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Looks like both Kevin and I will have to miss tomorrow's session. T-storms are possible, so people who attend should watch for them. Bob

West Marine moved across the street (the 'street' being Rt 128!). Going North on 128, take Washington St exit, and turn left (same as before). Instead of suicidal left into the old West Marine parking lot, continue driving over 128 and take left at first major intersection, continue down hill through lights. West Marine is on the left about a quarter mile down. It is across the street from the Marketbasket plaza, next to or near the Petco. Bob

I have more information from the organizers. PM me if interested. Thanks. Bob

I plan to attend. Bob

I plan to attend. Bob

I plan to be at the Willows around 5-5:30. - Bob

Hey Rob, I'm in. Thanks for organizing. Bob

Hi Pru, Yes. I was tentatively planning on getting to Ordiorne tomorrow. We'll get some practice in. Bob

I plan to be there, but could be canceled due to T-storms. See calendar for details. Bob

SALEM SOUND SWIM AND FIN RACE: http://www.swimandfin.org/ About 17 kayakers with experience are needed for 15 course positions and 2 reserves. Kayakers will be expected to: 1. patrol a zone 2. identify tired, distressed or disabled swimmers 3. signal a rescue boat 4. offer the swimmer support 5. carry and use a hand-held radio (we may have a _limited_ number of radios available but kayakers with their own radios are best) The safety operations are much more organized this year and we will be having a dress rehearsal on Saturday August 20th at 4 pm and race day is Sat Aug 27th in the late morning. We can couple the dress rehearsal to a paddle. PM me if interested, and I can give more details. Proceeds to benefit Salem Sound Coast Watch. Bob

Hi Bill, Kevin can give more details, but parking is generally available at the Willows near the tennis courts. The best (virtually tide-independent) put-in is in the cove next to the fishing pier. I think you can park at the end of the arcade area to carry the boat over to the put-in; and then move the car. I plan on being there this evening. Bob

Lisa, Never saw the wreck exposed like that. Thanks for the picture and history. Hope to get out soon with you, Leon, and the rest of the Tucks gang.... Bob

Welcome to NSPN! The guidelines for an L2 trip are under http://www.nspn.org/paddle_levels.htm L2 winds to 10 knots and wave heights to 1ft. For today, it looks like winds to 15 knots and wind gusts to 20 knots so no L2 trips into harbor. Wave heights are 1ft. http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/boxMarineDay.php#tabs If you can make it, there is plenty to do at the Willows beach. Bob

The 5th NSSS (North Shore Skills Session) will be held at Salem Willows, Friday, June 3, around 5:30. Please see the calendar for details. http://www.nspn.org/...nt&event_id=749 Depending on interest, we may have a short L2 trip in order to practice on the move. For the Willows, wheels for kayak transport are recommended.

Doug, Thanks for posting this. There is a tendency to say 'I can always bail if it gets bad', but once on the water it seems that decision is often delayed, or I make for landings that are too far. Bob

I plan to attend. Bob

Gary, Thanks for the pictures. Number 17 from this set and 20 from the previous are among the 'eye-grabbers'. Bob

Interesting book. The 'familiarity heuristic' is often at-play in paddling. We are in areas that are very familiar, with paddlers that we have safely paddled with many times. It is easy to get lulled into an acceptance of the situation by either circumstance. The article mentions the 'consistency heuristic', the tendency to stick to a plan despite looming dangers. If I recall correctly, the tragic paddle in Anglesey started with a declaration that it was too dangerous to proceed, so the trip was canceled. However, they had this plan, people had traveled to the put-in, so it was declared to be a 'non-club' trip. The 'consistency heuristic' may have been part of the tragic decision to launch. Thanks for posting the link. Bob

Please RSVP here I plan to attend. Thanks. Bob

It occurred to me during the CAM session that simple rescue rules could be reviewed quickly with the group during the beach briefing. Many assisted rescues require active participation of the swimmer. For example, a very elegant contact tow has the swimmer grabbing the toggles of the rescuer's and swimmer's boats simultaneously for a quick pull out of rocks. Sometimes that can be aided by a regular tow by another paddler on the rescuer's boat after the initial pull out (but still too close to rocks for a T-rescue). This is a great rescue, but if the swimmer does not understand the procedure it is not possible. There are other examples as well: If you are separated from your boat grab the bow or stern of the rescuer's boat as he/she comes in and signals the appropriate time. We will get the boat later or it will be rescued by another paddler. Sometimes the background noise and general chaos of the situation makes it difficult to communicate these things at the time of the event. Simple few sentences on some of these principles on the beach would also raise everyone's awareness of safety and rescues. Another question: Is there a universal 'I'm in Trouble!' signal? Is it to raise and swing the paddle? Use the whistle? Should that not be defined during the beach briefing? Bob

Rick, Ernie shared his copy with the Board a few weeks ago. I think this article is absolutely relevant to CAM and our activities on the water. The mistakes were astounding. Safety equipment (presumably more tow lines, radios?) left in cars? "General Purpose" kayaks (does he mean recreation?) in those conditions? A single leader torn between the raft and a solitary separating paddler (Dennis suggests at least two qualified leaders on a trip like this). Presumably no radio or attempts at radio contact to shore. They assumed that the separated paddler had simply landed elsewhere - so delayed in the appropriate communication to the authorities (even after the raft had landed). It looks like a full scale rescue attempt was delayed by three hours. Dennis assumes that the casualty was lost because of a broken skeg, and points out that equipment should be checked before the trip. I guess with a functional skeg she would not have separated, but as conditions worsen separation is very possible unless explicit measures are taken to avoid it. Dennis' concluding remark is that the cascade of errors started with the choice of a paddling location inappropriate for the skill level of the group (presumably the weakest paddler). This is a very sobering and depressing article - especially the possibility that the woman may have been rescued if they had contacted authorities with the appropriate degree of concern immediately upon landing. Thanks for mentioning this article. All kayakers should read it. Bob PS. Dennis suggests tethering oneself to the kayak if conditions worsen and you fear being tossed. This will increase the chances for being seen by rescuers.

I would like to thank Rick S., Paul, and Scott for leading out group. The trip was an excellent opportunity to try rescues, towing techniques, and CAM principles in reasonable conditions. Rick kept us moving along and well organized toward the goal of having everyone on the pod gain in experience. Paul was excellent as a 'hypothermic paddler', and later as a willing HOG victim. Scott also made sure everyone participated in the rescues. Looking forward to the next session! Bob

Doug, Thanks for the pictures, and to Gene for calling it. Great trip everyone! Bob