Lbeale

Well I’m back from completing the Blackburn Challenge Race this weekend. I bought a new boat (Seda Impulse) for the race, mainly because I wanted a rudder for the race (last year I couldn’t hold course with my rudderless Falcon 18 in heavy chop and cross winds)

As planned I started out near the back and began to slowly catch up with the leaders. The first mile was uneventful. Then there was a sudden cracking noise, heard by paddlers on all sides of me. The Smart Track foot peg assembly cracked open. (more on this later). Now I was without rudder control and, more important, I didn’t have a foot peg on the right side to push on. I considered dropping out but decided to continue anyway … it’s a scenic trip. To compensate, I dug my right knee against the combing and pressed my right toes against the little bit of residual plastic left from the broken-off foot peg.

A little after leaving the Annisquam River the first group of surf ski’s passed by me. I noticed that Ken Cooper’s form was almost flawless (His stroke reminded me of Greg Barton, who was not in the race this year). I tried to copy Ken’s form, but it was impossible with out the foot peg and my injured arm (Oh, did I forget to mention that after training with Les a few weeks ago I woke up the next day with Golf Elbow Tendentious; more on this later).

Somewhere around Folly Point I caught up to some women paddler. She yelled out “Hi Leonâ€, but I didn’t remember ever seeing her before. Then a strange thing happened. She called out “let’s go ashore and have a picnic, this race is much too much workâ€. I slowed down to let her catch up. Naturally I couldn’t believe what I heard. We exchanged some small talk and I told her I would have to pass on the picnic since I didn’t want to place last in the race. So I paddled on as fast as I could with the injured arm and no right foot peg. But she sure was good looking, then again, so are all the other women racers.

Somewhere on Sandy Bay I noticed a bunch of surf skis about 200 yards away, off at 10 O’clock. Then another strange event occurred. The lead ski capsized, but the competitors behind him continued on as if nothing happened. I prayed that someone would turn back and rescue him. But it didn’t happened so I had to do it. The guy was in fantastic shape and I think that he could have easily jumped back on and continued. But he continued flailing around so I held onto his surf ski and after a few minutes he got back on and thanked me. I was thinking that it was almost as if he wanted to slow me down, but that’s ridiculous so I purged it from my thoughts.

As an aside, you are supposed to yell out your boat number to an anchored check-in boat between Straitsmouth Island and the mainland. This didn’t work out this year: the boat was too far to the left (in fact, I’m not even sure if it was the check-in boat).

At around Thatcher Island another strange thing happened. I caught up to Mark Jacobson who was paddling an Epic surf ski. Under normal conditions this would be impossible; Mark is one of the fastest paddlers (won the Blackburn many times) and there is no way I could keep up with him (especially a touring kayak against a racing surf ski). His stroke looked good, however, and he said every thing was fine and that I was just going too fast. I thought it strange but I did slow down for about 10 minutes and paddled at his speed.

Later, as I approached dogbar, I caught up to a guy in a Gulfstream. He took off like a bat out of hell and went between the breaking swells and the jetty. I thought it fool hardy but followed him anyway. He was a great paddler (especially considering he was using a much slower boat), but it seemed like he was trying to kill me, but that’s ridiculous so I purged it from my thoughts.

The final sprint through Gloucester harbor to the finish line (not the greasy pole this year) was uneventful except I couldn’t keep up with any of the sprinters (I think it was due to the missing foot peg and a lot of pain in my left elbow).

All and all I didn’t do that poorly considering the bad arm, the missing footpeg, the unusable rudder, the invitation to picnic, the capsized surf skier and Mark Jacobson’s ploy. My time was almost precisely 3:50, not that far off of my goal of 3:20.

Monday morning I went out for a ride on my road racing bike (I just wanted to forget the kayak race). I wear mountain bike shoes with the Frog clipless clips. My right toes started to hurt and I realized this was the after effect of paddling in a race without a right foot peg. Then the whole race and training procedure went through my mind while peddling along the bike trail.

Suddenly it all became clear to me. While in the beer line I noticed Dr. Les Beale talking and laughing with none other than: 1. The picnic gal, 2. The surf skier, 3. Mark Jacobson, 4. The fast Gulfstream paddler and 5. Some Blackburn race officials.

Obviously, Dr. Les, to get back at me (see previous trip report titled “Counterclockwise Blackburn Circuit, 6/13/08â€) made prior arrangements with individuals 1. – 4. above to set me up. Then you might ask what about 5. The Blackburn officials.

It’s a complicated story. This year the Blackburn Challenge officials posted that this year’s race would follow the Sound Rower’s (SR) boat classification system. For kayaks the system relies on the ratio of the water line length to the water line width, call it the Sound River Number (SRN).

Thus if the SRN is less than 9.25 the boat is in the Sea Kayak class (SK)

If SRN is between 9.25 to 10.99 the boat is in the Fast Sea Kayak class (FSK)

Finally if the SRN is greater than 10.99 the boat is in the High Performance Kayak class (HPK) … these are the racing kayaks and surf skis.

After I heard about the new SR rules I used them to choose a new boat. I wanted an 18 foot boat that had an SRN close to or at the top of the FSK class. The Seda Impulse was such a boat. The newest Epic 18X has an SRN way over 11, so it fits in the HPK class and therefore I wouldn’t consider buying it for the Blackburn Challenge.

Here’s how I think Dr. Les tried to keep me out of the winner circle: Knowing that I wouldn’t buy the Epic 18X (because it’s not in the FSK class), somehow she was able to convince the Blackburn officials to make an exception to the SR rules and place the 18X into the FSK class. The most likely winner of the FSK race would be paddling the Epic 18X. And this actually happened (the 2008 winner was paddling the 18X).

There is one other factor. If you read “Counterclockwise Blackburn Circuit, 6/13/08†you will see that I carried Les’ boat to her car after doing it with my boat. I’m not sure, but I think, she swamped the hatches of her Impex while I was dealing with my boat. Her Impex is supposed to weigh less than 50 pounds. I had an awful tough time lifting her boat (it felt like if weigthed over 100 pounds). And that’s probably the cause of my tendenitis.

There’s one other matter to discuss. After I came back from the registration and check-in for the Blackburn race I noticed Les peering into my cockpit and holding a hammer. She said that she had picked up the hammer on the ground and was just admiring my foot peg system. I can’t believe it, but is it possible that she made some minor adjustments to my foot pegs?

Clearly, Les is a genius … but I forgive her; after all she loaned me a sponge for the race.

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--

How rare that a Full Moon falls on a Friday night.

The sun sets at 8:17 PM and the moon rises at 8:44 PM. We will launch at 7:00 PM from Pavillion Beach aka the Greasy Pole on Gloucester harbor, paddle to the coast guard station -- via the inner harbor or western shore/crossing the mouth of the harbor depending on weather and the wishes of the group -- secure our boats then hike out to the end of dogbar breakwater for the moonrise and a picnic.

Bring: coast guard-required lights(if you don't know look it up or ask on the regular message board), good food/drink to share (no Shaw's potato salad-type crap, puhleeze!), warm clothes to wear on the breakwater as it gets surprisingly cool out there and stories. We tell lots of good stories on these trips. About bears and stuff. Tin foil hats are also welcome. Ask Bethany.

This will be a late night. Assume you will be back to your car no earlier than 11 PM, with very good memories.

Liz

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

Yesterday while paddling towards Marblehead from Manchester in fairly strong winds (about 20 knots sustained with stronger gusts) I decided to deploy my rudder and turn back. With one hand on my paddle I reached back with the other hand to grab the rudder control line. I suddenly realized I was going over and couldn't move fast enough to perform any brace. After failing three attempts to roll ... I wet exited and did a paddle-float assisted reentry and roll. (I think I failed the roll because I haven't practiced enough with the wing paddle.)

Next two items on my to-do list:

1) Master rolling with the wing paddle and 2) Learn the hand roll (Walden Pond, here I come). Also, the following safety device on my deck may be a good idea:

Roll-Aid BackUp --It will immediately inflate and hold your hand at the surface with 80 lbs of buoyant force so you can do a 'solo Eskimo rescue'.

http://www.roll-aid.com/index.html#top_main

Hey Leong,

If you plan on going to Walden to practice rolling with your wing, let me know--I want to practice rolling with my wing as well--we could spot each other--or anyone else who wants to practice rolling with or without a paddle--les

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with this product?

I take it back--have to work that day--sorry

looks like I can make this trip as well--les

looks like I can make this trip as well--les

Just you wait, Leon---to be continued with the litany of "What was her or his name?" people--It is my secret weapon to get fast paddlers to slow down--I ask for the name of some flash in the pan newsbreaker--they get so distracted they forget their full rotation--works every time-- you're going wish you never said those names, by the way--you forgot Linda Tripp(sp)--Les

Welcome,

I live in "Almost Cambridge" known locally as the happening Davis Square, Somerville area. I have often rented rooms to visiting Fellows from MIT and Harvard. But, alas, not renting rooms due to sabbatical year. My suggestion is go to Harvard or MIT Housing websites. The listings tend to be choice, varied and cheaper than housing offered on campus. If you need any more information on places, costs and choices, email me at lbeale at splfdcoldotedu. Best of luck, les

Which fine institutions of higher learning in Cambridge? A few denizens of those places even sea kayak, or so I've been told.

Hey David,

Want to set up "long" circumnavigation trips like we did last summer--get in touch with me to start planning trips--or anyone else who wants to join us--les

yes, I can do weekday paddles as well--my preference, actually--so add my name to your list--les

The update for Todd W's and John C's on the water risk management workshop is that I have been in contact with Todd and John and currently working to set up time, place (hopefully someplace MA Northshore) and cost. It is my understanding that 6 or more people have told me that they are interested in this workshop: Karen G. Tom H, Mary B, Kevin B, Gillian B, Sal--

Is there anyone else? I think anyone can take this workshop who has an interest--you do not need to have taken the H2o workshop to participate.

If there are other people, please post here--

Les

OK--it looks like we have six people--maybe more if anyone wants to jump in--

Todd explained this workshop to me--scenarios on the water--not off shore but coastal--start off away from shore and then work you way toward shore--success driven in that instruction is built on your success with gradual challenges as opposed to throw you into high risk situations then you figure out what you did wrong--

If anyone remembers Scott's and Rick's risk management excellent workshop several years ago with risk management this workshop would be similiar to that experience. So for those of us who took that workshop, this would be a refresher--

Todd also stated that if we got enough #'s, he and John would do their workshop on the North Shore--

Does anyone have Todd's email address at St. Mike's College? If so, please post here--thx,

Les

WFA-h20 was a great learning experience. I haven't done FA since boy scouts, so I was long overdue for a refresher and Todd and Ryan knew their stuff and were able to convey much of the "why we do this" in a reasonable and understandable manner.

I'm definitely looking to do some incident management work this summer, so Les, if you organize it, I'll come (scheduling dependent of course).

Phil

Thank you Kevin for the organization of this hands-on, practical, build-on success rather than failures safety workshop. The type of learning fostered by Todd and Ryan relieves some of the anxiety one might experience when encountering a medical emergency on or near the water. Highly recommend.

Todd also mentioned that he and John C. would be willing to do an on-the-water risk reduction/risk management follow-up workshop. I believe you do not need the first workshop to participate in the follow-up workshop. He would be willing to do the workshop with six participants. I know that Mary B., myself and Karen G. voiced interest. Anyone else interested?

If we can get six people then I would be willing to organize where, when and how. Please post here if interested.

Les

I recently got a new car and had to get Thule crossbars (long story)--unfortunately all my saddle sets are Yakima. Is there a way I can use or an adjustment I can make to these saddles (round fittings) to my Thule crossbars (square shape).

Les

drk

L-

Thanks. What's her Login name?

P

Get in touch with eyeglasses guru Karen Gladstone--she will point in the right direction on the best selection or at least give you expert advise on the most appropriate glasses for your needs--Les

Hi All-

Well its time for me to get new sunglasses (prescription) for the first time in several years, so given that I'm on the water alot I thought I'd ask everyone what they like. I've been eyeing some of the newer variants that have integrated straps (like seaspecs )but haven't had any experience with them. Anybody know how well they work for day to day stuff?

Any and all advice appreciated.

Phil

Does anyone know of a small cottage for rent -- a week or two -- on or near the water --this summer in the Cape Ann or Comono Pt (sp?) area? Nothing fancy but it would be grand if I could also take my 5 year old well behaved chocolate lab, billie holiday, with me -the girl does love to swim in cold water- hopefully under a $1000 a week--any suggestions or recommendations?

Les

Thanks Liz, will call him tomorrow--I will keep my fingers crossed--

Hi Les,

The place on the water in front of me might work. I'll get the phone # and email it to you.

Liz

I knew my spelling was off--and thank you for helping me get the spelling right-I always appreciate help in any form--

Dog town? yes--just the kind of place or area I am looking for--nothing fancy--want a no frills cottage --I have an open agenda for the summer--have a flexible time schedule--any leads--mightly appreciated--les

PS. I could start any time after Mid-June--

Leslie, where is this "Cumono" place? Or did you mean "kimono"? Conomo, perhaps? (You know you can rely on me to correct your spelling, dear!)

Could you bear to slum it in Fish Town? ("In cod we trust" -- now passe, sadly) I bet you I can find something -- when? The seasonal lets (rentals) will go fast and high summer might already be out; but if you want something soon, I bet you I can sniff it out. Let me know as fast as possible and I'll gladly put out feelers.

would be willing to work around their schedule--I got a year sabbatical so would enjoy spending sometime on the water--any leads would be much appreciated--your swell, Al--see you on the water soon?

les aka swearing ferret

Hi Leslie....have any dates? Have a neighbor on Cumono...not sure if they will be away this summer.

Al

Does anyone know of a small cottage for rent -- a week or two -- on or near the water --this summer in the Cape Ann or Cumono Pt (sp?) area? Nothing fancy but it would be grand if I could also take my 5 year old well behaved chocolate lab, billie holiday, with me -the girl does love to swim in cold water- hopefully under a $1000 a week--any suggestions or recommendations?

Les

I also will be there--looking forward a wonderful afternoon paddling---Les

Bob and I will be meeting at 1200 and launching at 1230 from Tuck's Point. Please drop boats and gear near path to water and park in the far corner of the field [we'll help you with these logistics].

Water is 47 degreees by the Boston buoy. Current forecast is for 10-15 from the East with possible gusts to 20. So we'll be paddling into the wind on the way out and have it at our backs on the return.

Dress for immersion [this likely means a dry suit] and bring neoprene hoods/hats.

Please post your interest here.

Moosejaw?

Can anyone guess which catalogue I am thinking about, but whose name I forget, out of Minnesota (I think) and the company putting it out sell things like backpacks for canoeists, field bags and such. I am <not> thinking of Duluth Trading Co...any ideas, please?

Hi Everyone,

want to go but don't have the racks on my new car yet--dealer conspiracy--

Is anyone coming from W. Somerville to Mystic Lakes on the 18th so me and my kayak can hitch a ride?

Les

4:00 pm on. Come one, come all.

Water's cold.

Joe Pizza is a good place for a pie afterwards.

I'll do it--Les

I hope someone will write a full trip report, but it was a wonderful paddle. 8 launched from Riverhead and did 13 miles, looping the small islands at the edge of Salem Sound, watching a good number of seals on the northern side of Baker Island, lunching on a high point of Misery, and returning back against some light winds and chop to Riverhead.

If the seals where the highlight, then our coordinated crossing of the channel between Bakers and Misery was the low point. As we gathered in a line at the channel edge, one unnamed ferret suggested we head to the right and go around of House Island and then turn back to Misery. The yell of agreement went out to follow the ferret as we began our crossing. While the line stayed in tack, before long we were strung out over 1/2 mile as said ferret headed directly towards Misery...only about 30 degrees too far to the right. Debate reared its ugly head wondering what we had missed. Whistles, yells, radio calls to the ferret did no good as 1/2 the group followed the ferret and the other group split the difference between the ferret and the bearing for House Island. We finally got the ferrets attention and she came steaming back down channel gathering the rest of us. When asked what she was doing, she said "I was surfing that big boats wake...why do you ask?" Of course, ferrets are not natural leaders given their independent streak but they sure are fast.

Pictures are in the Gallery.

I can't believe you outed me like that, Al--those peole who have paddled with me over the years, will know exactly what you are talking about--the swearing ferret