kate

I'd like to add one more variable to this discussion. That is, the combo of boat and body sizes. Some boats are much more suited to rolling than others, and some boats are just too large for smaller paddlers to be able to roll well or easily or even at all. It's not uncommon for a beginner to pick out a large, "stable" boat to learn in, and then be flummoxed by how to roll the thing. Put that person in a properly sized and designed boat, and the roll comes much more easily. You folks who are having such difficulty learning, take a look at your boat. Are you sitting up to your armpits in the cockpit? Is the stern deck low enough to lay back on? Is your boat massively wide (in the hopes of that seemingly-desirable stability)? Is it padded so that you have actual solid contact with the boat at hips and knees? This is not a matter of having $$$ boats and gear (both my boats were much-used and far out of style when I purchased them, and the paddle is a whittled 2x4). It's a matter of choosing a boat that fits. Beyond that, I agree that good instruction is paramount. I learned gp rolls for free from the guys at Walden, and then went back again and again to practice and learn new rolls. Building the correct movements step by step, as Brian outlined (hi Brian! miss you and Linda!), and then practicing regularly (use it or lose it) will make it possible for most people to roll. And then paddling is SO much more fun! (btw I learned a C-to-C roll with a 45-degree feathered euro-paddle as my first roll, and the only roll for about 12 years. Then began learning greenland rolls which at first seemed devilishly difficult to me.... until I realized that the body mechanics I'd originally learned were less than ideal. Soon, the greenland rolls were informing and improving the euro rolls. Have used a gp for 8 years now, and last rolled with a europaddle a year ago, no problem.) Kate

I certainly enjoy eating well, but I don't miss it if it isn't there. Too much effort for me to bother with, but if someone else wants to....

I'm so pleased to hear it! And I wonder.... will you take a pie?

There are also small fishing villages dotted here and there along the coast. I'm sure that if anyone was within radio distance, they would respond with help. The sense of community responsibility is strong there. And we had a mindset of making good decisions for ourselves so that no such calls would be necessary. I'm always very conservative in remote places. I found mosquitoes to be worst (and never very bad) in areas that were covered by nothing more than groundcover (juniper and crowberry or suchlike). I think they are boggy areas that provide standing water for breeding. The mosquito count was very location-specific. k

John Martinsen, Phil and Lorrie Allen, and I traveled to Newfoundland to spend a week or so circumnavigating New World Island in north central Newfoundland. There are a lot of rocks, sometimes a lot of waves, often a lot of wind, and all too many times a lot of rain. In short, it was a splendid kayak camping trip. Please enjoy the photos and report here. Kate

I can see using a sculling draw to move the whole boat sideways (I shoulda said that instead of the sweep - you are right, they do two different things). Paddle and boat are engaged on the same side that way. That hanging draw, though, (which works best for me with boat edged away from paddle) does feel unstable with a lean away from the side where the paddle is in the water. It would simply not occur to me to use it in rough water. (Rescue victims beware, I guess!) For dancing, however, it's a lovely step. And thanks, Pru, for bringing up the subject. As usual, in the NSPN forum, there's much to say about it

I'm a bit muddled by the actual usefulness of this move. Like Rick S., I do use it when surfing, edging away from the paddle (thank you Lorrie and Phil for teaching me that one). Surfing is a situation where a fine correction is useful. And it's fun to practice the move for boat control. But honestly I would never use it in rough water. I mean - for what? It's inherently pretty unstable. A sweep stroke will do in those situations. No precision required. So.... enlighten me?

There is something of the poet in you, Pru. I love the turns of phrase; e.g., "The rocks on the west side of Whaleboat aren't solid faces of granite. Rather, they are vertical formations of thin rocky pages that form a big rocky book." lovely trip report. Keep 'em coming. kate

Thanks, Peter, for taking on the near-impossible task of organizing this workshop (not to mention bringing your boat and all the camping gear to go in it). I definitely learned from it, and I really enjoyed meeting the other folks. We were having such a good time that REI finally had to kick us out so they could close. Warren, awesome recipes! Kate

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/kodak-playsport-black/4505-6500_7-33941237.html price on amazon is about $85, slightly more than the above groupon deal. Looks like a decent little video cam.

I'm envious! I'd love to see that North Peninsula. But yes, it's a lot of driving. You'll love Gros Morne. You'll love the whole trip! k

I'm using the T2 iteration of the Panasonic (2 years now), for both skiing and kayaking, as well as occasionally taking it along just because it's small and handy. The video is excellent (compared to the old Optio I had) (and double excellent compared to GoPro which is always so distorted). I absolutely love that the video can be shot by pressing a button on the back, rather than drilling into a menu or turning a dial to change the mode. I can switch from photo to video in a mere moment and without having to find my glasses to read small print. Photos in good light are crisp and clear (Leica lens!). I agree with the review Phil posted, that color tends a bit toward the blue - I color-correct on the desktop. Unlike the review, I find that the battery charge lasts just forever. Also, a silicone jacket for the camera is included, which I find to be very helpful in gripping it well, in cushioning it from drops, and possibly in protecting the metal from salt water. One thing to note: if you want to edit/upload video to fb or youtube, you will need to convert it from AVCHD to some other more-usual format (unless that's been changed in newer models). I found several freebie programs that will do this. NK

I expect to attend. I'll PM you the requested info. See you all then! Kate

I was there for 9 days of paddling in 2008. Here's the trip report: http://www.cathyhartland.com/Newfoundland/Newfoundland.htm What area are you planning to visit? I'd suggest Bonavista Bay, with hikes at Terra Nova National Park. You may find lots of whales there, depending on when in July you go. Kate

And already their accomplishment is providing an impact on the kayaking community... Phil goes South

Blaine, I feel the same way about Newfoundland. Really the ultimate northeast kayak destination. Let's hope 6/9 will work for everyone. Kate

Excellent write-up. One time I decided to try the surf at PI during a high-wind/surf day. It was a big mistake. The next time my friends and I decided to go elsewhere. Fortunately I didn't have to learn this in as big a day as you did. I'm often the one to "blink" and back out, and I've never been sorry to wait for another gentler day. I think there's a trajectory as we're gaining skills, where we accept more and more risk - until we have such a day as you did. For me, suddenly I began keeping a much larger risk buffer. It's supposed to be about FUN, after all. thanks for re-posting. Kate

Either of those two dates would work for me. Saturday evening is easier for me than a weekday too. And... you are very kind, Jason. I have lots of photos to share kate

I agree, this is true. Sadly. I try to catch surf days on the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) with an occasional summer hurricane adding interest. Also, tide races can keep one going during the summer. Hence New Inlet and Plum Island. Also, I am not a tree-swinger nor a big-wave surfer, nor particularly skilled. I just like kayak-surfing, when I can manage it. I'll be curious to hear how you like the Tiderace kayak. I demoed their Xplore. Very fine boat. Ultra price too, unfortunately.

I sure can't speak for everyone, but for me it's only just barely the end of ski season and the boats aren't coming out of storage until the skis are put away. There are a number of NSPN folks who enjoy kayak surfing and rough water trips. I suspect that these trips tend to get arranged offline, with people who know and trust one another's skills. So... NOTE TO YOU OFFLINE FOLKS: let in some new blood. Post trips on the board now and again! And Ken, keep posting your trips (and trip reports). I hope to join you one of these days. I'm on the south shore but love Plum Island. Perhaps you'll come down to New Inlet or Sakonnet sometime and try our south shore surf.... Kate

Why not post a trip and see? Then we'll know more precisely what sort of paddling trip you are suggesting. We may all feel like we are letting loose and redefining the elderly etiquette, from our own points of view. What is your point of view? Kate

Tom, without hesitation I suggest Scott Cunningham: http://www.coastaladventures.com/ He wrote the guidebook for the area and is the local expert on the coastline.

I do this too. The poles fit nicely in the extreme rear stern. A wet tent fly can be kept in a separate bag from the drier tent, and stowed in different hatches to balance weight. Much better than one big unwieldy bag. Ed and I seem to have similar camping styles. Pretty cool to discover that others have come up with methods that are akin to mine. Also interesting to hear other views. I like the extra-bivy idea, since I have been caught in day-trip situations where it was uncertain (due to changes in weather) if I could make it back to my tent by nightfall. I really don't like day-tripping during a camping trip, for that reason!

I have camped on Little Water. It's really just a big rock with one small tree and some flowers. If the weather is calm and mild, it's a beautiful place to camp. If the weather's bad I'd pick another spot. I have two trip reports online for that area, found here: http://cathyhartland.com/photo/reports.htm There are photos of Little Water, as well as other places we camped in the vicinity. Kate

FWIW, Mark and Jess and I shared a 6-man tent for 2 weeks over the summer - Jess on a thermarest, Mark on an airmattress, and me on the Exped. There were no complaints from anyone about noisy tossing and turning. And... part of my standard camping stash is a pair of earplugs. Mostly because wind and rain and thunderstorms and surf can be very noisy. Snoring too