PeterB

Judy, Wy don't you offer door prizes to encourage people to sign up early. My suggestions: 1st prize: Kevin Beckwith's NDK Explorer (he has a Pintail, doesn't need it anymore) 2nd prize : Brian Nystrom's complete collection of Kenny G CD's. 3rd prize: Kenny G 4th Prize: Brian Nystrom

I agree: rather than think in terms of slip -under- the wire, or hold off, whatever, its probably best to not worry about it, just paddle, paddle, practice, paddle more, enjoy, learn, assess, and what will be will be.

Roads are clear, Brad is ready. There are still spots available in Sunday's repair and outfitting workshop! I am the registrar, to sign up , contact me at pbrady@neaq.org

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/store...001/594/11207/5 They're called fenders. (something probably any power boater or sailboater would know) A stroll trough Home depot may turn up some sort of similar foam tubing that's simpler and cheaper.

Andrew Carnegie, i think , said , "A man who dies rich , dies disgraced.", to which I say, "A man who dies with an unscratched hull, dies disgraced" But, If you are determined to die disgraced: I read somewhere (I think it was Sea kayaker Mag) about using those foam dock bumpers (the cylindrical things that hang from docks to keep boats from bumping into them); they're about a foot and a half long and maybe 6 inches in diameter (?) .) I'm sure West Marine-type stores have them. If you use two, you can lay them down slide the boat up on them , and move the back one to the front when you've dragged the boat one boat -length. The more pieces you use the further you can slide your boat , but then you have more stuff aong on your ride. "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/se...gId=1&langId=-1

Heidi, (uh-oh, she's signing off with "cheers" already; I think we've got her hooked on kayaking!) The NSPN roster includes some accomplished backcountry chefs; so the camping workshop, which traditionally includes cooking tricks of the trade, will be right up your alley. One of my favorite things about last years workshop was how everyone had a different camping secret, and everyone had their own personal luxury camping item. Since you can take more stuff in a kayak than in a backpack , a limited number of luxury, frivolous items, unthinkable on a backpacking trek, are in order and everyone has their favorite. For some, it 's a nice puffy fleece pillow, for others it's a bigger stove, others bring more fuel so they can heat up an extra pot of water and have a nice hot sponge or bath or foot-soak every morning. For others, its beer or perishables in the day hatch, which has been converted into an ice chest. And so on.

I plan to get some dromedary water containers.The sizes I was considering were 4 liter, 6 liter,and possibly 10 liter,some combination which would work for both weekend and multiday trips. Can anybody recommend a good combination of sizes?

I couldn't sign up for the WFA course last year as it was scheduled on Father's day weekend . I'm concerned that A CPR course in February might also run afoul of school vacation week/winter school vacation scheduling. I appreciate the work that is put into scheduling classes such as these , and recognize that there's no perfect time which works for everybody Scott's points are well taken. In general, WFA/CPR is invaluable for kayakers, and part of WFA is learning what not to do in a given situation.

A non-member asked if he could be a spotter for a pool session. Members pay $20, and non-members pay $40 to participate (get in the pool with boats etc), and members can participate as spotters for free. How about non.members?

All of the workshops I attended last winter :weather (Huth), camping (Riegel, Berg, Childs, Duncansons), boat outfitting/repair(Nystrom ) were great and I would attend these again if offered this winter. Some sort of gear swap could be good. I would be happy to show up at Gould Barn with some paddles, pfds, spray skirts and walk out with either some $$ in my pocket or something like a used vhf radio or some other surprise item. This could also be good for new members looking for get-on-the-water kit. Reading and understanding weather is a weak point for me, so I would attend a weather workshop again. Kayak-specific nav. would always be a good winter activity. Any slide shows of interesting trips, (or perhaps an “ everyone bring your 10 best slides” format), again combined with the usual social lubricants (food, drink) would be a fun mid- or late-winter activity.

I 'd like to join you, but am confused. Rye Harbor from Odiorne Point is the other direction from Gerrish Island. As you know, on the lower half of the tide the coast along Gerrish Island is fun (more rocks) and the surf at the mouth of Brave boat is good as well... In any event, I'll try to come if I can, will confirm on Friday. Peter "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge

I drove by the place, and it looked fine , on a par with the other modestly priced accomodations recommended by the Symposium folks.I believe it was one of the places that offered a 10% discount for Symposium attendees. But you probably know all this already. I stayed at Hinckley's Dreamwood cottages, also on Rte 3. Little yellow, somewhat run- down bungalos, but comfortable enough and well suited for my downscale tastes.

In addition to pool sessions there are skills sessions that begin around June and run through September. Traditionally, there has been NSPN sessions at Chebacco lake in Hamilton /Essex on Thursdays and at Mystic Lakes in Medford on Tuesdays. There are also informal skills sessions (organized by individuals, like show & go’ s, or private trips) on a less regular schedule, in New Hampshire, Salem. Etc. All of these sessions are a great way to meet people, try out different boats, paddles, etc., learn new skills , cool off after work, and have fun. These sessions are especially good for learning & practicing rescues. Someone or other is usually rolling at skills sessions . Some can learn rolling informally from other paddlers , while some do better with more formal instruction.

The requisite strokes for navigating Scylla and Charybdis (bow rudder, hanging draw, stern rudder, Lendal paddles and NDK boats only) are common knowledge and need no repetition here.

Where is Forest River Park? I can't find it on Mapquest or in the Put-ins directory.

Heidi, Since I have nose plugs already , I prefer to use them along with a dive mask which doesn't cover the nose (just the eyes) because its a simpler, more reliable seal, and the masks are cheaper. You can get a good silicone mask like this for @ $25 at a dive shop.

Bob, To sign up as a participant or spotter, contact me at pbrady@neaq.org. I am the registrar for the Portsmouth pool sessions. There are four openings for the March 3rd session and five openings for the March 31st session. We need two spotters for March 3rd and one spotter for March 31st. Peter

The Ericson's of Egypt Maine...?

Bob, Merry Christmas. You have quite the appetite for cryptic messages. For us ignorant folk: What's your "big banana"? Peter "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge

Probably not a tradition, but: last year , I recall ,there was a Nahant surf session on Dec. 26th. Most surfed with short boats and two of us went farther afield in long boats. People with their various post- Christmas schedules, energy levels, hangovers, can filter in as they please , rather than trickier logistics of meeting and leaving at once. Just an idea., Depends on the surf to some degree, as well…

Mary, "The usual protocols", as I understand it, is shorthand for the disclaimer at the head of the private trips forum: a way of quickly stating that the trip is private and not NSPN-sponsored , and that participants are responsible for their own safety, etc. At this time of year the usual protocols could also be taken to mean that participants should be properly dressed and equipped (drysuits etc.) "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge

The pool session in Portsmouth this coming Saturday(3/3) is full, but we still need one more spotter. Nurturing and/or fun-loving souls interested in rounding out our squad post here or contact me at pbrady@neaq.org. DIRECTIONS: Seacoast Family YMCA Main Facility: 550 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Telephone: 603.431.2334 The YMCA is on the south side of Portsmouth. From I-95 north: Get off at exit 3, (Rte 33, Greenland Road) turn right onto Greenland Road Drive about 1mile Turn right at the first stop light , onto Peverly hill Road. Go about a 1/3 mile on Peverly Hill Road YMCA is on your left, just before the road bears left and up a hill. If you reach Rte 1, (Market Basket your right) , you’ve gone too far. From I-95 south Same as from Rte 95 south, but get off at exit 3B ,turn/bear right , go over Rt 95 and continue on Greenland Road to the stop light and Peverly Hill Road. turn right on Peverly Hill Road , go about 1/3 mile, YMCA is on your left, just before road bears left and goes up a hill. If you reach Rte 1 (Market Basket on your right) you've gone too far)

I have never heard a disparaging remark about greenland sticks from any Euro bladophiles, or anyone else for that matter, only admiration, appreciation and respect. Nor have I sensed any envy towards traditionalists; Greenland sticks are easy enough to use, and cheaper to boot ,so anyone who felt envy would just get one and use it. Different strokes for differ… aww that’s too trite to even say here … "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge

The Suunto Orca deck mounted compass is handy. About $45 and you can fit one or maybe two mini glo-sticks in a space underneath the rubber base. http://www.thecompassstore.com/51orcay.html I don’t like headlamps as they can fall off your head unless tethered . I found a c- light or small waterproof dive flashlight ziptied to the pfd preferable. Some tether a headlamp to the pfd. C’mon Dr. Huth, teach another weather workshop this winter and we can all show n’ tell our night nav. stuff together before or afterwards… . "Alone,alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide wide sea..." -Coleridge