lhunt

Can we get the calendar entry fixed for this event? Still says Haverhill and the time is wrong... -Lisa

Pru, great trip report and excellent pictures! Thanks for sharing... -Lisa

Probably kayaking is one of the few situations where water droplets are such a problem. Other types of usage (swimming, boating, etc.) it's usually either in the water or not. I hope that red metallic finish case doesn't have the same corrosion problems that the Lumix has (I always, perhaps erroneously, ascribed the corrosion to that flashy finish). Time will tell :-) I wonder if the black has the same sort of finish(?) Can't wait to see the pix, Doug! -Lisa

I'm thinking that tug of war and racing are very, very different things. Normal kayak paddles (and wings) are designed to "lock" into the water - the boat moves forward but the paddle stays still relative to the water. In a tug of war you are moving the paddle backward against the resistance of the water. It's much less aerobic, puts much more stress on the arm muscles, even if you rotate, because you have to hold the paddle. In fact, I think it might have been Greg Barton who said he doesn't expect to use rotation for propulsion in the first few seconds of starting in a race - it's like trying to start a car in 4th gear. You wouldn't do tug of war in a car in 4th gear either, for the same reasons. It's interesting that they didn't try to race Greg against the Mirage in the normal way. -Lisa

Hi, Dan, I think Scott has hit the nail when he talks about fluctuating temps - that's why people are unwilling to give months. But I don't think you are expecting to just go out paddling on the dates we give you, you just want to know whether it's worth buying the suit, right? For what it's worth, I paddle on the North Shore (Salem to Cape Ann, roughly) with a wetsuit starting about mid May, early May in very warm years and late May in very cold years (I checked my log to be sure). I've been basing the decision on various data - water temperature charts and buoys as well as asking people who are out there with drysuits if they could report the temperatures they are experiencing. I've been monitoring temperatures when I do go out for the last few years and have not found them much lower than about 53 deg. when I go, so that strategy seems to have been working for me. I never paddle alone, though, and stay near shore if it's cold. And I'm not playing in rough water, either. I'm more of a long distance touring type. Usually my paddling season ends about early November. I have considered buying a drysuit because I find the wetsuit to be constricting, but I'm not really a cold weather paddler by nature, so even if I succumb to buying one I might expect to go out in April at the earliest. On the other hand, when you have to put it off a month just because of the wetsuit, it seems like a long month :-) Lisa

Oops, I wasn't clear - haven't had any real problems with the camera in a case. I'm just saying it's quicker on deck, and it's more likely to have smudges or dried salt or water drops on the lens to deal with (rinse off) if it's stored against wet neoprene. That can make you miss a good shot. My camera has been dunked and battered plenty of times - no problems there. But if you are having a sporty day with it on deck it might be in your way. There might be water drops to shake off or rinse off anyway. So a case might be better. If you're thinking about corrosion, well, it's a small sampling to get the data from but I can say that the first Lumix, which I rinsed very carefully in fresh water every time, lasted less than 1 season. The second one, which I washed every time with Salt-Away, has done 2.5 seasons with no hint of corrosion yet. In both cases I used the camera in salt water about 1-2x/week from about April to Oct. or Nov. -Lisa

I bungee my camera lens-side-down to the deck. This (ironically) keeps the lens relatively clean and dry, because I still have my nifty silicon "jacket" for the camera that acts like a rubber gasket between lens and deck. Not gonna work if you're a compulsive roller, of course, or doing rescue practice, or if you don't have a nifty silicone jacket (which unfortunately they don't make anymore *sigh*). But it's great for scenic touring or when you're holding off from the rock play taking photos of everybody else. I'm thinking of modifying my camera when the skin goes by gluing something rubbery to it around the lens. The convenience is worth it, I think. Lisa

I'm in, too. I have a friend coming - you think the volunteers need to be there early? Also, is there anything we can help with ahead of time (written materials, pictures, agenda...) By the way, for those who are considering coming, I've gone the past couple of years and it's really fun. The participants have been mostly enthusiastic and appreciative. It's a rare chance to talk freely and at length about your favorite sport to people who are interested and really want to listen.

As in previous years there will be a collection of different types of boats for participants to try on for size (inside the pool or out). This is a great opportunity to get a quick introduction to the various sizes and styles available if you are new to the sport and planning to buy.

One more question: can I safely assume we will be recruiting different types of boats as we have in other years so that people can "try them on"? I was just about to add a plug for that feature to the other thread but want to make sure we are actually doing it. I assume there will be at least enough boats for the pool... Lisa

Thanks, Doug! Lisa

Do we have a date yet for the NTSKW? I notice we have a date (May 10) for the associated pool session but what about the gathering in Topsfield? I have a few potential recruits who have been asking :-) Lisa

I have an Olympus TG-820 and a Panasonic TS3. The first Panasonic I had (the TS2) died within the warranty period because of corrosion, but Panasonic replaced it easily and quickly with the TS3. The TS3 is completely pristine after 2 seasons (used 1-2 times/wk) because I clean it carefully every time with Salt-Away. I bought the Olympus for its speed to the first shot and the retractable lens cover, both of which are excellent, but the quality of the pix was disappointing, especially the zoomed-in ones. I ended up digging out the older Panasonic. By the way, have been keeping my open camera in a closed plastic container half-filled with rice, with a paper towel on top of the rice to keep rice dust out of the camera. It has really, really helped with the fogging problem. On hot, sticky, humid days (remember those?) I remove the camera from its bed in front of an air conditioner so it doesn't fill with moist air while I put the battery back in and close it up. Works like a charm. And keeping the camera open when not in use is better for the gaskets. -Lisa

Wow. Like saying, "Here, you people put this hook and fishing line on me, now you take it off!"

I'll put in one more plug for preventing (and removing) salt buildup. I use Salt-away, maybe soap would work as well, but I figure for the little bit I'm using the expense isn't really an issue. You would think that flushing with plain water would get rid of the salt but I've seen that white buildup on things that I wash every time and very well, with hot water. Depends on what the item is made of. If you treat it properly from the time the thing is new, it only takes a second (be sure to work it into the knob by turning the knob with the stuff on it). Salt-Away, unlike soap, doesn't need to be thoroughly rinsed, so that saves a little time. If the buildup is already there it's hard to get rid of. This link recommends a pretty lengthy once-a-day-for-a-while treatment - if you're not using the radio right now it might be a good time to try it. Otherwise it's likely to freeze up again. Work the knob with the Salt-Away on it. I've had my M72 almost 4 seasons, use it every time (2/wk most seasons) with no drybag, and no sign of problems yet. I have a camera that had to be replaced due to corrosion that first appeared after just a couple of months. I've been treating the replacement with Salt-Away for 2 years now with no sign of trouble. Sounds like an ad, I know, but I'm just sharing what worked for me... Lisa

Hi, Warren, sorry, no experience with it but I have certainly considered it. I work out in a gym (bleah) during the winter. By "anyone else" are you implying that you have procured one of your own? Lisa

You can hear "uh-oh! uh-oh!" on that last one, just before the sticking point.

Congratulations - well done!

Yes, it's easy for resourceful people to make labels one way or the other. But if we gave away pre-made stickers it might help new people perceive the labeling process as being an important established custom, or help push procrastinators over the threshold of actually doing it. I used a garden marker, which is light fast. No sign of fading after 1 season, at least. I'm imagining a bag with a pile of stickers and a garden marker to take to club functions. Covering the label with clear packing tape would probably help if there's an issue with the writing rubbing off.

Last year at the Essex River Race the CG was giving out "Paddle Smart stickers" and had the race organizers explain the importance and usage. If somebody near the coast could get a stack of stickers from the CG or a harbormaster we could give them out at the New to Sea Kayaking workshop and other functions. The stickers are convenient because they are durable and stick well, and are easy to see. Dog tags work well, too.

Could be the Flash player version or something like that.

http://www.kayakpaddling.net/txt/html/safety_basics-heel_hook_rescue.php

Yep, 62 most of the way around (starting 1 hr. before high tide). Near Lane's, 67 deg. in the top 6 inches, if you can believe that. By then it had been simmering a while under that nice warm sun. Good lesson on how warm the water can get if it isn't being stirred by the wind. Conditions were the flattest I've seen in a long time, all around the Cape. Not sure you can trust those temps for different conditions, though... -Lisa

Hi, Todd, you may have already left, but good luck! I am impressed by your determination - there is no way I could ever finish this race. Looks like the latest wind forecasts aren't letting up :-( Hope you have a great time and knock 'em dead! Please let us know how it went? Lisa

One observation about the 18X: I found it to be unpredictably tippy in chop but not in organized waves. Have been in some pretty big stuff (but deep water) with no problems. I believe my chop issues come from being too lightly loaded (the boat is "one size fits all" and I'm considered a "lighter paddler" - huh!) I think loaded down you will find it to be relatively stable. If the Quest has no skeg, I would think this would be a pretty big disadvantage. More rocker, stays on top, and no rudder or skeg means you could be paddling for hours on one side, balanced on one butt cheek, to maintain direction. That being said, it's hard to win a race upside-down :-) Whichever boat you use, probably should bring both to the meet, in case the weather predictions change. Wind predictions, especially, are very capricious, as you probably know. Lisa