Kevin B (RPS Coach)

Looks like a great paddling day and I'd hate to waste it. Let me know if you're interested with time/location suggestions...

Hey everyone, We need help with this event. So far, only 3 counting myself are pitching in: Hingham Booth-- no one Water-- Me, Gillian Reading Booth--Julia Water--Me, Gillian We want to have 4 people on the water at each event and at least a couple of people on the booth at each location. This is not a large committment and it's a great way to give back to a club that gives us so much. Let me know if you have any questions!

I, too, really dislike coming upon deleted posts and I think the only place where it should be used is in the classified's section. That being said, I do not think we should change policy and prevent deletion. It's the poster's post and s/he should be allowed to delete if s/he so chooses. So I second Peter's plea to those who delete and respectfully ask that you do not. You took the time to write the post so it must have value and I'm sure we'll all learn something from it (or at least be entertained by the tempest it sets off And if people tire of settling their differences on the message board (deleting is one form of resolution), then they can always take care of things on the field of paddle

Here's a somwhat informative link from the EPA: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/1...af!OpenDocument

Due to lack of attendance, we're postponing the meeting until early June. Will repost when I have a meeting time/place set up.

Just posting to solicit more attendance. We have six confirmed and there have to be some more members out there who can spare a maximum of two hours on a cool kayak project

Patty, Any indication in re how long this will be in effect? Thanks,

I would like to ensure a good turnout for Sat. in order that we may have a productive, albeit short meeting, so I'll keep pushing it. The more people, the more input. Now's your chance to be in on the ground floor of an interesting kayak project! So join us for coffee, snacks and either a paddle or a visit to the Valley demo afterwards!

For Salem, two things: 1. Scituate is treated as a Salem put-in instead of a separate city. 2. Put in at the Friendship (tall masted ship on Derby Street). There is a small beach to the left of this ship which can be used as a put in. It is federal property given that it is park of the National Park system, but there are no signs saying you can't launch from here. I have done so many, many times with rangers present and they haven't said anything to me. Couple of issues involve limited parking, a small portage to the water and no water at low tide. Good for putting in early and for those who can trasport their kayaks to the water using a wheel system. Follow Rt. 114 into Salem, take a left on Norman Street. Follow Norman Street through the lights where it becomes Derby street. Follow Derby Street approximately 3/4 of a mile past Pickering Wharf to the Friendship. On street parking only.

Now is your chance to spread the word about our club! For the last couple of years, NSPN has provided on water support for REI's demo days. At the same time, we have manned a NSPN booth in order to introduce ourselves to prospective new members. This year's Demo Day is fast approaching and we need people for on the water and on the land. If you are interested in helping out the club, please post here. We need at least four people on the water in each location and several for the booth, so don't hesitate to lend a hand! Lunch will be provided by REI and each volunteer will receive a 15% REI coupon. I will post additional details as the dates approach. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email using the email icon above. REI DEMO DAY READING Saturday, June 10 Horn Pond, Woburn, MA REI DEMO DAY HINGHAM Sunday, June 11 Sunset Lake, Braintree, MA The event for the public runs from 11-3. For those manning the booth in the beginning, I would suggest getting there around 10:30. For those on the water, we need to be on the water by 10:45 so plan accordingly.

Kevin, Welcome to the message board! I've never leased a boat from North Shore and their website doesn't give much information beyond the price and what you get for that price. I would say like any lease to look at the fine print for damage policy, lost equipment, etc. As for the racks, I have a J cradle system on my Jeep but I know many people find the the saddle system to be quite easy for solo loading. I primarily use the J cradle system to save space on my roof for multiple boats. Both Thule and Yakima sell the saddle system (I believe Malone does as well) and the systems are generally interchangeable, even with factory roof rails. Looking foward to seeing you out on the water,

Sean, Check out Brian's A-frame idea. I don't think it will hold that many but could probably be modified. It worked well for me as a free standing rack. It was also easy to make: http://community.webshots.com/album/203614238zNopWk

Began and ended at Conomo Point. Rained, enough said.

Carl, Thanks for putting up that link. Always good to know a little more about the available channels and their proper use.

Are you interested in helping to chart our favorite places to paddle along the coast as part of the MA Bay Water Trail? If so, please join on us on May 20th in Salem, MA at 10am for our first meeting! Time and weather permitting, perhaps we can all paddle afterwards as an informal SNG. We'll need people to chart their favorite areas including hazards, put-ins, contacts, general descriptions of the areas, etc. It should be a fun way to pass on your experiences and impressions of the areas you've paddled. If you're interested in attending, please post here so I have some idea of how many people will be converging on my place. Please contact me at kevin.beckwith@mindspring.com with any questions or call me at 978.270.8170. June 6th 7 p.m. (about one hour...not a big fan of long meetings) 16 High Street Unit 5 Salem, MA

Can you copy and paste the text of the article? I can't access the article without a membership. Actually found another link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/05102006/news/101951.htm Looks like the boater who called it in didn't know where s/he was located. That combined with unprepared kayakers could have led to a worse situation.

In my mind, it boils down to do what works; however, one of the reasons I've always liked the cowboy reentry is that you don't need to take time to attach the float to the paddle and inflate it. Although it would give you added stability when attempting to reenter the cockpit, I would think it would just be easier to do a standard paddle float rentry (if you're worried about immersion).

I also agree it's not a parlor trick. I've been told this a number of times by a number of people and after practicing it a several times in different conditions, it can be very effective. Like Suz, I think I prefer the reentry and roll, but this self rescue technique definately works well.

Jason, In general I've never had a problem with the this rentry; however, when I had my Sirius, it's small (closer to ocean) cockpit presented a bit of a problem. I solved it by doing the normal rentry up to the point where you plant your butt over the cockpit. Since the opening was too small, I started sculling earlier while on the back of the cockpit, during which time I would get one leg completely in along with my butt and then continue sculling until I managed to get the other leg in. The hardest part on the Sirius before this adaption was getting my legs to bend enough after I've already sat in the cockpit. Not as stable as the traditional method but it seems to work.

I'm not going to make it afterall. Awoke this morning with some type of bug. Not best for me to be on the water.

Ok, since it's getting late in the evening, on the water at Conomo Point by 11am. Decide on route after assessing conditions. Any questions, give me a call 978.270.8170. Cheers,

How does Conomo Point at 11am sound (1:18 high tide)? Perhaps we can park near Walter's if there's room. I'll send him an email to see if he might want to go as well. Depending on conditions, we could stay in the basin or head out towards Cape Ann. The other option is to try and circumnavigate Crane's Beach but I've never done that before. Let me know!

Ok, Any votes for Conomo, Gloucester High or Marblehead? Any desired routes?

Anyone interested in paddling on Sat. am ? Most likely stay in the Essex, Gloucester, Marblehead area to minimize travel and gas costs but would like to get a group together and go out. Might also be interested in leaving out of Portsmouth, though. If interested, post here and we'll pin down the details.

Ok, we're going to put in at Gloucester High at 6:30 (I'll be there earlier) and either paddle up the Annisquam or out into the harbor depending on everyone's interest. Good chance to get the rust out from the winter on a short paddle so being "tired after work" is no excuse! Prefer to be off the water before dark but bring at least a head lamp just in case. If you have any questions, please let me know.