alcoons

Did the circumnaviagtion yesterday and encountered no bugs. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Sounds great. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I have only done this route in the reverse direction, and my research does not give a complete picture , could an expert or two confirm the timing and sensibility of this trip given the tides, the weather report and that we will be returning by the coast? High Tide about 9 AM Distance 9 miles FORECAST for SAT: a) COASTAL WATERS from Merrimack out 25 miles: S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 2 TO 3 FT BOSTON HARBOR: SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...INCREASING TO 10 TO 15 KT LATE. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS. Thanks for your help, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Janice. Is this a confirmed SNG now? I will be there if it is going. Kevin is correct...this can easily be a level three depending on the conditions on the beach side. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Sounds great to me. Let's do it. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I have written and called in the past and am willing to do so again. However, what would be helpful is a list of points that the club feels is inappropriate in the bill as written. What does not make sense and why? What does make sense or at least what can we live with? This needs to come from the leadership or a small, fast operating committee. This could take forever if they worry about the fine points, but what are the major problem? We can then speak with one voice. We can in just a few minutes have our voices heard by using the sensible, collective wisdom of the club leadership. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Sorry...cannot make it afterall. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

See you there. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I want to share some wisdom imparted by Karen Knight and Bob Foote at their rolling class last Tuesday that may help some new rollers. 1. Karen and Bob began by demonstrating two rolls: c-to-c and sweep. They suggested that the sweep might be more appropriate for those who are less flexible (no they did not say "older") or those with larger boats. Participants were about evenly divided in which sweep they initially tried, and I think at least one switched during the class. 2. I had a poor c-to-c roll in the 70's (yes 1970s). I have been trying to recover it in the last couple of years. I did not have much success last year, even with a class. After Karen and Bob's introduction, the sweep roll seemed to make much more sense for me. FOR ME, the c-to-c depends so much on: a) a difficult initial position, and a difficult hip-flick. On the other hand, the sweep roll depends on: a) a less difficult initial position (not wrapped around the boat so much), and easy to visualize simultaneous moves (a lifting to one knee and a sweep parallel to the surface with my eyes on the blade to rotate the body). 3. I left the class with an 80% sweep roll - that means it works about 80% of the time when it is not important that it really works. Needs more practice of course. 4. I had forgotten how crucial it is to have a good teacher...one that selects appropriate techniques for a given client and who can diagnose problems. Karen and Bob spent 4 continuous hours in the water helping the group..no breaks...yet after each successful or unsuccessful attempt, they gave suggestions that really applied to the mechanics. So, what was my point for sharing this? I think it is crucial that a beginner make a conscious decision between the c-to-c and sweep rolls. To me they are very different, requiring different athleticism and internalization. I also think that learning to roll from a qualified instructor can be of great value. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

I have minor medical situation and I may or not make this trip tomorrow. However, Tom and a friend will be there at 10 AM whether I make it or not, so please join them. Sorry, Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Thanks to Kevin for not only organizing the rolling class this afternoon, but also gaving up a spot so another club member could participate. His selfless contributions to club continue to mount. Bob and Karen were wonderful, taking care of everyone on a windy, warm, refreshing day at Mystic. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>Well then, regarding Deveraux, as I understand it you cannot >launch/land there when there is a lifeguard though I guess >evening is okay. I personally dislike Riverhead because of >the trip through the boats and the oil, etc. on the water >near the shore. On the other hand, as mentioned elsewhere, >the coast of Marblehead Neck and the nearby outlying rocks >are fun for rock play. A few weeks ago we put in at Riverhead, spent some hours in the sound, paddled around the Neck and took out at Deveraux during a very busy period. We carefully landed well away from the supervised swiming area (there were a couple of small yaks there). We carried gear to the cars across the road....even floated the boats down towards the parking lot a bit and then carried carefully up.....the parking lot attendent even let us pull the car into the Deveraux lot to load the boats, saving carrying them across the road. I do not know what the official rules are, but we showed respect for the swimmers and beach lizards and the officials did not seem uncomfortable with our take out. Al

Tom Hirschfeld and I are planning the following for this Thursday, July 27. Suggested route: Gloucester/Greasy Pole-Magnolia-Towards Manchester Launch: 10 AM from Gloucester/Greasy Pole. Level: 3. Pace will be moderate, distance 10-14...both determined by the group. You should be comfortable in moderate waves and wind. Caveat: We are not a formal leaders. While we all are responsible for ourselves, we will work in a group to help each other. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Thursday, July 20 Al Rossiter and I met up with Judy Whipple at Riverhead and launched at 10 AM to what felt like surprisingly cool and changeable weather. Occasional showers were predicated in the morning and more frequent ones in the afternoon. The consistent overcast, wind, and coolness after some hot days left us wondering what would be a smart route. We paused outside Marblehead Harbor trying to make a committee decision whether to head for Misery or be more conservative. We decided to delay the decision and paddled out to Children's. Little actually changed in the sound...still a light wind, just a little chop, and if anything the skies were a bit lighter. We could see one small rain shower well past Bakers. Judy and I could do without another Willows trip and Al had not been to Misery so we decided to follow the original float plan and went direct to Misery for lunch. There is a single caretaker on Misery this year. A young gentleman (he had a gentle voice anyway) from Beverly. He said the island had not been vandalized this year. The lunch view from the bluff on the ocean side of the beach (Marker 1 on the island tour) was as wonderful as ever, with clouds but long views. We headed back by way of Bakers and out to the Gooseberrys. Lots of bird life and guano. On the way back to the ocean side of Childrens it suddenly felt like we were becalmed in the middle of the ocean. The water became quiet, the air very heavy and warm for about 1/2 mile. So, overall, an uneventful day but a wonderful paddle given our weather concerns at the start. We were happy we read the weather correctly but still know things do change rapidly when you least expect it. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Will there be someone or a group working on rolling? Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>Al, > >Come to think of it, you might be right. I launched there >on Sunday it might be a bit messy at high tide. Does anyone >know the specifics? If you mean Riverhead, you can lauch there with no problem at anytime. At low tide you can even drive down the ramp and on the beach to near the water. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>I've been told that we can put in at Riverhead in Marblehead >without being charged, so we'll try there first, with a >backup of Dolliber Cove. Kevin. You can always launch from Riverhead for free. Sometimes (two weeks ago), the parking attendent does not know that boaters park for free. Two weeks ago, after we reminded her, she chearfully refunded the parking fee to the early birds who had paid. Kayaker should park on the Riverhead side (left side as you arrive) and not the beach side (right side of road). By the way, I have never launched at Dolliber, but I have been told that there is not enough water anywhere near low tide. Perhaps someone else can fill us in on when you can launch at Dolliber. Have a great trip. Al Coons Eddyline Knighthawk Red/White

>Al, be careful of your wording -- you start off first post >saying "weather supposed to be fine" or words to that >effect, then in later post you refer to the fog of this >morning (there here in Gloucester harbor) and the >thunderstorms of this afternoon (there be, as sure as >as eggs are eggs!) Pay attention to detail, my man! > >Regards and all that... Yes. The weather prediction changed over the days between the first and lasts posts. Not sure what you expected me to do? Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

4:10 PM Just took a drive in the storm....a real Texas rain storm...small hail in Woburn, the stream the feeds the Mystics Lakes that runs through Winchester immediately filled to its banks...when I walked out of Radio Shack the water was over my ankles in the parking lot...glad I had my Teva's on....30 second power hits in Woburn. Good call Dave! Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>Al, >Leon and I tried to launch from Tuck's Point Monday. A young >man hired to screen cars coming in would not allow us to >park in the way back and launch. I don't think they are >towing and if you arrive before the guard goes on duty they >will probably leave you alone. Sad state of affairs when you >are rejected at Tuck's. Maybe we should join the Yacht Club? > >Gene Gene. Thanks so much for the valuable info... Maybe the area kayak clubs should buy a small (less than $3 million) house on the water and share it as a put-in? Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Kevin. With the prediction of fog in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon....I am wondering if it is worth it. I did talk to the police in Manchester and they suggested that they are not towing at Tucks Point....Maybe we could launch from there and fool around near Mystery and Baker keeping an eye on the weather. My gut feeling says take the day off. What does your gut (probablyl smaller than mine) say? Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Can I suggest that the date of a private trip be included in the subject line. It would make it easier to know which trips have already happened and which are upcoming. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Looking for companions for a solid Level 3 Show and Go on Wed July 12. Weather is suppose to be great. Open for anything sensible.... Riverside to Misery? Circumnavigation of Crane's Neck (high tide is 12:45 PM). Something else? Caveat: I am not a formal leader. While we all are responsible for ourselves, we will work in a group to help each other. Pace will be moderate, distance 10-14...both determined by the group. You should be comfortable in moderate waves and wind. Post ideas here or email. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Looking forward to it. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

Gerry. I just tried a post to see if there was a particular problem today. It worked fine. Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White