Gcosloy

>Forecasts still link hinky as of 5:30 Thursday, so let's

>call this one off.

>

>Winds look northerly 20-25, gusts to thirty.

>

>Oh well, maybe next year.

Thank you Adam. I was seriously thinking of joining you until I read the weather prediction and realized I could not. Have you ever experienced Shadenfreude? You know the bittersweet joy you take in the misfortune of others? Well I must confess, reading about this S&G and realizing there was no way I could participate, given the weather forecast and my decidedly less than expert skill set, a certain unmistaken feeling of envy crept in. Your latest post cancelling replaced that feeling with a jolt of Shadenfreude. Please send all future cancellations involving serious risk taking, poor weather, and trips of 20 miles or more directly to my email address. In the words of the great Dan Rather, "Courage!".

So sorry to read of your woes Ernie, especially while doing such good works. As you may recall, I'm in the process of recovering from a lower back problem myself. My neighbor lent me this tape http://ergoworkplace.com/video.htm and I've been doing these exercises for several weeks now. I've even had a couple of private PT sessions with her. First rest until the acute pain goes away and then do the stretches. Only do the ones that don't increase your pain. (You might want to skip the abs crunches until you feel better) Kathi helped a number of Kayakers including the famed kayak builder Bart Hauthaway recover from injury. I'd lend you my tape, except it's not mine to lend. Hope this injury is short lived. When I say "I feel your pain.", I'm not just being Clintonian.

>... It would be easier to believe if they weren't so

>belligerant in response so often though...I'd love to hear

>tips on successful ways people have said/done something in

>these situations.

For a number of years now I've observed some counter intuitive behavior of town residents who use the Wayland landfill: they assiduously sort their plastic from their glass, make sure no plastic goes into the cardboard/paper bin and in all other respects are first rate recyclers, except for one thing-----a number of them leave their car engines running. Mostly SUV's and Vans but occasional trucks and cars as well. I've worked hard to get the Board of Health which runs the landfill to put up signs that politely asks them to turn off their engines, and yet in spite of, or perhaps even because of, a number of residents continue this contradictory practice. I've approached them on any number of occasions and have had very little success, that is until recently: Sometimes I've tried humor, like " Excuse me, can you tell me where you buy your gas?" Response "Why do you want to know? Me "Well it must be cheap if you can waste it like your doing!" Response "Maybe you should mind your own business!" Well you get the picture, except recently I tried a totally new (for me) and different tack. I approach the idling resident with mock humility and ask very politely if I could ask them what might seem to be a personal question. They're usually sympathetic; takes a lot of guts to approach a stranger with that kind of question and they're usually disposed to help relieve my awkwardness by responding, "Sure, no problem." or "Sure fire away." Then I reveal my interest in conservation, the fact that I was instrumental in getting the signs posted, and politely ask if they could help me by letting me know the reasons for their non-compliance. Usually I get a noticeably quizzical response like, "Well I never really thought about it, it's probably just convenience." After a little bit more information being provided by me regarding the value of doing the opposite I frequently get a positive response and sometimes a promise (volunteered by the idler) to change their behavior in the future. By approaching people in a non-judgmental way, by putting the onus on you and not them (you need their help to understand) and finally to provide supporting material they may not be familiar with in a neutral fashion, you're results might be better. Bottom line: many of these folks aren't stupid, they're just lazy. Would this approach work with poorly prepared outdoors people? I don't know but it's worth a try.

>Hmmmmmmm... Darwin awards anyone?

If it were that simple, I shouldn't worry much, the gene pool is improved without them. However, it's not that simple, many of these recreational "what me worry" types have a lot of support from the kayak manufacturers in trying to promote a fun, easy to do, and safe sport. Witness the overwhelming rise of sit on tops and large cockpit wide bottomed boats over the more traditional seakayak. The same group would never decide to tackle ice moutaineering, deep sea diving, or even parachuting without a review of the proper equipment, clothing and skill building. And yet when it comes to seakayaking, the popular and wrongheaded assumption is that anyone can do it, no danger here, no need for any special preparation or special skills or equipment. I mean let's face it, the average person not knowlegeable on first blush considers a spray skirt to be a "widow or widower maker". How many times have I heard this refrain "I'm afraid of getting trapped under there and not being able to get out". If we haven't heard it, you can bet the leading manufacturers have! Even the outfitters aren't blame free. A newbe gets to rent or purchase a seakayak and aside from his signing a release of indemnity waiver can go on his merry way without anyone inquiring as to his need for a PFD or sprayskirt let alone his skills or the lack of them. You don't get to watch a video on hypothermia before you finish tying the boat to your car. Kayaking has been merchandised for profit not for safety motives. Would it have made any difference to the vast majority of NSPN members? Probably not. Until the culture and the way kayaking is being sold to the public changes, more sensible and otherwise intelligent people will get into trouble and more will die. The best analogy I can think of to kayaking is driving a car: simple, fun, requires no special skill? Wrong, to be safe it requires among other things the skills that only experience can bring.

I'll have to demur to an other authority on whether the Gulfstream handles differently from the Orion. I have been in both but only on flat water. The Orion however is almost identical in gross dimensions and volume and both have very large cockpits.

I second other's thoughts about trying a bunch of boats before deciding. However if the Gulfstream is for you, you might want to also check out the P&H Orion which Derek Huchinson designed as well. With the exception of a slightly different deck, the Orion is almost identical to the Gulfstream and probably better built.

Check this link for a used one in the area: http://boards.bskc.org/forum/forum.asp?sub...&fid=3&tid=1576

I'd buy it myself but I AHTMB's

It's hard to read this account without choking up. Many times i've seen the words humble joined with stories about people who are adventurous in the outdoors. I sometimes wonder if there is some interesting correlation to understand. Perhaps through risk and adventure with forces that are larger than the human scope, you learn and become humble? Very sad loss.

Here's a link to Lighning's web-site: http://www.paddles.com/catalog/lstdsea.html

Lanes Cove to Thatcher and back is about 15 statute miles. if the weather isn't too rough great views passing Halibut Point and then thru Straitsmore Gap on to Thatchers.

I'd like to come. Sorry I missed S. Georgia, I thought it was south like Dixie-who knew! If I realized it was Antartica -oh well!

Rick, I've got some extra Lightning paddles that are 215 and for sale. You're welcome to borrow one and see if it works for you. They are for right index and 45 degree feather, and work best for a high angled stroke.

I never assume. Since your friends from Cornwall are professional instructors, I just thought I'd ask. While, I think I'm sane, some of my friends who don't own a paddle, sometimes think otherwise. Sorry to question what for other souls must have been obvious.

Like to join you. Is this a freebe, or is there a charge? If members attend the General meeting will there be enough time to get up to Pavilion Beach by noonish?

This the response I've received from one of my district Senators.

Hello Gene.

Thanks for the email. I believe the bill is dead. We are out of session

now.

Scott Brown

And this is the second Senator's response:

Dear Gene,

First, let me tell you how much my friend enjoyed speaking to you at the "dump" last week. And no, I have no interest in supporting this bill. Truly, it is sportsmen like yourself that educate me on certain issues that I have little knowledge of...thank you!

Sue

In my front and rear hatch, collapsable paddle boy cart. makes it easy to transport kayak to launch from car and back. Also, I'm prepared for a long portage if I ever need to ditch.

Extra clothes: hydroskin, paddle jacket. Day Hatch: sea sponsons (apologies to Brian N.)

I’m sorry but I can no longer remain silent. When another member exploits someone's vulnerabilities for the purpose of mockery and humor, they are being cruel.

What Kevin does in his privacy is no ones business but his. Cross-dressing is victimless, unless it’s the cross dresser himself who opens the door to ridicule. Finally, let me say I know Kevin Beckwith, I’ve paddled with Kevin and never in my recollection was there a moment when he tried to solicit or convert anyone to his cause and predilection. Have you no shame Gillian, have you no shame?

****

LOOKS LIKE NO GO FOR SUN. I'LL BE PADDLING ON THE SOUTH SHORE. HAVE FUN IN THE SURF!

I'm amazed Brian. I couldn't tell you were a newby. The photos were great, thanks for sharing. By the way, those Google Earth images are at least 5 years old. I know because I sold the van that appears in my driveway 5 years ago.

At the very high risk of beating a dead horse I'd like to mention one other factor that should be considered: NSPN as an organization does not screen applicants for membership with regard to location of residence. While most of us appreciate the many wonders of North Shore paddling, not all of us live here. S&G's may be posted frequently by members who live near the proposed put in. For them it may not be as serious a comitment to go or not; tommorrow, the ocean will still be there. When we, who may be more land locked, read of the opportunity to paddle with other folks, the proposal takes on more seriousness of purpose, if for no other reason than the comitment to a long drive there and back, frequently with the drawbacks of rush hour traffic, either coming or going. I can't number all the tempting S&G's that I needed to reject this summer because of put-ins that were too early, or too late, too far away, or simply that the time consumed in driving would trump the time alloted for paddling.

I'm not complaining, nor do I want S&G's tailored to my requirements, just the consideration that when you post remember how potentially large the net you cast has become.

I paddle regularly with someone during the weekdays. He or I will usually send emails to establish launch location, time, etc. Whenever there is a question regarding commitment, since there is usually just the two of us, the telephone is used. I think the S&G protocalls should be similar to receiving a dinner invitation to someones home: RSVP is the rule and no shows without communicating ones change of plans is not really nice. On the other hand, while the invitation may be withdrawn, it needs to be for a credible, understandable reason.

I don't think the S&G format should be so loose that neither the instigator nor those that RSVP feel any real commitment to show. Some of the more wonderful paddles I've been on this year were S&G's. There was a great one last month leaving Conomo Point going out to the back side tip of Cranes and wending our way back via the "Snake River". There was no way I could have found this route were it not for experienced locals like Walter and others. My point is that it would be a shame if NSPN S&G's got the reputation of becoming "You show and take your chance!"

I don't have a dog or a paddle in this fight but I do have a suggestion. When the number of interested parties that post their intention to go is greater than one, other than the instigator;those that show, assuming they number more than one, can paddle on.

When it's down to just the instigator of the S&G and one other member, personal email should be used to verify who is showing before taking a long drive. When there are only two involved no matter how you slice it, it becomes personal.

Last season I instigated almost the same S&G and had to bail at the end. I and the others were in constant communication via email however and no one was disappointed.

Can't join you-paddling this saturday on the Monomoys trip. However, I've always wondered about this: You plan to launch at 8:30AM which is approx. 3 hours after high tide. Annasquam will be ebbing into Ipswich Bay quite nicely. Won't the Annasquam be dumping into Gloucester harbor as well? And if so how do you plan on paddling against the current through the Canal?

>

>Consider the possibility that some, if not many, here are

>well aware of the bullets they dodged by dumb luck and that

>"but for the grace of God go they." As a result they may

>well be hesitant to pass judgement on the travails of others

>and even to be somewhat defensive on their behalf.

>Ed Lawson

I take your point. Perhaps my own conservative attitude toward the sea has made me more willing to look askance at those who embrace more risk.

Well excuuuuuuuse me! What more do you want to me to know fact wise before I express my opinion?

Here is what the Boston Globe said:The canoeists were off the eastern shore of the island, between Squantum and Long Island, at about 11:30 a.m. when wind caused several canoes to capsize, according to the Coast Guard. A safety boat, the Boston Fire Department, a BFI Waste Systems employee, and school-affiliated on-shore observers called for help on their cell phones. All the participants were wearing life jackets and were plucked from the water by the school's instructors and Boston Fire Department as a Coast Guard helicopter hovered overhead, according to school officials. Boston Fire said that one man rescued was "semi-coherent" and freezing.

Poor judgement is just my opinion, others are certainly welcome to offer alternative opinions. What I find puzzling is the tendency to attempt to censor the opinions of others which may reflect badly on others. You can always ask for more facts before offereing an opinion. I think that is merely a polite ploy to pressure people to keep their negative opinions to themselves. "I wasn't born a misanthrope, I became one only after decades of observation."-anon.