eneumeier

I've used my contact tow for this (getting out at a high dock) purpose and it has always worked fine. Since I keep it daisy-chained and under the deck bungy, I think there is less likelihood of it snagging, as contrasted with a long painter running loose from the bow all the way to a deck line near me.

Just my opinion. Others will undoubtedly have other viewpoints.

Liz N.

>Just curious, how were you folks fixing skegs?

I was adding a rudder. If my skeg ever needs fixing, I won't have to worry about it. :-))

Liz N.

I've seen a number of people rig a painter on their bow, clipped somewhere near the cockpit. While a painter is a handy thing to have, I still need to be convinced that this is a good idea, since it seems like another line to get snagged.

Jill had a line rigged in case she needed to be towed, one that she could reach to release herself from the tow. I like that idea. Perhaps someone can show me how to do that. See you soon.

Liz N.

Thanks Guy. I let it through.

But, for some reason I cannot get this pdf. (Same problem when I click on the link Sean gave.) When it starts I get a message: "Could not find the Color Space named Cs6." Then: "This file contains information not used by the viewer. Suppress further errors." Whether I click yes or no, I get all black pages.

Any suggestions from our techies? I am sure the problem is on my end so feel free to write me privately rather than cluttering the message board with my computer woes.

Liz N.

>I haven’t looked behind the Gloucester High School to check

>the ice, but I would suggest that next weeks paddle outing

>on that first piece of the Blackburn, go up to Lane's and

>back.

The plan was to go to the end of the river, farther depending on conditions and how people felt.

Mother nature has decided that sledges are needed for that route. The Annisquam is solid its entire length, and thickening.

It looks like the on-water training plans will be delayed a bit. Getting access to sheltered water still in liquid form questionable. Anyone know of a location?

On to the pool ...., and spinning class...., and nordic track. And slopes for some downhill.

Liz N.

For those of you new to kayaking who read this, don't think pool sessions are just for those working on cool stuff like hand rolls.

Never done a wet exit or paddle float self rescue? Nervous about it? A pool session is the perfect place. Warm water and lots of helpers.

Want to learn a draw stroke or low brace? Ditto.

Liz N.

When I was going through exactly the same search, several people referred me to this site:

http://www.soundrowers.org/

Check out the chart that follows their description of classes. The way they categorize the different boats is very helpful.

I bought a KajakSport Viviane: not the fastest in its class (Glider, Epic Endurance, etc.) but it is supposed to be better in conditions, and it is much nicer on the eyes. (I'm such a slave to fashion.)

BTW, my Viviane came with a skeg and I will adding a rudder at Brian's workshop on Saturday. I thought it would be a simple way to deal with the skeg v. rudder issue: get both. :-))

Liz N.

>Where were you headed for the training,

>btw?

That will depend, in part, on where the ice flows give us access to still liquid water. It is truely amazing how quickly the shore ice has built up this week. Ducks and swans are seriously running out of any place to float.

Liz N.

It is a marathon. Last year I did it at a "I want to finish and live to tell of it" pace. This year I intend to cut 30 minutes off my time. So, I am working on:

1) increasing my aerobic capacity - spinning, swimming

2) increasing my strength - weights

3) increasing my flexibility - yoga

4) improving my technique - The "catch" is the weakest part of my stroke. I can work on that in pools sessions without running people over.

5) lightening my load, like a good American should. :-))

I had some links to good sites for shoulder exercises and stretching for kayakers but somehow lost them. Does anyone have them? Keith: you had some good stuff on stretching.

Thanks for any advice.

Liz N.

Alex Landrum and I are going to try to get out on Sunday, Jan. 18. If you This will be an easy paddle to get us started. I know it conflicts with Brian Nystrom's fabulous outfitting workshop and that it falls in the middle of MLK, Jr. weekend, when a lot of people will be skiing. If you can't make this one - there will be more.

Bad weather cancels. Details to those on the list from the prior posting. Those people are:

Leslie Beale

Ken Cooper

Leon Granowitz

Helen Greitzer

Bill Gwynn

Dee Hall

Alex Landrum

Liz Neumeier

Sean Noonan

Suzanne Pritchett

Paula Riegel

Anne Reynolds

Lisa Santullo

Linda Shelburne

If you want to be added, post here or send me an email: eneumeier@earthlink.net.

Liz N.

> The legislative effort would be far more effective if the

>situation was addressed right from the start. Retailers of

>kayaks are the first line of defense. Promotion of kayak

>safety courses should be a mandatory part of any new kayak

>sale. A retailer could provide a list of approved

>organizations teaching a "quick start" or similar kayak

>safety programs. The retailer could also stress the

>importance of taking a safety course,or could possibly

>sponsor a "kayak safety day" similar to,or in conjunction

>with the "demo days" held by many stores.

> Perhaps NSPN could participate in this type of activity.

>Who better to teach the importance of kayak safety?

A couple of years ago NSPN was invited to do a safety demo at the Gloucester Seafood Festival. It conflicted with the seals trip, a surf class and something else so no one was available to do it. I have regretted missing that opportunity.

Dan's suggestion sounds like a good winter project: form a committee to develop a short demo presentation, shop it around to outfitters to see who wants us to do it, line up folks for the schedule. Anyone who has paddled with NSPN for a year knows enough about the basics. Yet another way for people to give something back to the club and to help more newbies get started right.

> New kayakers are the highest risk category and the place

>to begin promoting safety is long before they get on the

>water.

Absolutely!

Liz N.

Great link!

I actually did know about the 5% rule but was too lazy to write all that out. In any event I doubt, for the reasons sing gave, that NSPN will want to spend any of its money that way.

Jill makes some good points. Reaching people who do not want to listen is pretty tough.

Liz N.

In the aftermath of the loss of two young women out of Harwichport last October legislation is being proposed in MA to require PFDs to be worn at all times while kayaking. Here is the link for more info:

http://www.vsv.cape.com/~harharb/ciha/kayakpressrelease.html

I never paddle without wearing my PFD and they are mandatory on all NSPN trips. After following the links and reading comments of others about this proposed bill - follow the links - I am still not sure how I feel about it. When this accident happened, PFDs were mandatory. They were violating MA law by not wearing them.

Some of the commentators suggest that requiring a safety manual to be provided with each kayak sold will do more for safety than a rule with the attendent enforcement problems. If that approach is taken it seems to me that outfitters renting kayaks would need to provide the info also.

NSPN cannot "lobby" but can educate legislators about issues.

What do people think about this one?

Liz N.

Happy New Year Bob,

At the Christmas party there was talk of combining a ski trip to Whistler/Blackcomb with a paddling trip with you. I'm not sure when this can happen.

Liz N.

Count me in. I will want to add a fiberglass knee tube and access hatch to mz new Viviane.

Spain was fabulous. Skiing in Davos is good, but more snow is needed, badlz. That z was due this european kezboard, Not mz tzping abilitz.

Liz N.

My intent, heading down to the cove, (BTW, Chotas make GREAT snow boots) was to climb up on the sea wall. I changed my mind really quickly when I got down there. Watching from a distance was good.

Liz N.

That's right. IN, not at, Lanes Cove.

I could not resist a stroll down to Lanes Cove at high tide this morning. Neither could a lot of my neighbors. Everyone with a dog was out. (Frank stayed home.)

For today's workshop we would have:

1) practiced surf launches from the put in at the head of the cove,

2) had plenty of wind and waves to practice skills in right in the middle of the cove,

3) been able to get blown/washed onto the rocks without ever leaving the cove,

And, for the more advanced paddlers

4) just try to leave the cove.*

As for that cozy lunch beach along the breakwater: the ocean was pouring through the granite and anyone sitting inside would have gotten a saltwater spray shower with every wave. Of course, this storm is nothing compared to 1978, which took out the Lanes Cove breakwater.

* This activity would likely have been followed by a boat repair workshop.

Liz N.

Hi Al,

I get hot easily also. I'm assuming that your paddling jacket was made of something breathable. Putting fleece under it might have made you too warm. I often paddle with two or even 3 layers of thin polypro. I don't get overheated like I would with heavy fleece, but the perspiration has someplace to move to. You might try that. (Bring the heavy fleece for the beach.)

If you were getting colder as you paddled, you were definitely underdressed. A neoprene cap would have kept your head warmer than what you had on, which let the wind through. Also, I like pogies for my hands because it is an easy way to regulate my temperature. Sometimes I paddle with one on and one off. I only wear gloves if the water temperature is VERY cold. It was not in CT that day. (Don't ask how I know. :-)) )

Liz N.

Ah the wonder of cell phones. Since Our Founder has been so evidently lonely and missing us and the great NSPN traditions, we (6) placed a call to the NW Commander from our lunch spot on Misery today. Alas, we got his voice mail. We did not get through because Deb ran the battery down making calls to the East coast. Bob reports that he will have to wait until next year to start the PTDP trip tradition out there, since forecast winds made for a no-go this year.

Somebody needs to get out there soon and paddle with this guy before he goes totally NUTs, or moves back here. (Tremble, tremble, tremble.)

It was a great day on the water: nice fog, drizzle, etc. = we had the place to ourselves. Jonathan really knows how to string a tarp.

Thanks to NSPN friends for helping me through my new boat jitters, and only laughing a little when I capsized on the boat ramp at the end of our lovely annual post-Turkey day trip to Misery.

Liz N.

From every forecast I have been able to find, "Gale" won't be arriving until later this afternoon or this evening. So,

I'll be at Manchester harbor at 10:00 AM - behind the police station - with the intent to paddle to Misery if others show up.

Liz N.

Hi Guy,

Despite Marc Schlosser's best efforts to convince me that your boat, the Epic 18, is what I should paddle, I'm liking the KajakSport Viviane really a lot. I went out with Marc at Mystic this afternoon and felt really comfortable in it. If Epic could make the Endurance look like a complete sea kayak, instead of one with its bow chopped off, I'd reconsider. For now, I agree with Jed: Life is too short to paddle an ugly boat. :-))

P.S. I realize that the Epic is faster but I'm willing to sacrifice some speed to look good.

Liz N.

For the annual post-T day trip we may have SW winds. We will also likely have rain.

Ever wonder what the Aleut used since they did not have Goretex? Go to the Peabody-Essex Museum, 3rd floor, and check out the Aleut exhibit. They have a pullover shirt, long enough to attach to the cockpit, completely made out of sea lion intestine and esophagus, circa 1830.

Our own Casey Carey has repaired it twice, which involves sewing the strips together with thin (thread-diameter) strips of, yes, sea lion gut. You will have to ask her where she gets it. It seems that the proteins break down over time, faster in the "threads," so it has to be sewn back together periodically. Casey said it has an interior layer, with the seams offset so it is very nearly waterproof, and very light in weight.

Also on display are an amazing sea lion intestine and esophagus cape, of the design worn by Russian naval officers, and a 1830 model of a triple kayak - the type used for major seal hunting expeditions. The model has an interesting split bow, which helped shed waves and kept the paddlers more dry.

BTW: I'm still planning to launch out of Manchester harbor at about 10:00 AM to get to Misery at 11:00, if others are going to also. (I will do Tucks if everyone else is going there too.) I will be in a boat I am demoing (likely my Blackburn 2004 craft) and need to see how it does in a bit of wind and waves. Comparing the marine and land forecasts for Friday, the trip is looking doable, if a bit wet.

Liz N.

>Count me in as an occasional show. At the least, I can carry

>the boats.

Or tow anyone who wants to see how it feels to go over 7 knots. :-))

>Liz, you'll have to wait until next summer for my next

>bluefish dropoff.

I had a piece of the last one for lunch. It is still delicious.

Liz N.

>I probably won't make

>every Sunday (there is good skiing in the winter after all)

I ski too. This won't be every Sunday. I'll figure out a tentative schedule but we'll have to be guided by the marine forecast, in addition to conditions on the slopes. I hope to get enough dates in to cover all sections twice before June 1, then start piecing sections together before doing the whole thing at least twice before the race.

Liz N.

Alex is bored. Alex wants more competition in the women's division of the Blackburn Challenge. I want more company back in the pack. :-))

To those of you who have been thinking "I couldn't possibly do that" - if I can do it so can you. Read on.

The plan is to practice the course in easily manageable sections during the winter and early spring so we are ready for serious training when the weather breaks. Alex will be with us, sharing tips, when her schedule permits.

The course breaks down like this:

1) The start: 3 NM out the Annisquam River, against the incoming tide. (They pick a date when the racers have to paddle against the current to make it more of a "challenge.") We'll do this section when it is too rough elsewhere, studying the currents, eddies, sand bars, channels, etc., and learn to paddle strong against the current without wearing ourselves out.

2) The fun part: 4 NM, point to point to point past Lanesville, Folly Cove and Halibut Point to Andrews Point in Rockport. People on the rocks cheering. You are warmed up but not tired. Rah, rah, rah! Lots of comraderie. Oh yeah! I can DO this!!!

3) Sandy Bay crossing to Straightsmouth Straight (boring): 2 NM and traffic starts thinning out. Check in with the folks in the boat and you are halfway home!

4) Straightsmouth to Emerson Point: Only 1.5 NM but how close can you stay to the rocks to save time and distance?

5) Heartbreak hill - Emerson Point to Braces Cove: 4NM if you stay on a heading of 235, which is to say offshore. If there is a headwind, as in 2003, you are already tired when you hit it. I found paddling offshore by myself disconcerting because it was so hard to tell if I was making any forward progress. Was I ever happy to see red nun #4! I want to practice this stretch a lot to get more comfortable with that. Who wants to think about bailing when you have already gone more than halfway?

4) Where is that damn lighthouse and how long is this damn breakwater - Braces Cove to the harbor entrance: the longest 1.3 NM ever paddled.

5) The finish: 1.6 NM From Dogbar to the beach: Boats stay out of my way I'm in a race. How hard can you paddle when you are really tired?

We will learn all the course headings and visual markers. And (Ken: you might want to skip this sentence), where all the bailout points are. If you are not having fun, you will know exactly what your nearest options allow.

On the thread Ken started about paddling skills, I said I learn best when I am relaxed, not scared. So, that is the approach here. For those who like living/paddling more on the edge, please enjoy doing your own thing. All I ask is that you refrain from drinking all the Ipswich Ale at the beer tent before I get there. :-))

Alex and I want to help more women get ready for the Blackburn Challenge in 2004, but guys are welcome to join us too. The only rule is no whining about the pace, being too cautious, etc.

If you want to be put on the list for "training" dates, post here or send me an email: eneumeier AT earthlink.net

Most of the paddling will be done on Sunday afternoons, starting (if Gale stays away) in January. Post questions here.

Liz N.