Gillian

oh i won't! i'll just use left over from what i put on your paddle this morning . . .

i have to finish knitting that pink sweater you asked me for . . .

I would have just punched that shark in the face and made him pay for a new boat.

NOT PADDLE?! WHAT? Blasphemy . . . Oh by the way, I think I might take a break from paddling on Sunday . . .

okay i'm on the next flight to san diego awesome trip report!!!!!

thanks guys!!!! by the way, i will only honor my offer of 20 bucks (to be split between kevin and billy) when my roll is not so atrociously ugly as it is now . . . kevin has been affectionately calling it something of a disaster between a sweep and a c to c roll but you guys get no cash until i start looking better . . . i mean style is part of it . . . .

oh please let me have the bob l endo even if i'm not the 500th member!!!!!! please!!!!!

by the way, kevin is buying beer, so definitely come on out . . .

whatever heidi, you're coming!!!!!

I think about 50 or so . . .

Hey there, as far as I know the place where you park for boat launching is free - it's across the street from the main parking lot, but the times I've parked there it's been after 5ish . . . don't know if that makes a difference.

WOW - okay that's awesome, I'm in . . . but if I fall asleep you have to tow me and someone please bring chocolate covered strawberries!

I vote for a contest on chocolate covered treats between you and Kevin. I'll be the taste tester . . . really, I don't mind, it's no imposition . . .

No way - when I say "unloading gear" that's you . .. when I refer to eating ice cream or chocolate strawberries, that's me . . .eh hello, team work????

Chocolate covered strawberries? What the heck??? I didn't see those and I wasn't that late. Next SNG, will unload all gear for chocolate covered strawberries . . . ice cream will do the trick too.

Bob, you make a good point and this thread has gotten off track . . . maybe we should wait to hear more from the newer members about what they need which was David's original post

Ha Ha very funny . . . I only force people through rock gardens on their second trip out, not their first But seriously I agree that experience is the only way to do it . . . the first ocean trip from Marblehead to Salem Kevin took me on a few months ago drew more than a few chocie words from me But going on the SNG's in a group of experience paddlers turned a white knuckle trip a few months ago into feeling really comfortable out there so maybe on the next SNG we can really encourage newer member to come join the trip.

Carl, thank you for posting that SNG!!!! Turns out we had 12 people show up for the Portsmouth paddle that Carl posted. A lot of us got stuck in traffic and were a bit late which actually turned out well as there was 1 group of 6 who launched first and then us late ones (another 6) who though Rte 1 would be a good way to get there on time Highlights: Rock Gardens: Kevin's boat handling is awesome and I'm aspiring to get there but he had some precision moves through the rock gardens. Interestingly enough, after a year of crying every time his boat got a minor scratch, he seems to be racing through rocks with that Explorer now that I'm getting that as he gets a new one Bob and Deb also were awesome in the gardens and I've never gotten to play in the rocks with them so it was a great time as usual. I caught a great ride through one of the gardens on the way back from Rye Harbor. I actually took a passage which looked calm and tame as compared to the other routes, started paddling, heard a shout from Maria to "PADDLE" turned around to see a BIG swell (had to be at least 30 feet) and got an awesome ride through. Billy was in his beautiful new Anas so I didn't see him in the gardens much but then again I can't paddle fast enough to keep up with him!! Surfing: Billy, Kevin, and Bob get the award for surfing from what I saw . . . somehow Billy manages to catch like 5 waves even though there's nothing out there . . . I caught a swell momentarily but that was it. Both Kevin and Bob caught an awesome wave . . . Kevin had some great bracing althouh I heard he almost ran Billy over All I saw of Bob was a tumble of boat, then Bob, then boat, then Bob, then paddle, the Bob so on and so forth . . . man I wish I had a video camera out there sometimes!!!! Skills: At the end of the trip we all practiced skills which was a great addition. Billy I agree with you that we should always make a mini skill session part of a show and go . . . Billy actually got me rolling but it's such an ugly roll right now that I'm offering him $10 of the $20 promised until it get's prettier But I did come up 3 times and that felt great even though the diving paddle is still an issue . . . Carl and everyone else there helped and made suggestions . . . Kevin got advice and practice on sculling for support (Deb by the way has a beautiful stroke here) and Carl worked with Lisa on rolling and sculling as well. It was a great way to end the day! We probably did about 11 miles round trip but we were out there for about 5+ hours - just goes to show how great a trip it was . . . I think everyone had a blast and I think that paddle has become one of my fast favorites . . .it was especially great to see so many people out on the water that day . . .

"However, it seems to me there also needs to be trips at which beginners would feel reasonably at ease so that they can put what they have learned to practice so to speak." Definitely agree . . . there have been a couple level 2 trips but I even noticed on the Brackenbury Cove trip, it was all folks who have been in the club for awhile. Kevin and I have also done a couple level 2 SNG's around the Salem area but haven't really met any new paddlers . . . . if you new guys are out there, anything you need to get on the water we'll help!!!!!!

Ernie, Kevin and I are most likely going to make it tomorrow too - I'm working on my roll and I know Kevin is working on sculling for support so maybe we can all give each other a hand with that tomorrow

surfing! wohoo!!

Well jeesh, that's not a lot of pressure!!!!! Great now I have to go get in my boat from now until Tuesday and not get out until I learn how to roll!!! But seriously that sounds great . . . I was going to be at Mystic for sure Tuesday evening, so anyone around who wants to come help would be awesome. I will be performing free rescues, and I've been told I'm good so come on out!!!!

rob, should i practice??? i was practicing more until kevin tried to run me over with his boat during a bow rescue after a failed attempt at a roll . . . ever since he put the rudder on his explorer it's been causing problems . . .

Rob, How long are you guys typically out at Chebaco? Because of my work location I can never make it out there in time . . . if I'm lucky I'd make it out there by 7:45

LOL