PeterB

My approach would be some amalgam of Dan’s , John’s , etc. Plan A (in red) would be like Dan’ s conservative route; two short crossings from Spring Point to House Island and then to Peaks ( where boat traffic is most likely to be an issue. ) Handrail up the west side of Peaks to flashing Green #7 at Hussey Sound, cross to Long Island and handrail up the inside of Long Island to Cousins Island, where there is a fine sand beach, good for a rest stop and moonbathe, gear check for the last bit to Jewell Island; Little Chebeague is also a bailout , could crash there if theres any problem. From Cousins, cross to Red # 2 at the south end of Hope island thence to Red #6 or the south end of Cliff (190 on the compass), give the ledges at the southern tip of Cliff a wide berth. then past Green #1 to Jewell Island. Plan B (in Blue): if, after crossing Hussey Sound the conditions and visibility are marvelous (a good possibility), and the group is more advanced, comfortable, blood is up, then no need to go the longer way via Little Chebeague; round the southern end of Long Island , cross to Jewell via red # 6 at the end of the ledges on the south end of Cliff , thence to Jewell.( 100 on the compass from Vaill I. to red # 6, then 85 on the compass to Jewell) I think a group of 4-5 would be maxumum, , and should have at least one paddler who has done the route before, and experienced at night paddling, in conditions comfortable for everyone . Gear: an illuminated compass (I have an Orca , which can be stuffed with small glow sticks) mounted close to the cockpit; a glow stick or dim colored light tethered on the stern and one on the body. Also, a dim waterproof light handy on the PFD.. only turned on for short periods to consult the chart and compass, or fuss with gear if needed . Good for the group to have one bright torch available. On a full moon night, I would anticipate good visibility of most islands and crossing targets, as Ed intoned; unlikely there'd be a need for so many precise buoy to buoy, point to point legs . On a very dark night, it might be another story. But a lot of it is in the goals of the trip. If it’s a full -on night nav. practice paddle, that’s one thing , If the goal is to enjoy a full moon paddle to Jewell, if conditions then were in any way not condusive to enjoyment (overcast, seas bouncy, winds, etc): just cancel and go the next day.

The passage from Eagle to Jewell runs by or through Brown Cow ledges, just north of Jewell, which can be a very active place if big swell is coming in from the south or east. On some days, its best to give Brown Cow ledges a wide birth, on other days, they are interesting to explore along the way.

Dan, In the past, at some point approaching the date of the trip Gary has switched to group emails, as sharing float plan info and participant list among those going seems to work best that way. In that event, the ins and outs of a night nav. approach to Jewell could be shared amongst us in the Jewell island group as the date approaches, as a bit of special planning would be needed. A launch from Cousins or Portland (or Dolphin cove for that matter) on Thursday night is also an option.

I'm planning to attend, am toying with the idea of a night nav. exercise with arrival on Thursday after dark , perhaps from Portland. Weather dependent of course. If that doesn't pan out I'd most likely go for Dolphin Cove Marina (Harpswell) like Dan : Friday launch, Sunday return.

Workshop will finish about 3:30 at the latest. Notebookk or paper and writing implement is all you need. Bing a lunch; otherwise , there are lunch spots available but not in the immediate area. There will be some fun with charts, but we'll have color 11 x 17 printouts. Updated information is in the calendar posting and participant will be get an email on Friday or Saturday with some attached documents that are helpful but not essential for Sunday.

The CAM classroom workshops have been posted as a group in the Trips forum, but this is is a reminder that the second CAM classroom workshop will be held this Sunday at Newbury Kayak and Canoe 291 High street Newbury, MA : that's Rte 1A where it crosses the Parker river , south of Newburyport. For the second time, Newbury Kayak and Canoe has been generous enough to provide a venue for this workshop. Rob Folster, Bob Levine, Liz Neumeier, and Peter Brady will be on hand to present material. Information on the workshops is included in the Trips Forum and on the April 10 calendar posting . If you haven't already, and are interested, please RSVP in the April 10, CAM session posting in the calendar. Information on the workshops is included there and also in the CAM posting here on the trips forum.

Thaks,Pru , for the report and photos , and to Rob for coordinating/facilitating/ iniatating this paddle. It was a creative enterprise: the raw conditions, cold air and water temps not initially promising for great adventure, but coming up with a plan that included CAM practice/ implementation, rescue practice , group effort, paddling & immersing safely, and weaving a total stranger into the group (and now into NSPN), and creating a entirely positive experience for him (and us) was inspiring.

The mustard yellow house in the photo is the home of Governor Benning Wentworth, the colonial governor of New Hampshire in the 1700's, before American independence. In his workshop, John Huth explained why traveling over shallow water is so tedious: That return across Little Harbor and Seavey Creek to the Odiorne ramp in shallow water can be quite a slog,especially with a headwind at the end of a day.

The first classroom session on March both will be at Newbury Kayak and Canoe, 291 High Road, Newbury, MA 01951 9 AM to @ 3 PM.The calendar and postings have been recently updated. The second session will likely be at Kayak and Canoe , but we'll set the location based on participant feedback from the first session.

Please note that this workshop is on Sunday February 28th. (The original posting erroneously read "Saturday the 28th." - Saturday is the 27th- and has been corrected. )

You do need to have an ocean, a kayak and a paddle,but, adhering to the question, "what should you buy first"? (or obtain first, rather than "what do I need to use first"?) ), I'm thinking that de-emphasizing the purchase of kayak has some merit. Its sort of intuitive that the kayak, and then the paddle would be the first things to buy, but, yes, knowledge and instruction (i.e. information) first might be the best. Then one is better equipped to get the right gear. E.g. , first going to pool/lake sessions with a rental or loaner, and attending workshops, maybe taking a class or two that includes outfitting. Doing this over, and , going into things confident that sea kayaking wouldn't be just a passing fancy but an activity I would stick with, I'd probably seek 1)knowledge /instruction/information ,2) a paddle/pfd/spray skirt, then 3) a drysuit, (or serious immersion wear) 4) Then a kayak.

2016 CAM Workshops are back! For the 2016 season, NSPN members are invited to participate in a series of four CAM workshops during March and April/early May . This is a great opportunity for the club to get together- first in 2 classroom sessions, then in two on-the-water sessions, working together on essential group skills that can be expected to be needed and applied on any club trip, both in the planning, pre-trip area (“ before the trip”) and then while on the water ( “the day of the trip”) The goal of these workshops is to help build the skills and knowledge needed to be active participants in club trips, and to work toward a common way of conducting trips and paddling together on the water. Participants might then pass these skills on to fellow paddlers in subsequent club trips. As in past years, the workshops will be led /facilitated by experienced club members who are volunteering to share what they have learned. This workshops are also an opportunity to explore how the Common Adventure Model can applied on NSPN trips, both in the pre-trip planning and posting phase of a trip, and while on the water. While we discuss the Common Adventure Model (CAM) for club trips, the principles and practices covered apply to all trips on the water. There will be two classroom sessions, covering firstly the trip planning and skills & procedures , and then on–the water skills & procedures 1st session: classroom: Sunday March 20 : location : Newbury Kayak and Canoe 291 High st. (Rte 1A) Newbury, MA 2nd session: classroom : Sunday April 10 : location : Newbury Kayak and Canoe 291 High Street (Rte 1A) 3rd session: on-the-water: Saturday April 30 : Put- in TBA 4th session: on the water: Saturday May 7 : Put- in TBA: This is also a great opportunity for relatively newer paddlers to paddle alongside experienced paddlers and practice new skills that are best introduced in an environment with the support of others. While it is possible for members to take part in individual sessions, it is recommended that these be taken in sequence, each one building on earlier workshops. So for each workshop, we will assume participants have the knowledge or skills of previous sessions. Check this posting and the calendar for updates on location and times Please RSVP on the calendar section postings The classroom workshops are open to paddlers of all levels of ability and experience. The on-water workshops: We hope that all any member planning on participating in NSPN trips will attend. The first two on-the water workshops are early in the season and water is cold, so We will schedule a third on- the -water session on June 12th, and there will be subsequent sessions later in the summer. A minimum of level 3 skills are needed to participate in the April/May sessions : for all workshops it is important participants have basic boat handling skills and be comfortable maneuvering their boats in coastal ocean conditions, and have confidently wet exited their boat. These workshops take place in late April/early May and the water is still cold then, so drysuits are required, immersion clothing and gear must be reviewed as part of the pre-trip group planning for these sessions. These sessions because of early in the season, so immersion will only be as safety and conditions dictate. In June , We will be prepared to run part of a session in Level 2 (protected or semi- protected) areas, which may be possible to do in a wet suit and paddle jacket, but arrangements must be made in advance and will be art of the pre-trip communication. Because the ocean temperatures are still very cold in April , we will require proper immersion gear of all participants and be mindful of immersion, and general safety. —If you do not have the appropriate gear and protective clothing, we may be able to arrange a loan of a limited number of dry suits, tow belts, gloves, hoods, etc. Classroom sessions will be held in Newbury, MA, and on-water sessions will be held on the North Shore, somewhere between Boston and Portsmouth, NH, (Marblehead, MA, and diorite/Rye New Hampshire, are likely venues) depending on room availability and conditions on the day of the on-water sessions. The individual workshops will be posted on the Trips/Event message board in the coming days. Subsequent postings will include more trip details and attached syllabus material. Check the message board and calendar for updates: this posting will be updated with details in the coming weeks . Thank you!

John Huth Weather and Waves Workshop Sunday , February 28th Meeting Room REI , Reading, MA 11:30AM to 4:00 PM (THIS EVENT has been RESCHEDULED from February 13th) John Huth once again has volunteered his time to present a workshop for NSPN on Weather Wind and Waves and how these apply to sea kayaking. John's past presentations have been favorites of club members. John is a long time NSPN member, and has a unique set of qualifications to present on this subject as he is both a physics professor/ lecturer at Harvard University and an experienced sea kayaker. Johns experiences as a sea kayaker have stimulated him to focus some of his academic research on kayak related aspects of the physical world, and he recently published a book on primitive navigation. "The Lost Art of Finding Our Way" This is a workshop you won't want to miss. Johns past courses have broadly covered issues of weather and waves: the approach of warm and cold fronts, how to read cloud formations, wind. , the air circulation around high and low pressure systems, and how to evaluate weather signs. Members have come away from past workshops with a heightened understanding and appreciation of the physical forces that affect us while on the water: This session will help the sea kayaker evaluate and respond to rapidly changing local conditions through observations and decision making. The session will last from 11:30 PM to @ 4:00PM and there there all be ample opportunity for snacks, questions and participation. The REI meeting room is in the right rear of the store. REI opens at 11:00AM on Sundays. Please RSVP in the calendar posting for this session: REI has not-unlimited space and past workshops have been very well attended.

Just a reminder to those planning on the Cabin Fever/Breakout party this weekend , that we'll have an hour long meeting at the Gould Barn beforehand , at 5PM , to serve as the Members General Meeting.This is a chance for NSPN members gather to discuss the Club. . We all briefly review the clubs finances, activities and the year in review and, most of the meeting can be devoted to any questions or issues that members have may wish to discuss. These meetings have ben productive in the past, as its a chance for members to share her ideas or issues with each other. As its part of the Holiday Party, the mood will surely be pleasant and charitable! Hoping to se you at the Gould Barn!

I'll bring my usual: lobster and avocado sushi: "Maine maki" doesn't sound quite right so I'll call it Penobscot Maki, or, better yet, Muscongus maki

Sorry Sorry Sorry, my mistake. Event is February 13, not March 13 . I corrected the posting. TO RSVP, go to the calendar, o to February on tecalendar , find the event in February, click on it: on the left side is a RSVP section : "I'm Going": you can RSVP there.

Weather and Waves Workshop Rescheduled Saturday, February 13th now Saturday March 5 (pending confirmation) Meeting Room REI , Reading, MA, 1PM to 5PM THIS EVENT IS BEING RESCHEDULED John is no longer available on February 13, We will try to reschedule on Saturday March 5, and will post when confirmed. John Huth once again has volunteered his time to present a workshop for NSPN on Weather Wind and Waves and how these apply to sea kayaking. John's past presentations have been favorites of club members. John has a unique set of qualifications to present on this subject as he is both a physics professor/ lecturer and experienced sea kayaker. Johns experiences as a sea kayaker in turn have stimulated him to focus some of his academic research on kayak related aspects of the physical world, and he recently published a book on primitive navigation. "The Lost Art of Finding Our Way" This is a workshop you won't want to miss. Johns past courses have broadly covered issues of weather and waves: the approach of warm and cold fronts, how to read cloud formations, wind. , consider the air circulation around high and low pressure systems, and how to evaluate weather signs. The course will last approximately 2 and a half hours, with ample time for questions and breaks as needed." Members have come away from past workshops with a heightened understanding and appreciation of the physical forces that affect us while on the water: this session will help the sea kayaker evaluate and respond to rapidly changing local conditions through observations and decision making. The session will last from 1PM to 4 or 5PM and were all be ample opportunity for snacks, questions and participation. Please RSVP in the calendar posting for this session: REI has not-unlimited space and past workshops have been very well attended.

Hey Everyone, NSPN's Annual awards for 2015 will be announced at the Cabin Fever Party at Gould Barn on January 31. Each year NSPN presents two awards to members to recognize those who have significantly contributed to the club over the past year. A third award is presented to the paddler who has significantly improved his or her paddling skills during the 2015 season. It's now time to nominate those who you think most deserve to be recognized. Only NSPN members may nominate or be nominated for these awards. The awards are as follows: FOUNDERS AWARD: “The Founders Award is given to the person deemed by the members of the club to have done the most to keep the NSPN spirit alive by giving of themselves to better the club, in ways that may not always be visible." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the Board of Directors. Please send your nominations to Peter Brady (PeterB on the message board ) Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. (Last Years winner was Bob Levine) PADDLER OF THE YEAR AWARD "The Paddler of the Year Award is given to the person who made the greatest contributions to benefit the club's membership." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the President . Please send your nominations to Peter Brady. (PeterB by PM on the message board) Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. (last years winner was Rob Folster) TRAVERSO AWARD "The Traverso Award goes to the member who has shown the most improvement through taking a "never quit “ attitude in the last year. This award was originally established through a memorial gift in honor of Jim Traverso, a member who lost his life on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal in 1999. Jim was a dedicated teacher, guide, adventurer, and lover of the outdoors." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the Board of Directors. Please send your nominations to Peter Brady. Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. Nominations will close January 24, in order to allow time to make the selections and prepare the awards. This is a shorter time to submit nominations than in the past few years, so please take a few minutes to focus on who you think is deserving of these awards. Please send your nominations to our club President, Peter Brady: (PeterB by Personal Message , or pbrady at neaq.org. by email ) If you have any questions or need any more information, feel free to contact me or any board member. We hope to have a large pool of nominees, so please take a few minutes to submit your nominations. Thanks in advance, Peter , on behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone in NSPN

Hey Everyone, NSPN's Annual awards for 2015 will be announced at the Cabin Fever Party at Gould Barn on January 31. Each year NSPN presents two awards to members to recognize those who have significantly contributed to the club over the past year. A third award is presented to the paddler who has significantly improved his or her paddling skills during the 2015 season. It's now time to nominate those who you think most deserve to be recognized. Only NSPN members may nominate or be nominated for these awards. The awards are as follows: FOUNDERS AWARD: “The Founders Award is given to the person deemed by the members of the club to have done the most to keep the NSPN spirit alive by giving of themselves to better the club, in ways that may not always be visible." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the Board of Directors. Please send your nominations to Peter Brady (PeterB on the message board ) Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. (Last Years winner was Bob Levine) PADDLER OF THE YEAR AWARD "The Paddler of the Year Award is given to the person who made the greatest contributions to benefit the club's membership." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the President . Please send your nominations to Peter Brady. (PeterB by PM on the message board) Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. (last years winner was Rob Folster) TRAVERSO AWARD "The Traverso Award goes to the member who has shown the most improvement through taking a "never quit “ attitude in the last year. This award was originally established through a memorial gift in honor of Jim Traverso, a member who lost his life on the Sun Kosi River in Nepal in 1999. Jim was a dedicated teacher, guide, adventurer, and lover of the outdoors." Any paid member can nominate and the selection is made by the Board of Directors. Please send your nominations to Peter Brady. Along with the name of your nominee please include your reasons for nominating him/her for this award. Nominations will close January 24, in order to allow time to make the selections and prepare the awards. This is a shorter time to submit nominations than in the past few years, so please take a few minutes to focus on who you think is deserving of these awards. Please send your nominations to our club President, Peter Brady: (PeterB by Personal Message , or pbrady at neaq.org. by email ) If you have any questions or need any more information, feel free to contact me or any board member. We hope to have a large pool of nominees, so please take a few minutes to submit your nominations. Thanks in advance, Peter , on behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone in NSPN