hopefloats

Thanks! we're new and will definately be on the look-out for more mixer opportunities! My husband can't make this one, I might be able to visit the BBQ alone this time, but we both are looking forward to meeting you all! ......and WE LOVE CAMPING!....

How often do these potlucks-in-mass happen? Are there any later in the summer, like August? I heard rumors of potluck camping & kayaking weekends, and x-mas parties also... or is this the major one? Heidi

Thank you so much Gillian! I've worked out a little time to sneak to REI today after work for dry bags and nose clips...and maybe a dry top. I'll let you know if I can't find them there. The problem we've been running into involves the fact that currently only Matt has a vehicle that accommodates the kayaks, and with his injuries, he hasn't been cleared to drive my car yet.. But based on all these supportive posts, Matt just swapped hours with his coworker for thursday so that I wont have to miss it & I'll have one of our own kayaks, so nobody needs to bother with an extra one. Thanks everyone! See you thursday! Heidi

Thats what I've been told (pounding on the boat helps)... At last week's session the semi-joke/deal was that they would hold my keys hostage next time (didn't have a small drybag yet, so Rick was stowing them for me) until I did one. I figured it'd be a good bargain since it might be warmer this week rather than last... Regarding the duct tape, based on my hips being disproportionate to the width of the opening (I'm sure I'm spacing on the technical term!) of the boat that was generously offered to me, I was already worried about experiencing that same Hoodini Act! Another reason I was bargaining! (sp?) Definately need to aquire nose clips before then! lol! 'Paying close attention to all the posts about kayaks for tall/larger folks...! Might upgrade by the end of the year. If Rick's not coming with a wider boat this week, anyone else have one and feel like treking it there thursday? Otherwise, don't worry about it, I might focus on looking into a used car that can carry my kayak this week and catch up with everyone next week... OY! -- Takes a while to really get rollin' huh? (no pun intended!)

You were thinking of bringing an extra wider boat for me to try out in the future. Can you do that next week (22nd)? P.S. - Does this mean I get out of the wet exit?! Heidi

I'm a newbie coming... Heidi

I'll be there! Looking forward to it! Heidi

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone in the club who have been incredibly helpful in our first 2 weeks of being members! Everyone we've encountered in this club has been extremely knowledgable, friendly, generous with their time and immediately willing to take us under their collective wing to be sure we have an enjoyable, safe and effective learning experience. Thanks for all the invaluable advice to help us start out on the right feet and sparing us having to learn some things the hard way! Benefiting from other's 20-20 hindsight is an amazing part of this club. We just got our wetsuits! Hope to see you out on the water soon! (lake sessions & classes for now) Its quickly just becoming only a matter of scheduling!.... Sincerely, Heidi Hall

I'm interested (even though I may not have alot to share experience-wise), and torn... I was going to visit the mystic lake group tomorrow to see what their lake session was like, w/o equipment -- just to watch. However I work practically around the block from you, and I would love to meet some more of you and hear about your experiences. Plus maybe my being a graphic designer could come in handy somehow down the road. Boy, you guys all have so much interesting stuff going on you're making my head spin!!! Heidi Hall

Wow - thanks! I think my dinosaur of a computer at work must be missing a plugin for that gmail map, but the directions on the "favorite put-ins" page and the mdc visual aids ought to get me there! Can't wait for my wetsuit to get here!!! Heidi Hall

I am definately a beginner and definately interested, but I am waiting for a wet suit to come in the mail (thanks all for your advice!)... As soon as I have that I'll be trying to arrange to come to these tuesday (mystic) and thursday (chebacco) sessions. Do you have easy directions to the Mystic put in? I'll be coming from Malden or Salem...probably 93. I might come by this tuesday without gear just to see what its like... Thanks so much! Heidi Hall

Thank you guys! Not only am I getting terrific advice, but your posts are very entertaining! What a great group of people! We are definately planning on heading to NESC craft this weekend, along with North Shore Kayak in Rockport (they carry the afore mentioned NRS wet suit)...maybe we'll bump into some of you... Thanks again! Heidi

Now my husband is wondering if I can make due with our exhisting "bulky canoe pfd" or if I need something special to learn rolls with. I was hoping I could get away with what we have so far to spread out the cost of things a little, but he makes the point that If we're trying to go shopping this weekend so I'm ready for the Karen Knight class, it be good to know if what we have might put me at a learning disadvantage. I liked the one I've recently seen Kevin B wearing at a pool session, but wouldn't know what to ask or look for... Thanks Again for all your support! Heidi

LOL! What a wealth of knowledge!!! Thank you so much for helping me making a informed decision! I think the NRS Ultra Jane sleeveless with relief zip & a long sleeve hydro shirt is the way to go! I wish I had had the foresight to join & learn from the messageboards before buying the Kayak itself! Looking forward to meeting you all on the water in the near future! Thanks again! Heidi

I'm interested in buying a wetsuit. I want to get something that I'll get the most mileage out of this year. There are two that I think will fit me (2 different retailers). One has long sleeves and one has no sleeves (but does have a "relief zipper"). I'm a beginner and want to start taking classes and going to lake sessions as soon as possible, & don't want to freeze when learning rolls, etc. I can see how a shortie would prevent excessive sweating under a spray skirt, but I would think I wouldn't like that for wet exits right away. When it really does get warm, I'm thinking I may do without a wet suit this year. So I guess I'm thinking a full size one for the colder water, but not sure about the sleeves. Which would be the best investment for now? Appreciate your help! Heidi

I must not be seeing the icon next to the name in the post from the calendar. Is it possible that the set up appears differently or things are missing if you're on a mac? P.S. Thanks to the previous "post-er" (I think it said Suzanne?) for typing her email into her reply for me....

I'm a new member and a beginner (as is my husband, See my earlier post) and I'm very interested in this class. However, I have a family graduation in the 17th. I was wondering if it would be ok to sign up for the second day only on the 18th, or if it's really best to do the first day if you can only make one. If I can do the second day, how should I sign up? Cathy said to contact her to verify that I will soon have a membership card... Heidi Hall

My husband Matthew and I have just mailed the forms and a check for a family membership to be a part of your network this year. We are both beginners; we bought each other sea kayaks last July as wedding gifts for each other. Due to some sickness this year, we haven't really broken them in, and with a new (healthier) summer approaching, we're looking for some training, and a social circle of other couples interested in kayaking to help get us started. My husband has stronger swimming and canoeing skills than I do, but also has a little more healing to do, so I am interested in learning what I can in the meantime to be ready when he is. We recently bought a new truck and don't yet have the proper racks to transport our kayaks (what we had for the old Jeep no longer works), but I was wondering if I could come and watch the Beverly YMCA training, and start to get to know some of you as we wait for our membership cards? Heidi