Doug

Thank you. It was a nice journey.

Launch at Lanes Cove, you'll be happier. Doug

Hey Gary, I think you would be very happy with a foam back support system. If you need help with that, I have a band saw that I use solely for this purpose and have made quite a few of them. I live in Derry so we are relatively close. I also feel comfortable doing glass and some epoxy repair work but can't really tell from your photos the extent of the repair needed. Reach out to me if interested. Doug

I hear she is looking for a new paddling partner! Any takers? Doug

Jonathan, I too am interested in your pre made soups. Can you send me some information or a link to a website if you have one? Doug@NEBM.net Thanks Doug

I love my GJ's. I purchased my first one when it origionally came out. Years of use and abuse from sun, salt and chlorine have substantially bleached out the material. I now use that one for Pool Sessions only. My second one remains in full service and after 3 seasons, barely shows signs of usage. I never purchased the short tow that Astral Buoyancy has for it as my go-to Immersion Research tow belt seems to service me well. I have plenty of room in the front pocket for a handheld radio that I keep in the left side of the pocket. The antenna points up the left front strap and held in place by a watch wrapped around the strap and antenna. I also carry my camera and energy shots in the pocket. Both camera and radio are tethered to a convenient sewn in hidden loop. My emergency stain resistant knife is attached to the other front strap and my Kokatat hydration fits nicely on the back of the vest with the solution hose snaking its way over my shoulder and in and out the sewn in strap loops. Another feature I like is the upper part of the GreenJacket is separate in the front from the larger lower torso section and allows a great deal of adjustablity and body flexibility. I see that Astral has altered the GJ design a bit over the past year. I haven't scrutinized the new one yet but it appears to have made the front pocket bigger. I wouldn't be surprised if you could pick up leftover older versions at a discounted cost. Doug

Too early for rock play has some NSPN'ers looking for other risky business. Doug

As do I Josko. That's a grand project. Doug

Phil, and club members,I did my best to introduce Meetup to the club. Many of you already know of its existence but most of you don't. A premature automated launch of the "NSPN Meetup" that I created without full support of the BOD caused a bit of a rift within the Board of Directors which I am no longer a part of. I do hope the Board agrees to move forward with the the NSPN Meetup. I understand a committee has been formed to analyze its pros and cons and although it can be viewed, it has been put on hold and accepts no new members for now. Utilizing Meetup as a way to post trips and events is in my opinion essential in today's social media trend and will help NSPN maintain its presense in the local paddling crowd. NSPN currently has one of the best kayaking forums around and is read coast to coast but it has not proven to be a successful venue for posting trips and events these days or get the attention of new paddlers. I hope some of you can perhaps see the value of an NSPN Meetup and sound in here with your thoughts on the matter. I see no reason why this should remain a secret as it effects all club members. I have found it rewarding to be a Board member all these years but everything has a life cycle and my involvement with the Board has come to an end. I will find other ways to give back to the kayaking community now. Josko, my apologies for semi-hijacking your topic here but I think there is a connection to having a Meetup venue. I believe it could perpetuate the clubs activities and bring in new paddlers that will need mentoring from the more experienced among us. Doug

Beach launches are your best bet right now. Doug

RESERVE YOUR SPOT... 3 spots left _____________________________________________________________________________________ Southern New Hampshire University Athletics & Recreation Complex 2500 North River Road Hooksett NH SUNDAY March 22nd ... Time: 4:00-6:30 pm _____________________________________________________________________________________ MIKCo (Maine Island Kayak Company) has given me a few demo boats for pool sessions and ocean trials. I have one "Explorer HV", Romany Surf RM and a "Pilgrim Expedition" on hand and can bring them to the pool session for those interested in trying one on for size. If there are other NDK boats you that interest you, I can have them available at later pool sessions or ocean demos. PM me if interested. LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 20th PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT reply on this thread. I will be making numerous edits/updates throughout the season. Should you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via Instant Message or by email at Doug@NEBM.net

Jo, Please note, there is NO pool session on 3/8. You are however signed up for today's pool session 3/7. Doug

WFAAfloat is geared specifically to the salt water environment I believe. I am signed up for this course as it is not offered that often from what I hear. The instructor is also second to none. Doug

Well I attend enough pool sessions. If I didn't pick up a thing or two, that would be embarrassing. The "Explorer HV" I'm using is a demo boat from Maine Island Kakak Co. It makes rolling very easy in my opinion. Doug

Incredible Pru! The trip of a lifetime that some of us can only dream about. Your dream came true. I never realized how rugged the environment was. Funny, this morning I was wondering when you were going , then there it was, your wonderful trip report. Doug

Leon, the method I was describing is what I was suggesting for paddling up wind. The fact that there were periods of time also against the current was only a description of the environment we were in some of the time. When paddling up wind, I am describing short strokes in front of you as you lean forward at a low angle. It works great but I find the decreased torso rotation using a low short forward stroke does take a toll on your body over a long period of time.Am I missing something in what you are asking for?

I had an opportunity to paddle in the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth across from the old prison, against the current at full force and into a sustained 30-35 mile an hour wind with higher gusts. Fortunately I was paddling one on one with "Master" Greg Paquin of Kayak Waveology. I was paddling his Romany Surf for the first time which wasn't custom fit to me yet. He put me through drills leaning forward, keeping my paddle stroke low and in front of me. Very short strokes again may I add that were always forward of my leaned forward position with a low angle stroke slightly above my deck. Not much body rotation was going on here but I was able to maintain control in the strongest winds and matching current. I maintained a slow forward pace with my paddle feathered my customary 40 degrees. After that day, my confidence in wind and current increased greatly. Doug

me neither

I'm booked. Should be fun. Filling up fast though. If your thinking of attending, I wouldn't wait beyond tomorrow. Doug

Andy, go with the burgundy Epic mid-wing, not the blue shaft. Doug

Having spent some time on the water with Nate has proved to be a most rewarding experience. His detailed analytical and hands on approach boosts the learning curve while enjoying a low pressure environment. Guaranteed to be a positive experience for all those that take advantage of Nate's courses. Doug

Thanks for the generous compliment Leon but I must admit I often find myself getting lazy, especially with the euro blade and my efficiency suffers as a result. I enjoy watching people that maintain consistency and ponder on those with exaggerated form weighing weather or not they are at an advantage. Doug

Thanks Leon. I'm not surprised at the Greenland stats. I find the GP easier to maintain maximum heart rate for a longer period of time which has always been interesting to me. Less strain on the upper body as well but that is my personal take on it. Even though the wing can create more force, you have some limitation in alternate stroke finesse, do you agree? I have witnessed people slowing down in "conditions" using a wing which I have suspicion is due to losing efficiency by not being able to maintain proper form due to the need to add sweep strokes for example, decreasing a wings proficiency. To me, that seams to give a typical euro blade an advantage. This is a loaded topic of discussion. I'm sure I will add more feedback later. Doug