Lbeale

Either day works for me--but if we could move the date so Christopher can attend as well as others who tend to have Saturday commitments - I support that initiative. Les

Hi Doug, It looks like the driving may be a problem on Saturday. I am traveling a long distance to this event and I am wondering if there will be an alternative date arranged in case of hazardous driving conditions? Les

Hi Gary, Would love to do this trip but I can't go that weekend--have to attend Commencement Ceremonies at my College--but if for some reason you go the next weekend or soon after, I am in. Les

Thank you John for your most informative talk--and thanks to everyone for the delicious food and wonderful company--and remember, show your b**tt to the current as John so kindly demonstrated-- Les

I am interested--please sign me up-- Les

I will be attending. Thank you for arranging this event. Les

Happy New Year to you as well Christopher. My question is akin to Paul S's statement. If I have it right, you point the boat into the waves and start paddling backwards -but if you have beam winds or confused seas-and waves dumping fast-it's probably not smart to use this technique. Correct? So when would you use it? The author did use it in a beam wind with a loaded boat, which does not sound right to me -- so I am even more confused-- P.S. For those of you who have a hard copy of this book, the description is on page 81. Les

I've been reading Paul Theroux's The Happy Isles Of Oceania: Paddling The Pacific. He describes a day of paddling into rough surf conditions off Cooktown. The way he lands onshore is backwards, known by surfers as, "backshoot". That is, you turn your boat around into the waves and beach the boat without a wet exit. The author claims this technique gives better boat control in dumping waves. I never heard or seen this technique. Has anyone tried this while surfing or landing in dumping waves? Les

For those who own a Greenland skin-on-frame kayak, does your boat tend to weather cock? I've been reading reviews of skin-on-frames and am wondering how much of an issue it is with this design. I have also seen designs with detachable skegs and am wondering if this is a viable option. Les

I do not know what direction you are coming from Sherry, but if you are coming from 495 heading north, take exit 50 -- you travel a little distance before you take a right for the actual exit. At the end of the exit, you have two choices: go straight or bear right on to Broadway--do not bear right on to Broadway--go straight at the light and go across Broadway. Once you have crossed Broadway you will come to a stop sign. Go across the stop sign and the entrance to the High School is on the right. Parking is in the back of the buildings. Les

I do not know what direction you are coming from Sherry, but if you are coming from 495 heading north, take exit 50 -- you travel a little distance before you take a right for the actual exit. At the end of the exit, you have two choices: go straight or bear right on to Broadway--do not bear right on to Broadway--go straight at the light and go across Broadway. Once you have crossed Broadway you will come to a stop sign. Go across the stop sign and the entrance to the High School is on the right. Parking is in the back of the buildings. Les

sorry, I found the information needed--it is listed in the calendar of events !!!

Doug, I am interested in all of the Portsmouth pool sessions--Please sign me up if there is still room and let me know where to send the check-- Thx, Les

Thanks to Peter B. and other Board members for organizing a stellar celebration with fine food, drink and friends. Congratulations to the new Board members !!! Les aka Swearing Ferrit

I got the one without the map links--has a tunnel with suspenders. I ordered it directly from them and got it in no time. You have to take exact measurements of your cockpit. Because the Impex is so narrow they had me make sure my measurements were correct. So I took pictures of the cockpit that showed the measurements. The pictures also showed the back of the seat distance to cockpit. I got the sprayskirt quickly with little wait time. My suggestion is to take pictures of your measurements. I originally asked for the map hooks but they made a mistake and did not make the hooks on the skirt. In hindsight, I am glad they forgot the hooks. They gave me a refund for the missing hooks. Like Jon D, the skirt gets used with lots of paddling and I have never had a problem. It is a weird material and some people have told me that they got a rash from the tunnel. I never did get a rash from the tunnel. However, I also have their long sleeved shirt and I did get a weird rash on my arms when I first started to wear it. Les

I special ordered a Reed sprayskirt for the Impex Force 3--I found it to be the best sprayskirt I've ever had--light, kept me dry, easy to take off and put on the cockpit coaming--maybe more expense than most sprayskirts--but worth the money--also the customer service was responsive and helpful. Les

SAT...W WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. SEAS 2 TO 4 FT...BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. Small craft advisory until Saturday afternoon. I would like to do this trip but I will wait until I see if the forecast changes-- Les

Hi Spider, Peter B. and I did a five day trip a couple of years ago along that area. While paddling, my water container leaked and we had to stop for water. I found the fresh water in that area to be tough going and having a heavy mineral taste. We stopped at one point on Beales Island and couldn't find any worth drinking. We then found a kids camp in that area and asked for water. The workers were very kind and gave us water but the taste was of a strong mineral - almost like drinking lead. Maybe Peter can give you more detail on the exact location of the kid's camp--I cannot remember. But you are correct to assume fresh water is a factor when paddling in that area. I don't know if a filter would help with taste or remove some of the metal in the water. I am planning a trip to circumnavigate PEI during the time of your trip--and now you got me thinking about the fresh water supply in that area. So thanks for your post !!!! Les

I might join you as well -- Les

I have been told by several people over the years that it is illegal to land on the ocean side of Plum Island. Paddlers who land and get caught, pay a hefty fine. It is my understanding that you could land on a restricted section of the southern tip only and maybe get away with landing on the river side of Plum if you are discreet. I have always restricted where I land to the southern tip out of environmental considerations. Is this restrictions only during nesting season or year round? Or, is this a paddling myth and paddlers can land anytime, anywhere on the ocean side and river side? Are there different restrictions for the ocean side versus the river side? Les

Next weekend - me too !!!

If you don't mean to poke too hard, then don't poke. Jeff and I have been paddling with NSPN for over 10 years (Jeff longer than me) and each has taken several leadership training courses before CAM ever started. In addition, over the years we have taken numerous newcomers out on trips and got everyone back to the put-in safely. This Spring, I took out over 20 paddlers with the fine help from friends in NSPN. So, we have a good idea what questions to ask a newcomer. Jeff did ask David his skill level before we departed Lane's Cove. We never were seperate from each other (that is, no one took off from the others), always within shouting distance of each other, checked in on a regular basis to make sure David was comfortable with the length of the trip and conditions. We shorten the trip once David stated misgivings on the length (from 15 to 10 miles). We even offered David an opportunity to practice his wet exits once we got back to the put-in at Lanes. So in other words, Ernie, in relatively calm conditions (some swells but nothing breaking and we kept away from the breaking waves by the shore), we practiced not only CAM but the old school NSPN rules of leadership training. Les

I will be launching around 12-change in plans--Les

I have not heard from Jeff about the launch time. So I will probably get to Lanes around 10:30 and launch shortly after. You are welcome to join me-but I would like to go Jeff's suggested route-- Les

Yes, Jeff, I am -- what time -- Les