Lbeale

I am interested--please sign me up--

Les

Yes Spider:

RSVP's would be appreciated on this link.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

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

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

UNH POOL SESSIONS

JANUARY 23d ... FULL

FEBRUARY 20th ... 2 spots left

MARCH 27th 2 spots left

NOW POSTED:

Haverhill High School Pool Sessions (2.5 hr sessions, 2:30-5pm) $20 10 boat maximum

1/8 Saturday,

2/5 Saturday &

2/26 Saturday

Portsmouth YMCA (3 hour sessions, 3-6pm) $25 11 boat maximum

1/16 Sunday,

2/12 Saturday,

3/6 Sunday &

3/13 Sunday

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

Hi Leslie,

Which model of Reed did you get?

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

Thanks Leon for your report. Peter B and I were going to Gerrish yesterday and get some mileage and paddling done. We decided at 9:30 am to "can it" for safety reasons given the forecast and only two of us paddling.

I met other friends on the Sudbury River and got my mileage (still windy on the river); but alas, wondering throughout the day if Peter and I made the right decision to cancel. Reading your report confirms, "go with your gut" decisions to cancel and find alternative, safer routes--which you did.

Les

Rick, next weekend would be good for me as well.

Doug

Next weekend - me too !!!

<snip>"Does that mean you're abrogating your responsibilities as "initiator" under CAM?

Ask Leon about Thursday and group vs personal trip management....

Don't mean to poke too hard, but CAM does NOT mean "anything goes", including not vetting newcomer attachment."

<snip>

Nobody ever said "anything goes".

Common sense should prevail, under CAM or any other system.

Anybody who calls a trip and doesn't do serious newcomer vetting is assuming that the plans are flexible enough to accommodate anybody who shows up -- a very flexible and friendly frame of mind that isn't always the case, but was today.

If you don't mean to poke too hard, then don't poke.

And, yes, I'm well aware of the trials of the recent IOS trip. One always has the choice of evaluating who shows up, what the conditions are, and opting not to paddle.

Today was very nice....Lane's past Hailbut Point, to Salvages, to Straitsmouth, to Rockport for ice cream (where the three of us became 4 as Leon materialized), and back to Lane's. Excellent day, excellent conditions, excellent company. Thanks to all. Highlight was the big floppy sunfish we saw just off Halibut Point.

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 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

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

anybody up for a little moderate exercise out of Lane's on sunday? perhaps tool around to the Salvages to hunt seals or Rockport for ice cream, catch the rising se wind for a free ride back in the afternoon? jeff at jeffcasey dot net

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

Would still like to continue this session but due to my new teaching schedule, need to change it from Wednesday to Friday.

Those of you who still want to meet on Wednesday, fine--just needed to state I can't do Wednesday anymore.

Les

I might launch from GHS at about 11:00. I'll try to catch up with everyone somewhere along the circuit. VHF Channel 72?

Yes, Leong--channel 72--

Looks like a "go" for tomorrow--forecast gets better as the day progresses.

Les

Hey, guys:

Are we sure this will work, given the Schooner Festival on Sunday? Look here...

http://www.capeannvacations.com/schooner/schedule/

In particular...

At the very least, parking near the Greasy Pole / Pavillion Beach launch is likely to be impossible. And, won't the water will be hull-to-hull with powerboats, not to mention schooners, on almost exactly the same track that we are planning (to Eastern Point, launching 10:30)?

Just asking... Could be fun, but might also be dicey, especially for a large group (or should we break into two pods?)

--David

Hi David,

Good questions--two pods is optimal--parking at the HS is more realistic than at greasy pole-- and either paddling through the cut for the brave at heart or doing a 10 minute walk back to the boat--there is a short cut for the walk--I prefer the walk myself--there should be no problem with parking at the HS--

We could hug the coast out of the way from the boat traffic and watch the sights as we pass dog bar--we can decide at the beach briefing which is the safest route given the boat traffic.

Les