Lbeale

Sal-- I am in and thx for the directions--see you tomorrow--les

I remember several years ago, reading a story in the New Yorker about the woman who swam in the Southern Ocean near the Anartica. The question, how could she swim in frigid waters without getting hypothermic? My limited understanding of the article and physiology in general, is that her fat cells uniquely metabolized allowing her to swim in frigid waters for extended periods of time. I don't remember her ability being gender-related, but I can be mistaken. Does anyone know this story or read the book about this swimmer? Do you know of a better explanation than the poorly constructed one I gave? les

I don't think the video is a training tool, either. It is more of an informational video on why it is important to wear a pfd. I also have never seen a video that shows a person in cold water immersion until they are "almost" hyperthermic--maybe there are other videos out there--I have just not seen one-- How many of us have been paddling in the colder months and seen people in kayaks without pfd's? I know that I have on more than one occasion--particularly around Cape Ann. The mythology of "I don't have to wear a pfd b/c I am close to shore" is debunked given the statistics quoted in the video. Maybe Bill, you can answer these questions for me-- Do you know of any gender differences in hypothermia? Is gender a factor? Or, is the gender factor negated by body weight? Given that all things are equal in equipment, if one person weighs more than another person, the heavier weight person, stays warmer longer - regardless of gender? Les

http://www.nasbla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1 Saw this video being passed around on the different surfski message boards--description of what happens (stages) to the body's responses during immersion in cold water-- If you have some time, watch it (10 minutes)--you may want to pass it on to paddlers who think wearing a life jacket is a bother--les

And Heidi--thank you for all your hard work in making the event so much fun--I guess it is good news that you even recognized me as the "swearing ferret" -- It was so nice to see so many wonderful people last nite and to be able to catch up with such nice friends-such events reminds me that pleasure of paddling is not only being on the water--but the people I have met-Happy Holidays to all--les

Update on Prudence Island trip--moved to Sunday--September 28, 2008 Paddlers paddlin' that trip: maybe you? Launch from Colt State Park in Bristol, RI -- time for launch is 9:30 am/back at put is 4:30 pm. Distance of paddling: approximately 15 miles round trip with beach breaks. Directions: (Bristol is about 7 or 8 miles south west of Fall River,Ma) http://www.newenglandsite.com/ri-coltstatepark.shtml Location of put in @ Colt State Park: http://www.riparks.com/pdfs/coltmap.pdf Colt State Park directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&...mp;t=h&z=16 The route is approximately 14 - 15 miles with launch from Colt St Park and crossing over to Prudence Island. Ideally, we paddle the eastern shore to the southern tip of Prudence have a break either at the southern tip of Prudence or at the Light at Sandy Point about 1/2 down the island. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1955547 This route does cross the East Passage Shipping channel in Narragansett Bay so there could be some boat traffic when we cross the channel. This route plan is temporary--depends on winds shifts, etc. Some of us may want to paddle longer distances but the minimum for this trip is 14 - 15 miles. Any questions? Interest? Please post here-- Leaderless Les, AKA, Swearing Ferret--

Thanks to our paddling friends at Wild Turkeys and RICKA for their detailed trip reports and trip announcements: Launch from Colt State Park in Bristol, RI (exact time for BIB to be determined -- but early around 9:00-9:30); (Bristol is about 7 or 8 miles south west of Fall River,Ma) http://www.newenglandsite.com/ri-coltstatepark.shtml Location of put in @ Colt State Park: http://www.riparks.com/pdfs/coltmap.pdf Colt State Park directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Asylum+Rd,+Bristol,+RI+02809,+USA&sll=41.687159,-71.284554&sspn=0.011586,0.020084&ie=UTF8&ll=41.685092,-71.290605&spn=0.011586,0.020084&t=h&z=16 The route is approximately 14 - 15 miles with launch from Colt St Park and crossing over to Prudence Island. Ideally, we paddle the eastern shore to the southern tip of Prudence have a break either at the southern tip of Prudence or at the Light at Sandy Point about 1/2 down the island. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1955547 This route does cross the East Passage Shipping channel in Narragansett Bay and there are ferries from Bristol - Prudence; so there could be some traffic at times on the water. This route plan is temporary--depends on winds and tides, currents, etc. Some of us may want to paddle longer distances but the minimum for this trip is 14 - 15 miles. Once we get closer to the date, there will be more specifics on this trip. Those of you who have done this trip, any suggestions or considerations that might be helpful in planning would be most helpful-- Any questions? Interest? Please post here-- Leaderless Les, AKA, Swearing Ferret--

John Leonard and I are planning on paddlin' around Prudence and Patience Island in RI. Date: Sept. 27, 2008 (Saturday) Distance: 18 miles for sure--probably more-- Launch from: Colts Street Park in Bristol, RI CAM rules rule for the day-- Early launch -- get off the water when we feel like it--details on where, when, etc. and who signs up to join this motley crew--later All are welcome--but this is a distance trip as opposed to a sightseeing trip--so more paddling and playing on the water than taking breaks on the shore-- Please post here if interested-- leaderless les

I am in--les

After two and a half hours at Walden Pond yesterday, I still could not get that wing paddle to stop diving during a roll--obviously, doing something wrong--any words of wisdom?--When I practice, should I first practice with greenland paddle then work my way up to the wing? Or, stick with the wing because the feel of the paddle is so different? Les

I am interested in all of the above trips--mostly for the lobsta' roll--but of course, not all in one day--les

Thanks Bill -- I meant to put either pebble beach with Rockport or Greasy Pole/Pavillion beach with Gloucester--got 'em mixed up in my haste-- So here is the story--leave Greasy Pole/Pavillion, Gloucester say BIB around 10:30 am (after rush hour traffic for me) head towards misery or as far as we want -- try to be back in reasonable hour say around 3:00--to beat the traffic back--

Looks like a perfect day to launch from pavillion beach in rockport--winds 5-10 south low tide 10:14 am high tide 3:54 pm go north or south --wherever we decide--and however long it takes- CAM rules rule-- who is game? work can't be that important-- les

Dan, Thanks for the pics you took--is there anyway I can get a copy of one or two of the pics? Les

Anyone interested in paddlin' on Friday? If so, let me know and I'll put together some options depending on wind, weather, and tide--les

I'll be there--les

please follow these directions-- much easier to get to graves from this launch--les

Winthrop Explore Belle Island Marsh - the OLDEST existing marshland in the United States. It is fun to paddle around the airport - water quality not great - don't want to spill - around Deer Island treatment plant and then up along the coast past north end of Winthrop, Revere beach (the oldest public beach in US) to Nahant and around then around Nahant. Take Route 1A north from Logan Airport about 1.5 miles to Route 145 (just south of Suffolk Downs). Turn right on Route 145 to Pleasant Street. Right on Pleasant (still following signs for 145). At intersection of Shirley Street and Route 145, turn right and follow Shirley Street 0.4 mile to the Winthrop Harbor Boat Ramp on the right. Free parking.

great carl--it will be fun to paddle with you again--the boat ramp is on the right--part of the parking lot--you kinda follow your nose until you can't go anymore--you will see the parking lot on the right--les

welcome--see you tomorrow--les

Thanks Bill for the clarification of the CAM definition of trip leadership. Les

forgot to mention--this trip is leaderless--this is a Common Adventure Trip-see Trip participation section in Events & Planning for clarification. Thx, les

Bob B, John L. and myself will be launching from Winthrop Deer Island on Sat--BIB @11 AM. We will probably be going out to Graves and other whatnots islands--directions are in the pt-in section of NSPN trips This is a 3+ level trip given the boat traffic, shipping lane, etc. If interested post here. Les

Dear Leon, Now that you let the world know about my dastardly deeds, you forgot one small detail--how YOU got me-- As I was heading into the harbor--being dog-tired by Dogbar--my spare paddle got loose--water slapping, rollers rolling, butt aching, hands cramping--willing to walk on water if only I could to get out of that *##@@ boat--I had to decide whether to keep going and maybe lose my spare Epic paddle or try somehow to get the blades back on deck--sanity set in and I decided to fix the paddle and forget the minutes wasted--not that minutes really mattered with my time-- So Leon, the foot peddle, the rescue, the picnic lunch, the lost sponge, the sloppy conditions from Straitsmouth to Brace Cove pale in comparison to your single stroke of genius--just loosen the spare paddle on the back deck. Brilliant! To be continued--Les is more--

I plan on being there--I probably will get there early to beat the rush hour traffic and to get some paddling in--if my blisters and wrists heal from the blackburn race--so if people want to meet early at the harbor--post here-- I also will pick up some glow lights to toggle on the deck--fun to have on your deck at night--les