rylevine

SALEM SOUND SWIM AND FIN RACE: http://www.swimandfin.org/ Safety kayakers are needed to monitor swimming races in Salem Harbor. NSPN has a tradition of providing volunteers for this event. We will also have a table at Forest River Park in Salem to introduce NSPN and provide brochures on kayaking safety. Volunteers needed to greet people at the NSPN table as well. Safety kayakers activities include: 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) If sufficient interest, we may follow-up the event with an afternoon paddle in Salem Sound. Details on meeting place and time to follow, but the races start at 11:30. RSVP here or PM me if interested. Proceeds to benefit Salem Sound Coast Watch. Bob

Congratulations Sid!

Hi Ed, What I meant by "swept" is that, by edging towards the paddle, the edge of the stern is moving on the water with the sideways motion rather than "pinning" or diving into the water. You can think of the stern as a laying sideways and sweeping the water, although in reality that would be an extreme edging angle. We motivate the edging for bow rudder, stern draw, stern pry and etc by thinking about sweeping the stern. However, having said that, if I understand it correctly, low brace turns have the edge "pinning" the stern. I think in that case you are going to an extreme edge so these sweeping effects may be less important. I agree with you and Christopher's suggestions to experiment with the boat in different circumstances. Bob

I've heard both. However, if you are edging toward the paddle (deck facing the paddle), the stern is being swept on the water if the boat is moving sidewards as it should. Actually the bow is also being swept. I tried both directions with my Explorer at the currents workshop, and found that edging toward the paddle was more efficient.

Eight of us left Riverhead at about 10:30. Overcast, humid and warm with flat sea; so excitement was provided by navigating the harbor through boat traffic, some sort of cannon shot reenactment at Marblehead pier, and preliminaries for a similar military parade at Fort Sewall. After brief H2O orienteering and strokes exercises, took a break at Brown's Island. Met up with Leon at Brown's while he was taking a break from Blackburn training out of Manchester. We all rounded the tip of Marblehead, only light chop of the day, and proceeded to Naugus Head for more orienteering (eg, bearing to Coney Island and etc). We then proceeded down the Marblehead coast in Salem harbor to Stramski Park for lunch and some more strokes practice. Lunch at the Stramski picnic tables was very relaxing, and as we were launching noticed the Fame ship in the harbor. This replica privateer from the War of 1812, which provides tours out of Salem, looked reachable, so we paddled out to meet it. The lucky tourists not only got a tour of Salem Sound in an 1812 privateer, but were also greeted by a flotilla of happy NSPN paddlers! We returned to Naugus head, and then decided to visit Coney Island via the pinched point in the channel defined by the adjacent red and green buoys. Coney was full of birds, nesting Cormorants, sea gulls, Canadian geese, and a pair of American Oystercatchers (http://en.wikipedia....n_Oystercatcher). After watching the Salem ferry head for Boston, we crossed the channel again to Marblehead and continued with a relaxing paddle back to Riverhead. On the way back we were serenaded by the above-mentioned military band as we passed Fort Sewall. Off the water by around 4:00. Thanks to all the participants for coming out yesterday. It was an excellent paddle! Bob

Looking forward to tomorrow's paddle. Conditions during the day are very calm, but there is the possibility of late afternoon T-storms. See NOAA web site: http://graphical.wea...ineDay.php#tabs So we will need to keep an eye on the time (and the sky). Bob

Will check conditions in the early am, but don't anticipate change of plans. Try to get there by 10:00am or before. BIB 10:30am. See everyone at Riverhead! - Bob

Hi Pru, The sign at Riverhead (left side from Salem) said that a permit is required and check at the attendant shed. The sign looks recent, so may not have been there for the CAM session (when I was last at Riverhead). I checked at the (right side) Devereux gate, and nobody was there to ask so I called the rec department. I think my question was quite explicit to the town employee that I spoke to; and he said that the fee was required to park at Riverhead. The right side is Devereux beach parking for which there is a fee for non-residential parking - at least if an attendant is at the gate. Perhaps it is not enforced for Riverhead? Bob

Looks like a hot day on Saturday. More information: LT 9:05am HT 2:57pm 1ft waves, <10 knot SW wind Possible late afternoon T-storms conditions: http://graphical.wea...ineDay.php#tabs Parking: I called Marblehead Town Office, after checking out the sign at put-in. Looks like $10 nonresident parking fee is in effect for Riverhead side of street. Bob

This is the postponed L2/L2+ paddle from last month: Rescheduled for July 7th. Leave Riverhead in Marblehead to Brown's Island, BIB 10:30am, round Marblehead tip, and head for Salem along coast. At Naugus Head make decision about crossing harbor to Winter Island, depending on conditions and preferences of group. If we take that route, then put-in at Willows for lunch, otherwise continue down Marblehead coast to Forest River Park for lunch. After lunch, if interest and time, could visit Friendship in Salem via coasts to long wharf. Total distance 7-7.5 miles. At two knots expect paddle times of about 3 hours + 2 hours for lunch and exploring coasts - about 5 hours total. Should be back by around 3:30. This is an L2+ trip so wet exit capability is required. L3/4 paddlers desperate to leave gel coat behind on Marblehead/Brown's ledges will be tolerated. If interest, there will also be rudimentary H2O orienteering sessions - where are we? and where are we going? exercises. Please RSVP if attending. Post here or PM to me. Bob

See you there! - Bob

Solstice Party Party Paddle Level 2 Saturday, June 23 Beach Briefing 10:00 Launch 10:30 Meet at Riverhead Beach in Marblehead, 10:00 for beach briefing, and a 10:30 launch: we will initially meet, and probably launch with the L2+ group. We will proceed to the mouth of Marblehead Harbor and , depending on the weather, group size and preferences , continue around Marblehead tip to Salem Harbor. Likely areas for lunch include beaches along Marblehead coast. L2 is for people who prefer to stay in the protected areas around Marblehead and Salem Harbors. Wet exit capability is required. Conditions for an NSPN L2 trip are summarized at http://www.nspn.org/paddle_levels.htm. We'll return to Riverhead Beach by 3pm , to get our boats squared away and get changed for the grand potluck under the pavilion at Devereaux Beach. Devereaux beach is just across the road from Riverhead Beach. Please post interest here, and PM either Bob Levine or Blaine Bjornstad if you have questions about the trip. Looking forward to seeing you!

I also would like to thank Rick C, Scott, Peter and CAM committee members, for organizing CAM this year. These are excellent training sessions, either for first-timers or as a refresher course. Thanks also to the additional guides (Lorrie, Phil, Galen) on Sunday's trip. Bob

Hi Connor, Salem Rec Department offers rolling classes at the Forest River pool starting August 4th. I'm not sure what the residency requirements are, but some years ago I took Intro to Kayaking there with friends who were not Salem residents. The calendar is at the site: http://www.salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_RecCal/?FormID=158&Date=20120802&calView=0 Bob

It is disappointing but I think we should postpone. Salem and Marblehead harbors are manageable but we would have to run a gauntlet outside of the shelter of Marblehead neck - which may be showing 6ft waves. Also, while the local forecast is pushing the T-storm threat to the evening, the NOAA site is still showing them all afternoon. Finally, gusts at ~25mph most of the day. Heavy rains all day as well. Bob

Weather forecast not improving. Wind and waves beyond L2+. Possible thunderstorms. Paddle likely postponed at this point. Check here Friday afternoon. http://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/massachusettsMarineDay.php#tabs http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/01970 Bob

Hi Bob, Saturday, June 2nd. Bob

Warm-up for Solstice Paddle: Leave Riverhead in Marblehead to Brown's Island, BIB 10:30am, round Marblehead tip, and head for Salem along coast. At Naugus Head make decision about crossing harbor to Winter Island, depending on conditions and preferences of group. If we take that route, then put-in at Willows for lunch, otherwise continue down Marblehead coast to Forest River Park for lunch. After lunch, if interest and time, could visit Friendship in Salem via coasts to long wharf. Total distance 7-7.5 miles. At two knots expect paddle times of about 3 hours + 2 hours for lunch and exploring coasts - about 5 hours total. Should be back by around 3:30. This is an L2+ trip so wet exit capability is required. L3/4 paddlers desperate to leave gel coat behind on Marblehead/Brown's ledges will be tolerated. If interest, there will also be rudimentary H2O orienteering sessions - where are we? and where are we going? exercises. Please RSVP if attending. Post here or PM to me. Bob

Congratulations to Peter, Phil, David, and any other NSPN member in the 4* assessment group. It was a pleasure to be a "tea-bag" this weekend, and to meet other paddlers from Canada, NY, and CT. (David, thanks for the pointers on the forward stroke.) Great job everyone! Bob

Hi Pru, The kayak is a little lighter without the hatch covers, easier to wash after paddle, easier to treat with 303, hatch covers go into the basement between paddles so less exposure, less likely to forget about outside/inside pressure differential (mostly for pool sessions).....no major reason. Force of habit? Bob

My approach to this is to chain a longer line to about 2" so if necessary I have a longer contact tow to make it easier to paddle with a boat close, less banging about, etc. One thing I have played with is using the contact tow as a way to secure a paddle during a rescue. Just clip tow on itself after around shaft. Not much help for a GP. I would be interested in how useful you find it if you play with it some time.. Hi Ed, Yes. We've also been thinking about securing paddles. I had a velcro strip on an earlier short tow line, but found that it was complicating the t-rescues. Blaine mentioned the possibility a velcro strip off the spray skirt. Last year, I threaded wood balls through the far deck line for the front of the paddle to slip under, and then secure the back of the paddle through a bungie. That works well for my paddle, but I found that I have to use the deck line on the other side for the swimmer's paddle because the line is too tight - and that sort of interferes with my spare GP (on the front deck), especially if the swimmer's paddle has a large feather angle.....the complications! Will try using the short tow for the paddles. Thanks. Bob

Phil, I agree that the toggle tow is not the best, but to help someone into their boat you have to raft up. As you point out, that may be a less safe choice with breaking swells close to rocks. An alternative is that if the swimmer is OK, he/she can swim out or ride out on another paddler's boat (while a third retrieves the empty kayak). That would require a third paddler - which you are certainly welcome to be the next time! I'll try to at least post a show-and-go next time. Thanks. Bob

Went out yesterday with Blaine for a impromptu pre-CAM rock play and practice session from Forest River to Children's Island. Expecting to do some H2O orienteering, but fog lifted. Not a pleasant weather day - cloudy and 50 degrees, but winds were a moderate 10 mph from the east, so it was easy to find on-shore conditions. 1-3 foot chop with 3 foot swells. First checked out an excellent rock garden off Marblehead that I discovered last week in a mini-Tsunami Ranger moment (another story). There is a huge boulder protecting a reasonably wide passage against a sloping rock face crowned by the typical mansion. After noodling around there for a while, paddled over to Children's. The pounding on the outside SE ledges, while visually stunning, looked a little over our pay grade, so we stopped for lunch on the NE beach to consider where to practice. Found some good areas further westward towards Beverly: on-shore winds and swells, relatively safe backdrop, and still 1-3 foot chop and swells. Conditions that were not dangerous, but also not too easy. Tried out toggle tows, cowboys, t-rescues, and contact tows. Some conclusions: 1. We needed to toggle tow quite a distance for the swimmer to get away from the rocks to an area safe for a t-rescue. I found it much easier to paddle forward, if possible. I realize that we all have strong back paddling muscles, but for some reason my progress was slower. Also, common sense says to tow in a direction that avoids the winds and wave forces, again if possible. Made a huge difference, and was entirely doable with the slope of Children's coastline. Do not underestimate the distance needed to clear rocks. On our first attempt we were back on the rocks, and just barely had time to complete the t-rescue. 2. Disappointed with my short tow line (2-3 ft) in these conditions. Boats really got bumped around when using it to pull "disabled" paddler to safety off rocks. Needed to use the longer tow line. 3. Do not let go of the boat. We tested whether a swimmer has any chance to catch the kayak in these conditions. Answer: No! 4. "Is this really practice?" Blaine, being Blaine, did his usual totally impressive cowboy, so Bob, being Bob, decided to give it a go. Aside: as a general rule you should practice your weakest self-rescue - what is the point of doing stuff that you know will succeed? Anyway, it turned oddly serious, when in the process of laddering up the deck, I discovered myself tethered to the back of the kayak. I have this habit of not tethering my hatch covers, and leaving their tethers just wrapped under the bungies. My covers are rock solid, and it is a pain to constantly mess with the tether lines especially in the rush to launch. We are talking about a 4 inch line with a small clip. Well, that ended up clipping onto my dry suit, vest, or tow belt as I did the ladder. After getting flipped off the boat, now upside down, I found myself impossibly hooked onto my hatch cover! Luckily there was enough slack that I could consider the situation while breathing. A yank downward would take the back cover off, spilling out my hypo kit and other stuff (not to mention my wallet). Also, the hatch would fill with water. It was impossible to work the tether free while bouncing around in that chop. Yanking in the other direction could damage my dry suit, or where ever the thing was hooked. Well the solution was Blaine's trusty knife, but to be honest, fooling around with a knife in those conditions and cold water is never fun. It did the trick, and for the record, I did manage to cowboy in afterwards so I guess a victory of sorts. This is the third time I've seen unexpected entanglements in the past 5 years.....so if it can entangle - it will! We then headed back with pleasant following seas and a tail wind. Did some more rolling practice near the cars at Forest River to end the day. Bob

We had the NSPN New to Kayaking Workshop Pool Session at the Haverhill High School Pool today from 1:30 to 4:00. There were about 15 participants. All had attended the workshop at the Gould Barn in Topsfield last week. Instructors Kevin, Leslie, Pru, Sal, and myself explained, demonstrated, and monitored participant trials in wet exits, t-rescues, paddle float self-rescue, and some strokes. Gillian observed and helped from the pool deck. Participants were also taught safe kayak entry and exit from the deck. All but one of the nine kayaks were provided by the instructors. While the pool seemed a little crowded, if anything the chaos was constructive and fun! I think the participants left more knowledgeable about sea kayaks, and everyone enjoyed the humor and good cheer of the session. I would like to thank Kevin, Gillian, Leslie, Pru and Sal for making the pool session a success. Bob