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> > >Really though, the surf zone isn't the best place for a GP. > > Everyone has the right to choose their weapon, but if you bring a knife to a gunfight, you had better be good with the knife. Hmmm. I suppose that may not be PC, but seems applicable. Ed Lawson

> Bob showed us a new roll, I think he called it >the "greenland extended paddle bottom pole roll", it looked >cool, but didn't work so good Who says there are no advantages to long paddles. Ed Lawson

>These ear plugs are what everyone recommends, but they are >not easy to obtain. A couple of you have said you were able >to get them in NH; > >Anyone know of a dealer that carries these plugs? Suncook River Canoe and Kayak in Center Barnstead carries them and they take the time to fit them properly. Its a great little shop that caters mostly to WW folk. Bit of a hike unles you live in NH. Ed Lawson

> if >i were really worried about cold, i might stick a foam >sleeping pad in the boat too Being able to insulate yourself or another from cold/wet ground/rock can be a very good thing. Closed cell form pads can also be used for all manner of things. I have taken to just keeping one stuck in the bow of my boat so I always have it. When I first read all the stuff people talk about hauling around, it seemed a huge amount. Recently I took inventory of what is in the few bags I always dump into the boat and suddenly realized how much stuff there was in them. So to others also just starting out I have this comment. What these far more experienced folks are suggesting may sound like a lot, but as this beginner has discovered, it really does not take that much space or weigh that much either. Of course having it is meaningless without the knowledge/ability to use it appropriately. So don't just buy stuff, learn why, how, and when to use it too. Ed Lawson

In cooler weather, let alone cold, a thermos filled with something you enjoy drinking/eating is a very nice thing to have along. A small butane stove and teapot with cups, etc. can be handy for brewing up something hot for physical and mental well being as well. You can get nice thermally efficient bivy bags which pack very small. I never leave shore without them or the stuff mentioned by others for that matter. Good to have a standard kit that includes this stuff, keep it in the dock box and just load it every time. Modify for seasons, but core is always loaded and always in same place. Afterall, most paddle touring boats and they need a little load to be at their design waterline anyway so whats a few pounds of gear. Ed Lawson

> >I picked up the Pentax Optio WR last summer and have been >mostly happy with it. I think Scott has covered tha bases about right. If you want to take pictures of solid quality while paddling about, it is a great little camera. I have been impressed witht he quality of photographys and it does have many options in terms of how it takes pictures. If you want to enjoy photography, etc while kayaking and a film/SLR type, then maybe something else. >(I do expect the seals to give out some >day). Pentax says to return the camera every year or two to have it checked and seals replaces as needed. I think this is a normal maintenance issue, but some may have a use and throw away view of equipment and replace as needed. Being a frugal yankee, I want to use stuff up, but also to take care of kayaking stuffs to get maximum use at the same time. > Ditto on the memory cards. Ed Lawson

> That puppy is totally working me right >now! Some dogs are very adept at manipulation and intimitation. One thing is you do not need to get physical with a dog or puppy. At least nothing dramatic. Dogs can be disciplined with body language alone and likewise informed as who is the alpha. Having lived with large, big ego Malamutes for many years, Gail and I had to learn this stuff or else. Ed Lawson

> I'll stay >home with the terror. Are you perchance doing a practice run of parenthood? Regardless of the dog type, just remember either you are the alpha of the human/dog pack, the dog is the alpha, or the dog is hoplessly confused because there is no alpha for the pack. You must be sure it is the first as the other two will lead to big problems. Ed Lawson

>Hey, we missed you Bill! And, there was another Anas there >looking for a playmate ;-) Another? Who was that? Peter? As soon as I can make it go straight for more than 50', maybe we can have a fleet parade. Ed Lawson

> >By the way, you call Fort Gorges "ancient"? It's positively >brand-new, compared with, say, Rheims cathedral! I am surprised you did not use Canterbury cathedral as a reference point or perhaps Stonehenge, but I suppose with the EU and all... In addition to the factors you mention, there are a few areas around Fort Georges where current, ledges, tide levels and wind in the right combination can create abit of "texture" which can be augmented by boat traffic. I believe the trip was posted as a level 3 which seems appropriate for the reason you gave. My personal and highly prejudiced view is that unless you need to transit the place to get somewhere; there is no redeeming value in the area during a typical summer weekend. Ed Lawson

>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'm not sure what Level 2 implies, especially with a tandem, but the paddles in the upper part of Muscongus Bay and Stonington should be well within limits absent fog or unusual weather. Crow would be a easy destination in Muscongus. > >Also, any recommendations about where to rent a tandem kayak >in Maine? Not sure whether he provides his tandem as rental, but you might also try Ray Wirth of Water Walker in Belfast Maine. There is a great deal to be said for staying in B&Bs and doing day paddles. Finding places for Labor Day would likely be a trick. I second Carl's suggestion that belonging to MITA is something to consider for many reasons. Ed Lawson

> I >have checked with some sail boat racers and was informed >that the track the boats in the harbor were running was very > abnormal, Since it appears NSPN has an annual trip to Casco Bay, the following may be of value for future reference. The MS Harborfest held in Portland is the largest sailing regatta in Maine and has been held for over 20 years. It is generally held this time in August. A chart with the courses is on-line as is other information concerning the event. There are numerous classes and potential courses. Wandering about lower Casco Bay unaware of this event is not a good thing. I suppose it is fortunate the trip was not on Sunday as the Tugboat Muster part of the event was held on that day. Stumbling into the path of tugboats racing would not be pretty. BTW, watching the Tugboat Muster is great fun. Ed Lawson

This past Sat. I participated in a fun and lively paddle out to the Sequin Island Light ( http://www.seguinisland.org ) which sits a few miles out from the Popham Beach area in Maine south of Bath. It is a great place to visit with wonderful 360 views as the light and keepers house sit at the top of a substantial hill. Once there it was enjoyable to spend an hour or two as nice places to picnic, you can visit a museum, and take a tour of the lighthouse by the resident guide/keeper. Really something to be able to get a close look at the huge Fresnel lens and walk around the light on the outside catwalk. If you decide to visit the island, check the weather, chart and tides. From the Reid's Park area it is around 5 somewhat exposed miles out and the last 2 or so are genuinely "out there" leaving you to paddle in whatever the ocean has going on that day in combination with the flow of the Kennebec. All in all a great day paddle destination. Ed Lawson

>From the Coastal Pilot (page 155): > >“A marked increase in air density with increasing altitude >causes looming, towering, and superior mirages. Looming >occurs when objects appear to rise above their true >elevation. Objects below the horizon may actually be brought >into view. “ >AND > Interesting stuff. I was beyond Great Waas today and swear I saw the coast of Nova Scotia on the hoizon before lost in cloud bank. Its a strange and beautiful place. Ledges and boomers. Ledges and boomers. To say nothing of clear, cold water Ed Lawson

>> >Section 5C. Every person aboard a kayak, as defined in >section 13B, shall wear at all times a Coast Guard approved >personal floatation device of Type I, II or III, in good and >serviceable condition. Whatever happened to Type V? > > > >Any course of kayak instruction shall include, Unless there is a definition somewhere that defines "course of instruction" as a commercial offering, this technically could apply to a rather broad range of activities by NSPN members. Ed Lawson

Yesterday, Gail and I atttended the Greenland class by Cheri and Turner and it was a most productive and enjoyable experience. My thanks to all those responsible for arranging the class. Even if you have no interest in pursuing the use of a GP, you should seriously consider taking this class if you have the opportunity. After four hours we had three very reliable Greenland rolls in our boat along with a adequate familiarity with basic Greenland strokes to explore them on our own. Maybe a Brooks tuilik is not far away. Ed Lawson

>Ah! Rob, don't temp Gilly with gear shopping! KTP is having a sale on some paddling stuff. Thought Gillian should know. Just turn west on Spencer Creek, play how low can you go on the culvert, tie up on the dock, and go shopping! Did a short twilight paddle tonight out past Ram's Ledge light and boy was it nice out there. Isle of Shoals shining in the dying sunlight. Whole week and been great I hear. Gail and I have other commitments or we would be along. Its going to be a great, fun day for you all. If we get out early and if you are monitoring Ch 72, maybe we can link up as you exit Chauncey as we will be over late afternoon if all goes well. Ed Lawson

>Any thoughts on the best Sling to use for practicing self >rescues? I don'tknow about slings, but I have heard from an recognized authority that exactly 1278 angels can dance on the head of a pin manufactured within the tolerances set by the International Sewing Standards Institute. Somehow it seemed relevant, but perhaps not. Ed Lawson

>Can someone recommend the proper size drill bit for drilling >pilot holes to accept the included screws of the 70-P? Know you've got it done, but for future eference on this thread; a good size drill bit is 5/64 for this application. Large enough to make it easy and small enough to give threads material to bite. Ed Lawson

And the tide is delayed a bit getting to that point as well so you need to consider just when high tide occurs there. Going counter-clockwise can be a trick for many reasons. Not least of which is trying to paddle against the current at the culvert. I have heard tales of leaving lots of gelcoat on the sides as the boat twisted/bounced through on failed attempts. Ed Lawson

>I'm flexible Me too. Being a working stiff just don't want to get home too late so would like to be off water by 11PM if not 10:30PM. In terms of eating and all, I'll go with whatever you decide. Will be able to make go-no go decision around noon wednesday. Ed Lawson

It is hard to say for sure right now if I can, but sounds interesting and would like to do it. I wonder about leaving a little earlier and having say a nice picnic dinner on one of the islands off Foster or Wood Island. Hmmmm. Get a lobster roll, corn, etc to go from Capt. Simons take a stove to warm up the corn...what the heck...who has a big pot...we'll just cook the lobsters out there with the corn...nevermind..I got carried away. I have not checked for when the moon rises but assume it would be around 8PM as it is 9PM on Friday. So we could enjoy a little twilight paddling and then eat while the moon comes up and paddle back with the moon at our backs. Or so it seems without checking. Ed Lawson

> >Thank you so much for the encouragement to participate, and >the opportunity to learn what my own "level" is. Obviously many people contributed to making it a great trip and in my experience they are indeed great fun and more to paddle with. Just keep in mind you don't have a "level", you just have a transitory level of experience and skills. Explore, grow as you wish as a paddler, and enjoy the paddling you choose to do. Ed Lawson

>Ed, >You're opening a can of worms!! > The devil made me do it. Also I should not have used a term that has "baggage" like "common adventure model". To be more precise I had in mind the type of trip discussed in John Lull's book as a "team" trip. Actually, I agree with what bob Budd is saying, and I think he and I are on the same page but expressing it differently. While not an obligation, the question to me is really what would be prudent for an orgainizer to do from the perspective of having an enjoyable paddle. I agree people should be free to make their choices, and NSPN is not part of the equation since they are SNGs. Ed Lawson

>I recognize this is all in good fun but I want to remind all >that noone on a SNG is responsible for "paying attention to >paddlers" as if they were a leader, guide, etc. I wouldn't >want a poster, or potential poster, to think otherwise. I suppose this opens a thicket and personally I agree with your statement. However, I'm not sure its all that simple unfortunately. While NSPN has no responsibility for what, when, who, where, and why of SNG trips, I believe it fair to say that as these trips become more popular and more people participate; then the farther they are from a meeting of friends off for a paddle. Especially when they are a means for newer members to "stretch their legs" a little. At that point, regardless of any legal liability, one could argue those who post SNGs or have more experience and training and go on such trips have a some obligation to mentor not only by monitoring others and providing helpful hints, but to be able and prepared to make basic decisions during the paddle. Even a collection of friends usually has some means of making decisions which involves something other than a show of hands. Often you rely upon the most experienced person regarding a given issue. I'm not saying I agree, but I can see the point. I know of one large club where it is emphasized that the trip organizer's responsibility ends when the first boat hits the water. Still, their trip organizers sometimes check equipment, assure there is a lead and sweep, take head counts regularly, check paddlers status, etc. Its just a thicket that needs to recognized it seems to me. Ed Lawson