Lbeale

yup--could be tempted for sure--its one of those lots of fun paddles--have launched from the Maine side from the State Park--they have a special launch site for kayakers--McCausley Park? That does sound right? also there is a great lobsta shack on the water place by the creek to get lobsta for those who eat lobsta--les

I am interested--Les

Yesterday, Deb Dempsey and I circumnavigated Cape Ann. We put in at the High School, paddled the route then finally landed at the beach next to the canal (Western Harbor). We innocently thought we could go through the canal back to our launch site, but yoh!!! The canal was jumping with Sunday boat traffic. By 5:00 pm, that canal had its own manic washing machine current. Deb and I thought the better of it decided we would like to go home in one piece and, landed at the beach next to the canal. We had to walk back to our cars at the High School parking lot.

Do kayakers usually go through that canal and we just happen to hit it on a busy day? Or do we just forget about EVER going through that canal? In other words, what is the local wisdom? Another question, as far as we can figure it out based on chart review, there is no way around that canal --if you want to circumnavigate Cape Ann--is that correct?

We chose our paddling route based on winds and tide and did well with the choice--however, is it better to launch at the Western Harbor beach by the canal? But then we don't do the full circumnavigation if we stop before the canal. We would like to do this trip again soon, but need information on best launch sites and considerations for this route. Thx, Les

Hi David,

I hope to be at Mystic tonite with my surf ski--anyone welcome to try--however, I feel obliged to warn people about the bacteria count--In my humble opinion, rolling practice should be done cautiously--at least with earplugs and face mask--I took my 2 labs swimming yesterday at Mystic near where we launch--and "funky" is the best I can describe the water--also, given the bacteria count, if a swimmer does get an "ENT" (Ear, Nose and Throat) infection b/c of the water conditions--the recovery can be uncomfortable and costly--I know of a swimmer who was at Mystic just recently and got an ear infection the next day--maybe b/c of the waters -- maybe not --however, going to the doctor, missing work, getting meds, feeling sick for days after--makes her think twice about swimming in Mystic Lakes--just a word of caution--sorry to be a doomsdayer--but guess what, I'm not rolling at Mystic--however, maybe it is just me--Les

Thank you Scott and Rick for leading the trips on Saturday--and a special thanks to Scott for putting this adventure together for the likes of paddlers like me--paddling, hiking, paddling, lots of chips n' dips, soggy Maine pizza (what was that recipe again--oh yes, cheese and more cheese with crust), veranda, small talk with great company, laughs, "I'm lumberjack, yes I am" breakfast, lobsta boats with black labs, three ospreys flying above our heads while paddling soft rolling waters home--have I mentioned the fine company and good friends that I have met through NSPN? Yes, thank you all for a splendid time---les

Hi David,

Just to make sure about the water quality for Tuesday. Deb and I were practicing on Mystic Lake on Saturday--we found out that no one was swimming on Sandy Beach--the beach was yellow plastic lined off and, there was a "no swimming" flag. The water near the shoreline looked funky and it smelled--we were going to practice our rolls but agreed better safe than sorry when it comes to that funky lake run-off bacteria--we asked the people at the boat club and they said the water was fine there; but , did not know about sandy beach or the rest of the lake. The no swimming could be the season had not started this year--hence, no life guard. However, when we loaded the boats Deb's Vela hull had this slimy, brown coating on it-my night heron did not (maybe the wood or the excellent coating job I did?)--so we decided we needed to check the water quality at Mystic--do you know how to do that or the website to check the Mystic Lake water quality? THX, Les

I like Karen have been anxiously waiting for your trip report post--and it was worth the wait--I will keep re-reading this post because it has multiple messages about skills, not losing your head in a crisis and, what it really means to paddle with someone--thank you for a most informative post.

I also appreciate the time and effort it took to write this post. When I blew out my knee during leadership training last year, it was difficult for me to write about the experience for many reasons--having to relive the experience, feeling like an idiot, difficulty in articulating sequence of events, then reflection and, lessons learned--

Keith and John thank you for this written endeavor to share your experiences so that I can be a better paddler--Les

Hey Ken,

I can't tell you how helpful you have been in passing on this information to me. Many, many thanks to you for your kindness. When I tested John Leonard's boat last summer in Boston Harbor, I did it so I could paddle a surfski in Hawaii. I did not get to paddle one in Hawaii (big regret) but I fell in love with the boat anyways because of its lightness and speed. A surfski is a blast to paddle and reminds me of sailing without the hassle. So when I brought John's boat this winter, I was and am determined to have fun on this boat. I also have a reverence for the power of this boat and WILL take your advice on the safety issues particularly with paddle leash, holding on to the paddle and, practicing both re-entries techniques. Les

Thanks Suz and Alex,

Most helpful information--when I tried the boat with John Leonard, I practiced getting in and out of the boat--by putting my butt in the cockpit first as quickly as possible--but then, the water was calm and the water was below my waist--I had no trouble doing the butt- in- first technique--so I am assuming that is what I need to do in deeper water, correct? And I will take Suz helpful advice on staying close to shore until I get the re-entry down first--and practice in a pool session if time and schedule permits--Suz, its John's boat I purchased--Fenn Mako XT--the paddle blemished epic small mid wing for lil' people--

Thank you for the honor of paddling with you two--I am feeling not quite ready to paddle with you both--until I get the rentry down at least--so I am wondering if I can meet Suz or Alex sometime in the next couple of weeks and you can at least show me the rentry then I can practice by myself until I get it down right--Les

I have my new surfski and my wing paddle arrives this week--looking for other surfski paddlers to train with or just paddle with--not racing just informal training--does anyone know of groups or others who have surfskis who go out on a regular or weekly basis? Les

Sean,

Brilliant idea and sounds like fun--count me in--let me know time and place--an option is my house in Somerville for meetings if helpful--les

Hello Scott,

Acupuncture has worked great on my recent knee injury as well as back and neck pain. I highly reccommend David Cheng Muscular Therapy Group

1 Porter Square, Cambridge, MA 02140

(617) 864-8600--there is a Chinese woman acupuncturist who was trained as a doctor in China so she knows chinese herbs as well as acupuncture. Being trained in China as a physician/acupuncturist tends to be a more lengthy process than being trained in the US--David is a exercise physiologist who gives the best massage in Boston (MHO). If you find this Group expensive, you may want to try the Acupuncture School in Watertown where on certain nights they have a student clinic with faculty supervised treatment for not much money. If you need more information, feel free to email me--les

I am also interested in participating in the weather workshop--please add my name to the list if there is space--thx, les

yes--I am in for this practice/trip--maybe we can get Karen to meet us as well-sometime berfore noon-Deb D said she would be interested as well--les

Okay--so it was crazy to take your first surf class with small craft advisory and high seas warning posting not to mention a drenching downpour--but at least I had good company--once we figure out exactly where to surf--NIgel gave us some pointers under the awning of the Tides Restaurant such as keep you boat straight when landing on the beach, watch out for shoulder injuries in the high brace and, don't put you hand down on the sand to stop your boat when landing in the surf--already soaking wet from the rain, many of us taking the class felt we already got our money's worth just from Nigel's shore presentation--and to be honest, an image of a hot cup of tea and slippers was calling to me more than the mixed up surf I was looking at --

At the put-in, the six of us were given instruction again on leaning the boat into the waves with a low brace--by the way, no surf rescue and no paddle leashes--if we did a wet exit swim to shore--

Dee, Bob, Bill, and Rick were there to help us get and stay in our boats and, keep us in the surf--often, these more experienced paddlers would give me helpful hints on surfing which was an added bonus--like how to punch a wave with the paddle blade to keep going forward and remain stable (thanks Rick, Bill, Suz, Pat, Dee and Bob)--too many hints to mention--

Nigel would partner up with each student on the water and work on getting boat control based on individual competence--never once did I feel that Nigel tried to push me beyond my comfort zone although he did challenge me to get into the surf--with his direction, kindness and skill I could take on pounding waves straight and ride waves straight some of the time--with my back to the wave all I could do was hear this rumbling behind me and hope for the best as I was being picked up and thrust forward--

I can't tell how many times I went over in the surf because I gave up counting--all I know is now I'm really good at doing wet exits in cold water and it's no big deal (check that your spray skirt loop is in easy reach and loose before leaving the shore)--

I am usually the baseline on trips for the first to get cold giving my weight and metabolism--but for some reason given the number of times I was dumped in the cold water --I did not feel the cold until much later in the day and then I stopped--

Each time I had to swim there was always someone on the shore waiting to help me back in my boat with words of encouragement and advise-always to try again--at last, I was able to ride a wave to shore without dumping--many of us in the class had similar victories including Karen who rolled in the surf (twice)--

The extra high was watching Nigel dance on the waves--worth the price of admission--here is some pics that Bill took while standing/swimming in the waves--a motley crew indeed!

http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/101505

Thank you Bob and John for your navigational tips for dead reackoning and winds. Will try to remember your tips next time out offshore. I like the idea of just sitting in you kayak for 10 minutes just to see what the boat wants to do then navigate based on that information.

John, if you are thinking of going to the Isle of Shoals now is the time. We were lucky enough to land and get permission to stay and have a picnic on Star Island. I've heard told that during the summer months it's not so easy to get permission to land on this island and explore. Les

Deb D. and I planned this trip with high expectations yet on a cautionary note. A sunny, warm October day brought light S winds of 5knots on the morning with a forcast of maybe S winds of 10 knots for the afternoon. We, Kevin O'Malley, Sam Hollander, Deb Dempsey and myself launched latter than expected but the paddle as planned seemed realistic if we cut our time short on the islands.

In preparation for this trip, Deb and I tried to talk to everyone we knew who did this trip just to make sure we could find our way back to the put-in. I called Adam B. and emailed Jed L. to get any quirky navigational tidbits. Words of wisdom were make sure you have your compass bearing and, keep looking back to get land marks when paddling out to the Islands. Okay got it--plus Sam had done this trip in the not too distant past. Things were looking good for my first navigational challenge.

Made sure everyone had their own laminated chart for the crossing with inserts of the Islands and Rye Harbor, radios and cellphones just in case, we were ready to go. Paddling with a compass reading of "120 against the high tide. The winds from the South were mild so the paddle out was pleasant. Kept looking back at the landmarks-Deb was the best at this task. Got to Star Island reveled in its beauty and, had a quick but enjoyable lunch on a grassy knoll with fine friends.

Okay, nice day so far-nice even as we get into the boats to paddle back at 2:30. Some people told us that the trip was not a big deal if not boring. I guess they are right. Sam was great in making sure we had the tower at our back--not the side of the tower--but the front of the tower--an important consideration.

As soon as we start paddling back and out of the wind protection of the islands, the winds and the swells picked up considerably in a short time. Now the swells are 3-4 ft and getting bigger and, the winds were S 15 plus. Still keeping our compass bearing at 300 we could see the water tower and the row of white houses that look like sailboats at full sail in the distance on the mainland shore. Keeping that compass reading at 300 we figured we were directly in line if not close to our put-in--

However, as we got close to the shore line, the put-in was nowhere in sight even though we kept to our compass reading religiously. Also, our landmarks for the put-in looked different as the sun started to set and the tide was low. Now what? Luckily, we were not that far off from the put-in and got to it within a mile or two. But of course, Kevin, Deb, and I following Sam in through the surf landing, just had to go over and get dunked. Looking like three drowned rats on the shore, we laughed at each yells of "going over".

So, what were the lessons learned?? This might be more obvious to the more experienced paddlers with navigation skills but, for someone who is trying to apply what I learned from my NSPN navigation teachers:

1) Compass reading might be correct but winds affect drift of boat. I know, I heard this a hundred times in leadership training but now I get what it means. Now I just got to figure out by how much winds affect drift. Any suggestions for factoring the wind in getting an accurate reading on the compass????? I seem to remember a formula for this calculation, but I forget what it is.

2) Don't wear sunglasses when taking landmarks--take them off and then note the landmarks--on the way back the sun is different and the shoreline looks different--what looked like a green shed on the way out, on the way back the shed is now a small white house with windows.

3) When people tell you to "keep the tower to your back" that means keep the face of the tower to your back--not just "the tower" -- thank you Sam for getting us to head back in the right direction--

4) Even on beautiful sunny days--listen to the weather forecast as much as possible--within in less than two hours, the winds changed in gust for us--luckily we did not leave any later than 2:30 pm.

5) If you do lose your sightings, it is better to paddle close to and travel along the shore and get your landmark bearings that way. If people are too tired to paddle anymore, land and ask someone for directions. We did not have to land for directions, but much longer on the water we would.

Recommends for an Isle of Shoals trip:

Small number of paddlers experienced for this level of trip (we were four paddlers), charts for everyone not just a few, did homework before trip and ask more seasoned paddlers for guidance, have someone who did the trip with you (if possible), lots of landmark sightings for both directions, but particularly for the return trip (though landmarks were confusing off shore, as we got closer we could pick up the landmarks). Also, leave early and don't stay late because those winds change and it can be a slog back to the put-in. We did okay with our time but I would of preferred an even earlier launch.

The NSPN Club has some great paddlers who are more than willing to share their wisdom with less seasoned paddlers like myself. Deb and I did the homework and then asked people for guidance. This was my first trip practicing my limited navigational skills and, the guidance I recieved was extremely helpful. The worst that happened to us was we were off by slightly more than a mile from the put-in due to unexpected strong southerly winds. So thanks to my fellow companions on yesterday's adventurous yet fun trip and, to those who guided us safely with their navigational expertise.

Les

Leptospirosis is not necessarily pointless information--somewhat remote but not pointless - as someone who works in the public health field--Leptospirosis happens to people who are in contaminated waters for periods of time--and for those who are following the daily public health warnings for New Orleans--there are now documented cases of people who were in the those waters during and after the storm/flooding--so, the connection for kayaking, I humbly assume--is more of a precautionary note by BCU--if you are not sure of why the waters look so dark, smelly, slimy, oily and, you are wading, swimming and/or just in it --get out-wipe down your exposed skin asap, dry off as much as possible-try to get rid of any dampness or residue on the skin-In New Orleans, there are presently daily public health warnings by CDC for Leptospirosis-and as Jed describes, it is not a pretty sight to have Leptospirosis--Les

I did that trip last summer with other members of NSPN. It was an experience of a life time--for example, having three adolescent minke whales decide to play underneath my boat while paddling on the River--one whale decides that he or she was going look me right in the eye by twisting as close to my boat as possible without knocking me over--and sticking his or her nose where my hand was in the water--so go if you have the chance--the worse part is the drive--long and boring for the most part--but once you get there--it is worth the journey--I have the name of the eco-friendly Native American owned resort where we stayed--it has views of the St. Lawrence from every picture window of your condo--also a great restaurant for the pppo--all reasonable cost--so email me for the info--I will help you with the information I have --just email me for the details--les

Based on the chart I have--It is best going out with the west winds and return with the east winds on our backs--thanks for the info on the launch site --Rye Harbor does look like the place--quite helpful--also info on Smuttynose--thanks to you both--les

Deb D. and I are hankerin' to do an Isle of Shoals day paddle--sooner rather than later in September--so now we need some guidance on tides, currents, and winds from the more experienced paddlers in the club who have done this day trip --we know that we need to do the paddle early in the morning and return before the winds kick up in the afternoon--so we plan to launch early say 6:00-6:30 am from Portsmouth Harbor--that we know--the rest is not clear-- particularly the tides and winds (is it better to launch with low tide in Portsmouth or return with low tide at Isle of Shoals--and other naviagational considerations like currents and landings (Star Island as a landing point?)--What are the particulars of paddling out to the Isle of Shoals--there will be more than two of us for obvious safety reasons--but to put together a weekend day trip we need more info--also, any articles or weblinks about paddling to Isle of Shoals would be helpful??? Thanks, les

Would like to thank Richard N. for putting together a Newport Harbor and Jazz Festival trip plan on Saturday 8/13 that is difficult to beat--including inviting fun-to-be-with paddlers Brian, Linda, Michael B. and Deb. The first stop on the trip was inspecting the boatbuilding museum and school. Ask Brian about the wooden boat selling for $1000 bucks. If you get a chance to go to Newport forget about touring those opulent mansions with expensive entry fees--go to this Museum and support the endeavor--much more interesting to see the process of boat building and restoration than seeing dusty chandeliers. Next stop, a tour of Newport Harbor and then on to the lighthouse. But due to boat traffic, chop and, winds we opted for crossing the Harbor and going directly to the Festival. The boat traffic was intense. If I was with a different group of paddlers who were less experienced, I never would of attempted the crossing. There is wisdom in paddling with better paddlers than myself--the learning curve is high.

On to listen to the music in our boats, find a beach to go swimming, and paddle back with the winds behind us--more like sailing back--to the put-in. The PPPO was a barbeque place outside Newport that served the best baked beans--MIchael, Brian and Linda knew this place and it was delicious. Such a pleasure to paddle with Brian, Linda, Michael, and Deb on a beautiful summer day and special applause to Richard for organizing. Hope that Richard is willing to put together a similar trip in the early fall this year (of course, without the Festival events). les

This trip (not sponsored by NSPN) will launch from Sing's Beach (public boat launch off Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, near the Savin Hill Yacht Club)--

Launch time: 10:00 am

Return time: 3:00 pm

Destination: depending on weather and energy of paddlers--George's Island and other islands of interests--

Level: 3

Organizers (not leaders): Leslie Beale and Al Coons

Please note: All level 3 paddlers invited on this trip. This trip is not sponsored by NSPN and there are no leaders. Paddlers who participate in this trip are responsible for their own safety.

For more information about the trip or launch site email: lbeale at spfldcol dot edu

Les and Al

Dear Liz,

Sooo sorry for your mishap--how did you manage to be so brave and calm????? Yo, girl, I am impressed!!! Having recently been in a somewhat similar position of being injuried while paddling, I agree with you, being with knowledgeable paddlers can make a remarkable difference in an emergency situation--take care of that injury and get better soon, les

The NYTimes Science section today (7/7/05) has an informative article on rip currents and swimming--what to do, where to swim, and what not to do if you get caught swimming in a rip current--Of note, a 100 panicked swimmers a year in the US are pulled to their deaths by a rip current. According to the US Lifesaving Association, lifeguards pull at least 70,000 Americans from surf each year, 80% from rip currents. les