Paul Sylvester

I am writing to see if there is interest to get a group together that can put in at Riverhead beach in Marblehead. Please post or mail me if you are up for it. Would like to have at least 4.

Nothing to it. Not a problem man, just hanging loose with my buds. Should have rolled and spared you all the show. Rick S. and I had a few hours of similar stuff when Fabian came through. Dick Beal and I got into a similar dumping mess at Popham my first year paddling. Should have learned.........

It was the biggest surf I have ever tried surfing and playing in. Hard to guess, but they were 7-9' at times. There was an offshore break and more breaking in closer to shore. Plenty of deep water for safety. Some were breaking towards me and if you didn't roll you would be in grave danger of hurting your back when they would throw you back. Tucking did not always help. Beware about towing out through surf. I was towing two and got past the wave but when the wave hit the raft I was put in "reverse" and made quite uncomfortable wondering if my tow would be long enough to keep us apart. Saw an amazing diplay of flying jet skis. They would run up the faces of the waves and launch themselves 15-20' feet in the air. A mile long beach and we had a few hundred feet to ourselves. One of my best days ever on the water. Where were all of you???? Total confidence in my Explorer! Paul Sylvester

This was a great weekend on the water, Mikco as usual ran a good program. Only one hole in a boat and it was not Rick or I. The night navigation was the high point of the trip. I learned alot about night paddles in three hours and was I happy to hit the Sleeping bag at 12:25am Sunday morning. The early morning view from Cocktail cove around Casco Bay was the best I have seen in a while. We were quized on navigation each day, constantly be asked to define our spot on the water. I also learned that: I carry a little to much gear. Need Nav practice. Must read waves better. Must not speak so quickly when I think I have the answer. The forword stroke can improve. Night surfs are not relaxing. etc. etc. etc.

Nice report Ken. One minor ommission which I wish to relate. Just before returning while trying to catch some rides in an area of deep water (no apparent rocks) I saw a good one coming up from behind. I paddled to surf it but it came up so fast and steep that it gave me my first true endo in a full size kayak. The Explorer never surfed it. The boat seemed to stall, at least the bow. I went over smoothly, no maytag action at all. The water was calm as soon as I was in my set up position so I rolled up smiling from ear to ear. I have buried the bow many times surfing and flipped from broaching but this was different. If there had been rocks around this could have been painful. So beware of the steep waves, and if you have a slow boat prepare for possible endos. Paul

On Saturday July 27, 15 of us made the trip from Odiorne Park in Rye to Gerrish Island on the Maine side of the harbor. We had an overcast day, about 65 degs. and a threat of showers. We went out through Little Harbor and crossed the harbor towards Whaleback light. The seas were 1'-2' with a light southwind at our backs. We continued up the coast towards Braveboat Harbor. Along the way there were some 2' swells that were making some nice play spots. The fun was not to be, this was not the focus of the trip. While stopping for a snack on the southern tip of Gerrish we were met by a landowner who asked us not to land there anymore.He was pleasant and thanked us for being polite. Future breaks must be on the northern shore inside of Braveboat Harbor. On through the marsh and some turning practice. As we made our way some members could not resist riding up on the decks of others. We need a term for this practice............... Going down Chauncy Creek we passed a few rowing shells. The wind was blowing about 6-8 kts as we made our way up to Fort Foster on Gerrish for our second break. After a 20 min. break we were on the water for the last leg of the trip. The final crossing of the harbor was smooth. We made our way up behind the red bell bouy and waited for a clear shot at the crossing. At about 4:10 we were back at the put-in. There didn't seem to be interest in skills practice so we loaded up. Most of us enjoyed a bite at The Ice House on Wentworth RD in Rye. (good and reasonable) Thanks to Mike Bates and Chad Carter for co-leading and to the others who lent a hand when needed. It was nice to know we had some experienced paddlers on the trip