bazzert

Nice! Thanks.

A similar report was done for Maine "Paddle Sport fatalities 2000 - 2007" During 2000--2007, a total of 38 paddle sports fatalities in 37 incidents were identified in Maine. Twenty-nine (76%) of the decedents were Maine residents; eight were residents of other states, and one was a resident of another country. Paddle sports fatalities amounted to 46% of the 82 total boating deaths during this period in Maine (Figure). Twenty-two (58%) of the 38 deaths were associated with canoes, 12 (32%) with kayaks, and four (10%) with rafts (Table) Also from the Editorial Note: In the United States, during 1999--2006, the percentage of adults using PFDs was estimated at 9% for all vessels, 23% for canoes, and 85% for kayaks (3). In Maine, PFD use in paddle sports is mandated only for children aged <10 years, and noncompliance results in a $50 fine (4).†Increased use of PFDs might be encouraged by education, enforcement, and incentives, such as programs that loan PFDs to paddle sports participants at a minimal charge or for free (5). You can imagine the psychological effect of this legislation ... "no you dont need to wear your pfd, they're only required for kayakers"

From Senator O'Leary's website "Kayaking is deceptively dangerous" presumably unlike all those other water sports including canoeing, wind surfing, kite surfing, fishing from piers, observing winter storms etc. etc. etc. Unbelievable!

It looks like it was cancelled for all but the "elite" paddlers class, so I am guessing that Leon did not get to paddle (although he would have been well able for it!) I liked one of the comments in the live commentary ... "It'll suit some of the US guys from the northern states maybe... " Barry.

Laurie demonstrated this when we were hit by a sudden and strong wind gust on the beam; he took it down with one hand in about 2 seconds. He has a neat sleeve on the foredeck into which the whole assembly slides. I was also impressed with the range of points of sail it supports, almost up to close hauled. He stressed the importance of having a deck cleat to cleat off the main line for sail position (main sheet on a sail boat) so that you dont have to tend it and can continue to paddle; this would suggest the possibility of using a stern rudder stroke to maintain direction.

I was wondering where the sunshine was coming from.

This was a great trip combining excellent company, stunning Maine scenery and some exciting conditions. I joined Gary, Roger, Laurie and Ellie for the saturday paddle around Southport. The forecast called for strong northerly winds so Roger made the call to head north first to avoid the slog up the exposed side of Southport. Laurie and Ellie wanted to scout out the MITA islands in the sheepscott to stay on on Saturday night. If you get a chance to spend some time with them, do it; I'd love to have had more time to hear the stories. Check out their website, especially the kayak sailing videos. We landed first on Ram island, a really nice MITA maintained island which would make a great camping spot on a future trip. We parted way here with Laurie and Ellie and continued accross the sheepscott to just north of MacMahan island. By now the wind had stiffened from the north west but the conditions were mild. Laurie demonstrated the versatility of the sailing rig by easily catching us (despite a 15 minute lead) on a beam reach. We continued on the inside of MacMahan, past Gotts cove and on to Five Islands where we stopped for a very welcome lobster roll. From here we set a bearing for Lower mark island for the approximately 3 mile crossing to the tip of South port. The wind had strenghened and we barely had to paddle to achieve 4 knots. But I had a sense of foreboding that as the fetched lenghtened we would be dealing with some significant seas. Sure enough within a mile we were in the thick of it, surfing down the following waves, mostly stern ruddering to stay on course. Roger, in his beautiful strip built night heron, was thoroughly enjoying himself. A porpoise made a brief appearance and surfed down a couple of waves with us, as if to say "dont worry, look at me!". We decided to change course and get closer to the Southport shore, but there was only brief respites in a couple of coves before we made the left turn at the tip of Southport into the mill pond like conditions in the lee. We landed at a small island there to catch our breath and contemplate the impressive conditions on the Sheepscott. From there it was an easy couple of miles north back to Gray's. The total distance was ~ 16 miles; my GPS shows that at some point we hit 7.5 knots while our moving average was 3+ knots. Pictures and chart here. Barry.

Here's the track . Although our overall moving average was low, in terms of distance we did > 65% of the 12.5 miles at 3.5+ knots. Nice fall day, and no better place to spend it. Barry.

Me too. What time and where exactly is the put in ? Barry.

Strangely, the beach and bath house area at Sandy Beach is completely fenced off. Not sure why, but it looks like there may be some planned construction there as well.. You may have to launch at one of the little parking areas (just dont park facing out, you may get some unwelcome attention :-) Barry.

Hi Gary, I am planning to make it for the Saturday paddle around Southport. I checked with Gray's and can park and launch for a small fee. thanks, Barry.

Thanks Peter, See you sunday, Barry.

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Sep 18 2009, 07:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Planning on departing from the Willows on a one way trip as far around Cape Ann as possible tomorrow. Mileage will vary. If anyone is interested, we could drop off a car somewhere along the route for the ride back. Post, email or PM interest. If you come along, expect that rock play will be on the agenda so progress may be slow going at times. I'm interested. What time do you plan to launch ? Barry.

Dont get me wrong, I had a wonderful day! A beach briefing is CAM 101, as I recall we had 4 (or was it 5?) of the 9 at the beach briefing. IMO its the individual's responsibility to participate in the briefing and not rely on being called to it. If you are skirted in and paddling through the surf and have not been in a briefing you have to ask the question "what happened to the briefing?". my 2 cents. Barry.

Ernie, I presume you are talking about Sunday. A beach briefing attended by EVERYONE would have been a good start ! Barry.

Ern, I had posted this on another thread. Total distance was 14 miles. And for the record we continued around Marblehead neck to extend the day and mileage a little not because we were afraid of a little surf Getting in close to the rocks on that side with Kevin and Scott was really awe inspiring. Barry

See you at 11. Barry.

Hi Gene: I'm interested! Barry.

Here's Adams post where he mentions parking at West Beach.

I feel like a bad host Honest, there are places you can paddle in MA! Another option in that area would be to put in at Magnolia and find parking on shore rd. I think Al Coons paddled here a few weeks ago (Al, how did it work out?). From there its about 3 or 4 miles to the Misery islands. Barry.

Tucks point is residents only; there was a thread earlier in the summer on it. Dont know if they relax this after labor day ? Manchester harbor has a small number of non resident parking spots but might be a difficult launch at low tide. West beach, Beverly might also be an option post labor day. Barry.

I had paddled this area the previous week with a friend. I had found this neat google maps mashup of launch sites (published by Kayak Excursions of Kennebunkport) in the area. Should be particularly useful post labor day when there should be less contention for parking etc. Barry.

Using a red or green light at night could be confusing to other vessels.

I'm a maybe, will confirm in the morning. Barry.

Hi Al, I have even found parking on shore road which is adjacent to the put-in. I believe (true as of last year) that you can park on fuller and other streets in the area. Barry.