Gillian

So sadly my much coveted Avocet RM just doesn't fit me, but I really need a shorter boat for play. It can be plastic but I don't mind having fiberglass for a play boat: in the words of Mr. Crangle "it's just gelcoat" So I'm starting to sit in some boats that fit me that might suit my needs. I'm looking for something in between an expedition boat and something like a Pintail. I'd like to be able to paddle whichever new boat I get on longer paddles, but also have it be more maneuverable in rocks and surf. So, I've been recommended to try out the Capella 161, I sat in the Montauk which fit me like a dream, but I have no idea if she'll be the right boat I'm looking for, and I loved the Romany Surf and the Romany HV that I tried in NDK demo day. So if anyone has a moment to give me their recommendations on a 16 footish boat, that's very maneuverable and also would serve as an everyday paddling boat I'm all ears!!!! Also if anyone has the boat they're recommending and would be willing to let me give it a try at perhaps one of the lake sessions that would be much appreciated. Can't wait to hear back from you guys!!!!

i swear in those last two i was just illustrating that my pants were too big and falling down when trying the ol cowboy re-entry. he he he i hope non-kayakers aren't reading this 'cause that sounds really bad unless you know what it is

of course? beer or hug? kevin is a good hugger but i have better technique

Anyone have a canoe we can borrow this weekend for our training????

Will provide a 6 pack of the trainee's choice of favorite brew OR a much coveted hug from either myself of Kevin depending on your preference . . . .

ha, i'll give you some ammo: i was watching that video waiting for some lone kayaker who happened to be bird watching, turn around, see that monster of a machine and use a perfect forward stroke to high tail it out of there - it took until the end of the video to get that the forward stroke rotation was referring to the crane there ya go - bring it on with the blonde jokes.

you guys can't rotate that far? pansies.

Hi there! Thanks for everyone who is volunteering so far. Most folks can make Horn Pond but we don't have anyone who has volunteered for Braintree. REI just emailed us asking us how things were going and how many boats we might have. Can we get volunteers for Braintree on Saturday the 9th of June? I'd hate for this to be the first year we have to cancel for REI - I know there's LOTS of paddlers out there so we're going to need at least 4 or 5 more volunteers for Braintree for both the booth and more importantly to provide on-water safety. It was a blast last year and a great forum to practice rescues!! Please sign up!

Yeah - congrats guys!!!!! I heard you guys had some very tired students afterwards and heard more stories about chickens and ducks than I thought I'd ever hear Okay so you guys probably need to practice to keep the skills up, so I would like free training asap

oh well no takers!! we're going to stick local and play in forest river

guys, she is adorable!!!!!!!!!! congratulations!

rob is that you taking a nap on the beach??? by the way, kevin was very excited that he now can identify at least 1 bird that you tought him out there

oh we're definitely smarter.

I can definitely atest to the stubborness and got to listen to the mumbles and grumbles over the phone on his drive away from the put in . . . however, I will listen to all the grumbling in the world so long as someone is safe and made the best decision for himself and the group . . . also now I don't have to worry about you all day And no, I didn't spike your coffee with "insta headache" this morning

Actually if everyone could post their favorite recipes that would be great!!!! Glad it went well

ha, Deb, the soundtrack to Master and Commander is one of my favorites too!!!! I know exactly the scene you're talking about and the music being played. Strings are my favorite instruments . . . I usually try to think of something more sunny like "Don't worry you're not going to get blown out to sea" (a little ditty I created for the "soup") But I have some pretty ecletic tates . . .John I'm with you on bluegrass - old school and some of the newer bands like Carbon Leaf which have elements of bluegrass in them. Lots of my favorites like KT Tunstall, U2, Chili Peppers have been named but I'm also a big fan of Hip Hop, namely Jay Z, Mobb Deep, Outkast, and a long list of others which I won't bother getting into . . . On the other side of the spectrum Kevin made fun of me for listening to Josh Groban, who if you've never heard of does some more operatic songs and yeah it's kind of embarrassing but I don't care I like him. And Kevin, I USED think of you when he sang his sweet song of "When you say you love me" but since you've shunned him I'll have to think of the puppy instead

i have no idea what you're talking about and it's too expensive to get a dry suit in white (or let's be honest, off-white)

Hey guys! I wanted to share this with my fellow sore people. Gin, our instructor had a blast with us. I'd like to say on a personal note that I never knew Carl was so bendy!!!! I was impressed! And Brian vowed he'd never make fun of yoga again, after he crawled out to his car Oh and Peter I think you left your pants there. No comment. Email from Gin: "Gillian, You and Kevin work with a great group of people. Everyone was such a trooper, willing to try new things and have fun with it as well. I hope that the class was received well and that you and those you have spoken with got something out of it. I'm interested in hearing any feedback, so that I can work to make this kind of gathering even better! Someone left a pair of forest green LLBean pants. Let me know how you want to get them to their owner. Thanks again to you and Kevin for asking me to do the workshop. Gin"

the best part is, all three dogs were in there for added warmth

i'm just compiling a LONG LIST before i comment. he he he he . . . i've been giggling about this for awhile ps. heidi congrats!!!!!!!

oh it's impressive, i assure you . . . but anyway you can see even better if you stand on someone's elses head in their kayak - still working on that one . . . ps. congrats to jenny she's fantastic, and her best friend jenny had a blast at last night Lydon session - two young kayakers in the making and i bet they don't hurt as much the next day!

Eh, just buy a new boat - it's a good excuse

Amazing show - I can't wait to paddle there!!! I think the crab smoking the cigarette was my favorite pic

oh there's going to be some good eye candy at the yoga workshop and i don't mean me!!! you have to sign up to find out . . . on another note our yoga instructor has been watching some nigel videos to get an understanding of some of the best exercises for us kayakers, so I think it's going to be a great opportunity to have a class geared for us, even if you already do yoga!

OR we could do a faceless paddler WEARING a PFD but nothing else! that should be catchy