Rob Hazard

Who's an oxymoron? Anyway, the 12/9 session at the Ipswich pool is filled. Ten boats, and plenty of spotters. Cheers, Rob

The Ipswich Pool sessions were posted on the calendar only yesterday, and we already have 10 names on the list for the Dec 9 session! If everyone who expressed an interest sends in their dough, the session will be FULL! Spots will be taken in the order that the checks arrive, and further names will be added to the waiting list. If this is any indication of things to come, signing up early for later sessions would be a really good idea! As always, volunteers for spotting are welcome. Cheers, Rob

Kev, Have you posted a tentative schedule for pool sessions yet? I may be up for the Portsmouth ones if they don't conflict with Ipswich. Rob

I'd like to come see it! Rob

Well, I went out and bought a roll of G-T. Haven't had a need for it, yet, but I stuck a strip to the outside of my barn door to watch it weather. The stickiness and strength of it do not, so far, seem much better than regular duct tape. I was disappointed at how easily it tore, for example. Not sure what that means in the world of boat repair. I looked for Bituthene, but could find it only in large rolls, like "lifetime supply" large! So I guess I'll wait for some scraps of it show up. When I was growing up in eastern CT, guys who worked at Electric Boat used to sneak out rolls of something that everyone called "E B green tape". It was used to hold everything from guitar cases to rusted-out car fenders together. A fond memory now! The Sex Wax idea is intriguing, but is it easily dissolved away for the subsequent permanent repair work?

Hey, Cap'n Kev! I'm comin' along. See you at Conomo. Rob

I may be up for a little surf on Sunday, too. Have to be afternoon, though, as I'm occupied in the morning. If no good surf, a little rock-garden play? Rob Explorer - off-quill

The paper said they're having a demo on Saturday in Salem. Anyone planning on going? Rob Explorer - quill

Rick, I'd like to come along either tomorrow or Wednesday. Please send relevant parking/launching info. You can reach me at rhazard48 at gmail dot com. Thanks! Rob

Thanks to YOU, Rick, for your enthusiastic leadership and insightful instruction! See you at Goose Cove next week. Rob

I would also vote for concentrating on long boats, beginning and advanced. Surf if we have it, boat handling if we don't. Any idea on specific dates? Rob Explorer - white

We went without you, Kev. Dana, Jason, and I had a blast in the rock garden by Dolliver's Neck, then looked around the corner, but it was too big for us tyros out there! I wasn't going to post a report. And I guess I still haven't! I'll try to make it Wednesday, but no promises. Rob Explorer -

Yeah, Joe, I saw that rainbow, too!

Gillian, repeat after me, "Ibuprofen is my FRIEND!" For the record, I came out of my boat twice in water so shallow that I found myself wedged under one side of the boat with the paddle on the other side, got lost in downtown Lynn for a half-hour on the way to the beach, and had a great day! Thanks, Suz, for the wetsands link. You correctly predicted the absence of big surf. We had fun anyway. And now I know where Nahant is! Rob Explorer - off-white

If you're keen to experiment with more challenging conditions one excellent way to do it is to sign up for classes, either BCU stuff or more specialized surf or rock garden classes. Check the commercial section of the website or ask other paddlers at the beach and I'm sure a few names will pop up repeatedly. In a training session you are there as a student, and you have a teacher willing to show you stuff, evaluate your skill level, give you pointers, and get you out of trouble if you get in over your head. Worth it! Myself, I wouldn't like to see the Show and Go format get too gummed up with ratings and structures. I prefer it as is, loose and informal. And I know what it feels like to be the rescue dummy! ;^) As a suggestion, if you're looking for easy surf conditions, you might look for S&G trips from Conomo Point out to Crane's Beach, on calm days. It's a short trip, flat water out to the mouth of the bay, and if it's too lumpy for you outside, you can play inside or just sit on the beach and watch the gang have fun getting trashed! Rob

I'm planning to be there, too! Rob Explorer - extremely light grey

Kev, Provided it's not beyond my meager talents, I'd be happy to serve as registrar for the Ipswich sessions. Rob Explorer - quillish

I wondered why the other half of that sandwich was so gritty!

I just saw a print ad for Gorilla Tape, marketed by the folks who make the poly-u glue. So I googled it and they claim it to be super sticky, reinforced, and all-weather durable. $9.99 a roll. I haven't found it in a store yet,though. Has anyone tried it? Does it have potential as emergency boat repair material? Rob Explorer - whitish

I do my best camaraderie when I'm sound asleep! Rob Explorer (one of the magnificent seven)- whitish

Well, why not? Count me in. Rob Explorer - whitish

Sounds good. I'm pencilling it in!

Mary, Gerrish Is. is in Maine, but just barely. It's on the north side of the mouth of the Piscataqua river, across from Portsmouth, NH. The launch site is in Kittery, ME. Rob

I'm thinking, I'm thinking! Morning high tide around 7:30. What time are you planning to launch? Rob Explorer - sort of whitish, now with new scratches!

It may be too early in the fall for them yet, but the Badgers Rocks in the mouth of the Merrimack usually hold 4 or 5 dozen harbor seals every low tide. Easily seen from Salisbury Beach and an easy paddle from Newburyport. Rob