rcohn

We've been going to Walden most weeks, but not at any specific day or time. Friday evening looks good (at the moment) for this week. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

For G-style, I like, http://www.qajaqjpn.org/maneuvers/maneuvers1.html. Many sites also have video clips such as: http://www.qajaqusa.org/Movies/movies.html http://waldenqajaqsociety.org/on_about.html http://www.whitemountainweb.com/kayakerperry/videoRolls.html I can dig up a couple more video sites later. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Hi, What (if any) are the plans for inclement weather? Current forecasts for the weekend don't seem to be too optimistic. Thanks, Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

You've demonstrated why in scuba diving circles, particularly cave diving, carabineers are known as “suicide clips.” Their only solution is to never use them and substitute clips that will not accidentally attach to a line. A couple of examples: http://www.sonic.net/~rocky/abequipclips.htm http://www.dis-uk.org/safetykit.htm You may have had vertigo from a temperature difference between your ears. From http://www.skin-diver.com/departments/scub...o.asp?theID=338 “A diver with a full wetsuit is diving in cold water. When he pulls the hood out from his ear to relieve a pressure difference, he notices the surface tilting and his buddies see that he is spinning in the water. The spinning sensation caused by the cold water entering his ear canal disappears in about three minutes…….. The first diver created a temperature difference between the two inner ear balance organs, thus causing a sensation of imbalance. The brain's effort to correct the misperceived imbalance caused vertigo. When the water in the ear canal warmed up to body temperature, the confusing imbalance disappeared and sensation returned to normal.” Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Walden is actually just over 100 ft deep and the thermocline is quite dramatic. Two of us used Walden regularly to practice freediving a few years ago. Even in the warmest months the water is quite cold below 20 ft, not to mention datk. John, who was working on deep freediving (unlike me) made to the bottom at around a 95 ft depth. This year we began regular kayak practice there at the beginning of April when the boat ramp opened. The water last Sunday felt quite balmy compared to the first few weeks Ralph Cohn White SOF Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

You can always stop by Walden Pond sometime. Check before hand to see when some of the G-style folks will be around. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

You're not listening carefully enough. No one can go out every day and paddle the full distance at race pace. That's why they break the training into shorter distances, over which a race pace can be maintained, frequently done as interval training. And also note that I did not say you should do no sprints or distance work at a slow pace. But, training day after day always at the wrong paces, partly much too slow and then too fast and NEVER at the right pace is not the most efficient way to teach your body to maintain your target race pace. Why wait for one day on the weekend to develop a feel for the correct pace? Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

One thing I notice in the training advice is it doesn't seem to include training at actual race pace. It is mostly sprints or slow paddles. General training advice these days, based on the concept of specificity, focuses significant effort on training your body to function and be efficient at the race pace. An example from when I was speed skating, if training for a 1000 m race (9 laps of a 111 m short track) you can’t maintain the proper pace in practice, everyone tires too quickly. An option is to do a set of three 3 lap sprints at 1000 m race pace with short rest in between (maybe 30 to 60 seconds), then a longer rest between sets. This way you do the full distance at the proper pace. I recall that scientific studies of marathon training has shown little benefit to running sprints in the final training phase, Work at race pace was more beneficial. Just something to consider. Ralph Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

It's in the low seventies this time of year. I know I'd be getting cold after a short while. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Nice photo. I'll just point out you really don't want to be bitten or scratched by a seal. The resulting infection is reported to be quite nasty (and dangerous) and requires a series of antibiotics for treatment. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

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I'm sorry, but I see absolutely no reason to panic and cancel the pool session more than 24 hours in advance with the forecasted late start of this storm. At least wait until the morning (or later) to get a more accurate forecast. The real storm was forecasted to arrive AFTER midnight, there was a 30-40% chance of snow showers earlier in the evening. This is New England; if activities were canceled at the mere future threat of snow, little would be done during many winters. Also, remember the forecast typically gives worst case scenarios for safety, if it says snow after midnight, it may start well after midnight. At 12:30 am on Sunday morning, I had yet to see a single snowflake fall in Brookline. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Miriam has to fly out to California, so she won't make Saturday's pool session. Ralph Cohn White Greenland SOF

For Greenland reverse sweep, take a look here. http://www.qajaqjpn.org/maneuvers/maneuvers6.html Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

I think it's rather pricey, it costs about the same as a trip on a small liveaboard where you aren't sleeping on the beach (and maybe scuba diving included). Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Ice cap is bare neoprene (2 mm I think). Mine is smooth skin on the outside and open cell inside. Keep some black neoprene glue handy, it tears once in awhile. I think I've only seen one diver using the latex hood, probably more popular with commercial divers. I've never been interested in one because they are reported to be incompatible with beards. Viking manufactures this type of stuff http://www.trelleborg.com/protective/templ...p?id=563〈=2 Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

I like Leisure Pro, very prompt shipping and usually cheaper prices ( http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AQUSG125.html ) I'm doing some limitd cold water paddling this season. To avoid ice cream headaches and cold shock I wear a diver's ice cap, they look a bit funny but work well (and much less messy than grease). See: http://www.scuba.com/shop/diving.asp_cat_2...NDERSON-ICE-CAP Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Bicycle tube patches are reported to work. I would try the older style latex rubber patches that come with a tube of glue, rather than the newer peel and stick patches. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

The International Shark Attack File ( http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/stati...tack/mapusa.htm ) lists 3 attacks for Mass. with two fatalities, the last in 1936. A woman I know was bitten by a blue shark well offshore of RI while climbing back on the boat after diving with the sharks (they were chumming). Food for thought, the seal population in New England is exploding; the graph I saw shows near exponential rate of increase. The great whites are out there and the shark experts (at least Greg Skomal) are wondering when they may start moving inshore to hunt. http://elasmoworld.org/forum/viewtopic.php...b9287ef399266f1 http://www2.whdh.com/news/articles/local/B54699/ Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

The three foot depth should work for rolling and be good for teaching, at least for smaller paddlers. I've rolled in water that shallow. Cheri Perry teaches people to use shallow water for rolling practice so they can use the bottom to right themselves if they miss the roll (3 feet may be a little deep for that). Miriam and I liked using the Brookline pool (only 5 minutes or so from our house) and would do more sessions there if offered. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Our car rack will already be full with two kayaks, but we live relatively near the pool and someone with rack space can pick up my Elaho. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

You could always try slipping in the water with mask, snorkel, and fins and see if they will interact with you. The seals at Duck Island, Isles of Shoals regularly see divers. They are tend to be very shy (unlike sea lions) but some like to sneak up behind you. Miriam and I had our best seal dive ever this summer with Captain Rob's (http://www.captainrobs.com/index.htm). Low tide is the best time to go and you must appear non-threatening for them to come anywhere near you. If anyone wants more info just ask. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

From my email box today. "Thanks to all of you who responded to assist with shifts watching the stranded leatherback sea turtle. Sadly, this magnificent animal died over night. A necropsy will be performed this afternoon." Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

In case anyone is interested, I get stranding notifications because I'm a member of the New England Aquarium Dive Club. They are always looking for volunteers to join the strandings team. In this case they were seeking volunteers to sit with the turtle overnight in 4 hour shifts or whatever you can give them. Don't know if they found all the people they need yet. Anyway, if anyone is interested in the strandings network I can put you in touch with someone who can give you info. I don't believe it ever involves diving, just going through a training session and having a wetsuit or drysuit for exposure protection. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Winter Island is open all winter and the parking is free. It is the favorite winter diving site of a friend of mine, although I generally don't consider it a very interesting site for diving. If you carry your kayak down the boat ramp, be careful, the algae at the bottom makes it very slippery. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim