Doug

Fundy Cove put in: Pawtuckaway Lake from the Fundy Cove boat launch. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=6343900 This is not in the State Park. Plenty of parking, (no entry fee), This side of the lake has lots of little coves to explore but it is a popular put in for fishermen that can get upset if we take too many spaces. We can play it ear before real summer heat arrives. Directions to The Public Launch: Take exit 5 off RT 101, take a right Follow to set of lights at RT 27, take a left Take first right on to Route 156 Nottingham Rd (then becomes Raymond Rd at town line) Go about 5.3 miles and take a left onto Deerfield Rd. Follow for about 1.9 miles and take a left to the public launch .4 miles (dirt road) For a $5 entrance fee to Pawtuckaway, there is always Neils Cove which is close to the main beach. It is closer for most but we can talk about it later as another option Doug

Rocks, Surf Zone, Island Hopping and Circumnavigation. All in 8 miles. Due to the large interest in the L3 level paddle, I have decided to add another option for those that would prefer to paddle to Children's and Tinkers islands while circumnavigating Marblehead Neck. Given the potentially calm conditions, this could be a good opportunity for those that have kept their distance in the past to get involved in some light rock play. Nobody will be forced to do anything they don't feel comfortable doing. Helmets will be mandatory if you want to rock play and tow belts should be worn if you own one. This will be considered an L3 paddle. Beach briefing at 9:45. Launch at 10:00. We will return via Devereux Beach http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6339697 Post interest below or just join the pod on the beach. See you Saturday Doug

Contoocook River Canoe and Kayak carries Valley. They are outside Concord NH.

I like this one. http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Keychain-Pill-Holder/dp/B00G2SCML4/ref=pd_sim_hpc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R8YTA2Z0PJ390Z5GX76

How is Cobetts Pond in Windham. I've never been there. It's the next town over and fairly close to me. I could be persuaded to join in. Wednesdays are good for me and Thursdays would conflict with the Surf Sessions but if it turns out to be Thursdays, I can miss a couple . Pawtuckaway is always nice but a another 15 minutes or so of a ride. Let's keep this thread going. Doug

More Pics:

Goat Island to White Island Reef Saturday 6/6 Kittery Point escapades included. Doug

Last Sunday, 5 of us met at Piper Cove on Squam Lake for a perfect summer like paddle. With water temps at 60 and air temps at 75 our first non dry suit trip of the year was beyond words. See the link below for pics. Doug http://www.pixel8er.net/Other/SQUAM-LAKE-June-1-2014/

I recently had my Kokatat GMER "custom" replaced due to de lamination and moved into an Expedition suit with no hood. The Expedition comes with a hood but struggling with the decision finally decided on no hood with Hook and Loop Cuffs. I'm sure the hood is great in the dead of winter or even occasional pre season or post season paddles but a simple balaclava and hat fills that gap for me. I don't like the idea of carrying the extra material around especially when reef surfing or rock play. I will add that I've never used a dry suit with a hood and most people that have them say they are happy they went with them but I'm not convinced they haven't justified the choice after the fact because they now have to live with them. It would be nice if Kokatat offered removable hoods. I would like that option. Doug

Isn't that the boat Leslie has? If not, Tom has one on Peaks Island I believe. It is a great boat for those that fit in them.Doug

They will be flatwater miles. I also have two others going so we are up to 5. Looks like temps will be in the high 70s WATER TEMPS around 60 See you there Doug

SQUAM LAKE .... Piper Cove This Sunday 6/1 at 10:30am Weather looks to be ideal for a lake paddle. Seas are expected to be calm Sunday so a nice lake paddle would be a good option. No drysuits needed. Please post below if you are interested or send me a message. There is usually a $5 parking fee at Piper Cove but worth it for the restrooms alone not to mention it goes to a good cause (The Squam Lake Association) Directions: * Take Rt I-93 North from Manchester/Conford NH * Take exit 24 for US-3/NH-25 toward Holderness/Ashland 0.2 mi * Turn right at Main St/NH-25/US-3 * Continue to follow NH-25/US-3 * Squam Lakes Association is on left https://maps.google.com/maps?q=43.72553766812649,-71.56276186688234

I paddled in upper Casco Bay Maine last weekend with no gloves with no discomfort at all. Within the next 2 weeks I will be switching to a dry top with the exception of surfing days where I'll be getting continually drenched. Doug

I see your really ruffling it down there Leon! Don't strain anything!

Leon, When your eyes are open, you said it, you watch your blade. When they are closed, make believe you are watching your blade. If you blindly follow it, your body, and most importantly, your head will remain in the proper position as it follows the blades sweep. Doug

Josco, I believe the dihedral helps dissipate the flow of water in a more deliberate direction sooner reducing turbulence which can cause flutter. It's a fine balance because adding too much dihedral will reduce the blades bite or efficiency as it dissipates water quicker. More dihedral will smooth out the paddle feel at the cost of power. Doug

Josko, Most likely the 750 has too much surface and resistance for your body size. Too much stress for the forearms to maintain a cadence over a long period of time unless your form is right on and your in top paddling shape. It's true that the the larger surface will give you more bite but at what cost. You will fatigue faster and lose finesse in the rocks where you need it most. The manufacturers suggest a heavier paddle in the rocks and surf to protect it from breakage but personally, I would lose the quick response reaction a lighter paddle affords me. You can only get so much from the smaller size in this group but then again you are not expecting as much and psychologically give in to the resolve of not achieving your fastest pace. Proper form plays a big roll of course and from time to time it's a good idea to work with a professional to adjust any bad habits that may have creeped in. It's been a long lazy winter so this paddler is spending an hour and a half one on one with Ben Lawry later in the week. I should be good to go after that. The new Lendal Storm seems to be an exceptionally well designed blade in the 650ish range. It gives you an efficient bite of a 700 and the finesse and quickness of a smaller and lighter paddle. I love the strait shafts elliptical shape too. It makes it easy to correct your grip by feel when your mind gets disoriented. I do feel that Werner produces a nicer quality finished product over Lendall but they are still a relatively young company under new ownership. Sorry I'm drifting off subject. No paddle will do everything as no one boat is best for all purposes. Keep the paddles you have. In time you will gravitate towards one over the others but admit it, it's fun to have these kind of problems. Doug P.S. Andy (inverseyourself), I hope this answered your PM to me earlier this week.

Thanks so much for your responses and show of appreciation. It has been my pleasure to contribute my time to the club in this way. I will do my best to accommodate everyone next season and will take all your replies into consideration. Paddle safely and may the tides be in our favor. Doug

Last Saturday's HAVERHILL Pool session was the last of the season. I'd like to thank everyone that attended. As usual, the HAVERHILL POOL filled up to maximum every week but the IPSWICH POOL was really not well attended. I think it may be a combination of location and time (5-7:30pm Sunday) that may have caused poor attendance. I am reaching out to all members to get their opinions. As an added note, Portsmouth has agreed to have us come back next year. See you on the water soon. Doug

A ribbed paddle is usually heavier and stronger. It also creates a bit more unwanted turbulence on the entry. Usually less expensive older technology. Doug

Hi Cathy, This is one of my most memorable paddles. In fact, we will be doing another circumnavigation leaving from Old Quarry again late July. Launch at high tide. If you launch from Old Quarry, plan on a 24-27 mile paddle but it's not all that bad if you follow the tide out around the eastern side and hit Western Ear as the the tide turns. This will allow you to ride the tide back in passing through the Kimball Island cut. This will push you home nicely following the returning tide. There is a moderate amount of time to to take breaks if you start between 8-9am at a high tide but if you decide to take a bike ride on the island you may risk having to paddle against the tide on your last leg home. Pick the calmest day possible as the 2 mile crossing between Eastern and Western Ear can get quite lively. If you choose to travel along the shore between Eastern and Western Ears, plan an extra mile or two. If your interested in seeing pics of our circumnavigation go to http://www.pixel8er.net/Other/Stonington-Maine-July-27-30/i-VZ68pc3 or don't, and be surprised.... This is the cut between Western Head and Western Ear at low tide. Doug

I can't understand why they are not continuing with the retractable lens cover. I assume they must have taken back quite a few with warranty issues as the RLC was the most delicate mechanism exposed to the elements. Salt build up hung mine up from time to time but the slight inconvenience was well worth no spots or orbs on my pics. I surmise they must have perfected the lens coating to repel most droplets. I'll keep a little fresh water squeeze bottle handy to rinse the lens should I see the need to. I will miss the retractable option. I do like the optional fisheye and telephoto snap on lens features, the 16 megapixels and most important wifi for quick downloads. I just need to teach this old dog some new tricks.

It won't be out until June but this is my choice. http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/tg-3.html?utm_content=tg3_banner&utm_campaign=TG-3_SH-1_launch&utm_source=email_etprm&utm_medium=email In black of course! Doug

http://www.lendalna.com/node/26 Lendal North America and Lendal UK (going by the name Celtic paddles) are now 2 separate companies. The new owners of Lendal NA purchased a new 20,000 sq foot mill in NY State and remodeled it into a state of the art manufacturing facility. As rumor has it the two type A personalities of Nigel Denis in the UK and Mack Duffy (of Big Sky a Technology LLC, new owner here in the USA) simply could not see eye to eye and parted ways. Mack Duffy, a retired self acclaimed wealthy hedge fund investor has now sunk his teeth into his new Lendal NA project. Two years new and they have made some great headway with their newly refined bent shaft and the new Lendal Storm which I personally think is the best paddle I own. I placed a link to the website above as it can be a bit challenging to locate for the time being until all the legal mumbo jumbo is worked out. . Apparently, Nigel still owns the Lendal rights in the UK. Doug