Gillian

Hey there Jim, trip is on - no word from family so I'm guessing they're not coming

Okay everything hurts: neck, arms, hands, fingers, sides, back . . . . I think my ankles are cool though Another fun surf evening at Nahant (Long Beach) yesterday and much cleaner water! The waves were about as big, 2 footers, but there were longer wave periods so they didn't "feel" as strong as the ones the day before. There were just three of us out, but we caught some good rides - my night was cut short by some minor whiplash on a wave that knocked me over and my head got snapped backwards . . . I realized it doesn't hurt too much hitting your head on the bottom as long as you're tucked forward but any other way = not so nice. I have an enormous appreciation for those that go out in big waves. Kevin of course pointed out the obvious: "Well if you stop getting knocked over, you won't hit your head on the bottom!" What's that phrase, "Hell hath no fury . . " or maybe just "Payback's a bit**"

Big thanks to everyone there - I think it was amazing to see that many folks show up, some who have been with NSPN since it's inception and some brand new. The other great thing is we had folks with skill sets ranging from pretty new to the most experienced paddlers around, so it was awesome that we could split into enough groups where everyone could test their skills. From a perspective of CAM it was interesting that there are leaders to a trip whether appointed or not and that seems to be basic human nature. Incorporating leadership skills and group management into a less formal setting will be the trick. From our group which stayed on the inside to the groups who ventured out into the big swells, it seems like most of the folks I've talked to and from what I've read, that people were happy with the structure and the beach briefings . . . Great Job!!!!!

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jul 15 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I thought they said they couldn't come? Or was that just wishful thinking? well it's iffy last i heard i hope they never read this message board or you're in big trouble.

Neil I'm so bummed I'm not going to be able to make either trip! Nuts! Thanks so much for posting trips - I will definitely attend the next one! Great to meet you and the other sea coast kayakers on Sunday!

ummmmmm didn't we invite your family over for a bbq on saturday???

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jul 15 2008, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Head or ego? shouldn't you be on kitterytradingpost.com right now?

you know i forgot - all this was in 2 footers last night - ha!!! i'm glad i can at least laugh at myself it's funny how in my mind i'm a much better surfer than in actuality . . . also my helmet is lame - anyone want to buy my a cool shred ready? men's large (my head is too big for the women's)

This was the theme of my surfing last night at King's Beach!! What a freaking blast though . . . Let's see, what my feats of strength were last night: -purled -got windowshaded -almost ran into Peter -almost ran into Kevin -got knocked over no less than 10 times -used no less than 15 strokes to avoid running into kevin while looking like a MORON But I do have to say I rolled up every time in the boat (twice once when i rolled up and found a face full of wave and got knocked right back down) I don't think I've ever seen Billy laugh that hard at me. By the end of the evening I was doing much better though - Kevin and Bill gave me some key advice in not working so hard - just a couple strong strokes to catch the wave and not going straight to a rudder. The great rides I did have, I also noticed I was sitting straight as an arrow which I think distributed my weight evenly so the boat when straight down the wave and the I was able to make minor corrections with just small hip movements. It was a great night - Peter got some great rides in the new Cetus, and Bill, it was so good to see you out on the water. You and kevin rock out at surfing, thank you for the tips . . . The tide was almost at the wall of Kings beach as we started to pack it in at around 8. The hordes of that seaweed in the water made a bit of a mess of our boats and luckily we didn't notice the "no swimming high levels of bacteria" sign until after we left We called the DCR hotline tonight and the no swimming is still up for King's beach, but Long Beach on the causeway out to Nahant is still fine so that's where we'll be tonight hopefully!!!

Oh yes, Krisbee will be returning to Forest River at tomorrow's practice session. The official tag line is "practice your boat manuevering skills while playing a fun game of frisbee!" The real game is "crash your expensive boat into other peoples expensive boats while wildly chasing after a stupid frisbee" If anyone can top me on rolling up while on the bow of another boat - I'll give you 5 bucks Hoppy I hope you come out!!! I seem to remember you ramming into my ribs last year though Plus Shaila's birthday was last weekend so if anyone wants to bring her presents she'll be there.

oh yeah i'm a real ball and chain! i would like to point out that i went to his nephew's high school graduation so he could go to rough water training last month!!!!! he did buy me a new boat though

i wish firing off flares wasn't so expensive because it was definitely a lot of fun even though it was a very serious business of testing our preparedness - having a few beers and saki corteousy of Peter also enhanced the experience - definitely get rid of the pencil flares - no fun to fire and sort of painful on the hand, although if you really need to use is, what's a little recoil burn?

BTW, How long's the line Gillian? HA! Not nearly as long as I think it should be!! Sorry we were away this weekend! Otherwise def. would have paddled . . did you get out?

CHANGE OF PLANS - Gusty Winds 20-25k and my skeg is busted (YES I USE MY SKEG IN WIND AND YOU CAN ALL KISS MY AS*) Going to Forest River, Salem MA for a little boat control practice in the wind - same time 3pm

cool, see you there!!!!!

Hello, I get out early today (yee ha!) so we're going to head out of Tucks in Manchester at 3pm sharp and spend about 2 hours playing in the rocks around House and Milk Island - maybe around Misery if time permits!

oh i forgot the avocet had an LV! agree that that boat would be a great choice . . . anyone you know have one that waterlover could try? waterlover, we have a plastic and a glass avocet that you're welcome to try at the forest river sessions, but with your height and weight an LV (Low Volume) might be the best for you

Have you guys heard any reviews of the necky eliza kayak? it's supposed to be a good choice for small paddlers and it looks really pretty, but i don't know anyone who has one. agree the best way is to come to the lake sessions and hop in other peoples boats and look for a used one!

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jul 1 2008, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Ed, We need to stop talking about this...you're giving Gillian all kind of ideas! I've earmarked the Tiffany's Catalog and the VCP Catalog at home for you - take your pick

ever see "white men can't jump"...back before wesley was getting fitted for an orange onesie? rosie perez doesn't want woody harrelson to get her a glass of water and "fix it" when she says she is thirsty....she wants him to know how that feels...to relate to the condition. she is perfectly capable of "fixing" the problem herself! ha! i wanted to slap the heck out of rosie perez for that scene! us ladies should be so lucky to have someone willingly get up and get us a glass of water!!!!! speaking for myself, i'm all about stating what i'd like, so if it's cholocate kayaks, it's honey can you please find me a chocolate kayak? (eyelashes batting and slight pout) - interestingly enough this also works for real kayaks as well!!!!! blank check trumps everything though.

Ed, I've heard of the white collision flare and red distress, but what I read seemed to indicate that green was just another color for distress. (Kevin posting under G's log in)

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jun 30 2008, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Don't let the forecast stop you... Forest River is the final spot for tonight! 6pm . . .

good point - agreed, lets get all skill levels out so ordione or pavillion would be great . . we could even do a tucks launch and go around misery . . .

sounds good to me! we can play with route and timing closer to the date . . . i haven't checked the tides, but a gerrish circumnav. might be fun too . . . pppo afterwards???

we're testing out daisy chaining our long tows with a carabiner clipped in the middle so you can do a quick release before you clip in, if you assess that you need a long tow for big swell. after yesterday we decided we needed to daisy chain a bit more to make a good medium length tow. kevin tested out the new quick release stainless steel "thingy" (i don't know what it's called) for his short tow that connects boat to boat, and that worked great. they're kind of expensive - i think maybe $40 from west marine but it's really worth it . . . kevin, what is that piece called?? i'm glad you guys had some good conditions for tow practice and fog too is a bonus!!!