eneumeier

Six participants unloaded boats at Granite Pier in Rockport and we watched for Adam to paddle in from -- what else? -- fishing. After introductions and a gear check, we headed straight out into Sandy Bay. Why mess around at the shore? This trip was about the ocean!

Sandy Bay is protected to the east by a mostly submerged breakwater. The water was pretty flat with only a mild breeze so Plan A was to paddle the couple of miles straight across the Bay and see if we could find something more interesting outside the breakwater. Right away one important lesson was learned: even if you want to practice paddling without your rudder (which is an critical skill to develop) you need to make sure your rudder is ready to deploy if needed. Rudder cables may need to be adjusted (easy enough on water and all that was required in this case) or replaced. Paddlers with skegs should check that the skeg deploys immediately after launching. Sand or rocks can clog the box.

Plan A became a bit boring so we switched to Plan B and headed SE toward Gap Head. This required a channel crossing, which we did as a tight group as weekend boaters were plentiful and many were heading into Rockport Harbor. A couple of participants lead us across the channel from Gap Head to Straightsmouth Island, treating it as a channel crossing because of boat traffic hazards. Along the north shore of Straightsmouth Adam pointed out hidden landing spots and the more adventurous of the group practiced riding the surge in and landing on seaweed-covered rocks. If you are going to paddle in the ocean, ideal landing spots may not always be available.

Next was a cool spot to practice riding the surge in and out. All participated this time.

At the NE-most point of Straightsmouth we found what we were looking for: mild ocean swells, steepening in some places, breaking over the point. Each paddler took a pass, paddling out through the little breakers. We stayed in the area off the point to practice critical ocean paddling skills in the small (1-2') waves and light (5-8 kt) breeze: turning our boats 360 degrees in both directions, paddling out then back in with a following sea, pumping some water into our boats so we could practice pumping out a boat while sitting broached to the waves, sprayskirt off.

Adam and I were a bit disappointed that no one capsized. Fortunately one participant wanted to practice wet exits and another volunteered to do a T-rescue. Gee, on the ocean the boats don't stay put while you stow your paddle before grabbing the bow like they do in a pool. And that draw stroke is a lot more work when you have to move your boat into the wind and waves. This was a real inspiration for a lot more skills practice, especially for those just hanging out and observing. Actually, there is always lots to observe on the ocean: like the fact that while a rescue is in progress the wind can blow the whole group into a shipping channel.

Another good thing to notice: landmarks as you paddle out. We split into 2 pods and Adam and I became participants, with our now-ocean ready group taking over the lead role to get us back to the put in. The enthusiastic pods took slightly different routes but arrived home at almost the same time.

This trip was a lot of fun for all. Sunday evening turned out to be a good time for this type of trip: a bit less boat traffic to worry about and a nice way to end the weekend. We'll probably do another.

Liz N.

Sunday morning on Chebacco Lake (where the water is warm and the ducks friendly) Lisa and I met 5 paddlers with a variety of boat types to run through "interesting" scenarios that can arise on level 2 trips. Everyone was eager to participate and we all had to figure out a few things that would work with different types of equipment. There are ways to drain an 11', super wide Santee to reduce the amount of pumping when doing a rescue. On the other hand, a swamped rec boat is too unstable to paddle, even if it has a float bag behind the seat.

One morning was too short for everyone to try everything, so expect to see these folks at skills sessions!

Liz N.

NSPN member Christophe Godfreddo of Ipswich has decided to skip NY's summer thoroughbred racing season and our paddling season this year to head directly to Sicily to train for next year's "Greasy Pole" contest.

Sunday afternoon, June 30, Christophe was inspired to this radical change in plans by his first-ever viewing of Gloucester's famous Greasy Pole finals. Like so many others, Christophe had thought that "Greasy Pole" was just a name for a handy kayak put-in with free parking at Gloucester harbor. In fact, it has a more literal meaning - much more literal. The 50+ foot horizontal telephone pole is coated with about 6" of axle grease. Creatively-costumed men attempt to walk the pole and grab the flag at the end, before falling into the water. At the end, all contestants swim to the beach, with the winner carrying the flag.

Why? You might ask. This contest was brought over from Sicily generations ago and is held during Gloucester's annual St. Peter's Fiesta. The winner gets bragging rights for one year. This year was the 75th annual. A special "walk of champions" was held.

Contestants tried a number of strategies, which Christophe studied carefully and remarked upon:

Slip, butt whacks pole, splash - The announcer: "Well, if he had hemorroids, they are fixed now." Christophe: "Omigod."

Slip, do a split, splash - The announcer: "Another soprano for the choir." Christophe: "I cannot imagine...."

Slip, back smacks pole, splash - The announcer: "He looked good until then." Christophe: "People must get seriously injured doing this."

The crowd: Yelling, cheering their favorites. The sentimental favorite had retired last year but returned to competition "to put a smile on Dad's face." (Dad, a previous champion, recently suffered a stroke and watched from his wheelchair on shore.) One of the biggest favorites was the former "bi-continental champion" who had won this event in both Gloucester and Sicily. That really got Christophe's competitive juices flowing: he has to train where the sport began: For polo go to Pakistan and wack a head around. For Greasy Pole walking go to Sicily.

Our crowd of 5, rafted between the anchor line of a power boat and a small motor boat, had a great view of the Seine boat races that preceded the Greasy Pole contest. As soon as it was over, we split the scene in a futile attempt to avoid the grease in the water. A certain presidential Gulfstream got slimed. (That stuff looks so dark on the pole and so bright blue on a white hull.)

We dodged boats driven by folks in suspect condition and paddled through crazy wind and wake chopp to get out to Ten Pound Island for a stretch break. After a short tour of Rocky Neck Adam, Yvonne, Mary, Christophe and I headed back to the inner harbor Cripple Cove launch site (floating dock access), thence to check out a new pizza joint in town: Gepetto's - it was great! In honor of the day we ordered all Italian fixings.

Alas, we were too late for the "blessing of the fleet" - this year conducted by a mere Bishop, dear Cardinal Law being otherwise occupied.

Liz N.

Well, for the first "Show and Go" trip of the 2002 season, only the wind showed up. While waiting until 5:45 (15 minutes before scheduled launch time) the Jim Brayden and 3 assistant leaders discussed options:

1) If members did come, the conditions were clearly at least level 3, not level 2. (Jim had posted a message to this effect earlier in the afternoon.)

2) With the winds coming out of the West, if we ventured out into the harbor the return trip would be quick, but the landing could involve more surf than folks might be up for this early in the season.

3) If the winds picked up as much as forecast, the return and landing could be difficult.

4) We could move the trip to the Annisquam River.

The decision as to how to handle the trip became moot when no one else arrived. Being that close to the water made us want to get our boats wet anyway, so we adjourned to the more sheltered waters of the Annisquam for a sunset paddle. Two of our relaxed and compatible group had never been there and it is always a good thing to paddle in new waters.

During our snack break on Wingaersheek beach the winds let us know that staying out of the harbor was the correct choice. For a time the beach looked like a Sahara sandstorm. We road back to the putin with the incoming tide and wind pushing us, then adjourned for a mini (we had not worked hard enough to earn the real thing) PPP-O.

Y'all missed a good time. See you on the water - I hope!

Liz N.

Congratulations on doing it in those conditions. I had planned on being a spectator, but passed on even that part.

Liz N.

For our easy level 2 trip, designed to enjoy the beauty of Boston/Cambridge from the Charles, experience going through the locks and paddle under the glow of the full moon, the weather cooperated once again. As 20 participants and 4 leaders gathered in the late afternoon, winds picked up enough for us to notice and wonder, then died down as forecast. The sun was shining with no hint of the clouds due to arrive later that night.

Dusting off the boats and finding the gear was only part of the problem for some folks. Once again this putin proved elusive for a few. Check it out this way: Go to Mapblast, maps. Enter the Cambridge zip code: 02139. Get that map. Note where Magazine Street runs into Rt. 3 (Memorial Drive) and the location of the Boston University Bridge. Click on the ?y? in Boston University to re-center the map. Zoom in all the way. Heading from Magazine Street toward the Boston University bridge on Memorial Drive, turn right into the driveway indicated by the thin gray line. There will be a baseball field on your right and a small brick MDC building on the left.

Traffic foiled the efforts of others to get there on time. There was a concert at the Hatch shell and construction on Memorial Drive so there were real bottlenecks in getting to the putin. Given this location, traffic is the norm to expect. Only the daily causes vary. My solution to the big dig: when I have to go into the city these days I plan on doing a few errands (a stop a Trader Joe?s for instance) before my appointment. If traffic is bad, I eliminate the errands and get to the appointment on time. Gloucester to Cambridge can take 50 minutes or 2 hours.

This being the first official trip of the season and all, we didn?t leave anyone on the beach as penance for tardiness. Late comers should not be surprised if that does happen in the future, however! Please understand that the posted time for the trip is when you should be geared up, ready to paddle, not when you should be driving into the parking lot. If it takes you an hour to unload your boat and organize your gear, or if you are geographically challenged, plan accordingly.

I am emphasizing timeliness because in sea kayaking it really matters: beyond being courteous to those who did arrive on time and the volunteer trip leaders who put hours into planning club trips. Tide changes can make some spots inaccessible and can create currents that are difficult to paddle against. Trips MUST launch when scheduled.

After the beach briefing we split into two ?pods.? Pod 1 left with Leaders Roger Voeller and Mary Mlodzinska. Pod 2, lead by Richard Beckham and Liz Neumeier left approximately 30 minutes later.

We paddled East under the railroad and Boston University Bridges, staying close to the north shore, watched those long rowing shells get stowed for the night in the boathouse (that takes teamwork) and to enjoy the view of downtown Boston. In the Charles River Basin most of the sailboats were already moored for the night, so we nearly had the river to ourselves. One tour boat was still showing off our city.

After a water break at the Museum of Science and a bit of gear adjusting, we passed single file through the ?old locks? and under the Big Dig. The lights had just come on and the ?new bridge? looked fabulous. Our tax dollars at work. ? For many participants it was their first time through the locks. I forgot to warn people about the danger of splinters as you grasp the beams on the side. Don?t ask why I am mentioning it now.

Once in the Inner Harbor it was a short paddle over to the Constitution, where a Canadian destroyer was in port. (Was the destroyer?s presence related to that nasty hit in the previous night?s hockey game?) NOTE: there is a buoy and line blocking off direct access to the Constitution so you can no longer paddle around it. The line is hard to see at night, but we did not cross it.

Pod 1 had taken a detour over to the Coast Guard station. Through radio contact we agreed to meet up and did, to return together through the locks.

The Pod 1 folks were telling a tale of being fired upon by a canon, or was it that the Constitution was firing a canon at the Canadian destroyer, or was it that??? I never really got the details straight, just something about glad to have dry clothes along because - never mind that part. Perhaps Pod 1 participants can post a response to clear this up. When Pod 2 was over there, the firefight had ended and a party was taking place under a tent - but they did not invite us. Actually, Pod 2 was ordered to get away from the Constitution area immediately, most likely because it was after dark. We did.

We took a snack break at the Hatch Shell, being careful getting out of our boats so we did not slip on the wet rocks. Landing sideways to the rocks, rather than bow first, worked best. The moon took its time getting above the buildings so we could see it, but arrived before any clouds to light our way home. We returned through the quiet Esplanade Ponds.

One scary moment: We traveled up the Boston side on the return and crossed over to the Cambridge side at the Hyatt hotel. A boat came flying by at a high speed and may not have ever seen us. With road traffic and the city lights reflecting on the water, we did not see it very far in advance. This emphasized the importance of staying together and keeping heads up on channel crossings, and of paddling along the shore line, not in the middle of a river. Boats are not expecting to see kayaks, especially at night. A group of kayaks in a tight group is much more visible to boaters than when they are spread out. We also make a smaller target. Power boat vs. kayak: kayak always loses.

The MDC parking permits worked, as all cars were still there (unticketed!) when we returned.

We were too late getting off the water (about 10:00 PM) and loading boats to make it to the planned PPP-O spot. Six of us went to the always-open IHOP in Brighton instead.

A special award and welcome to our new friend who drove from Connecticut to do this trip!

Liz N.

Yesterday's record temperatures could not be resisted. New NSPN member and fellow Gloucester resident Rick Issaacs joined me in quitting work early to see what has changed on the Annisquam River since my last visit.

We launched from the Corliss Landing state boat ramp (actually from the more kayak friendly embankment to the right side) just before 4 PM - peak temperature in Lanesville: 80 F. As we were leaving, a threesome in a canoe (looked like Dad and daughters aged 11 and 14) were returning. It was hard, but I managed not to nag them about their life jackets lying tossed in the bottom of the canoe rather than being on their bodies.

We headed down toward Lobster Cove and quickly discovered that we were not the only ones with the "let's grab our boats and paddle" fever. Several other kayakers (all with PFDs - ALL RIGHT!) were on the river. Everyone was in a great mood. Friendly natives waving from shore. Friendly fishermen waving from their boats: Yes. Really.

There was a beautiful swam, only one - I wonder where the mate was - near the entrance to Goose Cove. A new houseboat was under construction in front of the Annisquam Market. I hopped out at Lobster cove to adjust my footpegs. Sorry Mr. Sabin and Mr. Woo, but I cannot paddle with them shortened to rolling class length. My feet went to sleep in about 5 minutes!

Very little motorized traffic. The few powerboats were actually traveling at the speed limit. On the return we crossed over to Wingaersheek Beach and followed the sand bar. It reminded me of how much harder it is to paddle in shallow water so we moved to deeper water.

Several fishing boats were heading in - in a business-like way. We were tying our boats on the cars at 5:50 PM when the first blast of cold air hit. The fishermen undoubtedly had their weather radios on and knew exactly when it was due to arrive.

As I tied I watched: three boys (ages 9, 10, 12 perhaps) in a canoe, wearing pfds, trying to make way against the incoming tide current and the wind. The gusts were blowing them backwards. The youngest was leaning over the front paddling with his hands to try to help the oldest move them forward. UGH! I was thinking "maybe I should put my boat back in the water" when the winds subsided enough that they made some headway. An adult woman (Mom?) came out onto the deck and they were yelling back and forth. The boys were almost home. I relaxed.

A short discussion with Rick about my anxiety level and how kids growing up by the sea and their Moms have a different comfort level with these things.

So nice to be back on the still crystal clear water after a winter off. Perfect day. Perfect timing. Breathing perfect air. Counting our blessings that we get to live in such a beautiful place.

I returned home to find every piece of paper from my desk blown all over my office, and a 30 degree drop in temperature. Ah well, good sleeping weather as they say in Minnesota.

Liz N.

You raised a number of good points. We were able to check some of the things you mentioned, even on the water.

He was oriented x 3, Person, Place, Time, throughout the whole thing. Although he could not paddle he was able to use the paddle as a stern rudder and kept track of when he needed to steer, with no prodding from me. He figured out that it would be better if he could use the rudder - less drag. His mental faculties were still functioning. His breathing, which was shallow, did not change enough to notice. He was not gasping for breath while being towed. He did not really "swoon" - rather he looked at one point as though he might. Sorry if my original description exaggerated that bit.

I was concerned about "after drop" and watched him carefully on shore. I checked his core temp (my hand to his back - primitive but something) and was actually surprised at how warm he was under his pfd, given that he had not been paddling. He was able to pull the dry shirt on over his head unassisted. After being helped from his boat and up the bank, he very quickly was able to stand and walk unassisted. Given all of that, putting him in the heated vehicle seemed safe. I conversed with him several times after he was in the vehicle and he was totally coherant. He asked me to thank everyone involved. He started shivering after being in the truck for only a couple of minutes. (He had not been shivering before - definitely a bad sign and why I was watching him so closely on land.)

Taking him around to the Misery beach to dry off and try to warm up, and radioing for assistance from there would have been the more conservative and, in retrospect, the wiser course. Manchester Harbor seemed so close . . . .

I must say that it was a pleasure to be on the water with such a capable group!

Liz N.

>Well, better safe than sorry, so I

>hollered at the rest of our group to hold up, and started

>heading in their direction, fully expecting to turn back as

>soon as I saw they were under control.

Don gets a lot of credit for heading over there to check it out, rather than assuming things were under control and leaving the scene. ASSUMPTIONS ARE A CURSE! Don't assume.

>The victim was paddling a wooden CLC boat

This being the first time kayaking, it was also his first wet exit. He struggled to get out, then remembered the spray skirt and had to calm him self down to release it before he could wet exit. He inhaled and swallowed lots of water.

>He was wearing a coat,

His outer layer was of cotton sweatshirt material. The pfd probably saved his life. He was wearing neoprene gloves. I had a neoprene cap tucked in my pfd and put it on his head as soon as we got him upright in his boat. Keep a spare neo cap handy!!

>This was hampered somewhat by the lack of deck lines or bow toggle – I ended up clipping onto one of the hatch straps.

The lack of deck lines also made it hard for me to hold the boat upright. I had to grasp the hatch straps too. If it had been rougher waters, they would have given way.

>Part way back, one of the “experienced” friends caught up to

>us. What was he wearing, you might ask? Yep, all the

>necessary gear for a late November paddle in 45 degree water

> -- jeans and a T-shirt.

I won't go there. He was not impressed when I told him the Coast Guard issues big fines for not wearing a pfd at this time of year.

>The victim was relatively stable during the ride back. Liz

>monitored him and kept him talking, and he was able to use a

>paddle to help keep the boat straight, and eventually even

>managed to finagle his feet back onto the rudder pedals to

>help maintain course. We stopped once to put a windbreaker

>around him, which seemed to help some.

The wind on his wet sweatshirt was causing him to get colder. He was not able to paddle at all. I asked him to try to see if he could warm himself up. BTW, his friend's wife had taken the victim's paddle with her when she went "for help" so I let him use mine. I had my rain gear in my front hatch so his friend got out the rubberized rain jacket (super large size so it fits over pfds). With the hood up it at least blocked the wind. I questioned him about his chest, which he initially described as feeling tight. Then he said it felt like the congestion from a bad cold on the top of his lungs - not a surprise given the water he swallowed. I am going to learn a lot more about heart attack symptoms. At one point he started swooning and I was concerned we would not make it. His responses to my questions became monosyllabic. If we had any farther to go I would have asked for someone to raft up on the other side because I could not have held him upright if he really went over the other way. Once we were in the harbor channel and sheltered from the wind his color improved.

>

>Once on shore, it was quite a chore getting him on his feet,

>as his legs were pretty numb, and he had trouble standing on

>his own. He had some extra clothes in the rear hatch – a

>pair of socks, lightweight pants and a shirt – loosely

>thrown into an unsealed plastic bag, sloshing around with

>the water which had worked its way in. Liz pulled out her

>drybag with a full set of fleece clothing, which we got him

>into as his friend warmed up their vehicle. A thermos was

>pulled out with something warm for him to drink. After some

>discussion, we hesitantly decided that he was in good enough

>condition that immediate medical help wasn’t necessary. He

>seemed to be warming up and was becoming more mobile and

>coherent. We decided we had done what we could, so

Hard to know how far to push people. This guy really needed to see a doctor, which we told them. They were talking about driving straight back to Hudson where they were staying.

>Liz headed back to her car at Tuck’s point

NOT ALONE!! Adam and Kim were paddling into the harbor just then and I went with them.

>I had figured that in the

>middle of a rescue was not the time to be getting in

>arguments, so I had kept my mouth shut and just paddled.

Really the only option.

>

>LESSONS LEARNED:

>

>1) D-uhh . . . PFD & PROPER CLOTHING!!!!!

>2) Need to practice rescues of incapacitated paddlers.

>When I arrived at the scene and realized this wasn’t going

>to be an easy rescue, I should have immediately signaled to

>the rest of my group, who were waiting where I left them

>trying to figure out what was going on. I had the only pair

>of binoculars on my boat , so they couldn't see what was

>happening.

>3) When I pulled up alongside the victim and his boat, I

>probably would have been much better off facing his stern

>(and him) rather than trying to work with him behind me on

>my back deck.

>4) Deck Lines are a must for hanging onto or towing the

>boat.

>5) Safety gear – tow lines, pump, dry clothing, etc. Never

>know when you might need them.

Extra clothes are a must. You never know what you are going to find out there. I always carry my rain gear, even on sunny summer days, because it is so effective in blocking wind. Many times I have pulled on the pants over wet neoprene and been totally comfortable on a windy beach.

In retrospect, I think we should have radioed for help. Things could have gotten worse fast, if he was having a heart problem. There was no reason not to call on the CG. Plus, his "friends" could have been fined. :-)

Liz N.

Liz N.

Post-Turkey Day Paddle - the short route.

Adam, Kim and Liz put in at Tuck's Point, scooted out to House to check out the conditions, and plunged straight on. Not much happening out there. Trying for a bit of excitement we went around the outside of Great Misery and through the Little Misery cut. Still no action. Just as well for paddlers still stuffed from Thanksgiving.

When we arrived at the Great Misery beach it was apparent that the Kokatats were migrating. A flock had landed for lunch and were basking in the warm sun on this very spot. (Actually two groups had converged: the larger group had traveled from Marblehead Harbor and a smaller group of 4 from Manchester Harbor.) The Kokatats were mostly blue and yellows, but a few of the rare pure yellows were seen, one spectacularly tall specimen. They proudly showed their fleece chests through their open waterproof zippers, allegedly part of the drying off ritual after their vigorous journey. One of the New Hampshire sub-species performed the simultaneous warm up (neoprene hood on head) dry off (zipper open) maneuver.

Their lunch was more sparse than in previous years. Some pretzels and brownies were offered around but where was the promised leftover turkey, stuffing, and soup?

Strolls around the islands. Bushes visited by some who had not been told about the charming Clovis outhouse. Mellow relaxation. Trips reminisced and planned. Time to head out. Since Kim and Adam wanted to hang out longer, I headed back with the Manchester group, planning to have Jonathan, Chad, Don and Carla drop me at Tuck's Point on their way.

Liz N.

The weather was with us again. (Credit that trusty magic umbrella.)

13 paddlers gathered on the banks of the Charles Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately the confusing putin directions lead to some folks unloading a bit upstream. That was cured by having Assistant Leader Lisa Santullo and some tow-belt equipped volunteers tow 3 kayaks downstream to the MDC baseball field putin while the boat owners moved their cars. Displaying a copy of the MDC permit for this event on the dash of each car worked because all cars were still there when we got back.

NOTE: The Charles River putin NSPN uses in Cambridge is NOT at a boat house and is NOT at the MDC swimming pool building. It is next to the baseball field which is only accessible from Memorial Drive (East). You must take the right exit off Memorial drive just before the overpass as though you are going to the BU bridge. Enter the last driveway just before getting on the BU bridge.

Several new folks paddled with us this trip - nice to have all of you along - as well as some old hands who have not been seen for a while.

We paddled east under the railroad and Boston University Bridges, staying close to the north shore to enjoy the view of the 4:36 PM sunset reflected off the downtown buildings. The clouds lifted just enough to provide some color. We proceeded uneventfully the 3 miles through the Charles River Basin, waiving at crew teams and sailors at their respective boat houses, passed under the Mass Ave. bridge and took a short in-kayak stretch and water break behind the Museum of Science.

Going single file we went through the "old locks" and under the Big Dig. The new bridge looks a lot like the "mother ship" in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" from underneath. Our entry into the locks was delayed a bit and we were not sure why. We could not raise the operator on the VHF and the switchboard was closed so the cell phone could not get through. Apparently they had heard our trusty whistle and we were simply a bit impatient. The doors opened, the light turned green and we entered the locks, taking our places along either side. Since the tide was approaching low in the Inner Harbor the drop was significant.

Once in the harbor we decided to take a quick look at Old Ironsides, led by a paddler who has been chased off from such viewings in the past. Security seemed lax this night however, as we steathily snuck up on the old battleship, unobserved. (Perhaps all hands were watching the bridge for the reputed imminent attack.)

On the return we paddled close to the south shore, took a stretch and snack break on a dock, and told some tall tales of killer rips, huge waves, close encounters with powerful craft, following seas, etc. Everyone successfully re-entered their kayaks from the dock so, alas, we did not get to practice rescues in the dark. The nearly-full moon broke through the clouds and peered over the city, watching our backs. We returned through the amazingly tranquil Esplanade Ponds. Seeing where we will watch the fireworks from next July 4th, these paddlers can't wait!

Since all Level 2 NSPN trips have a skills component, after passing under the Mass. Ave. bridge we paused to observe the red lights marking the channel for boats, lined up side by side, picked a target on the Cambridge shore and practiced a channel crossing. Well done!

Beautiful night. Mellow trip until our return to the putin at 8:30 PM where we were met by a gaggle of geese who made their unhappiness at being disturbed loudly known. Their presence in mass quantities (and thoughts of what else was in the water besides all those floating white feathers) made us eager to adjourn to the Summer Shack for a good hand-washing before the traditional PPP-O.