mariagwyn

So far all of your suggestions are great. And yes, I did just join MITA and I hope they send their membership book pronto. Stonington looks like a real possibility for a variety of reasons. Further suggestions welcome, but this has already been helpful. Thanks, Maria

Hey all, My mother is in town and would like to kayak camp over labor day weekend. I was thinking about Maine, and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations about places to camp involving lvl 2ish paddles. I am trying to get info about Acadia, and am looking into the Maine Island Trails Assoc, but I am not sure I want to become a member at this point. Any recommendations? Also, any recommendations about where to rent a tandem kayak in Maine? I can rent one here, but I thought closer to the destination might work better. Thanks, Maria

ok, so I have a headlamp. I suppose I can use my bliking red bike like for my back. Where do I get reusable glow-stickie things? Suggestions? Thanks, Maria

In all likelihood, I am in, though I am happy to go elsewhere as well should plans change. Does the festival cost anything? Maria Mystic Seabreeze Yellow/white, with blue decklines...someday.

Kevin, What constitutes night gear? I am interested, but am not sure what I would need to add to my collection. Thanks, Maria

I am posting twice on this topic, as I think the topic is worth an answer, as well as the tangent. So, the Tangent: I went on Saturday's SnG at Odiorne, and had a great time. I am probably somewhere between a Lvl 2 and Lvl 3 paddler, depending on endurance and the height of the waves (I have a short boat, gets tiring in heavy conditions). I also enjoyed surfing the rocks, though my boat has a few more scratches, but no holes. I would do it again. However, it was not what I expected. I am one of those people hesitant to go on an SnG b/c I am not sure the level of the trip, my own level, and I don't want to hold more experienced paddler's back. The reason I went on this particular SnG was the key phrase "leisurely pace." I am not a racer. Given the location, I figured I could bail if I needed to without holding anyone else back. I must admit that someone on the SnG thread mentioned being excited about surfing, which caused me to hestitate, but I did it anyway. I don't mind open ocean, surf, rocks, as I want to learn all these things, and I was delighted at the opportunity. I wouldn't have tried it had I not been in a group where there was clear willingness to offer tips and help out if necessary. So, if the post for a SnG can include some idea of Level can be given, an idea of the possible options (i.e., rock gardens and surfing if desired but not necessitated by circumstance), and a clear indication that beginners are welcome, all these would help in encouraging those of us who hesitation. Of course, now that I have actually gone through some rocks, and surfed a tiny bit, I am much more willing to jump in and see what happens in the future. Maria

I am posting twice on this topic, as I think the topic is worth an answer, as well as the tangent. So, Topic: As a beginner/intermediate, I can only echo the sculling, braces, and eventually a role, though I agree that rolling may take more particular work. However, I would like to develop skills that can help me be more adept and surfing through rocks (see comments about this Saturday's SnG). I also want to learn that groovy thing where you move your Kayak sideways without dumping myself over. I am not as interested in wet-exits as I do that rather well. Rescues might be more helpful, but I would rather focus on figuring out how to stay in my Kayak. Maria

Carol, I may be interested in joining you tomorrow morning. Do you have a cell that I can reach? You can email me at mcdowemc AT bc.edu or leave a message at 617.921.6395. Thanks, Maria McDowell Impex Seabreeze Yellow/white

Sorry, obviously I didn't get the message. Unfortunately, I really meant monday and friday. I work on T-Th. How about next monday? Late morning paddle on any of the above mentioned places? I am best reached by email: mcdowemc at bc.edu Maria

Jason, My mondays and fridays are somewhat open. I should be working on the dissertation, but it seems a shame to waste nice summer days. I would be up for something. I live in Brookline, but I can drive. Of course, I prefer not to drive too much, but that is okay. I am also a low level 3. Any ideas? Maria mcdowemc at bc.edu

Thanks Liz. You're awesome. Maria

I am hoping to join for this trip. Regarding acceptable equipment, is wetsuit and drytop enough? Do I need gloves (don't have those...)? Thanks, Maria

Excelent and concise list. Thanks Adam. Maria

Okay, fair enough. Wasn't thinking of the Atlantic in the dead of winter as much as the Atlantic right now. And "toasty" might be a bit of an exageration, but given my New Year's dip in the North Pacific, only a bit. Maria

Still room? At the very least, I am interested in the indoor. I would also like the outdoor, but am not sure I will have adequate gear (thus my interest in the indoor portion). Just out of curiousity, if I wanted to do the outdoor, would there be enough gear to that I might be able to try some out on the water? I am not terribly worried about being very cold. I find the Atlantic toasty compared to my frigid homewaters of the Pacific. However, I am not interested in providing any sort of hands-on hypothermia experience. Any suggestions as to minumum of 1) what I need to bring, 2)what brand is good of that thing or things, and 3)where I can buy it. Thanks, Maria McDowell