Lbeale

Today should give us a beautiful early evening on Walden. Hope to see many of your at the Pond !!!! Les

Will miss you guys -- see you soon on the water !!!! Les

Looks like a beautiful day for the first skills session at Walden. If you do not want to practice a roll, wet exit, etc. because you do not want to get wet that's fine -- we can work on other techniques like forward stroke. I will be bringing extra gear for those who want to get wet -- like an extra wetsuit, neoprene jacket and extra paddles -- If the old salts who have been going to these practice sessions in the past can bring some extra warm gear and paddles that would be grand. If you do intend to practice rolling, please remember to bring your nose plugs -- So excited to see you all today !!!! Les

I'll be there -- looking forward to it !!! Les

Given the weather predictions for thunderstorms today, I will not be attending Walden Skill Sessions today. I will be there next week -- Les

Does anyone know of this event: http://paddlefortheplanet.org/welcome/ It seems like it's a good cause and brings awareness about environmental issues. Is this something that NSPN wants to be involved in sponsoring? PS - I have no personal or professional interest in this group. Les

Past a certain time, you do not have to pay for parking at the boat launch. However, it is much later than the designated arrival time for the skills sessions. What happened last year, if there was no one at the boat launch booth, often a ranger would check cars at the boat launch for parking passes. If there was not a pass, then they ranger would give a ticket. I forget the price of the ticket that one NSPNer got but I do remember it was not cheap. So unless you intend to walk-in and carry/wheel a kayak - there is a $5.00 charge for parking or you can get a $35.00 seasonal pass (discounts for seniors). If you intend to buy a seasonal pass, you purchase it at the headquarters not the first entry gate. As for Gene's comments on sinus infections contracted from rolling at Walden, I have never had that problem. But if you think it is a possibility or a concern, Gene's advice is a wise preventive measure. In my prior posting, I equated admission fee with parking fee - my error. It is little or no difference to me because I drive to Walden. Les

That time of year again for Walden Pond -- First Session: 5/22/13 Arrive between 5:00-5:30 pm in the boat ramp parking lot. Time off the water: Up to you or until park rangers yell at us to get off the water. Cost: price of admission to Walden -- but do suggest you buy a season pass (35 bucks) if you plan on attending more than one session. NSPNers will help you learn kayak skills such as wet exits, bracing, skulling, forward stroke, rolling, boat control, etc. There is no charge for learning these skills other than the price of admission. Try to wear cold-weather clothing in case you get wet. If you have any questions or concerns, post here for a response. Les

Hey Rick, Tried to pm you but can't for some reason -- can you pm me when you get a chance?

hey, Have Fenn Mako XT and wing - will travel. I practice on the Charles on Monday and Friday nights during the summer. Sometimes our leader, Peter B, joins me for a harba' nightly cruise. It can be quite pleasant watching the city light up -- My problem with going from Somerville to merrimac/amesbury/newburyport area is rush hour traffic -- but we can figure something out -- stop teaching in two weeks so my schedule will loosing up. Took a class with Oscar last October at CRKC -- was the only one with a Finn Mako - everyone else had their Epics. Some guy approached me and sniggered, ' Are you still paddling one of those?" So if you are not too embarrassed to be seen with someone who still paddles "one of those" - I'm game -- PS - Oscar gave us a card that had a summary of his specific practice drills. I am hoping this weekend to start practicing the drills. I am perfectly willing to share his "Big 5" drills with you. Les

I am in the process of planning a 4 day circumnavigation of Mt. Desert either in July or early August. Journey along and camp as I go. Looking at 10-15 NM per day and traveling light. Not looking at doing the circumnavigation at a fast pace but taking my time to explore the area. Has anyone done this circumnavigation and if so: 1. Where did you park your car? 2. What are some considerations for this area such as boat traffic, currents, tides? 3. Suggestions ?

http://qajaqrolls.com/free-download-rolling-with-sticks-guidebook-and-video Christopher Crowhurst has decided that he has made enough money on his Rolling with Sticks instructional guide and video. In the spirit of passing it forward, he has posted it free for all to enjoy. It is helpful to read the guide first then watch the video -- then go out and try the roll with the guide close by for reference. If you purchase the guide the bonus is that it is written on waterproof paper. Other than the paper, there is no difference between the purchased and free products. I have the guide and video - and I find them helpful as companion references. The video and guide also got positive reviews in Ocean Paddler. Les

Thanks to Wayne, Will, Fred, and Nancy for sharing their boats, paddles and knowledge. Their level of expertise, instructional talents, hard work and, willingness to share was exemplary. These folks gave up their Sunday and volunteered to help us learn the art of Greenland rolls. They not only talk-the-talk but also, walk-the-walk of the "Pass-It-Forward" model. Les

Thanks Rob and all those who responded to this post -- it has been informative and thought provoking. But IMHO, I would like to add my two cents on kayak weight. Soaking wet, my weight is only double the weight of most kayaks. For example, I weigh less than 110 lbs on good days, so for me to lift a 50-55 lbs boat on to my car by myself (which is what I do 9x out of 10), I am lifting half my weight on to the car. On good days, I can do it but there has been many times I look like I am doing a poor imitation of Charlie Chaplin. The experience is akin to a 200 lb man lifting a 100 lb boat on to their car. So, you get the idea of the type of acrobatic skills needed to load boats on to a car top when you don't weigh much. The other limitation for a person my size is cockpit width. My Tahe fits at 17 inches but I still pad it. Great boat to roll but not for rock play, camping and, it is pokey by my standards. The Cetus LV is too big as well as the Explorer LV. I sat in the Pilgrim and the bow barely rested in the water - laughable. The solution would be to paddle with water jugs or rocks in the forward hatch to make it work. I am also not a big fan of using alot of foam to make it work -- some foam is okay but there is a point where the boat is just too big - and no amount of foam is going fix that problem. The Impex Force 3 at 20.5 inches is the best choice but the Tide Race Explore-S also has the same cockpit size so I am looking at that boat -- but again it is heavy. So although the discussion has been informative - I am envious of the diversity of kayak options available to the mid-size and larger paddler while there really is only slim-pickings for the smaller paddler. Les

For those of you interested in learning to roll or to improve your roll, getting instruction from Fred Randall and the Walden Quajaq Society aka Walden Pond Scum is a real treat and a special opportunity. You can get maybe the same, qualtiy instruction for mucho buckaroos - or attend this workshop for 25 bucks - best deal in town, bargain price, honestly. I promise that you will not be disappointed with the quality of instruction you will receive from these folks -- they taught me every roll I know with kindness and patience -- and taught me well -- I can not stress enough how much you will learn and the quality of instruction. Their philosophy for teaching Greenland rolls is the same as NSPN in that you pass it on -- and these folks live up to that philiosophy and then some. Les

Rob, If the pool is open but it is too challenging to drive from Somerville and I can't make it, you can have my spot -- I will have a better sense Sunday morning or even Saturday night. What is the latest time for you to know -- Saturday night or Sunday morning? Les

Hello Dana, I had an opportunity to spend 6 weeks at the University of Hawaii some summers ago. While there, I paddled with a paddling group like NSPN. A couple of the paddlers did paddle Japan and it seemed to be not an unusual trip for these group members. I can't remember exactly where they paddled and whether they did it with an outfitter or planned the trip themselves. My suggestion is to google paddling groups in Hawaii and post the same inquiry on their message board, and you may get some bites. You might be surprised how helpful the paddling communities are in Hawaii. Before going to Hawaii, I posted that I needed a boat to paddle. Several paddlers offered to loan a boat, equipment, etc. - whatever I needed. They also offered transportation to and from the put-in. So you may find the Hawaiian paddling communities very helpful in answering your request or putting you in touch with the right people. I also know there is a Greenland kayaking community in Japan but I don't know the name. Again, you probably could google it. Maybe Brian N knows the name or Nancy H.

Hi Ernie, A couple of years ago, Karen Gladstone and I went to the Yucatan on a paddling trip with an outfitter from the States - I think in Michigan or Wisconsin. We chose this outfitter because they had real boats (NDKs, neckys, P&H) and not the plastic lumpy sit on top boats that you get with most outfitters. This outfitter brings the boats down from their base operation. Our guide was BCU 5* named Leslie who worked with NOLS. She is active in the west coast "leave no trace" community. She will offer to help you with skills development. You stay at this beautiful but not finicky compound, on the beach. It is rugged in that the location is isolated down this long dirt road - no walks to the corner store. The compound is often used for other purposes like yoga retreats and pottery week long courses. The food is freshly prepared, the rooms are comfortable and the paddling, while not challenging, is never boring due to the mangroves and bird life. You snorkle off your kayaks or a small power boat. There is this one crazy fish (can't recall its name) that is small, you barely notice it while snorkeling. It will sneak up on you, chase you so it can attach to your body. I don't remember if it leeches, I just know that it likes to attach to your body. So you got to be somewhat aware of that fish. As I recall, one of them chased me for quite a distance but never attached. You also spend a day at mayan ruins and swim in caves. Their price range for a week is not cheap but it is not outrageous. With our group, there was a nice mix of singles and couples. If you want, I can try to find their name or ask Karen. They are one of the distributers for NDKs in North America. Hope this information is helpful. Les

Given the snow and restricted driving/travel advisory in MA until at least tomorrow, I won't be going to the pool session in Portsmouth. If anyone wants my spot, just tell or notify Doug before the session. Les

http://vimeo.com/56926839 This sea kayak rescue took place during a coaches only surf session during the 2012 Gales Storm Gathering on Lake Superior at Wawa, ON. Conditions for the day were winds Force 8-9 and seas to 4 meters. What I mean that the "rescue went well" is that everyone was safe to shore at the end of the rescue. I am sure that there are MANY opinions about the decisions made/process of this rescue. I was not there so I will withhold judgement. Enjoy !!! Les

My goals are to continue to paddle with the folks who listed their goals - my goal is to paddle more with you. Other than that: 1. If I win the lottery, go to Wales or Ireland to paddle. Of course, I have to play the lottery first. 2. Pass Doug as I paddle the Bold Coast in the opposite direction from his - from the mouth of the Machias up to Lubec with the tide and, the wind at my back 3. Practice, practice, practice what I learned last year from Oscar C, Greg S, Dan S, and Carl L - mighty fine coaches. Also, Carl knows all the words to Alice's Restaurant - how impressive is that? 4. Play with the sheep on Brothers, camp on Halifax at a better site than last time, paddle with the whales, the seals and listen to the loons around Great Wass 5. Help Blaine feel better by circumnaviagting Isle of Haut again and make sure we do that little island this time. 6. Let Scott do all the cooking 7. No more hummus on camping trips but bring along a wee bit of scotch 8. Circumnavigate Mt. Desert Island 9. Cross to Vinal Haven - also paddle/camp around Swans Island 10. Pay close attention to the beauty of sunsets on the water and to full moon paddling 11. Still wanting to circumnavigate Prince Edward Island - maybe? 12. Try not to injury myself Les aka swearing ferret

Marine traffic locator Nancy Hill showed me this link that is informative, useful and fun as you click on the different boats displayed on the screen. It tells you what large and medium sized ships are in the water as well as their size, speed, destination, etc. Good information to know if you are paddling in and around harbors. Les