Doug

For those of you interested in the new line of LENDAL North America paddles! not to be confused with Nigel's UK brand should check them out at the Kittery Trading Post Paddlesports Show this weekend at UNH. After breaking an average of one Werner Ikelos per year, I reached out to Ben Lawry for suggestions. Apparently he swears by the new LENDAL STORM. He claims its lighter and stronger than the Ikelos. I in fact own one now and absolutely love it. They are a bit difficult to find but the Kittery show will have a Lendal rep there with Lendal paddles at his Stellar Kayak booth. His name is Vaughn Smith. Check them out. Doug

I can just imagine the dialog between you and Karen when all attempts to navigate resulted in such a daunting experience. I'm sure the fishies and crustations were well entertained! Glad you both returned safely. Doug

This will be formally posted very soon. Today I confirmed a reservation for the May 10th date for both the introduction to and pool session experience at the Portsmouth YMCA on the same day at the one location. Bob Levine will formally post this later. My only function was to secure the location where Bob and company will be doing all the planning, instruction and most of the work from this point on. In a nut shell: From 2-4:30 ish will be an either indoor, outdoor venue or both, depending on the weather for the intro workshop. From 4:30-7:00 will be the pool session with a potential pool fee going towards a free membership for those wishing to take it to the next step which will also help defer the pool cost a bit. (We are still ironing out the details of that part of it). Doug

Rick, I don't know what your objection to this post is. You are not being clear are you suggesting that it was posted in the inappropriate forum? This was set up to benifit all members of NSPN. It was created, discussed, and voted upon after the specifics were ironed out. I must be missing something here. Doug

This was an program developed by the board in an attempt to offer all club members an incentive opportunity to post more trips and receive credits towards advancing their leadership skills by professionals in an attempt to perpetuate the growth of the clubs leader base and increase posted paddles funded by member dues and the clubs bank account. I think that sums in up. Doug

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RAPID MEDIA ACQUIRES SEA KAYAKER MAGAZINE READERS FOR ADVENTURE KAYAK Palmer Rapids, ON, February 26, 2014 – Rapid Media boosts paid circulation of Adventure Kayak by acquiring subscribers of recently discontinued Sea Kayaker magazine. Adventure Kayak is now the only North America-wide magazine delivering the 100-percent kayaking editorial these enthusiasts crave. Adventure Kayak and Rapid Media’s other titles have benefited from increased readerships due to partnerships with the A.C.A. and Paddle Canada. “Former readers of Paddler, Kanawa and now Sea Kayaker magazine are reading our mags,” says Scott MacGregor, Rapid Media’s founder and publisher. “No publisher likes to see magazines close their doors. However, our editors are pleased to offer enthusiasts magazines exactly targeted to their interests, feeding their passions for kayaking, canoeing, whitewater and kayak fishing.” Adventure Kayak was an obvious choice for Sea Kayaker magazine publisher Michael Collins. “We always took pride in being an independent publication,” says Collins. “We felt that Adventure Kayak, also an independent publication specifically written for kayakers, was the best fit available.” Rapid Media and Collins will be working cooperatively to promote the Northwest Paddling Festival, a Sea Kayaker event now in the hands of the Northwest Marine Trade Association. MacGregor and Adventure Kayak magazine editor Virginia Marshall have invited long-time Sea Kayaker editor Christopher Cunningham to join the Rapid Media stable of award-winning contributing editors. “Chris has been contributing to the kayaking community for as long as I can remember,” says MacGregor. “Readers build relationships with editors. I’m excited about having him in the magazine, and he’s looking forward to not having to get the entire issue off to production.” Sea Kayaker readers without subscriptions may purchase a subscription to Adventure Kayak at a super-discounted rate. In the final issue of Sea Kayaker readers will find a coupon code offering one-year subscriptions to Adventure Kayak for only $5.95. About Rapid Media Rapid Media has been the leader in paddlesports media since 1999. Rapid Media publishes Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots & Family Camping, Kayak Angler, Paddling Buyer’s Guide and Paddling Magazine, and produces the Reel Paddling Film Festival and Rapid Media TV. www.rapidmedia.com ### Media Contact Scott MacGregor, Rapid Media (613) 707-0467, publisher@rapidmedia.com

Here are some reviews of the cameras currently out there. http://www.itsjustlight.com/photography-gear/best-waterproof-cameras/ I must admit, the (Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5K 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom) is impressing me more and more. Of course it's use of a Leica zoom lens is a big plus. The Wifi capability allows you to download without a cord. The 16 megapixels is cutting edge (well almost) for cropping pix without losing lots of resolution due to pixel loss. A couple things I don't like is: 1. Supposedly the manual states, if you drop the camera and then it leaks its not covered under warranty. Um isn't the point of a tough camera so it can be dropped? Why is that voiding the warranty? 2. The camera has a rattling noise when it is off. Panasonic's response was: This is normal. The camera contains an Optical Image Stabilizer. When turned on the optical image stabilizer is engaged and thereby compensates for hand shake or camera movement. However, when it the camera is turned off the Optical Image Stabilizer is disengaged and allows movement of those components. This is the rattling or clicking that you hear. I'm still holding out to see if Olympus will launch an updated model. I may have to break down and get a GoPro. Lisa, interesting tip on the rice container. Doug

Thanks Marshall... http://glacierglove.com/our-products/cycling/perfect-curve-glove.html Doug

I have used the Olympus 8010 for a few years now with absolutely no problems. The only downside is the long power-up lag which had been fixed with a newer model. At 14 megapixels it has provided me with pretty crisp pics but I fear it's on its last leg. My Olympus 8010 has had its share of bumps and numerous bruises over the years. My big initial attraction to the 8010 was the built in retractable lens cover which I think Olympus may be discontinuing. I suppose they may have been getting tired of returns for this feature malfunctioning. I have experienced the occasional slight sticking when a grain of sand got lodged but it always seemed to fix itself, at times with the aid of a bit of finger pressure. I'll take that inconvenience over all the potentially lost pics due to salt water spots. So what's next? I'm not sure but typically March will unveil updated models but be prepared to pay list price for those puppies! I'll most likely stay with Olympus because they have been without a doubt the strongest waterproof/shockproof cameras produced in my experience but you never know until the fat lady sings! Doug

I use GLACIER GLOVES and carry 2 pairs. I use the 1.5 mm pair when I launch and change to the 2 mm pair after the mid day break. Typically I limit my paddles to one or two breaks at the very most during the winter as previous frostbite causes my extremities to get cold pretty fast. I did a quick search and was a bit hard pressed to find the 1.5 mm gloves at this time. I'm sure if spend enough time you can find anything. Interesting that when I went to the Glacier Glove website, they only listed a fishing version of the gloves I use. Perhaps they are specifically made for certain outfitters. Note: The only breakdown I have had in the past with these gloves has been a delaminating of the seams. They seen to have beefed up the gloves I currently own and I have had no issues with them. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___63483 Doug

Leon,Please don't try it with one of your thin skinned glass boats. They are made for speed not abuse. I used a bulletproof Romany. I would also have no issues other than the sprayskirt issue of course to use my expedition layup Cetus, also bulletproof. Doug

Leon, I had absolutely no problem pulling Kevin B's boat with at least half full cockpit of water onto my deck and after a proper dump he only needed to sponge out the rest due to owning a self draining new style Explorer. It's easier than it appears perhaps. I'll take you up on a larger wager if you pay for my sprayskirt! Haha. I think we have reached an impass! Doug

I believe it's not the initial mount that tears the sprayskirt although its most likely the mount with a boat full of water, even with a slow approach, that will damage the structural integrity of your kayak deck or combing.It is the dump with the twisting and tearing effect of deck lines curves and edges of the rescued boat that rips up the sprayskirt in my opinion. I can however as mentioned earlier see a use for this rescue. Doug

Thanks Gary, but the skirt is not defective. No neoprene skirt could hold up to that repeated abuse. Seals has agreed to replace the eye panels at no cost. I could have patched it myself aqua seal but given the fact that I had but a half season with it, I wanted it repaired right even if it cost me. I'm elated that Seals is stepping up and taking care of it. I even explained how it happened which is really beyond what they should warranty but they were happy to accommodate me. Doug

Re: "THE DUMP" by Body Boat Blade As some of you know, Leon Somme of Body Boat Blade has come up with a really great rescue called "The Dump" as shown in the YouTube video below. I have practiced 'The Dump" during pool sessions and following his instruction carefully, this rescue method can be of great value in nasty conditions. As Leon states, it is important to lean your boat towards the person being rescued as he approaches and mounts your deck with his bow. This is to create as smooth and impact free transition onto your combing as possible. It's also important to lean your boat away from him as you dump all the water out of his cockpit in an attempt to get his bow as high up in the air as possible. These two things are very important! The upside is that this rescue is fairly simple when helping someone that has a bombproof roll. The downside is you do take on some degree of risk to damaging the deck and or combing of your boat according to JC. My big concern is the definite damage you do to your spray skirt. (see pics below). I contacted Leon Somme today and had a discussion about this rescue. I asked him if he knows of other people damaging their neoprene skirts and he replied that YES, it does happen at times. Neoprene skirts will tear which is why he suggests only doing it with a Snapdragon Expedition skirt. Leon also states that it is why it's the only spray skirt he sells and stands behind and claims that Snapdragon has a good warranty policy. We will see how long that lasts. I would have liked to know this prior to ripping apart my new $150 Seals custom "Pro Shocker" skirt. This "Review" is an attempt to simply warn fellow paddlers and hopefully save them some costly grief. If you plan to practice this manurer, do so with an expendable back-up skirt. The crew at "Body Boat Blade" are wonderful people and among the best in the sport. I certainly have no intent to discredit their name or reputation in any way. Leon agreed in retrospect that perhaps he should forewarn those attempting this rescue in the future. "Happy Paddling" Doug

With a record breaking 87% of the Great Lakes covered with ice and snow right now, this wold make a nice snowshoe trek. Just sayin! Doug

Bring a dry suit in the summer. The water can be cold.

There are still tentatively 2 spots still open for Ipswich Pool session Sunday. Program your DVR's to record the Super Bowl and join us in the nicest pool in the area. Lots of room in this huge heated pool. First class locker rooms! PM me if interested. Doug

REVISED.....I don't know, I kind of felt ripped off paying that much for so little at times and rarely purchased an issue the past year or two. They should have made more of an effort to add material to their issues on a consistent basis. If you cut out the advertisements in some past issues you'd be hard pressed to find a dozen pages of fresh material worth reading. Other times, the mag was filled with quality reading and reference. I assume that someone must have been burned out and without enough depth of staff, another landmark in the industry falls away. It would be nice if someone with new ideas in tune with the industry and it's current transitions could take over this once great magazine. There is plenty of news that could be added such as Symposiums and up and coming stars to interview. Bring in the ACA and BCU and focus of local clubs and organizations. Let's hope for the best. You never know. Has the fat lady sung yet? Doug

But your from Massachusetts. I think its Lesta!

Today was a blast! Doug

NOTE: only NSPN members may attend pool sessions. One of the many perks of membership. Rick, we have your membership in a pending status. See you next Saturday. Doug

Joyce was lucky enough to get her first 2 rolls EVER on camera. Another week of fun in the pool and personal goals reached by some. Also featuring Bill Voss with his signature go-to roll. Simply marvelous! Sign up now as the remaining spots are filling up. Doug

Safety strap was beyond reach when using a skirt due to the cockpit length. Thigh grips were nonexistent to engage the knees for rolling. Surprisingly more tippy than expected! Who would have thunk! On the other hand, a kayak is a kayak and this one is certainly an option for a beginner to embark on a flat water day trip. It was fun to push its limits or at least watch a pro have some fun at its expense. Doug Shots like this...... PRICELESS !