eneumeier

At the Boston Paddlesports Show (Wilderness House) on Saturday I talked with the Astral rep. He said they are coming out with a pfd for sea kayakers very soon. There were some intriguing things about the Astrals. For durability, you might want to get a recommendation from Adam. :-)) When you try pfds on, sit in a boat. Don't just stand there. Liz N.

Hi Roger, I hope to see you on the water again soon. I firmly believe that we should SPEAK UP when we see people heading out - obviously unprepared - in what we know are risky conditions. Some people will be offended, ignore our advice, and may even give us a hard time. All that will be worthwhile if one person, perhaps one of those young women on Cape Cod last October, takes our advice and puts on a pfd, gets a whistle, etc. As more nice Spring days bring people onto this cold, cold water, we will be seeing more casual paddlers heading out. Say hi. Ask them about their preparedness. Liz N.

>>>"...John Leonard wearing a tow belt would not qualify, >>>alas..." >>> >>>read the above again, bob (or do i mean dee?): liz didn't >>>mention leonard wearing . >> >>Hey, don't blame me for my husband's rather perculiar >>imagination. > >I feel I'm being disparaged here. If you reread Liz's >posting she indeed does not mention that John is wearing >anything other than the tow belt. You are perfectly correct Bob. I don't even mention him being in a kayak. :-)) Just John, wearing his towbelt, towing in a livery boat (which is any boat for hire regardless of size) - would not qualify as a retrieval vessel. Unless he somehow added a motor.... But let's not go there. Liz N.

I have drawn from that "pool of good fortune" also. My desire to refill the pool is a major motivating factor for my work, through NPSN, to increase the margin of safety in this sport. The intensity of feeling "alone" in such circumstances is hard to convey. Adam did a great job with mere words. Liz N.

The small town and town meetings. New England is so quaint. Gotta love it. I went this evening to the meeting of the Rockport Town Government Bylaw Committee. The purpose of this committee is to look at proposed bylaws and make a recommendation to the town meeting. This proposed bylaw came about through an "initiative petition" which means that someone drafted it and got 20 Rockport citizens to sign it. In Rockport, that alone is sufficient to get it on the warrant for the town meeting. I did not speak at the Bylaw Committee meeting, but the owners of the North Shore Kayak and Outdoor Center (NSK) did. The two harbormasters were also present, as was the proponent of the bylaw. Ultimately, the Committee decided to recommend that the bylaw be adopted, but without Section 12.a.: "A retrieval vessel or proof of contract for such services." Although not defined, a retrieval vessel would be motorized. John Leonard wearing a tow belt would not qualify, alas. :-)) The Committee is recommending that Section 12.a. be referred to a committee appointed by the town moderator, likely to include the harbormasters, someone from the Bylaw Committee, and other relevant folk. Everyone agreed on the need for safety. Much concern was expressed about incompetent operators on the water. Note that the bylaw does not mention kayaks. It would apply to any "livery boat." Much mention that this bylaw is not aimed at NSK, which has a good safety record and works with the harbormasters. Concern was expressed about many more livery boat operators doing business in Rockport waters in the future. The specter of a jetski rental business in Pigeon Cove was raised. Section 12. b.-e. are pretty basic safety items. NSK did express concern about whether a bylaw was needed to accomplish these things. Town Counsel provided an opinion that the bylaw would cover any commercial livery boat operator, whether based in Rockport or not. The "retrieval vessel" item generated the most attention. An earlier draft of the bylaw required the company to have or contract for a vessel to perform search and rescue (SAR) in addition to "retrieval." After the harbormasters pointed out that SAR was their job, the bylaw was revised to cover only "retrieval." No data was produced regarding SARs or retrievals, as the harbormasters are busy and barely have time to log their reports - let alone do a data analysis by boat type. Apparently the Rockport harbormasters are very accommodating to boaters in general, and to the occasional kayaker in need of assistance. Whereas in say Beverly or Marblehead they might call for someone to tow you - for a fee - in Rockport the harbormasters will do it, if they are not busy with something more important. This lead to a discussion of whether people should be charged if they get themselves into deep doo doo. Two specific issues with respect to the "retrieval vessel" clause were raised. 1) There is no place to keep a motorized vessel in Rockport if you do not already have a mooring, and the wait list for one is about 500 years long. 2) There is no "tow company" in Rockport. The nearest ones are in Gloucester and Newburyport. No problem for a power boat out of gas on a calm day but a bit of a long wait for a more urgent problem and not at all realistic for a kayaking emergency. Thus, concern that the town would be requiring operators to do something that they could not do. The idea of hiring "a kid with a rubber dinghy" was mentioned, but NSK pointed out that their liability insurance carrier would not approve such an arrangement. Also, when boats are rented to individuals, as opposed to being used for group tours, the vendor has no way of knowing when they need assistance until the harbormaster calls to say "is that one of your boats banging up against the breakwater?" What next? Town meeting. I'll post the date when I learn it. Apparently non-residents can be granted permission to speak. If the bylaw is approved at town meeting, as written or as recommended by the Bylaw Committee, it will have to be reviewed and approved by the MA Attorney General and the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement. On the rocky beat, Liz N., reporting

I am a firm believer in testing the clothing you intend to paddle in, for all water temperatures. Do it close to shore, with a friend dressed to help you out if necessary and a warm car or building nearby. That is really the only way to find out if your gear works for you. People vary tremendously in their tolerance to cold. And dunk your head. A cheap neo cap provides quite a bit of protection. As for the drysuit/wetsuit with drytop issue, I am VERY concerned about exposure to hypothermia but do not find temperature rules to be all that helpful. My real criteria is: what is my risk of exposure to hypothermia. So, when surfing at Nahant, for example, I could wear a wetsuit/drytop combo even when the water is below 50, because I am staying close to shore and my car is parked right there with dry clothes and a working heater. On the other hand, if I am paddling to Thatcher Island, or even to Misery, I would want to be in my drysuit since a capsize could put me in the open ocean. Even if I were with people who I trust to get me back in my kayak quickly, ##### happens. I could lose contact with my kayak and the wind could blow it away, for example. That would leave me exposed while my very capable friends towed it back or carried me on their deck to the nearest land. Either way, I would not want to be hanging around in a wet suit. Tooling along the Annisquam, I know I can land just about anywhere and be at someone's house or a road. Not so, the Essex River, which is mostly marsh with no houses and no easy access to roads. For official club activities, the trip leader will specify if drysuits are required. Liz N.

Scott, If existing trip leaders want to take some (or all) of these as a refresher, should we register with you in advance? Liz N.

What a list! We'll all have to quit our jobs and just do this stuff full time. :-)) The only thing I can think of to add is: Wilderness First Aid practice scenarios. After past SOLO classes we talked about getting together to refresh our learning and practice what we had learned but we never got around to it. Liz N.

>David; >I didn't organize the event But you are going to organize a Greenland paddle making workshop soon, right? Please? I'm a Euro paddler on the verge ... Liz N.

Good questions. I try to find out the answers and post them. Liz N.

Amy, relax. I was joking already. I only posted to get the extra 6" out of Brian. Karen and I were laughing on Monday when we were carrying these two boats. And, I mentioned to her how much more nimble her Romany is than lengthy Viviane. Liz N.

Here is the text of the proposed bylaw change described in the earlier post. I am planning on attending the public hearing currently scheduled for March 18 - as a private individual, not to represent the club. If you want to go with me, let me know. Beginning of Text: PETITION TO THE 2004 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TO AMEND THE TOWN OF ROCKPORT CODE OF BYLAWS by adding to Chapter 1. General Provisions, Section 3 "Definition of Terms" the definition: "Livery Boat", - a boat hired or available for hire from a person who offers boats for hire as a regular business. (MGL Chapt. 90B Section 1) Individually owned vessels for personal use available for occasional hire are exempt from this definition. Adding a new section (h) to Chapter 13B (Licenses): "Set up, operate or carry on a Livery Boat service as defined in Chapter 1. General Provisions, Section 3 "Definition of Terms for motor, sail or man powered vessels" Renumbering Sections 12 and 13 of Chapter 9 as Sections 13 and 14. Creating a new Section 12 to read: Section 12. Livery Boat Service A Livery Boat Service licensed under Chapter 13, Section (h) operating within the boundaries of the Town or the waters under its jurisdiction shall provide the following safety support: a. A retrieval vessel or proof of contract for such services. b. Demonstrations of the rented/leased equipment. c. The following waterproofed decuments to be placed aboard every rented/leased vessel: (1) Written instructions for operating the equipment,. (2) Abbreviated Rules of the Road regarding Right of Way (3) Chart sections of the anticipated areas of operation. d, Such other equipment and/or training as may be mandated by Federal, Commonwealth or Town regulation. e. Personnel certified in CPR and other first aid techniques. ------------------------------------- The intent of the bylaw change is to reduce the dependence of commercial livery boat operators on the Town's safety resources for retrieval, search and rescue and to improve the safety of their customers, and other boaters in their proximity, in Rockport waters, by making them aware of their individual responsibility for operating their vessel under the established rules and convetions for boating safety. End of text. (The typos are in the original.) Liz N.

With a skeg AND a rudder, and still lighter than Karen's Romany 16. Liz N.

>Karen, >Is there still room left? If not, I'll give up my slot and spot, since I was able to attend the session at Walden last October. (Also, I have a rolling lesson that evening and don't want to be too tired.) Liz N.

>Perhaps February 29th is a bad day for paddling? Not for the Annisquam gang. It was gorgeous. >The big question is: Was getting locked out of the harbor by >pack ice an NSPN "first"? I don't know if it is an NSPN first or not, but ice can create blockages in a number of ways. When paddling near tidal glaciers the ice bergs and "bergy bits" drift out with the ebb tide and back in with the flood tide. So, it is very easy to think you can paddle through the floating bits of ice and then find yourself trapped in an inlet. Wind will also blow ice to shore. In January the entire north shore of Gloucester was ice bound. While we were on the Annisquam, basically at low tide the whole time, I thought about how different the trip would have been at high tide, with all the ice that was laying on shore floating in the water. The Annisquam is wide enough that the little remaining ice would not have caused us any problems, however. Liz N.

I phoned John Krenn, the author of the proposed rules mentioned in the article, and we talked last night after a bit of phone tag. (BTW, he is a sailor, rower, on the "Granite Pier Committee" and a long-time member of the Cape Ann Rowing Club. For many years he was on the watch boat at Straightsmouth tracking Blackburn racer's numbers at the half-way point. So, he knows more than a bit about what goes on in Rockport waters.) The concerns these proposed rules are trying to address include: 1) The large presence of kayaks in narrow, navigable waters, e.g., a large group of kayaks passing through Straightsmouth gap, all spread out, leaving no room for boats - especially under sail or with deep keels - to safely pass. (Some outfitters not based in Rockport trailer kayaks to Granite Pier and launch their groups from there. These proposed rules would apply to them, as well as outfits based in Rockport.) 2) Kayakers not knowing or following the "rules of the road," e.g., staying out of boat channels and recognizing that, as the smallest craft out there, kayaks should stay out of the way. Also, not knowing basic safety procedures or having and knowing how to use basic nav aids. 3) Totally outrageous behavior: Playing bumper boats, i.e., deliberately ramming moored boats and causing damage. (This has occurred with boats rented from outfitters. Unlikely that paddlers would do this with their own kayaks.) 4) Distress calls to the harbormaster as a result of being unprepared to handle situations without outside assistance. This is costly to the town and potentially ties up resources when they might be urgently needed elsewhere. (Note: The group that worked up these proposed rules is not yet proposing a local bylaw to charge groups for the cost of responding to such calls. I asked about data on this but none has been collected or analyzed. Doing so would require going through the Harbormaster's incident reports.) John is sending me a copy of the proposed rules and I am sending him the two NSPN safety brochures. I will suggest to our newly-formed "Outreach Committee" that NSPN stay in touch on these issues. John also mentioned that kayak storage racks have been installled at White Pier and there are plans to install them at Granite Pier. They hope that this will cut down on the number of cars that need to be driven to thes put-in locations. In reviewing my notes after my conversation with John, I was pleased to see that the NSPN Trip Leader training program covers each of the "problem" areas. Liz N.

Then again, come to the Reading Pool session on March 7 and see what our own Sanjay Gulati can do. Liz N.

>John, > >Bring your surfski. And your wing paddle. :-)) Ken has convinced me to bring Viviane for her first entry into our waters. Liz N.

Edit: Added email and note at end of this message. Mike Crouse has asked me to check out the level of interest and costs involved in sponsoring a SOLO Wilderness First Aid/CPR class. The class would be all day Saturday, Saturday evening and all day Sunday. The WFA and CPR certifications are good for 2 years. In 2002 we ran 2 sessions, with a total of 40 people. A few of those people were from outside the club but most were members and trip leaders/candidates. If you want more information please go to the SOLO website: http://www.soloschools.com/home.html Click on course information and the course schedule. Quite a few different organization hire SOLO to run this training and price it differently. Note whether food/lodging are included. The break-even cost for NSPN to run the course is likely to be $165-185 per person. This will include food and beverages for breaks, and lunch both days. We normally have pizza delivered and people chip in, but it might be simpler to just add this to the fee. If we use the Lanesville Community center in Gloucester again, people will be able to camp overnight at no additional cost. The Board is also looking into first aid training that is more directly related to on-water issues. Jim Brayden has done a lot of research into this. Please understand that if we do the SOLO training again, they have to teach their set curriculum in order to certify that you completed it. The benefit, IMHO, of doing such training with other kayakers is that at least the questions people ask are relevant to our trips, as opposed to mountaineering, we can practice with gear we have while paddling, and we take the training with people we paddle with. If you are interested in taking an NSPN-sponsored SOLO WFA/CPR training this spring, assuming it can be arranged, please send me an email. I'll report back to the Board on the response. My email: eneumeier@earthlink.net Note: If you know of any outfitters that want their staff to have this certification, please feel free to suggest that they email me also. This could be a way for NSPN to help out the outfitters in the area. :-)) Liz N.

I love mine for the custom fit, which I needed, and features Dee mentioned. If you are comparing prices you will find that the change in the exchange rate (major decline in the dollar) has eroded the price advantage Ravenspring once provided. Be sure to do those calculations before you order. The new NRS catalogue advertises their new "extreme" drysuit for $450. Apparently a relief zipper and booties are not an option, yet. "White" (I think) is another brand that is available at New England Small Craft. Kokatat makes a great product but I'm glad they are getting some price competition. Liz N.

Mike Crouse has asked me to check out the level of interest and costs involved in sponsoring a SOLO Wilderness First Aid/CPR class. The class would be all day Saturday, Saturday evening and all day Sunday. The WFA and CPR certifications are good for 2 years. In 2002 we ran 2 sessions, with a total of 40 people. A few of those people were from outside the club but most were members and trip leaders/candidates. If you want more information please go to the SOLO website: http://www.soloschools.com/home.html Click on course information and the course schedule. Quite a few different organization hire SOLO to run this training and price it differently. Note whether food/lodging are included. The break-even cost for NSPN to run the course is likely to be $165-185 per person. This will include food and beverages for breaks, and lunch both days. We normally have pizza delivered and people chip in, but it might be simpler to just add this to the fee. If we use the Lanesville Community center in Gloucester again, people will be able to camp overnight at no additional cost. The Board is also looking into first aid training that is more directly related to on-water issues. Jim Brayden has done a lot of research into this. Please understand that if we do the SOLO training again, they have to teach their set curriculum in order to certify that you completed it. The benefit, IMHO, of doing such training with other kayakers is that at least the questions people ask are relevant to our trips, as opposed to mountaineering, we can practice with gear we have while paddling, and we take the training with people we paddle with. If you are interested in taking an NSPN-sponsored SOLO WFA/CPR training this spring, assuming it can be arranged, please send me an email. I'll report back to the Board on the response. Liz N.

Bethany is too modest to mention also that she almost nailed the hand roll Saturday night. :-)) >I also tried to make sure I didn't grip the paddle too hard >to get myself to stop muscling the boat up. This is a good tip for me. When I have used the paddlefloat method I find myself hanging on for dear life, which only teaches me to put too much weight on the paddle so when I remove the float my paddle dives, fast. I want to thank my spotter of the evening, Christopher Godfrey, for the loan of his very soft shoulder. He was teaching me how to scull and stood in deep enough water so that I could put my head on his shoulder for support, as needed, while I concentrated on my paddle and relaxing. No other instructor had used that method with me before, although I don't know whether Christopher invented it. I found it very helpful. Actually, these different and creative ways of teaching people come up with reminded me of an article I read about why there are so few American baseball players in the major leagues and so many from poor countries. The author hypothesized that the pervasiveness of Little League baseball, where kids are taught how to stand at the plate and how to swing, etc., has actually reduced the amount of creativity and "finding what works for them." In poorer countries, kids still have to figure things out for themselves and, hence, develop some uniquely effective ways of doing things. It was an interesting article that challenged a lot of "conventional wisdom." Liz N.

Dear ExNSPN, It is really easy to edit any message that you post. Go to your message, click edit at the bottom of the screen. Make appropriate changes. Don't do this sort of thing again. Liz N. Dear Jed, Good job. Liz N.

The rule about not getting between a kayak and the shore in surf is proven to be REALLY important. Get well soon. I hope you are getting good medical care down there. Liz N.

> The trip for me was fun. For Earl and Barry, it >was a learning experience. I just kept thinking how great >the trip would have been with the likes of my hardcore >friends back east. You know who you are. I'm not that "hard core" but for those of you who are, American Airlines is running a deal: $223, round trip, non-stop, Boston-Seattle-Boston. If you go out of Providence, RI or Manchester, NH you can save another $20 (and pay less for parking). Not non-stop though. Liz N.