kevinfre

Thanks for all the ideas so far. My preference is to do this without adding another piece of gear (despite how cool that gear might be). I may have more to say after I get through all the responses. Kevin

Been working on my ACA Level 3 this summer and I'm trying to figure out a simple short tow. Not that it's a really complicated problem, but I figured I'd ask to see what folks here use. I have a North Water tow belt so I can daisy chain it and clip in to make a shorter line. Any reason to not just stick with that? Suggestions /improvements welcomed. Thanks, Kevin

Thanks again for all the replies. I'm now the owner of a new Palm Torrent drysuit. Looking forward to using it soon! Kevin

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses. One other question - the suit is breathable, correct? Or at least the fabric is intended to be? I understand that how dry you stay has a lot to do with how many layers you have on underneath. Kevin

I've been presented with the opportunity to buy a Palm Torrent drysuit, unopened, for what seems to be a surprisingly good price. The seller is local so I can try it on first. Does anyone have experience with Palm drysuits? Anything good or bad to report? I'm looking for online reviews but haven't found much. Thanks, Kevin

Never mind, I just noticed where it says "Saturday 10:30 Am launch" in smaller, lighter font. Was that there before? Because I stared at that post for a long time, making absolutely sure the day wasn't mentioned and I wasn't going to ask a dumb question. I'd hate to think I managed to do so anyway. Kevin

Based on the tide prediction I assume this is Saturday, correct? Kevin

I might be in. Need to confirm schedule. Will post again later. Kevin Fredette

Kevin: I'm interested but I seem to have misplaced your email address. I changed to gmail awhile back and not all my contacts made it over. Can you email me at kevintfredette@gmail.com? thx, Kevin

How popular is that race? Is it the kind of thing that ties up downtown and attracts crowds of people to watch the start (or the finish)? Just wondering. Kevin

Looks like I now have other plans for Saturday. I might try initiating this trip again on a date where the tide allows a later start. Kevin

Here's a description from when I did the trip last year: We will be launching from Pavilion Beach in Ipswich, then paddling across Hay Channel to Fox Creek, where we wil paddle up Castle Neck River then out to Essex Bay and around the southern end of Crane’s Beach to the open water of Ipswich Bay. If the sand bar at the end of Castle Island, we will land there, otherwise we’ll head back into Hay Channel and return to Pavilion Beach. Although given the lack of interest so far, I may do something else. Will post again later this week. Kevin

I'd like to do a Castle Neck circumnavigation this Saturday the 23rd, since I haven't done it yet this season. High tide is 5:50 AM, so an 8:00 AM launch from Pavilion Beach should get us around the back of the island while there's still enough water (i.e. we're going counter-clockwise). This is a CAM trip, which means I'll do the beach briefing but there's no single designated leader and we make decisions as a group. I've done this route a couple of times and as long as the conditions cooperate there aren't too many opportunities for trouble (whether that's a selling point or not is up to you). However it's not a beginner trip, and you should have experience with open water paddling. This is my first time initiating a CAM trip so if any of our more experienced coaches and CAM trainers wanted to come along, you would be especially welcome. I'm personally not comfortable with more than 10-12 boats on the water, so if we attract more than that I think it would be especially good to have those people around. I'm a stickler for punctuality so I'll do the beach briefing at 7:45. Post here if interested, and please don't show up without posting. If you have safety gear that you routinely bring, please mention it (tow ropes, flares, radio etc.). I think that covers everything, but I'm sure someone will chime in if I missed something. Kevin Fredette

Very helpful, thanks again. I always appreciate the resources of this group. Kevin

Thanks for the tips. I'll either time it for slack or just use Greasy Pole. I don't have any particular attachment to the High School put in, I just figured I'd think about it as an option. If we do go there, I'll make sure people know where to park and where not to. The trip, BTW, is to go to Manchester Harbor and back. Which brings up another question: I've done the route several times, but I'm not sure about which beaches are suitable for a short break and which ones have lifeguards that will chase away kayakers. I know I've had it happen. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again, Kevin

I'm considering using the Gloucester High School put-in for an AMC trip I'm doing. Do we know if it's OK to park there on a Saturday in June? Also, as I recall there's a little bit of a rip under the small bridge on the way out of Blynman Canal. Am I remembering that right? If so, can we avoid it by going through at slack water? And is it safe to assume that the tides at the High School are about the same as the Gloucester Harbor Station reading? Any answers or other comments are appreciated. Thanks, Kevin Fredette

There's an AMC trip scheduled for June 25th focusing on on-water navigation exercises. I'm an AMC member and I plan to be there, but I don't think you have to be a member to participate. Leader is Dennis Blejer who I've paddled with a bunch of times and found to be a very helpful coach. You can search for the trip listing and contact info here: http://activities.outdoors.org/search/ Kevin Fredette

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms, here but - I'm considering getting evaluated for either a BCU 2-star or ACA Level 2 award this season. I'm mainly doing it to give myself incentive to really nail down some basic boat-handling skills. Is there any reason to do one rather than the other? I understand that if you get far enough along in the BCU system you need to go to England for the high-level evaluations, but that's a moot point since the chances of me ever progressing that far are, let's say, small. Any recommendations for local evaluators? Other angles that I'm missing? Thank you, Kevin Fredette

The 15th looks good for me. The 29th is of course Memorial Day weekend but I think I'll be in town so that should be OK as well. Kevin Fredette

Bummer - I was totally unaware that these classes even happened last year, so i was really hoping to make it this time, but I'm already busy that day. Is it OK to do the on-water sessions if you didn't do the classroom stuff? There's a realistic chance that I might initiate a trip this year, but doing these activities would make me feel better about it. Thanks, Kevin Fredette

I'd like to go, conditions permitting. Kevin

That actually works better for me, so I'm still interested. Kevin

I'd like to go, but I'd also like to check the forecast late Saturday. If it stays about the same, I'm in. Kevin

FYI, I mailed in an order form and check for a few NSPN stickers this week. Obviously I don't have an urgent sticker need. Just thought I'd mention it since I don't know who checks that PO box or how often. Thanks, Kevin