rylevine

Gene, Blaine and I left Dead Horse Beach (no kidding) in Salem Willows at 11:00 to Childrens. Oppressively hot as we were dressed for water, not the air, so we were all rolling by Childrens. Very little wind, and perhaps 1' waves. Started towards Bakers in search of some surface energy in order to practice rescues in realistic ocean situations. Weather improved by the time we got to Bakers and waves more evident. Went around the east side of Bakers (a lot different this time than at the solstice paddle!) and found some really nice rock play and maybe 2-3' swells. Rock play continued at Misery, and we started the rescues after lunch. The decision was to continue south along the coast instead of cutting across the sound, which was fortunate as a heavy haze filled the harbor. The power plant stacks disappeared. The wave action improved south of Misery, and we periodically stopped along the trip to try rescues....particularly when waves seems heavier. All-in-all, we had rolls, multiple T-rescues, Cowboy, re-enter and roll, assisted Cowboy, and a tow off the rocks. Even with only ~2' waves, certain rescues became more difficult, particularly the Cowboy and re-enter and roll (not surprising those are the self-rescues). The rock play along the Manchester/Beverly coast was actually not bad. The haze started to lift and blow into shore, creating beautiful ghostly images (and of course me without a camera). We were able to cross at Lynch park, and actually caught some nice wave action there for some more rolls. The return to Dead Horse Beach was about 5:00, where we discovered the Willows in full swing with picnics and music. We had a great time ---- an excellent paddle, and an opportunity to kick up the skills a notch. Now that the water is warm, it would be great to couple paddles with ocean rescue practice more often. Bob

What a difference a few hours can make! We are on with the original plan. 11:00 Salem Willows: Parking by the tennis courts. Put-in at the small sandy beach to the right as you face out onto the pier (facing Beverly). (Because of difficulties with Tuck's Point I checked the Willows web site which clearly states 'free parking' ..... three cheers for the 'Peoples' Republic of Salem'!) This will be a somewhat evolving plan depending on participants' interest. However, we will paddle first to Children's for ocean rescue practice, then snack, and then continue to Misery. We can either return south along the shore and cross the Danvers river to the Willows, or cut across to Coney island and then to the Willows. Hope to be back around 4-5. The pace will be leasurely. If we are running late, we may shorten paddles distances by visiting closer islands instead of Misery. Bob ps. David, thanks for that web site of inner coastal conditions. Very useful.

Gene and Blaine, The weather forecast for Salem, MA has all the storms moving out by the afternoon and 10mph SW winds which seem to be very reasonable conditions, however the Coastal Waters Forecast is a small craft advisory and S WINDS 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 4 TO 6 FT. SHOWERS LIKELY WITH A CHANCE OF TSTMS IN THE MORNING. SOME TSTMS MAY PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE MORNING WITH VSBY 1 TO 3 NM. I'm keen to avoid having our practice rescue morph into a real rescue. We can always stay in the harbors (Salem and/or Marblehead) if it looks too rough....or we can postpone 24 hours until Sunday. Either option is fine with me. I'll check the weather and any other postings early tomorrow morning. Thanks. Bob

Al, Thanks. I had forgotten. We can snack on Coney or Misery. Of course, rafting up to eat is itself a skill, although people would probably want to stretch their legs eventually. By the way, the Misery Islands may cost a $5 to land unless you are a member of the Trustees of the Reservation. Bob

Would like to combine a trip with some rescue practice, depending on interest..... Here is a tentative plan: Trip out of Salem Harbor or Willows starting at 11:00 around Salem Sound. L3 and CAM style - everyone stays together. Have one other paddler so far, but would like more. Tentative Time: 11:00 am. From either Salem Harbor (email me for location rylevine at comcast dot net) or the Willows if there is more than one more. Paddle to Children's Island. Rolling and Rescue practice off Children's away from boat lanes, close to island, but still in ocean conditions. Snack at Children's North beach; and then to other Salem Sound Islands (Tinkers to the South or Coney and/or Misery to the North depending on conditions and participants' interests). Children's chosen because it is outside of boat traffic and still relatively close to put-in. Coney is another possibility, but has fewer landing options. Would like to be back by 4 or so, but am flexible. Will have more definite plan by launch. Bob

Marc, Was there at 5:30 last night, but seemed to have missed everyone. Practiced some rolls and rock play (in almost negligible swells) for onlookers, then demonstrated a messed up kayak exit on the beach (gosh, I hate that!). The evening was so beautiful, I decided on a quick trip to Coney and ledges, and then over to Marblehead to witness the fire close up. Quite a show. The smoke reached clear across to Beverly and beyond. I hope nobody was hurt. As to Woods Hole, I'm interested for next Saturday or whenever you post it as a trip. Will be asking about parking down there since I've never tried that area before. I did paddle around Onset a year ago - very nice water. Bob

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jul 10 2009, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hey All, We'll be at the Salem Willows again this week due to the tides. Please feel free to come down and join us. When you arrive at the parking lot, drive to the ocean end (eventually blocked by a gate) and drop boats there. We have kayak wheels or bring your own. See you there! Kevin, Will try to get there....with the usual caveat related to traffic. Thanks. Bob

Great paddle to celebrate the Fourth (and finally some sunshine!). Doug, thanks for the pictures. Bob

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jul 1 2009, 11:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good question...drive to the end of the lot and dump boats at the gate. We'll have kayak wheels with us or bring your own Same time... Kevin, I'm planning to attend tomorrow. Thanks. Bob

Kayak on the car. Will be heading over soon. Will try not to get lost in Marblehead! Bob

Just to clarify: Only L2+ (destination Salem Willows) and L3 Solstice paddlers will cross Ferry route. Bob

Salem Ferry is a great ride to and from Boston, but it is deceptively fast. Also there are some blind spots for paddlers, particularly as it rounds Marblehead on the Salem to Boston run. This is the link to the schedule. http://www.salemferry.com/schedule.shtml Bob

Looks like a great trip. I'm tentatively in, and will RSVP directly to your email address towards the end of the week. Bob

I'm out. Afternoon was best for me, but gale warning is not my thing. Have fun everyone. Bob

Rick- I'm tentatively in. Thanks. Bob

OK. See you all next week. Bob

Will try to make it....traffic and weather permitting. Bob

Not that it is relevant in Gene's case: but what about diminished capacity, such as known to occur due to hypothermia but could also be caused by extreme exhaustion or some other condition? You may not be aware of the paddler's condition, and the entire sea kayaking enterprise is very intense. That is why we paddle as a group. As a group, we should give members the benefit of the doubt and arrange for their safe return even if it costs someone a few hours of paddling. There is always next weekend. Bob

Will try to be there. Are directions to Lake Gardner put-in posted anywhere? Bob

I'm new to active paddling with the NSPN. I have paddled all over Salem sound alone for some years now without mishap, but have become aware that it is dangerous. My suggestion would be that on NSPN trips nobody ever paddles alone. If an individual has to leave, then somebody in the group takes the initiative to leave with that person. If the intent is to return to the group, then two people leave with the individual so that a pair returns to the group. This is burdensome, but I think it should be part of the cost of group paddling which afterall has a lot of benefits. Bob

Has anyone tried inflatable PFDs? They are supposed to be more comfortable, although more expensive. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/082000c.htm Bob

Effective PFDs are very inexpensive, making these accidents even more senseless. The problem is that people simply do not recognize the hazard - despite the numerous well-reported tragedies. It has only been in recent years that the dangers of the 'gasp reflex' have been reported, and even poor swimmers do not wear PFDs on the water. Enforced aggressive ticketing and general conciousness raising PR may be the only solution, but it would take time (like seat belts and smoking). Bob

At least the children had PFDs. Maybe PFDs should be made available to borrow for free at local police stations? Bob

Great trip. Thanks to David, Peter, Rick and others who provided excellent skills instruction. Would really like to do this more often; maybe in progressively rougher seas and/or during breaks in normal paddling trips. Bob