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mattdrayer

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  • Website URL
    http://about.me/mattdrayer

Profile Information

  • Location
    Marblehead
  • Interests
    Kayaking, of course!
  • Member Title
    Surfski Enthusiast

Previous Fields

  • PA signed
    06/06/2022

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  1. I remember those particular races — they were some of my first competitive ocean paddling experiences and opened up a whole new world for me. I only participated one Marblehead race, but as I recall it was a reboot of an older race that was run several years before. That has been the only one hosted in Marblehead since. The NBR has been run almost every year for over a decade now. I’ve loved the competition world so much that I just returned last night from the 2024 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Championships in Madeira, Portugal. What an amazing experience! Whether you like to race or tour, you need to go to Madeira 🇵🇹 😊 Matt
  2. Not to highjack the thread but, FWIW, CARC is beginning to move away from framing Blackburn as a “race” and focusing more on the “challenge” aspect, which makes a lot of sense to me. Thousands of people attempt the challenge of the Boston Marathon each year, for a variety of reasons, but only a relative handful are actually in it to win it. Best, Matt
  3. Of the three sharks that I've actually seen in my 12 years of paddling consistently every season on the North Shore, logging an average of 100 on-water sessions a year, two were great whites, and one was a basking shark. All three were amazing -- and unnerving -- experiences. The basking shark was my first encounter -- I was near Nahant on a foggy morning in 2015 much like this past Wednesday. As to be expected, seeing it was completely unexpected. The size of the animal (particularly its dorsal fin...) blew me away -- I was able to quickly discern the species based on the shape of the fin which is the only reason I didn't completely panic. I managed to keep an eye on it while completing my outbound leg to Nahant and then turned and paddled the ~3mi back Swampscott. The first great white was a couple years ago -- I was about 1/2mi out from Off Rock in Swampscott similar to Prudence's experience I came upon a school of fish and it jumped right out of the water about 25 yards from me. It was about 8ft long and got a pretty good look at it -- pretty sure it wasn't a mako. I had to make a decision about whether to head to shore or continue with my paddling session -- I figured the odds were in my favor at that point, so I just kept paddling Last year I was ~3mi straight out from Fisherman's Beach planning to turn and ride the onshore wind+waves back to Swampscott. I was about 1/10th of a mile from my turnaround point (5km) and a dorsal fin presented itself out of a wave about 100 feet away from me. This time it wasn't a basking shark dorsal fin, however. It went below the surface of the water and I questioned whether it was just a wave peak that I saw. Then it came up again about 50 feet away. Absolutely a great white fin, about 10 inches tall. The hair on my neck stood up at that point and I hit my left rudder pedal and paddled straight back to the beach. Now I am constantly checking Sharktivity and looking everywhere, everytime I go out, which is still all the time. I'm sure I've come into proximity of more than a few interested animals this year, although I haven't seen anything. I did see a small humpback whale breach in ~20ft of water just outside of Swampscott Harbor on July 14th, which again reminded me that there's all sorts of wildlife out there, and you really can't know these animals are present unless they decide to present themselves, even if they are just a few inches under the surface. Welp, look at the clock, it's time to go for a paddle! Matt
  4. Be sure to report GWS sightings @ Sharktivity! Matt
  5. With the understanding that the majority of my adventures are typically 3hrs or less, in open/clear water: Surfski PFD+kit: Mocke Racer PFD Front pocket: mobile phone in LifeProof case + in second waterproof case w/ lanyard, whistle that is probably useless, Hammer Gel packet that I rarely consume. Back pocket: paddle leash/cord I've used maybe two times on downwinds when the wind was blowing 25+, allen wrench for rudder + emergency rudder wedge that I've never used. Early season I sometimes stash a neoprene beanie in the back pocket on a bungee lanyard. For longer (>1hr) paddles I'll normally take a hydration bladder, but that sits between my legs, not in the PFD. Also I use a boat leash, but attached to my leg, not my PFD (tried PFD, went back to leg). I will also carry a VHF radio that I mount high on the right shoulder strap when paddling with others, but only if they also carry a VHF -- it is very useful when those stars actually align. Matt
  6. International elite surfski paddler and Stellar Kayaks athlete Ian Black is coming to Massachusetts in July! Ian is offering several training opportunities ahead of the Blackburn Challenge -- a group session on Sunday, July 7th at Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, individual + group sessions at Charles River Canoe and Kayak in Newton on Tuesday July 9th, and a group session on Sunday, July 14th at Fisherman's Beach in Swampscott. This is an excellent opportunity to level up your paddling skills at a very reasonable cost -- to register for any session visit https://surfskilessons.company.site/Massachusetts-July-2024-c169841926 Matt
  7. Nice work! Happy to see the adventure spirit continues to shine strongly in our little community. Matt
  8. Send me a direct message and we can put something on the calendar!
  9. Blackburn is in the plan! I'm actually focused on two major races this year. Right now I'm ramping up for Blackburn in July, and then I'll be starting another training cycle ahead of the 2024 ICF COR World Championships @ Madeira, Portugal in October. Very excited about both
  10. Hello NSPN members! Once again I would like to offer the opportunity to run a free "Intro to Surfski" workshop at some point this summer. Late July or early August works best for this session, and it typically runs 9am-12pm on a Saturday or Sunday morning although I'm also open to a late afternoon/early evening session -- any night but Tuesdays, which are race nights! In addition, I am continuing this year with free 1:1 coaching sessions for NSPN members interested in learning more about surfskis. I still have an extra Epic V8 and wing paddle for you to use, if you don't have your own. I also still have the Epic V10 Double, too -- it's a lot of fun! Matt
  11. ROTC was a good time! My first one in years, and also my first official paddling session of the year. It was great to see everyone there and I'm really looking forward to getting out on the water for training, racing, and adventuring this season! Speaking of training, I managed to squeeze a short downwind run into today's interval session. Ran from the FR buoy off Childrens Island to the MH green can, about a mile or so -- it was pretty awesome. Some guys motoring a sailboat were cheering me on as I zoomed past them. Matt
  12. Hello NSPN! I have been working with the Bay State Games to add a surfski/outrigger paddling competition to the 2024 summer program. We have made great progress and recently submitted our DCR permit application to hold the event at Wollaston Beach in Quincy on the morning of Sunday, July 21st. The course will be a 6mi/10k triangular circuit of Quincy Bay (likely version is attached), and should take most surfski/outrigger paddlers approximately one hour to complete. The permit approval process requires a Water Safety Plan to be provided, and as part of the WSP we are seeking four to six people with sea kayaks to serve as on-course volunteers, in addition to a motorized safety boat that one of the local yacht clubs will be providing. The sea kayaks will be stationed in pairs at two turning locations on the course. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering! Matt
  13. I'm excited to attend! I am planning to get there around 5:30ish and will bring cut vegetables + hummus. Matt
  14. Hello everyone! Save the date! Mark your calendars! The North Shore Surfski Community will once again be hosting our end-of-season celebration on Tuesday, September 12th from 6pm-8pm at Old Planters Brewing Company (232 Rantoul Street, Beverly Massachusetts). We'll have some pizza, tell some stories, hand out some awards and swag, and (for those inclined) consume a tasty craft brew or two. Friends, partners, and kids are all welcome! Please RSVP via Eventbrite so we know how much food to order -- here is the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-north-shore-surfski-community-celebration-tickets-694823725467 Hope to see you there! Best, Matt
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