rcohn

Gate closes at 6 pm now, unfortunately not much after work paddling time left. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

The waves at Walden were nearly large enough to surf on Sunday. I'll bet one of the larger area lakes might have been doable. The wind made a couple of rolls that I've been having trouble with much easier to hit. That let me work out some refinements and try new things. Now I need a quiet day to see if they'll still work. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

I have frequently paddled that stretch and it is quite nice. Also remains ice free for much of the winter. The lakes region heading down river from CRCK is also nice, but more populated. You can put in at the duck feeding area on Norumbega Rd. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=newton,+ma&l...05983&t=h&hl=en Another nice stretch (definitely a second choice) runs from Nahanton Park in Newton UNTIL it hits Dedham (the river is fine but Dedham is not picturesque), http://maps.google.com/maps?q=newton,+ma&l...11966&t=h&hl=en notice the cul-de-sac on the right side of the river off Nahanton St, there is a ramp and a floating dock. This park is the start of one of the Charles River Wheelmen’s training rides, so lots of cars with bikes on a Saturday morning. Part of this stretch is very shallow (before Cow Island Pond); perhaps not the best place for a GP. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

> >True - but even a very shallow attack angle will produce >some yaw - it's unavoidable I agree, so why worry about it so much? If you have perfect body and blade angle there will still be a bit of yaw (and forward motion). Focus on achieving the best technique you can, the point is get up consistently and in a stable position. Excessive yaw still indicates a flaw in the roll, but minimal yaw is to be expected. As an aside there was some mention of sweeping the paddle all the way around. I work on rolling up onto the deck with the paddle as close to 90 degrees to the boat’s longitudinal axis as I can (it still travels a bit past the 90 degree angle). At this position the paddle provides some support and can brace if necessary. In the standard Greenland roll (extended paddle sweep) you slide onto the back deck with the paddle still in the water, then sit up keeping the paddle in the water providing support if needed. To improve rolling it is helpful to move onto advanced rolls as soon as possible. A progression such as extended paddle sweep -> sweep in combat position -> butterfly roll -> norsaq (rolling stick) -> hand roll. Paddle rolls are so powerful that is easy to develop sloppy faults: lifting the head, not leaning back very far, weak boat rotation, etc. Norsaq and hand rolls are very unforgiving, make a sloppy mistake and the roll usually will fail. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Excessive yaw suggests that your paddle angle is too steep and you might be working too hard pulling it through the water. The paddle only needs a few degrees of rotation to create a climbing angle. It should skim the surface easily. At this shallow angle the paddle provides maximum lift, needed to roll you up, without the resistance you feel at a steeper angle that povides less lift and only serves to yaw the boat Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Last Sunday I went out for the first time in three months in my Necky Elaho, I’ve been playing with my Greenland SOF all summer. I’ve developed a fairly consistent hand roll on both sides this summer and wanted to see if I could transfer it to the Elaho. With a little practice I found the feel of rolling the Elaho again. Paddle rolls were fine (all using a GP) and I got the norsaq (rolling stick) to work but not as consistently as I hoped. When I moved on to the hand rolls nothing seemed to work. I worked at it for awhile focusing on the hip rotation and getting my head back, however nothing brought the boat up. Frustrated, I gave it a rest and moved on to some work on the forward finishing rolls. When I was nearly done, I decided to try one more thing on the hand rolls. I took my feet off the foot pegs and slid as far forward on the seat as I could. I was on the lip of the bucket seat with my thighs tightly jammed under the thigh braces and my feet free. This is the position used for back finishing rolls (at least the hard ones) in a SOF. I tried the hand rolls again and they were now easy, both onside and offside worked fine. Balance braces were also much easier. So my message is that moving forward a few inches in a sea kayak can make a big difference on layback rolls. Laying on the back deck is much easier, but the advantage goes beyond that, I haven’t decided what the physics might be, but it may have something to do with placing your body closer to the center of the boat. You don’t need to push with your feet to roll, you need a firm connection with your thighs/knees to rotate the boat. Paddle rolls have so much power you shouldn’t need to reposition once you master the technique but moving forward may help anyone struggling with layback rolls. Good luck. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

I've dove in many places both nationally and internationally and no one has ever asked to see my logbook. They do frequently ask how many dives I've done and when was the last dive. Recertification and lack of restrictions on certified divers are frequent issues. One difference from paddling is that anyone can buy a kayak and head out. In diving certification is "required" and obstacles are (or should be) put in the way of uncertified divers. Some instructors would like to have restricted C-cards for marginal divers, something like Ok to dive in tropical water with a dive master leading but not able to get an air fill in New England and head out on their own. One issue is that scuba is self regulated. They set up their own certification system and rules, the government stays out of it. As we see different restrictive legislation proposed in response to kayaking accidents, this is something the industry may want to think about. When I paddle on the Charles River in Newton, particularly during the fall sales, you see many people testing boats who clearly have no idea how to paddle. How can you make a wise selection in a sea kayak if you have no idea how to use it? Should people be required to have passed a course on basic kayaking before buying a boat and gear? Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

I think earning ratings, particularly at the coach or instructor level may increase an individual’s liability risk when leading trips or even offering new paddlers advice. This would particularly be an issue on private trips not covered by ACA insurance For example, in my case with no certifications or leadership training, if I were to lead a kayaking trip (and anyone was foolish enough to follow me), no one would have any reason to claim I knew what I was doing should an incident occur. As a certified scuba dive master (no longer active without any insurance) I need to be careful if leading other divers or handing out free advice. A lawyer can easily make a case that with professional level certification I would be liable for any incidents. Just something to think about. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

The tendonitis that kept me confined to Walden Pond all summer is finally clearing up. If I survive Delmarva next weekend, I hope to get out for some paddling this fall. I'll need to build up distance gradually so only moderate Level 2 trips. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim White Greenland SOF

This method was described in Sea Kayaker Magazine awhile ago. I think it was "Issue 99, Apr. 2004, page 32: “T-Rescue Tune-Up” by Brian Day: Technique, T-Rescue, Capsize recovery" I remember they also advised edging your kayak away from the boat across your deck to help lift it. Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

Right now Miriam and I are planning to be at Walden on Friday afternoon (assuming I'm feeling better). For me Walden is an easy 15 minute drive from work on traffic free back roads, driving to Mystic would be a pain at rush hour. Ralph Cohn White SOF

Ralph Cohn Elaho DS, blue & white with yellow trim

You can also check some of the surf websites such as http://www.nesurf.com/Reports/index.php or http://www.wetsand.com/wavecast/wc-ec.asp?Referral=2. They have wave models and forecasts for the swells. Also, beach reports and a couple of online beach cams. Several of the buoys measure wave height and period, as well as water temperature and wind, but these are offshore costal conditions may differ. (see: http://www.maineharbors.com/ ) When the surfers are happy, I know the diving will be lousy and kayaking may be rough.

My interests are pretty much the same as Bob Budd's. Greenland Strokes Maneuvering / Rolling -- more interested in strokes and manuvering, rolling if it's advanced. BCU training if Greenland Rough water training Rocks, Ledges, and Surfing - very interested in surfing, not so much in rock gardens.

You can find the soft corals up north in the Cape Ann area. Plenty at Halfway Rock below 60 ft. In Eastport Maine they can be found at shallower depths (at low tide). I've seen hard coral in RI on the rocks at shallow 8-10 ft depths. Of course all the NE corals are rather small.

Sounds like fun, please sign Miriam and I up. Should we bring our own boats up too?

You might want to consider trying a diver's "ice cap" see: http://www.piratescuba.com/Merchant2/merch...tegory_Code=HVS This might save a bit on the grease. They look a bit funny but generally work well. Cape Ann Divers usually carries them. Ralph Cohn

Hi Adam, My wife and I would like to attend if there is stil room. I'll send you an email to request directions. Thanks. Ralph Cohn