spider

I looked harder and found my NRS cataloge and the probable source of our confusion. The 5th selling point of the fabric..."DWR coating forces water to "bead" and roll off the material" Perhaps our expectations were a bit overly optimistic... or perhaps the claim is a bit over stated...

I thought for sure that "Hydroskin" was marketed as being water proof. So much so that this summer my wife bought me a pair of their pants as a birthday present to go along with the hydroskin shirt I already had. Now, I thought the shirt wetted through from perspiration, and the pants seemed waterproof when wading through the shallows. However in short order I found that, even in cooler temps, my pants were drenched after a session of rolling practice much like I would expect any neoprene to be. (I never mentioned it to her) Looking up the product on their site I see no mention of it as a waterproof or water resistant. Were we mistaken or did they change their marketing claims ? Nice product and all... but in cold temps I would be freezing as soon as I landed and started walking about.

Good "words of wisdom" about being careful with shoulder strengthening. The fellow in the pictures is being very careful not to torque his shoulders improperly. Last year I "trashed" both shoulders using just a 10-12 lb weight. My big mistake...? I was raising each arm straight from my side to shoulder height then rotating my arm/wrist while holding the weight. That was a huge no-no. A month or so of doing that and it was off to doctor land. I thought it was from yaking but he knew instantly I had done it to myself..seems his sister in-law had done the exact same thing.. thinking it would be good for her tennis game. Kinda wish someone at the gym who saw me doing it came by and cuffed me one before I did it... now I know better..older and wiser, I hope...

Thanks...I was slow to realize that's how the forum is set up. Yup, I'm still paddling several days a week. Mostly on the local pond. Practicing skills, posture, quite paddle, stuff like that. Probably will keep at it till "solid water season" Haven't done any distance with other people so I don't know how I fit into the mix as far as keeping up with others. Kayak camping...hope to make it up to Umbagog for a couple of over nights Moosehead was excellent. spdr

I notice that when I respond to a message a number is assigned. If I want to respond to the topic discussed but not to any one individual response... do I need to be carefull to always return to the initial topic before hitting the "reply " feature ?? ...or for that matter have I posted this question under the correct section ?

Interesting question....I often wonder for trips around here.. at what level trip is the ability to roll required ? When in Quebec, where for the most part you can't rent a kayak with out being on a guided trip, it seemed a roll was expected on any thing above a level 1. Though in reality I don't know how that works out for the tourist dollar. I think there is a big "vague factor" when it's time to head out. I know we were in some rough stuff from the very first time we rented. Any way that is one reason I learned to roll and also the prime reason we bought our own boats. Yet, on either side of the border, I have never been on the water and have someone pull up and say... "Alright buddy where's your certificate proving your allowed on this section of coast" So what's that all about?? A formal but, non enforceable (by gov't) rating system ?? thanks ..spdr

I thought I would mention the Newburyport YWCA...it's has easy access and I have been there for pool sessions before..thought it was a very nice pool and area... with doors that open directly to the parking lot for easy transport of kayaks

Kevin Yes, I'd be interested (though I don't know where Rocks Village is) my cell is 603 770 0496. I actually have the day off...spider

Very nice...quite beautiful !

I knew the tides and my work schedule Sat meant that I wouldn't be able to join any of the trips earlier in the day. So I set my sights once again to Great Bay. Low tide was around 2:30 ish so I decided to put in up at Adams Point, about 4pm and ride with the incoming tide as it started to fill the bay again. It is said that the bay empties 60% of it's water so in many ways I prefer the incomming tide for more of an assurance that I won't get stranded out in the bay or mudflats. Temps were good with no wind and calm water. A couple of fellows put in while I was getting ready...I noticed the main difference... I was getting my light ready as I would be comming back in the dark. Heading off through Furber Strait I stayed opposite of the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge staying on the UNH side of things till I passed through then swung around behind the Footman Islands then clockwise over to the refuge. I wanted to avoid crossing the strait latter in the day... particulary 2 strong eddies that can be a problem if the wind/ current pick up later in the day. I then headed East over towards Greenland and Herods Cove etc. It's often to shallow to get in there but the water was good so I went poking along over there then Pierce Point ..over to Sandy Point where there is a flat bottom Gundlow like the Old days, moored there. I stopped to stretch my legs etc. With the promise of a beautiful sunset I headed west over to Moody Point, which I had often been to while doing Bald Eagle surveys a few years back. One of the things I love about the Bay is the almost total absence of power boats...very few boats scatter the bay and those that do are pretty restricted to the marked channels for safe water. Sunset was gorgeous! Absolutely crystal clear as could be, Though with no moon to chase it away till later. I get out my "stick on the hull" light turn it on and start working my way along this side of the bay heading up toards Crommet Creek. "Not Fair"!! That's what I mutter to myself as some long forgotten mosquito gets me right on the knuckels as I paddle...how do they do that? Bite right where we can't reach..not fair at all. Now for the full effect a few bats come around to help even the odds in my favor and I wish them all the mosquitos they can handle. I like this stretch of shoreline as I used to memorise many of the evening roost trees that the Eagles would retire to for the evening. (..their season on the Bay from approx Dec-May.) It's great to see the areas with a new perspective! The Footman Islands are easy to see and I head for them and into the strait beyond. Though darkness had fallen I could still see around me fairly well...but it was still an erie feeling as my boat gets caught in one of the smaller eddies on this side and starts to swing away from me..there always seems to be a "weightless" feeling and a different grab to the paddle as you cross through various eddies in general so as yet I'm pretty cautious with them. Okay, maybe a little extra cautious, paddling alone at night...in the dark.... Altogether It took me about 3 1/2hrs to make the circumference of the bay which could lengthed or shorted depending on conditions and desires. I took out and loaded up in the dark..it felt very nice... very remote and still one of NH hidded gems.

Nice pictures...excellent really !!

Yes, it was a excellent "picture perfect" kind of day. Some days just keep getting better, with every thing falling into place ever so nicely. It was especially nice to see all those sandy beaches....they really are such a fine treasure. I could hardly envision a more lovely setting ...and such a dramtic moonrise ! Quite a beautiful time and gracious company as well. Much appreciated...spdr

I was thinking of puting in at Exeter about 6pm ish and ride the outgoing tide to Great Bay...taking out at Chapmans or perhaps further. It should make a nice sunset/ evening paddle if anyone is interested to join along. spdr

Things seem to be clearing off, so here's hoping...

I sent a message to see if there was still interest ....

Nice report with a touch of nostaglia. Seems I remember a young fellow out there paddling for the 1st time....not so long ago spdr

I didn't see that you folk had gone out earlier in the day. By coincidence I went down about 7 pm till about 8:30pm...for a little sunset paddle/ nite paddling. As I was arriving at Chapmans a couple of people were just finishing loading up a pair of red kayaks ...perhaps they were with your group of people... spdr

Micheal..thanks for the lead for info..I have paddled in Madeline Isles the last couple of years..but not this one. Haven't paddled Roche Perce though been around there on trips out to Bonaventure Island (not kayak) for the Ganetts (Fou de Bassen)...sorry if my spelling is off. Hey Kevin good to hear from you...I did finally learn how to roll before I came up here this year....about time for me ...but I'm no pro with it...fearless in about three feet of water though!

Hi I'm on the Gaspe penninsular and we are thinking of going over to Sept Iles to go camping on^Grand Basque Island or there abouts and wondering if anyone has paddeled out there before. It has been several years since we've been there.. but this will be the 1st by kayak . I am of the understanding that there is now a kayaking trail on the North Shore of the St Lawerence... perhaps also know as the "Whales Trail or Sentier de Baleine". We get the wind and the chop on this side which is a "hard" shore. I realize that we will be near Saguenay River but are thinking in terms of Sept Iles as being not quite so busy. Any words of wisdom or friendly advise? thanks spider (we are think of the 3rd week of August)

Hi There Great Pond would be ideal for me. I was practicing there before the start of the season for the State Park and some of the other camps. These past few days I have been practicing by myself over on Pow-Wow Pond not to far from there. Working on some skills with others would be far more enjoyable than figuring things out by oneself. Sometimes when I want more textured water I head over to Great Bay...but you need to watch the tide so you don't run out of water. Thing is I'll be in Quebec for the summer...but I am definitely interested if Great Pond works out and people are still practicing in Sept. I didn't realise that people paddled weekly over at Seacoast Kayak (which I believe is for sale) The best way to reach me is 603-770-0496 esp in the fall... I would also be interested in others kayaking this general area Seacoast/ Exeter NH etc... thanks spider