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If I didn't have two birthdays (wife and son) both happening on Mothers Day, and me frantically arranging the event, I'd definitely be joining you. Have fun! Blaine

I believe the pool sessions are finished for the season. However I've heard that the Chebacco Lake (in Essex, MA) practice sessions will be starting up again in a few weeks. They are held every Thursday evening 5PM to sunset, Can someone confirm the startup date for Chebacco? Blaine

Rick, A bunch of us are hosting the annual New to Sea Kayaking Workshop this coming Saturday. The response has been overwhelming. Rather than the usual 20 or so signed up, we've had over 80 RSVPs and had to cap participants at 73, with the rest on the waiting list. If we do a good job at the workshop, we can expect to see a demographic bubble in the club of L1-L2 paddlers eager to become L2's and L3's. I expect you'll be busy in the coming few months. Blaine

Liz, that link doesn't seem to be working, at least not for me. Blaine

There's also New England Small Craft (NESC) at 295 Newburyport Turnpike (Rt. 1) in Rowley, MA. They stock mostly Prijon and Seda Kayaks, and also a few good quality used kayaks on consignment. They have a decent selection of kayaking gear including paddles, PFDs, spray skirts, wetsuits, paddling clothing, tow belts, dry bags, and other equipment. Online at www.nesmallcraft.com. Blaine

Fantastic!!! Thanks, Glenn! Great to have you on the team. Blaine

Deb and Phil Thanks for the corrections. Geesh, I really need to start getting more sleep! In my defense, the NTSK workshop planning has me running in several directions at once.

The guys doing the advertising and posters for the New to Sea Kayaking Workshop have obviously done a super job. Maybe too super! Rather than the normally expected 20 or so, the rsvps keep coming and we reached our maximum of 73 (+ 7 staff) a week ago. They're STILL coming in and last count there were 7 more on the wait list. Besides the presenters (Al, Les, Kevin) there are just four of us (Lisa, Rene, Ernie, and me) to manage both breakfast and lunch (bagels and muffins, coffee and tea at the start, and pizza, mini sandwiches, and salad for lunch after the presentations) as well as the slide show and the club table with nspn items for sale. No doubt the attendees will have many questions during breaks and afterward, and it would be a great help if we had a few more experienced club members around to answer them. There will be a bunch of boats out on the lawn, and no doubt they will generate a lot of interest and questions. So PLEASE PLEASE, if you can spare a few hours, or two or even just one on Saturday morning 4/21, come help us make sure this event goes smoothly and lives up to the expectations of all these folks who we hope will become new members and our paddling companions. It can be argued that the NTSKW is the most important event of the year for NSPN. Without a continuous supply of new blood and fresh enthusiasm, NSPN would wither away. If you think you might be able to lend us a hand, please email me at sunblaine@sunblaine.net. Many thanks!! Blaine

Kate, As a former backpacker now paying for it with bad knees, I can't wait to hit the "trail" again. Your exquisite photos have rekindled my fire, so to speak. Thirty-five years ago I led a six week cycling trip through the Canadian Maritimes for learning disabled teens and we toured both Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. I fell in love with both, but was awestruck by Newfoundland. Now I want to return, this time by kayak. I'm very much looking forward to learning from you. I'll definitely attend this workshop if it's scheduled for 6/9 but may not be able to make 6/16. Blaine

Kayak Waveology in Rhode Island (http://www.kayakwaveology.com) Run by Greg Paquin. Greg and partner Paula Riegel have generously been helping out nspn for years by volunteering as instructors for our on-water CAM workshops. Greg is a BCU 5* Coach. He does private and group instruction, and is an NDK dealer. ************************************************* Osprey Sea kayak Adventures in Westport, MA. (www.ospreyseakayak.com) Run by Carl Ladd. Carl is an ACA Instructor Trainer and a dealer for P&H kayaks

AKA. a daisy chain. This is what I've been using and works fairly well. The one problem I have with this system is that, once daisy-chained, the line is much thicker and tends to snag if you need to pull it out from under the decklines.

Ohhhh - that's good! I stopped at the F's.

Fiona (fair, white, beautiful) Check here for just about every Irish female name in existence: http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-girl-names

Doug, if that opening for 3/18 in Portsmouth is still available, I'd like to take it. Let me know and I'll give you a check Tues. night. Thx. Blaine

Just noticed the topic title. That was a bit off-topic since it's OVER the drysuit.

During last weekend's wild weather. a bunch of us were out paddling off Stonington Ct. at the Autumn Gales symposium (certainly lived up to the name!). Just about everyone but me had a hooded storm cag (cagoule) that fit over everything including pfd and cockpit coaming. Whenever we stopped for a break and ducked into the scrub for shelter from the gusty wind, they would sit or squat with their cags providing a tent-like shelter, apparently quite comfortable. Some of them used a cag only during breaks and stowed it in their day hatch while paddling. Others kept it on while paddling. I decided right then and there that a cag will be my next purchase. Blaine

Kevin, if you're still going to Nahant tonight I'll join you. Where do you want to meet? I'll probably get there early and paddle around a bit. Blaine

Nice trip report Spider. The photos are beautiful. It seems your trip was a diplomatic mission. It's interesting to hear that, far from the ill-will we've come to expect from lobstermen, you found just the opposite. Maybe our belief that we are disliked comes from a few unfortunate encounters, and the oft-retelling of those. I believe that as long as we are careful to stay out of their way, and maybe even keep an eye out for opportunities to assist them (as Doug did two weekends ago at Cape Neddick), we can repair any past bad feelings and share the water amicably. Looking forward to your full report. Blaine

This trip was right up there among the best. Endless adrenaline opportunities for those who chose to challenge the waves and rocks. Gorgeous scenery despite the outrageous mansions poised like vultures high above. And the surf at Ogunquit was like Waikiki on decent day. Many thanks to Doug for posting this encore trip and giving me a second chance. Here are my photos for the day: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=116681396281387802896&target=ALBUM&id=5633481270649261185&authkey=Gv1sRgCNfKpPn-0veoJw&feat=email No apology necessary, Doug. I should know by now to stay well clear of anyone surfing in my direction as I've been on the giving end of that interaction myself. But the helmet is definitely a sound idea. Blaine

Amazing!! And I thought I knew my clouds.

Shots 80, 81 and 83 all show what for me was the strangest, most malevolent looking cloud I think I've ever seen. That long twisted pastry at the bottom was not like anything I've seen before, including on long summer trips driving across Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. I could only guess that it must have been due to some pretty strong winds, a horizontal tornado. After snapping shots to my right (#80), ahead of us (#81, 82), I turned around and looked behind me and saw that this one weird cloud stretched all the way to the horizon behind us (#83). It was at that point I realized we'd better get the hell off the water right away. Blaine

This was an exceptionally beautiful trip. Here are more photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/116681396281387802896/GeorgetownIslandTrip02?authkey=Gv1sRgCOiGzt2KuMzpAg Blaine

It's great to hear you had a beautiful night and great paddle. Sorry for standing you folks up. I hope you didn't hang around waiting. I left for Maine very early Tues. and didn't see the change of date. Then on Friday I was still so enraptured by my first Maine paddling/camping expedition that I was busy replaying the tape during all the unpacking, rinsing and cleaning, forgetting all else until this morning when I suddenly remembered the moonlight paddle. So I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll watch for the next one. Blaine

Pintail, I'm very interested. Should be a fun outing. Will confirm later in the week when I get back from a trip to Maine. Blaine

So that's what you've been up to with that funny thing on your helmet. Those waves sure LOOK a lot punier than they do from my cockpit. But the number of times you rolled/swam shows they were plenty big. Thanks for posting. Blaine