable elsewhere . . . Prior boards incorparated the club as a not for profit. It's in place, sure it can be changed or kept - that doesn't affect whether you have trip leaders or official trips. No official trips is where we are right now and people are asking for them along with asking for trip leader training..." Which still doesn't address the issue of needing protection for the board from law suits from official trips and trip leaders if there wasn't a board to sue. >I have paddled with ConnYak and their club trips are not a model that I enjoy although I do like paddling with individuals there and do so every year. My issue is that they don't seem to have the same group mentality that NSPN trips have - perhaps it is simply our "culture" is different. But it sure is a model that seems to be working . . . no? Maybe what's needed IS a different "culture".

ConnYak comes immdediately to mind. Bill themselves as a "non-profit club" vs a "non-profit corporation". Much more informal model. Leaderless. Trips are suggested anonymosly with nobody beholden to lead or even show up, like NSPN S&G's. I know they have a president. Don't know if they have further government. What if NSPN wasn't a corporation? What if there was no board to sue? No leaders to train, or leaders to lead? No "official trips"? Certainly such ideas must make some shudder, those that built the thing up, but . . . it's doable elsewhere . . . And NSPN was much more lively paddling-wise when it was just a Yahoo message board. Insurance is out there. As far as Gold Barn . . . I don't know. Pool sessions? Could hook up with a local outfitter and do a group buy as individuals, and probably make out cheaper. There's nothing the club does now that couldn't be done "unofficially". It's still a free country, and a group of people don't need to be a corporation to do a yoga class or a cold water workshop together. It would put an end - I think - to all the crap, and let people paddle together again.

Well, gee, Suz, I guess that boils it right down, doesn't it: If your don't like it, why don't you just leave. Certainly can't say it's a really friendly and democratic way to attract new trip leaders, or keep the old ones. And more stringent requirements haven't improved things thus far, have they? Only made them worse . . . Why not look at club model that IS working and producing trips, rather than ratcheting up one that doesn't?

The idea would be to get away from the ACA . . . and all their requirements . . . NSPN is a volunteer club. How could you require a volunteer to outlay money so they could volunteer their time for free? Does this happen anywhere else? Is there not something wrong with that picture? The problem isn't with certification or prof instruction, per se. At least not for me. Hey, I'm doing it. But it's not for everybody for a variety of reasons. And requiring it excludes a whole host of otherwise competent people. Why would the club want to pigeonhole itself.

Ed, You're not stupid, for sure. Nor should the discussion die. The idea is a good one, if the club's direction takes it further down the path of formality, requirements & certification - really the issue which has yet to be resolved.