kate

>Kate, that'd be great thank you - I work a few miles away >from Walden so maybe some evening next week we can >coordinate? > Sounds great! Shoot me an email next week and we'll coordinate times. kate

C'mon by Walden some evening and I'll show you how to do this roll and a list of others. There are almost always people practicing rolls at Walden, great place to learn and teach. I'm generally there on Wednesdays and Fridays if weather permits. The water is clear and clean, and it's warming up nicely. In return you can help me with my less-than-great storm roll... kate

Mark, I'm interested, assuming reasonably clement weather. Kate

http://tinyurl.com/78wf8 It's a hoax. kate

Jason, I generally use the USGS streamflow gauges. You can click on the links to see a graph of the river levels over a week's time, to get a feel for whether it's going up or down and how that compares to average levels. The [link:http://www.americanwhitewater.org/gauges/]American Whitewater site also has river gauge links for whitewater rivers. Kate

This only works for me with Firefox, but if you right-click on the red X and choose View Image, you will see the terrible sight...

For what it's worth in this discussion, I use a Grateful Heads helmet with four straps that converge to the chin strap. It allows for infinite adjustability. I have a strip of padding in the front of the helmet that is held in place with duct tape so that I can remove it or add it according to what I'm wearing under the helmet to keep a snug fit. It also has a Salamander visor attached to the outside (not worn underneath), held in place by velcro. Often when I roll in strong whitewater the visor will be flipped up when I roll up. It gives in current so that the helmet doesn't have to move. Helmets with hard brims and faceguards worry me. Faceguards can snag on underwater branches or other flotsam. I'd want it to be a tear-away guard. Hard brims suggest the possibility of jarring the neck at impact, but that's just conjecture on my part. All that said, the first thing that goes through my mind any time I flip in shallow or rocky water is to tuck hard against the front deck. So far, so good. And I agree with Brian about the one-man vendetta. Bad news. Kate

FWIW, I have used the Harmony LC-1 EZ on a variety of plastic boats for more than a decade and have never had one come off inadvertently. The superdooper kevlar types may be drier but the Harmony is a lot easier to put onto the coaming and it's plenty dry enough for surfing or rolling or whatever. Hope this helps, Kate

I have been asked for my logbook and once I had to do a checkout dive. Maybe I just look incompetent! All other points well-made and well-taken. K

"1 - NSPN being too centered around BCU certs - Maybe that is the case but as all the BCU certified paddlers leave, NSPN is gradually being drained of skilled paddlers. What now? Who is going to take their places? Seems that it is those same paddlers that push the envelope and do the challenging things." This is exactly the sort of perception to which I was referring (and please note that I said it was an OUTSIDE perception; i.e., I've heard this from others more than once): that the only skilled paddlers are those who have BCU certs. Aw c'mon, do you really believe that? And I think it is in the nature of clubs that there is a sort of bell curve which consists mostly of solid mid-level paddlers who like to do level 2-3 paddling in good weather. The far ends of the curve tend to come and go - both the beginners who are just sampling the sport and may or may not continue, and the skilled paddlers who are looking for more challenge than most club members will want. Some of those beginners will move up into the mid-range; some of those mid-range paddlers will become more skilled; some of the skilled will move on altogether. This is to be expected, it's part of the dynamic of any club. "2- "And I agree with Brian that the best way to evaluate an unknown paddler is to go paddle with him." Of course that's the best way but who has the time to do this? " I didn't say it was feasible, only that it was the best way to evaluate. Life is compromise Kate

not that it's at all relevant to this thread, but most dive operators will ask to see your log book before taking you out on their boat to dive. If you haven't dived in more than a year they will likely ask you to do a check-out dive with the divemaster as your first dive. I have no idea how that relates to paddling. Actually, I'm glad it doesn't. In spite of what was stated above, the general outside impression of nspn is that it is TOO centered around BCU certs. Personally I think however a person learns best is fine. And I agree with Brian that the best way to evaluate an unknown paddler is to go paddle with him. Kate

Suz, I was there last Sunday at 2 hours prior to high tide through to 2 hours post-high tide. It was interesting throughout, but definitely picked up steam as the tide ran out. Some very big rollers coming in from the ocean and forming up over a long distance, some of them breaking, and by the time I left I could see most of them breaking at the mouth to the inlet. I think you'll find some excitement either before or after. Right at high tide it did briefly calm down. Very dynamic area. Kate

Mystic isn't the only lake in town, nor the cleanest. C'mon out to Walden. There're often kayakers there who will spot you for your rolls and help if you wish, in an unstructured way. I'll be there Thursday afternoon this week, after 4:30. Friday afternoons are a pretty good bet too. I expect to keep practicing there into November. (Then it's ski season.) Kate

I've been using a plastic Valley Avocet for 3 years now. I don't know your size but if you are not a big guy this boat is worth checking out. It's very seaworthy, has hatches that don't leak, turns easily on a good lean, nimble, and rolls easier than my whitewater boat. It's a high-performance design, one of the best in plastic IMO. The plastic has held up well - I use it several times a week from April through November, during which time it lives on the roof of my car. It's slightly slower than many glass boats, and it's heavier - about 68 lbs. All that Scott has said about glass vs plastic is true. But if your bottom line is cost, you'll get value for dollar from an Avocet. If you are set on a plastic boat, definitely check out this one. Used to be that MIKCO sold off their demo fleet every fall and always had a few of these in the sale. Don't know if they still do so or not. Kate

We had this discussion last fall so you can look up that thread if you want the full low-down. I posted a series of photos taken with the Optio 43WR. I've used it for over a year now. It lives in my pfd for whitewater and seakayaking. I do a lot of rolling. Several times when I've attached it to the deck lines it has slipped out and dragged along in the water as I paddled. No problem. In the winter I take it along skiing. The rest of the time I carry it in my purse. I consider the camera to be essentially waterproof for any use other than scuba-diving. I use a lithium-rechargeable battery in it, which lasts for days of shooting. The optics are never going to be as good as a standard digicam, but they aren't bad either. Here are a few photos taken recently with the Optio 43WR: http://www.cathyhartland.com/photoblog/wellfleet3as.jpg http://www.cathyhartland.com/photoblog/atommyss.jpg http://www.cathyhartland.com/photoblog/washburn2as.jpg

I hail from that area. You might enjoy a circumnavigation of Eastern Neck, which is in the northern sector of the Chesapeake. Also the Havre de Grace boat launch is a popular spot for tidal-generated surfing. If you want to go further afield, try Janes Island State Park which has water trails and a campground. Bring bug spray! Also Tilghman's Island has the flavor of old Eastern Shore waterman culture. Wye Island circumnav is popular but I think it is not very scenic. Plus the ancient and immense Wye Oak was struck by lightning a few years ago so you can't even see that. Here is another website that might help, based in Philly. StormPaddle There's more than you can see in a summer. Have fun! kate

No, Li-ion batteries do not need to be conditioned. And therein lies part of their advantage. They don't have a "memory" so they don't lose their ability to charge over time. Give those NiMH batteries 6 months of use, then test them again vs the Li-Ion. Bet the lithiums will win. What I've found to be the most advantageous is that if I have a spare charged lithium battery sitting around waiting to be used, it doesn't discharge into the air. It stays charged for months; NiMH have to be recharged even if not used, after a few weeks. I found a clear increase in charge longevity with the Li-Ion, but then my NiMH batteries (2000) were about a year old and much used. just my personal experience... kate

How about a quick-release on that tether, or at least a knife on the pfd. kate

What if? I'd suggest an american flag, in case of beaching on previously undiscovered land. Beads and trinkets if land is inhabited by natives. water wings with official nspn logo. Swim with style. laser pen for blinding pirates (or victims, depending on which you are). Water noodles for close combat. fishnet stockings - dual purpose: 1) use as fishing net in case of marooning on uninhabited island, 2) sure way to attract attention of Coast Guard guys for rescue. Caution: do not use for #1 before using for #2! pork rinds, cheetos or other nonperishable disguises for salty fat. pipe and waterproof matches (in case of drifting to Jamaica) lg sheet of paper for folding emergency origami tent kate

... from the coldwater day at Lane's Cove. There was much to learn and think about. Many thanks for taking the time to share the info. By the way, it's ALL coldwater to me, all the time. Ah, for the Chesapeake Bay's 80 degree water.... I had not been to this part of the Cape before and am awestruck by how beautiful it is. I took a lot of photos and then had a hard time deciding which to use. Also, for those who inquired, the greenland paddle I use is made by [link:www.bealepaddles.com]Don Beale.. I'm happy to plug his product here. He makes each paddle to custom specs - his page includes instructions for sizing the paddle. Mine is made of western red cedar finished with tung oil. He was very helpful and responsive, and had the paddle in my hands a week after I ordered it. Then he followed up to be sure I was happy with it. I am! It was great to meet you all. I look forward to many days of boating together. kate

I fly back to Manchester at 11 that day, so any time after that would work for me. Count me in if it's a late-day paddle. kate

They just came out recently. I use them in both my Olympus and the Pentax. Before that, I'd been using the MAHA rechargeables from Thomas. These lithiums are far superior. They recharge quickly too, and do not have to be drained down to recharge again. OK, I just checked. Thomas carries them, the RCR-V3 li-ion under the name of "Moby Power." Here Happy shopping! kate

I keep mine tucked down the front of my pfd, reaching through the armhole to retrieve it. It fits nicely just below my ribs and I don't even notice it as I'm paddling or rolling. I've used it in surf and in whitewater that way. A friend who has one accidentally left it dragging along the side of the kayak as he paddled, not noticing that it had come loose from the deck lines - it was fine. For all purposes short of scuba diving it seems to be waterproof. You are right, the water droplets are the main issue. I made a cover for it out of one of those high-absorbant camp towels sold at outdoors stores. That sops up some of the water from the lens. Sometimes just blowing on it is good enough. I am wondering if Rain-X could be used on the lens covering, but am waiting for someone else to try it (on the cheapo 33WR??) before I do it on my camera.... Oh, and I recommend rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The upfront cost is not trivial but they last and last on a single charge. I can check where I got mine from if anyone needs a source. The alkalines, even the rechargeable alkalines, don't last very long in this camera. kate

Just an amateur, but glad you enjoyed the photos. Show us the ones you take with your new camera! kate

Rather than dealing with purchasing a camera AND a housing, you might consider a waterproof digicam. I use the Pentax Optio 43 WR and have been very happy with it. The optics aren't going to be as fine as the Canon that Dan uses, but for most purposes it is entirely acceptable. It's very small and fits in a pfd pocket - right there, it's going to get used more than a camera with a housing. It's waterproof, which means you can roll with it, drop it in the water, pull it out in spray or rain, whatever. It's a 4 Mpixel camera, point-n-shoot with some idiot-proof settings such as "beach" and "snow" and so forth; I leave mine on the beach setting to deal with the high contrast lighting on water. It has the all-important telephoto zoom, it takes movies if you wish, and it has a good long cord attached that I hook onto my pfd so that the camera can't accidentally disappear into the briny deeps. Here are some photos from the past few months to give an idea of the quality and possibilities. When I'm not in my boat I carry the camera in my purse wherever I go. Check B&H for good prices and great service - I had mine 24 hours after ordering, with no shipping charges. kate