Kevin B (RPS Coach)

Sign me up as well... Kevin

We are short of spotters for the pool session on Sat. in Ipswich. If anyone (Werner? Bill? Walter?) would be willing to volunteer to spot for the last session, please give me a call at 978-270-8170, post here or send me an email using the button above. Many thanks, Kevin

Due to a scheduling conflict, I have offered to step in for Christopher and take up the role of Registrar for this pool session. According to the list that Christopher gave me today, the following people are signed up for the session: Alan H. John P. Kevin B. (me) Janis S. Scott B. Sarah C. Toni M. Miriam C. Ralph C. Rob C. If anyone from the above list will not be coming on Saturday, please call me at 978-270-8170 (or use the email option above) so that we can offer the slot for someone else. Many thanks, Kevin

I would guess that it depends on where you are located. Seacoast Kayak in Seabrook, NH and Charles River Canoe and Kayak both offer rentals. Also, I'm planning on going to either Portsmouth or Essex Bay on Tuesday afternoon and all are welcome to join me. Unfortunatey, the weather for Mon. and Wed. does not look that enticing. Kevin

"I have lots to say about these paddles." A 220 will most likely be the length I'll end up with. What would you say are the pros and cons of the Camano? Kevin

Bob, That would be fabulous. Many thanks! Kevin

I'm thinking about purchasing the above paddle, but before I do, I'd like to try it out in some water. The logistics of trying it in real water might be difficult, but perhaps someone has one that they would be willing to bring to either the Beverly or Ipswich pool session that I could try? Many thanks in advance...

Two things "convinced" me to hold my tongue in this instance. First, the "experienced" paddler seemed to be rather arrogant and I didn't think any advice would be followed (now or in the future) never mind well received. Secondly, as I began to paddle away from shore, I spotted his friend and paddled out to him to make sure he was ok. By the time we crossed paths, he wasn't too far from the river bank.

Since it was such a beautiful day, I decided to stay local rather than make another lengthy drive to a put in. Fifteen blocks later I put in at Cashman Park for a little playtime in the Merrimack. As I did my pre-paddle check, a lone kayaker paddled in wearing a pfd but sans any type of immersion clothing. Apparently, this kayaker and newbie friend had been out at the mouth of the river and his friend had yet to arrive back at the docks. Eventually the second kayaker (also with no immersion gear) came into sight lagging behind his “more experienced” friend by about 10 minutes (I reserved comment at the time.) After playing around for a little bit, I decided to paddle against the tide out to Joppa Flats just for fun. There were a few small boats on the water as well as one or two of the big tour boats that call Newburyport home, all of which made the trip more interesting—a nice balance of trying to avoid becoming a speed bump and playing in their wakes. Conditions were fairly calm with a mild offshore breeze until I passed the Route One bridge, where a sustained one-foot chop developed and remained for the rest of the trip. The breeze became a little gusty and so I decided to take a path that kept me in the lee of the docks, managing to grab hold of a minor eddy created by the tide coming in. From that point on, my speed picked up as I whisked by the docks, much to the amusement of the tourists who seem to treat the sight of a kayak as tantamount to spotting a rare bird species, and out towards Joppa Flats. After some time spent navigating the mud flats at still fairly low water, only hitting bottom once, I turned around as the wind had become quite gusty. The ride back along the same route was uneventful and so I spent some additional time in front of Cashman Park ferrying across the river since there was no boat traffic by this time. Overall, about a 4 NM leisurely paddle.

Walter, Great trip! Many thanks for taking the time to plan and organize it. Hopefully we'll be able to do it again soon. Kevin P.S. Great pictures Bill! Also, many thanks to Bill and Werner for topping off the trip with a tandem roll.

>I think REI carries only Warmer's wet suits. Wilderness >House might have more than one brand. > REI carries NRS, Warmers and some Kokatat suits. If you don't want to drive far, then REI may be the best choice, particularly given their extremely flexible return policy. Your friend could actually try it in the water and still be able to return it if it doesn't suit her. Kevin

I'd have to second Constance's assessment. I looked into the Coast Guard course and for several reasons decided against taking it. In my opinion, overall cost, time committment and lack of a kayak focus were the primary factors. I took Adam's introductory class when it was offered at Seacoast kayak and if you like to approach that was used in the workshops offered as Suz's place over the winter, Adam's method will fit right in with it. Kevin

Brian, As always, you provide great advice. I took a look at Eric Schade's site. Do you know anything about his Bluefin design? I just shot off an email to him about it, but I'd like to get your input as well if possible. Kevin

Has anyone paddled either of the boats in the subject line? Both are CLC designs (or by Chris Kulczycki or at least adaptations of his original designs). I know the 17 LT has been around for a while, but the WR 18 is a new modification of the WR 180. If anyone has any thoughts or experience with either of these boats, I would love to hear what you have say beyond the single/multi-chine debate. Also, if anyone owns one and who wouldn't mind bringing it to a pool session, that would be even more fantastic. Thanks in advance for any and all input. Kevin

David, Many thanks for clearing that up. I've been curious about it since I became a member and finally remembered to ask. Now I can just concentrate on paddling! Kevin

Update: Based on interest received so far, would also consider the Gloucester area. As the subject line suggests, anyone interested in a paddle on the Merrimack or Ipswich tomorrow (3/26)? NOAA is predicting a temperature around 40 degrees for Newburyport with only slight winds. I want to start getting out and about on the real water, but I think the big wide ocean might have to wait for warmer weather. So if anyone else is in the same boat and wants to meet up, post a reply or send me an email at kevin dot beckwith at mindspring dot com. (By the way, why do we write our email addresses this way on the board?) Kevin

>I don't mind carrying my share of the water, but have a >little problem when I get dumped on. You don't want to just roll with it? (I can already hear the groans but I couldn't resist.)

>>Of course, that argument only really considers the >>"benefits" of traditional tourists. > >I think with traditional tourists producing a net gain for >the State, my argument stands. Well, to be honest, that is a question that can't be answered at the moment, so I can't really agree that your argument stands. Politicians always clamor for tourist dollars but rarely consider all of the adverse consquences that are always generated. They see reports of economic activity generated by the tourists but not costs, since the costs typically come later and are difficult empirically to connect back to them. > >> If I have one >>boat valued at $1000, then I'm paying 1% tax on my 'fleet'. > >Then buy more boats and lower your tax burden! Make sure >they're expensive. My overall tax burden would actually increase; however, my average tax burden would definately fall. It also poses an interesting solution to our current health care problem in this country--to lower your per instance health care burden, just get sick less often! > >1% sure, but I could still spring for the $10/boat. > >I doubt recreational paddlers object because of the money >(we all have enough disposable to buy expensive toys, we can >afford $10/boat). But it's the idea. > >For professionals, it's obviously very different. My comment did not center on whether or not lower income people could pay the "tax" (after all, the "poor" in MA still pay MA sales tax when they consume.) Rather that the tax would be regressive by definition, something we are supposed to avoid in the modern age. Wow, I never thought I'd be able to combine economics and kayaking in one very interesting argument!

>Your contribution to Maine is unusual for a kayaker. >Paddlers (often me included) more typically stay in tent, >bring their own food and are in Maine to paddle, not shop >for carved wooden moose and blueberry jelly. Their >contribution ends at the toll gate. > >As tourists, kayakers are a very poor resource for Maine >compared to vacationing families, summer residents and the >cruise ships. Of course, that argument only really considers the "benefits" of traditional tourists. It could well be argued that kayakers cost Maine much less than the traditional tourist, since our presence (based on your description) doesn't require much of a tourist-centric infrastructure nor does it really contribute to the ususal problems generated by them. >If my four boats cost me $40/year and if each boat is worth >about $2000, I'm paying a 0.5% tax on my 'fleet'. Based on that value argument, it could be considered a regressive tax, for those with less valuable boats (presumably because their prices lie outside a person's budget) would be paying a larger percentage. If I have one boat valued at $1000, then I'm paying 1% tax on my 'fleet'.

>I signed up for the Mar 26 pool session but now cannot >attend. > Tom, According to the site calendar, there is no pool session scheduled for Sat. Can anyone in a more knowledgeable position verify this? Kevin

Christopher, ">What level of interest?" You have to ask? I'm definately interested. Kevin

I couldn't have said it better myself. The film and discussion afterward were fabulous. Many, many thanks to Liz (Neumeier), Tom and Bill for everything. Kevin

Cathy, I just wanted to let you know that my ACA letter arrived today. It also seems to have the membership number (six digit?) on a sticker applied to the bottom of the letter. Kevin

Liz, I'll be there as well...BYOP (bring your own popcorn!) Kevin

The October 2004 issue of Sea Kayaker has a six page article on strength training.