Lbeale

There are now FIVE of us signed up and ONE more PERSON would be ideal (total: 6). carpe diem, les

I have been watching the forecast and there is a probability of rain later on today and tonight. Probably a good idea to postpone this session until next week the 13th. See you then, Les

For those who might be interested, I have arranged with Greg Paquin to do this workshop locally in New Hampshire. There are four of us already signed up and two more people would be ideal (total: 6). The cost for the total workshop is $500 plus buy Greg dinner at a local spot (not 5 *). If six people split the cost of $500 plus dinner the arrangement is very reasonable for a full day of training on the water with a skilled coach ($84.00 per person plus Shared cost of Greg's dinner). See below for more details and you can check out Greg's website: Greg Paquin Kayak Waveology, LLC. Tel: 860-304-4000 coach@kayakwaveology.com Web: www.kayakwaveology.com If you are interested in participating in this workshop or have questions, send me a PM or post here. This is not a beginner's workshop and some experience in moving water is probably a good idea. Please note: I organized this event but I do not benefit financially. Moving Water Training: Location: Portsmouth NH, Piscataqua River. Date: Friday June 29th Time: Meet at 9:30am, on the water until 4pm. Launch Location: Pierce or Goat Island (TBD). This day on the Piscataqua River, the 3rd fastest flowing navigable water way in the world, will emphasis on blending strokes that work with grace and power, your body's balance to edge and lean your boat for the desired direction control, and the skill to develop your minds timing to work with the rivers and seas currents. Boat of choice, pick a sea kayak out of your quiver that has some hull speed along with some rocker. Coach Bio: Greg Paquin, the founder of Kayak Waveology. Greg is a BCU Coach 4, A4, 5 Star Sea paddler, as well as an ACA Level 5 Advanced Open Water Instructor. Greg is known in the paddle sports world for his long boat surfing antics both shore break and tide races. As he lives in the home of many tide races and surf around the entrances of Long Island Sound tri state area of CT/RI/NY.

Hi Connor, At the Walden Pond sessions on Wednesday, students who are interested in rolling get guidance, primarily Greenland (stick) but there is help with the euro paddle roll. Learning Greenland style rolls comes in handy when trying to master euro paddle rolls - but I am sure people will disagree with me - it is my humble opinion. Nevertheless, last year's Walden sessions produced three first-time rollers and, many more who had a roll, lost it, only to find it again. A gentle note that taking rolling classes is helpful for pointers - but it is practice, practice, practice with a mentor who can point out what you are doing wrong that helps with the muscle memory and technique. The comment on the pool sessions is misguided. The pool sessions give opportunities to practice rolling with guidance in the dead of winter. For some of us, it is quite the workout (2 1/2 hours) and it gets us ready for the paddling season. Les

I will be attending - Les

Does any one know good put-in near or in Portsmouth? I know Pierce Island is not available for a launch during the summer months. Seavey Creek/Odiorne launch is too far away. Any other locations within Portsmouth limits, preferably on the NH side of the River? Looking to park 3-4 cars on a Friday (9:30-4:00), and play in moving waters of the Piscataqua River. Thanks in advance, Les

Hello Everyone, June 6th, Wednesday, will be the first Walden Session of the season. Arrive between 5:00 - 5:30 and park at the boat launch. If the boat launch is full - unload your boat at the launch and park at main parking lot. People will assist you with improving your skills (wet exist, rescue, sculling, rolling, standing in your cockpit, juggling, etc). If you don't want assistance, then just hang out with us. Cost is the entrance fee to the Pond (5 bucks a day/35 bucks a season). Post here if you have any questions or send me a PM. See you at the Pond. Les

Thank you Prudence for your detailed report - the gifted story teller that you are -- To all of my merry mates for an action packed, belly laughs, full weekend - remembering the seals with poles on their heads just bobbing in the water ? Special recognition to Gary for organizing this trip - Muchos gracias, Les

We will start the Walden Pond practice and stupid kayak tricks sessions probably after M day weekend. The sessions are on Wednesday night starting around 5 or whenever you can get there and stay until we get called off the water. The cost is 5 bucks for a night of parking or you can get a season pass for $35. The money helps support Walden Pond not NSPN. Les

Like Jason - I have work commitments for both those dates. Is this opportunity going to be offered at any other time this summer? Les

Hi Phil & Lorrie, I am definitely interested. Tend to go out Friday evenings on the Charles during the summer on my surf ski but an early morning paddle is just as fine. Teach Tuesday and Thursday but that ends by the second week in May. Would love to join you that second week in my surf ski. Les

Thank you Rick for writing this honest, reflective and informative report. Your report brings to mind three noteworthy books on this subject: Waves (a book about, among other topics, 100 foot rogue waves), Essentials of Sea Survival and, Solcum's Sailing Along around the World. Basically, what I gleamed from this report is," Be careful for what you ask for." Les

Hi Ken, I found the message you posted, quite insulting. I am not referring to the one about the name of a boat but the other one that was removed by Jason. It was not in the spirit of the men and women who I paddle with in this Club. The men in this Club who I paddle with are respectful to women and that is why Doug responded in kind and Jason (in his infinite wisdom) removed the message. Maybe the paddlers who you paddle with are more "relaxed" when they refer to a woman's body; but in the future, if you could refrain from sexual explicit comments about women in your posts, it would be appreciated by me.

Thanks all eight of you - Peter, Doug, David, John, Bill, Christopher, Prudence and Bob - for showing up to paddle with me on Sunday. Rock play along the coast until we hit Rockport Harbor. Glorious temps and warm sun along with fine company. This was one of those " paddling days to remember" with the wind at our backs to the put-in and, it is still winter. Les

See you then Bill !!!

Great, Christopher - It is to be a glorious day to paddle - sun, warm air temps and sw winds - Les

Level 3 paddle - drysuit required. If playing in rocks - helmet required. Place: Lanes Cove Time: Sunday, 11:00 am launch Destination: Rockport harba' or Thatchers or wherever the group wants to go. Co-sponsored with NSK. Please RSVP here. If you have any questions, send me a message. Les

Thank you - for this link and articles most informative. Amazing how these radios have developed over the years. Les

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - most helpful.

Hi Rick, Willing to help on a couple of trips as well. Doesn't matter to me -- assist or post independently.

Hey, I am in the process of planning a 3-4 day camping trip to the Great Wass this August (2nd or 3rd week). Peter and I paddled through those parts a couple of years ago and have been itching to paddle that area again. Has anyone camped at the Jonesport Campground? Has anyone camped on Little Water? What are some other camping options for that area? If you have been camping in that area, can you give me some pointers or some advice. Thanks in advance, Les

Hi Gene, I used the rollerloader for years with my VW Golf. They work okay but you need to get the boat on the wheels exactly or they don't work well and are not much help. You also need to make sure that the rollerblader is lined up with your saddles. When I got my Saab, the clip was too thick to hook inside the hatch -- that is why I don't use it anymore. Maybe you could get different hooks to fit your car but I am not sure. Even though the company states on its website that the rollerloader fits all cars - alas, it is not true. If you want to borrow my rollerblader to see if it works on your car - let me know. Les

I am in -- Les

Hey Leong, Missed you and your wife at the Christmas Party but happy trails in Florida. As a dudette who has practiced the cowgirl in various conditions over many years, I always try to have my center of gravity as low as possible. What I learned over the years of doing the cowgirl: the lower my center of gravity the less tippy is my boat. Only at the last minute, right before I get my butt into the cockpit, do I raise my center of gravity - and even then as little as possible. As soon as the boat starts being tippy - lower my center. I found this is true for my Tahe (ocean cockpit) re-entry as well. I found this technique is also true when I re-enter my surfski -- keep it low. Hope this information is helpful to you. Les

Thank you Rick for posting this story and to all who have commented on this post. It has been informative to read the thread. A part that has been missing in this discussion however is the role of weight of a paddler. I have been fortunate because whenever I have had instruction from coaches/instructors/NSPN leaders in cold water conditions, he or she has made special consideration for my weight given risk for hypothermia. One of the students the author was concerned for was the woman who was small in stature and light weight. Smart thinkin'. While reading the story I could not help putting myself in her situation. I know that no matter how warmly I dress, someone my weight (5'2, roughly 105 lbs) generally gets colder, faster than the rest of the paddlers in the group. The author/coach looked out for the "light weight" and knew that it would not be easy to get her back in the boat if she was hypothermic. He proved to be correct. I am impressed with the ability and the skill level it took to get her back in the boat - not easy. I never experienced hypothermia until this summer while on a camping trip. It rained hard while paddling that day and when I got back to the camp site, I and all my belongings were soaked and I had no dry clothing (long story). As the night progressed and hard rains poured, I experienced hypothermia. Once hypothermia kicked in, it was virtually impossible to stop shaking until I got warm which seemed like hours. I also was exhausted from the experience - it felt like I ran a marathon. Not a pretty sight and a lesson learned about making sure that your tent flaps are fully closed during a hot summer day. Having had this experience, I now know that it would be difficult at best, if not impossible, for me to get back in a boat while hypothermic without assistance from a competent instructor/paddler/coach. Les