Sue H.

Hi Folks, Due to the sea state forecast for Saturday, Prudence and I are looking for an alternative to Portland Islands. We are considering 2 options, 1) launching from Exeter, (Squamscott River) to Great Bay and hooking a left at Shackford Point into the Lamprey River to the town of Newmarket, stop for lunch and return to Exeter and 2) launch from Saco Boat Ramp and head east to mouth near Biddeford Pool, have lunch and return. As the forecast further develops and if a prediction of rain for most of the day occurs, we may bail altogether. Any thoughts on these plans, or suggestions for other protected paddles? Best, Sue and Prudence

Is the time frame for these events in February or March ? Is that what you meant by a short winter paddle ? Should you consider giving an explanation of what a PM is and how an NSPN member would "private message" Bob ? Newer members, and many existing members, do not spend time monitoring and navigating the NSPN website and may need a brief tutorial in order to access the benefits of announcements, posts and calendar events. I would invite folks who's initial response to the idea of winter paddling is "no way, not for me" to hear from year round paddlers. I think we might want to consider that folks could participate in the zoom portion of this Cold Water Workshop, and then decide if they would like to give it a try after learning about what is required. Let me share a poem by Alan Alda, "Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in." Let's inspire folks to be open to the possibility, I know Bob will have have great info and experiences to share (I have inside knowledge that the Zoom presentation will be dynamic, and interactive !) What could be bad about gaining knowledge and seeing friendly, and to some, familiar faces... yes faces, a benefit of Zoom.

Well done Joe ! I know this personal achievement took lots of time, study & dedication to the craft of sea kayaking. I & the Club, through the many posted NSPN events, have benefited from your commitment & enthusiasm. Congrats & Thank You ! Cheers, Sue

Thank you Joe, just read the article. I will be returning to my cotton masks as well.

Hi Folks, Has anyone launched from this ramp in Salem, at the Danvers River ? What was experience ? Thanks, Sue

Thanks Dan ! Unfortunately I was not available last night for basic weather, but likely a repeat of other workshops. I plan to register for some of the others and I passed this info on to my brother, who recently bought a fancy power boat. Needless to say he does not drive a hybrid car !

Yes, I am posed to jump in, should someone drop out. Thanks.

Hi Prudence, I see you have a full group, but if anyone drops out, let me know. Right now I can do Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Also, who do we contact to reserve a parking space? Best, Sue

Thanks !

Hi Joe, I completed my wavier/registration, yet I do not see it in google docs shared with me. Did you receive it? Thanks, for all you do. Sue

Hi Joe, unless Maine changes their quarantine date effective through end of August, we won’t be able to conduct this club trip. Are you considering changing the date to Sept in the hope that the quarantine will not be extended . Best, Sue

Hi Dan, Thanks again for setting up this social hour. I followed your latest instructions above, however the message under the mtg title continued to state after several attempts, “ waiting for the host to start mtg” Any suggestions? Thanks, Sue

Thanks Dan for offering this fun, virtual gathering. I was not able to "attend", yet hope to join the next social hour. Thanks again Dan, we really appreciate your creativity !

Hello NSPN Members, Yesterday, for the second time this winter, our Haverhill Pool Session was canceled. The High School is experiencing a shortage of Certified Life Guards. They will be conducting certification classes at some point to increase the number of available guards. This move is unlikely to help us this season. Are there an NSPN’ers out there, or their friends or family, who are certified life guards who may be available for pool session (to be paid by Haverhill High)? If so, PM me and I will forward your info the the appropriate contact person. Thanks, Sue

I just edited the am to pm ... sorry !

John Huth : Weather for Sea Kayakers 2/22/20 By Sue H., 48 minutes ago in General Message Board John Huth once again has volunteered his time to present a workshop for NSPN members to understand weather and how these apply to sea kayaking. John is a long time NSPN member, and has a unique set of qualifications to present on this subject as he is both a physics professor/lecturer at Harvard University and an accomplished kayaker. Additionally, he is the author "The Lost Art of Finding Our Way”, a book exploring the strategies employed by early travelers through techniques of the modern era. John's past weather courses have broadly covered weather topics such as: the approach of warm and cold fronts, how to read cloud formations, wind, the air circulation around high and low pressure systems, and how to evaluate weather signs. Members have come away from past workshops with a heightened understanding and appreciation of the physical forces that affect us while on the water. The session will run from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This workshop will be held in the Meeting Room ( rear of the store) at REI, 279 Salem St, Reading, MA. Please sign up in calendar as The Meeting Room has limited capacity. Quote Edit P&H Cetus LV yellow over white

John Huth once again has volunteered his time to present a workshop for NSPN members to understand weather and how these apply to sea kayaking. John is a long time NSPN member, and has a unique set of qualifications to present on this subject as he is both a physics professor/lecturer at Harvard University and an accomplished kayaker. Additionally, he is the author "The Lost Art of Finding Our Way”, a book exploring the strategies employed by early travelers through techniques of the modern era. John's past weather courses have broadly covered weather topics such as: the approach of warm and cold fronts, how to read cloud formations, wind, the air circulation around high and low pressure systems, and how to evaluate weather signs. Members have come away from past workshops with a heightened understanding and appreciation of the physical forces that affect us while on the water. The session will run from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This workshop will be held in the Meeting Room ( rear of the store) at REI, 279 Salem St, Reading, MA. Please sign up in calendar as The Meeting Room has limited capacity.

Thanks Folks, keep the info flowing !

Hi Everyone, NSPN's Board of Directors are looking for a well ventilated space (and heated during winter months?) to use for a boat repair workshop. I have been asking around and have not identified an appropriate location. A small barn, a detached uncluttered garage, a large workshop room with commercial ventilation etc. would work. If for example it was a small unheated barn, we might be able to rent a portable heater to make it work. Carl Ladd has told us he would be willing to conduct a hands-on boat repair workshop with a collection of member's boats. So, if you have a knowledge of a space that might work for the purpose of such a workshop, please let me know. Thanks for your help ! Cheers, Sue

See you there.

Hi Everyone, I was looking to have a leisure paddle tomorrow out of Odiorne and head south to Rye and return. Launch could be around 10, yet no later than 11am. Interested? Or if you already have something planned that I could join, please let me know. Cheers, Sue

Actually our original plan was to cross in the passageway between the eastern side of Badgers and the western side of Seavey, in order to shoot down the western/southwestern side of Pierce toward Shapleigh Island, to the estuary of western New Castle. Since retiring its hard to recognize the significance of weekend days, long weekends, holidays etc. For me, I did not think ahead to the amount of boat traffic, the associated boat wakes combining with current, and the increased constriction between Portsmouth mainland and Badger (further increased by the large and long pier on the southeastern corner of Badger & the close-by bridge abutment...all of this impeding our ability to see the boat traffic moving in the Piscataqua River through Portsmouth Harbor). Sometimes when you have never been in a location before it can be difficult, or just a miscalculation (I'll speak for myself) when encountering a new water environment (to include the fact that this tidal river looks and behaves very differently throughout the tide cycle). Yes, continuing along the north side of Badger to the proximity of RN #4 and the bridge would have been a good option for crossing...less constriction and better visibility...and likely less confused water from dense boat traffic (thanks Paul for pointing this out !) Turning around, as we did, was also a good option, as adjusting one's plan on the fly due to conditions/newly acquired information in real time, is a useful tool. On the day of this trip, the increased density of boat traffic near downtown Portsmouth created a high risk environment and plan adjustment was prudent. A part of On-the-Water Incident Management is to anticipate not having an "incident" in the first place, so both plan adjustments described seem prudent to me. Conversely, an overly tight leash can restrict exploration and fun...Oh yeah, that balance thing we strive for in life ! Once again a good day to be on-the-water, a special thanks to Janet and best to fellow paddlers, John and Kate...and of course the class of swimming ponies and children !

Have a good time, I've made other plans!

Hi Janet & John & possibly Joyce? l’d love to join you. Won’t circumnav of New Castle be a very short trip ? Best Sue