BethS

Pavilion Beach sounds great to me! But I'm open to whatever works out for everybody.

I'm putting in a vote for someplace not more than an hour or so from Boston, just my preference... Would someplace on the north shore be a possibility?

Excellent, and who cares about the weather, we will be wearing dry suits right? (actually I do care, hoping for a nice sunny day!) Any idea when this event will begin? I vote for anytime after 11 am, although I COULD do a LITTLE earlier I will bring my boat!

Count me in for the 21st as well, it will be the "maiden voyage" of my drysuit also!

I am pretty sure I can go, it sounds great!

Update, I cannot do the 31st, but I am definitely interested in April 4/21.Thanks for organizing!

I am interested, I can do the April 21st, and possibly March 31 as well.

I finally just got a drysuit, (can't wait to try it out!) after years of improvising in fairly chilly water. I've tried a number of combinations; I found the neoprene jackets too restrictive to paddle in, but I do like the NRS thin stretchy neoprene tops, I think they are 1 or 2 mm thick. You can layer them, or wear them over a thin wool or synthetic layer next to your skin as well. I use a 3ml farmer john, and I also purchased a drytop on sale, which helped a lot. With this arrangement plus a neoprene hood I was fine in late May/ early June, BUT I never paddled alone or strayed far from shore on the early/late season ocean in this getup; I would not trust it for prolonged exposure to cold water. If I swim in it, the drytop does keep MOST of the water out, for a while, but only for a while... Others with far more knowledge than me will have more to say on this topic I'm sure, but basically I felt that this gear just bought me time, and also made rolling/capsizing much less traumatic; but it would not be enough to keep me safe for an extended period of immersion even in moderately cold (55F) water, never mind in winter.

Hi Warren and Pru, I DID get a drysuit today on sale at REI, so yes I am in for the May trip, thanks!

Many thanks to both of you! Lots of good advice, esp regarding experimenting with going slower w/ the wing. Part of the problem I think is that my Greenland technique is not that great; therefore I am going a lot slower/ don't get as tired, because I'm not (as you point out) doing nearly as much work! The wing paddle I think forces me to have at least somewhat OK technique in order for it to work at all, which means I am automatically going to be doing more work, and getting more tired as I do it. Also you are right about cadence; it's a lot faster w/ the Greenland, sort of like a lower gear on a bicycle, which is less tiring. I also have a reg size wing, not a small, which was probably a mistake at least for longer distances.

Anyway, I will keep at it, I'm glad spring is (almost) here!

Wow, this thread is so long and technical that I confess I will probably never read all of it, at least not all at once.. for what it's worth, in my experience w/ my wing paddle yes I do go faster, at least 25% faster, and yes, I am more tired and sore the next day. In fact, I'm more tired and sore the same day! (25% more perhaps!) I'm zipping along, but after about 4 hrs I am pooped! What I am wondering is whether the wing would be a good choice for an all day/mutiday trip; I have hesitated to use it for this because of getting tired out, but maybe I should just slow down to my normal pace while using it? Typically I don't realize I'm going faster till I'm at my destination faster than normal, and I'm having fun so I don't care! Clearly I need to experiment more with this, but I'm wondering what other people might think/do. BTW, I usually use a greenland style paddle, occasionally a regular touring paddle. I can go all day with the greenland, make decent time, and do it again the next day; it's definitely easy on the body, at least for me. But maybe it's just what I'm used too? Perhaps if I used the wing at a slower pace I would realize great benefits with distance efficiency... Of course maybe I just need to be in better shape (always working on that)! Thoughts?

Dear Not a Morning Person,

One of the (many) joys of kayak camping is being in wonderful new places that most people (other than fellow kayakers) never get a chance to see. Early morning is one of the most spectacular times on an island. Many of us have had the experience of sitting on a rock by the water not long after the sun has come up. The light is beautiful and the sea often flat calm. You might hear and then see a seal pop his/her head up or a fish flying out of the water and landing back in. It is an unbelievably special experience. So on a purely aesthetic level - forget for the time being the winds and tides and the next destination and need to be back on the water that Warren just addressed - being up early is a GIFT given to you by whoever created the beauty all around. So get a good alarm clock, haul yourself out of your sleeping bag, don't bother to comb your hair, let people know (with a gentle growl or warning glance) that you are NOT a morning person, and find yourself a nice place to sit by yourself to experience this new world. You just might find that you're actually looking forward to being up and about early the next time!

pru

Spoken like a true morning person! I'll try to remember all this the next time I am up at 5 am...

I'm interested, just sent you a message Warren.

I'm interested; I can navigate but my skills have gotten a bit rusty... and there is so much to know!

Advance notice of proposed trip for those using or wanting to try Greenland Paddles. Modest coastal trip from Colony Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine to Cape Porpoise area. Nice lighthouse to visit, nice protected areas for practicing Greenland stuff, nice islands/ledges to wander about in and out of boats, potential for surfing, enjoyable coastline up and back. Sightings of ex-Presidents a bonus? Around 12NM at most, more likely 8-10NM. Further details at date approaches. Notice up for advance planning purposes.

Ed Lawson

I'm interested; I use a greenland paddle almost exclusively; sounds like a nice trip too! I'm not sure if I'll be free that weekend, but I might be. Keep us posted as the time gets closer!

Forecast sounds terrible for this afternoon--possible thunderstorms, hail, gusts--the whole routine---

But Beth and others -- look forward to paddling with you soon--

Les

AKA Swearing Ferret

I agree, I was just going to say not today, but hopefully another time soon! BethS

Hi Beth,

The big question is the weather for tomorrow--but if it does look like a possibility, here's the grand plan:

launch from Sing's Beach--which is on Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester--It is not named Sing's Beach --but it is called that name b/c there is no name for this launch site--

But it is the only place to park in that area without meters--if you park at Castle Island--meters and/or long haul to drag your boat--

The launch will probably be around 10:30 am butts in boat 10:30--

Then it is off to Spectacle Island--or there abouts depending on the best viewpoints.

I don't know your kayak experience, but given the boat traffic that day, even if the weather cooperates, this is not a level 1 or even a level 2 trip--

Directions to Sing's Beach:

Heading South from Boston--get on to Morrissey Blvd.--Go pass UMass, go pass Savin Hill Yacht Club--make sure you are in the left hand side of the road b/c you are going to take a U-turn at the light (the expressway is over you when you are at the light)--as if you are back tracking--Take the U-turn-- you will go over a lil' grated bridge for the causeway --as soon as you go over that bridge --take a right into the boat launch--my car will be parked so that you will see the boat on my roof--the car is a ice blue saab sports-combi--

If you or anyone else have any more questions, send me a note--and I will reply post haste.

Les

AKA

Swearing Ferret

Hi Les and everyone; I will check in the the morning to see what the weather looks like, If its a nice day it sounds great. My cell is 781 526-6985, if you wish to call me for any reason. I am comfortable in surf/rough water, so unless the weather is horrible (in which case I won't go) I will be OK in the boat traffic, wind, waves, etc. Thanks, BethS

Due to weather forecast of thunder, heavy rains, and lighting--I pass.

If weather permits for tomorrow, I plan on making this event a day.

Les

AKA Swearing Ferret

depending on weather, I might be interested in paddling out to see the ships come in, anyone else interested? I've never done this before, so would want to go with folks who know where to best see them from... BethS

Ernie,

let me know if you want to paddle some evening this week,

Barry.

How about mondays in July at Mystic, is anyone planning to be there? BethS

Conditions for L3 trip look like a bit much, so I'll be doing this one. We'll have so many boats, maybe we could do a little piracy.

Kevin

I'm not feeling too great this morning, think I'll take it easy today after all, so sorry to miss it! BethS

Hey Rob,

I'm looking forward to joining your group tomorrow.

See you then. Thea

HI Rob; I'm not sure if I can make it after all, I may be coming down with a cold, I'll see how I feel in the morning. BethS

I'm planning to come also, I'll see you all there! BethS (yellow and white Nordkapp LV)

Ernie and I have talked about it.

Mystic Lakes sessions (Medford) have run for years, and it's a great location for residents of Boson or nearby suburbs, towns, or who work in the city.

Monday would be best day for a Mystic session , unless a significant group of people could commit to another day of the week. We would like to have some indication of interest in regular sessions before posting.

If anyone is interested in Mystic, post here or contact me or Ernie.

Peter

I'd be interested in mystic lake sessions, and Mon eve works for me! BethS

Hi, this trip sounds great! I'm interested, do we just show up or do you need us to sign up ahead of time? -BethS

Trip Initiator: Rob Hazard

The Level 2+ trip will leave Riverhead Beach at 11:00.

We will follow the west shore of Marblehead Harbor Northward and around the point into Salem Harbor, then cross Salem Harbor from Naugus Head to Fort Pickering, then follow the shore around to Salem Willows for a beach break.

There are restrooms at Salem Willows.

We will then return the way we came to Riverhead Beach.

The total distance is about 9 NM. If we assume a pace of 3 knots and a half-hour break, that should put us back at Riverhead Beach before 3:00 PM, in plenty of time for the party.