Lallen

Thanks for posting the trip report, Pru. It was a really fun day on the water. Thanks to all of the participants for your enthusiasm and willingness to jump in, lead segments and try new and hone old skills! I feel lucky to have had the chance to work with all of you! Also, a big thanks to my co-leader, Peter and to Scott Camlin, who did all of the pre-trip organization in absentia from New Zealand!

Thanks, Brenda! This "0" Birthday has been far easier to manage than anticipated. Especially with such a great trip to celebrate-definitely eases any sting. In fact, we've had so much fun celebrating our "0" birthdays with big trips we are strongly considering doing the same for all those that end in "5"! As for the lingo, some of the terms were unique to the Brits-watch out for "Spicy," "Chunky," and "Interesting" as applied to conditions... The rest is just like skiing-definitely has its own unique language...

Suz, note the first line of the above report-"I am a Slacker when it comes to writing trip reports..." ;-) I just need Facebook so I do daily posts on our trips. That made it easy to do this one and is probably the only reason I managed to complete it. Of course, in Newfoundland and many of the other places we are likely to go, there is an access issue! So, maybe I need to keep that in mind and on our next trip bring a pen and notebook and write a FB Status even if I can't post it immediately. Maybe that's how I can overcome being a Slacker...

Thanks, Pru! And yes, Phil is right-the photo credits go to my paddling compatriots. Except for a few taken on land. My only camera is an I-Phone so no way was I going to risk shooting with it on those seas. At least that's my excuse! And Ed, you are right-some not so nice waters but they were fun and definitely expanded our limits! I did not know it was even possible for so many tide races to co-exist 2-3 miles offshore. When the Brits start using terms like "Spicy" and "Chunky" beware!

And here are our Fearless Leaders and Coaches Extraordinaire who arranged this fine adventure. John Carmody and Nige Robinson- with Phil Allen.

When it comes to writing formal trip reports, I’m a Slacker. Good intentions fall aside when I am overwhelmed by the daunting task of sorting images and finding words to accompany. I am, however, a Facebook user. So, on our trip to Wales to celebrate a certain birthday ending in a "0", I posted daily blurbs. This was partially to reassure my mother (a timid woodland creature), I was alive at the end of each day. Also, so our paddling friends and armchair adventurers might enjoy our exploits (everyone else believes I am completely out of my mind). For those of you not on Facebook, here’s a recap of my posts. Photos courtesy of my excellent fellow paddling companions, Peggy O’Neal, Kim Granfield, Santiago Berrueta, and Phil Allen. Day 1- London calling... Day 2- Arrived in Bath where we stayed in a lovely little apartment owned by a friendly couple. Everything is lush, green and in bloom. Just steps from the Canal which happens to have a little outside shop with tea, scones and clotted cream. The English in my blood may be only 1/4, but the gene is strong. What's not to love? Day 3- Tour of the ancient, amazing Roman Baths. Natural 2000 year old hot springs, "jacuzzis" and saunas. All buried and uncovered right under the city. Day 4- When rolling hills, sheep and cattle are abundant, and all vowels disappear, you know you’ve arrived in Wales. The lovely Old Schoolhouse where we stayed in Pembrokeshire, home of our host, Coach Nige Robinson. Day 5- Driving rain and Force 5-7 winds. Poked our noses out of Abercastle Harbor, around two headlands and into a few sea caves. Hopped out of my boat and walked/swam clear to the other side of one. Ended the day in sunshine, with a pub stop and superb fresh fish and chips. Good times good times... Day 6- Winds-Fresh Breeze to Strong building to Gale tonight. Fishguard to Dinas Head to Cwm-yr-Eglwys (just past Pig y Baw). Nothing like towing and self-rescue practice in current, waves and 5* conditions to kick off the season! Especially when one apparently forgets to burp the dry suit after lunch before throwing oneself over... Day 7- Winds Strong to Severe Gale. Seas, Rough to Very Rough to High. Perfect day to continue the Great Tea and Scone hunt, visit the Cathedral and hit The Bishops Pub. You know you are with a bunch of geeks when the shopping highlights include glow sticks and a trip to the hardware store to SCORE-a roll of Denzo Tape! Day 8- "Fearlessness is not a lack of fear but recognizing fear and learning to lean into it." This Tibetan Buddhist quote inspired me countless times during our trip. Gale passed and winds subsiding gradually. Tabletop navigation in the morning, followed by skills just outside Solva Harbor this afternoon. So early in the season found myself at the edge of my comfort zone in big seas. Haven't been at that spot for quite some time. Then again, not sure I've been in quite such big conditions... Day 9- Bound for "The Bitches". My new paddling theme song for the day is "Say a Little Prayer for Me"... Sunshine, wildflowers clinging to the most unlikely crevices, seals, swell and sweet surgy surf at The Bitches! Day 10- "Knackered." Original plan-a beautiful carefully calculated, committed journey around Strumble Head with few landing options. Plan A abandoned when vantage point on land miles away revealed white foam piles indicating strong swell. Instead, we launched ourselves into industrial strength washing machine outside Porthgain. Around St. David's Head in "Chunky" seas, sang longest contiguous set of songs ever recorded to keep my composure. In the shelter of the eddy, landed with a less than graceful wet exit after a small wave had it's way with me in the shallows. Lunch on a gorgeous sandy pocket beach followed by a swift but calm paddle down Ramsey Sound around the next headland into Porthclais. A good day had by all... Day 11- Ride the tide across Jack Sound to the Island of puffins. Puffins everywhere-in the water, zooming overhead, and on the cliffs, Thousands of them, along with Guillemots and Razor Bills. Fields of Bluebells in bloom. "Sporty" conditions around the "Sticky Outty Bits" of Skomer. One untethered hatch cover sacrificed to the Sea Gods. But, who needs hatch covers for Tide Race Play when you have Beach Balls? Caught the big set wave going through the slot. Upright escape. Cream tea in the sun to close another fun day. Heading to the pub now... Day 12- Tea bag on a 5* Assessment. 22 nautical miles. Dolphin in front of boat on the treadmill from Abereiddy out to the 5-6 knot current. Ferry on the escalator to North Bishop. Through tide race after tide race after tide race 2-3 miles offshore to South Bishop. Summit the lighthouse straight up the long vertical staircase in the no landing zone. Back through multiple "Spicy" tide races to the Bitches. Lunch followed by assisting for at least 1 mile towing down Ramsey across to beach near Port Clais. Dinner then Night nav to full rising orange/yellow moon back to Port Clais. Shall we say Double "Knackered"??? Day 13- The Five-0 Fab 5 Star Training Adventure has come to a close. Amazing trip with great companions and coaches. After 8 days on the water and the previous day's paddling marathon, I hit the wall (metaphorically). Voluntarily came to the conclusion I was too tired to surf even 3 small waves! Enjoyed the sunshine, scenery, a little rock play and cheered the two candidates in our group to victory. Goodbye Wales.

We will not be able to join you as we have paddling plans out of state that weekend. However, hope the water warms up between now and then! If not, take extra precautions this year! Phil, Bob Levine and I all participated in guide training for Charles River Canoe & Kayak this past weekend. The water was COLD this year-the coldest I've been in. Day 2 was in Boston Harbor and the water temp was around 38 degrees. Apparently, both here and in Maine, temps are about 7 degrees below average for this time of year. We really limited our exposure and practice was shorter than normal as a result. One assisted rescue and one self rescue just before we landed at our launch. They were quick, efficient, and even then I experienced abut of dizziness from the cold water in the ear. Have fun, just take extra care and be safe!

I did this rescue once this Summer, before knowing what it was called. A female friend, roughly the same size as me, said she was working on trying out a new technique she'd just learned and asked if I was game to assist. I don't believe she approached with speed, and I was able to drag her across my cockpit. I am not certain how much water her boat had in it at the time. I fortunately did not have any damage to either cockpit or sprayskirt. It was kind of cool. Not to say I don't appreciate the warning on possible hazards!

Seems like this would be a good roll to play with at Walden Pond. Useful when you're practicing "stupid kayak tricks", have a boat full of water and don't want to come out to empty it. Also, not sure why you would need to approach the other boat with speed. You could simply drag the boat across your lap and go from there. Agree this might not be a "go to" rescue in some circumstances. Might be fun to play around with, though!

Hi Andy, I'm not sure what the link is, but there was a really great thread posted perhaps a year ago with all kinds of great suggestions from NSPN folks on camping gear. I am sure you'd find it useful-if you do a quick search I'll bet it would come up.

Andy, you want us to disclose top secret locations? ;-)

Katherine, you are in! :-)

Pru, I am happy to take you out to introduce you to the joy that can be found in standing waves!

Cathy, Made my day to see riding standing waves and having fun is the easy one on your list. Do you ant to come surfing with Phil and me this year? I need to improve my surfing skills, but can definitely show you what's fun about it! My goals for this year are: 1) Return to Wales in May! 2) Improve my ability to read water, especially the subtleties. 3) Practice more advanced navigation skills, such as night nav and plotting ferry angles 4) After several seasons of lots of trainings and assessments, take a little break to just have fun!

One thing that came up in a training this Fall was a potential issue with both laser flares and strobes. The concern was that both could be mistaken for some type of light and not distress signals and therefore be ignored. This came up in relation to the laser flares being new, and the jury still being out on them. Just something to think about, as this would not have occurred to me.

Congratulations to Pru, Cathy and Bill! And a big thank you to Katherine, Janice, Cathy and everyone else who made this Year's party so much fun. The Gould Barn and path looked absolutely lovely. And Katherine, tough as a school teacher, during the trivia section was the perfect MC!

Sweet potato and black bean enchiladas

Congrats, Paula. No small feat!

Congrats-really looks great. Love the photos and the ability to promote club events with photos as well.

I've also had a couple instances where I've had tiny women with legs that weren't long enough to allow them to hook their foot under the cockpit rim. So even though I thought that rescue would be easier since it requires less upper body strength, it didn't work. I also encourage bigger guys to use the other method and also to come over my boat because it definitely puts less strain on me. One another note about the heel hook. I too used to get ginormous bruises on my thighs from doing the heel hook. That was because I didn't realize I needed to straighten my leg once the heel was hooked under the cockpit rim as I was coming up. Once Iearned that (thank you, Suz!) it made a huge difference in the bruising.

Brenda, I have no idea who you may be talking about...

Hi Andy, Welcome to NSPN. This is a great time of year to buy yourself an NS Atlantic RM if you've tested it and are confident it's the one for you. Check the classifieds on the various paddling boards and local shops and you are likely to find one at a great price since it's end of season...

Hi Brenda, A couple of other tricks to try coping with weathercocking in wind that I don't think have been mentioned in this thread- you can move your hands off center on the paddle so the paddle shaft is longer on the side you are sweeping. If you have enough room in the cockpit, you can also shift your butt so you are closer to the side you are edging. And I echo what everyone else has said. YES different boats behave differently in wind, and skegs are there for a reason. That reason is weather cocking.. The only reason instructors encourage not using a skeg in classes is so one doesn't become overly reliant on them without developing other boat handling skills (which can be even more of an issue in boats with rudders). The skeg is a tool, and a good one to have in your box, to use as needed. It's useful to have as many tools in that box as you can, since you might need to employ all of them at some point.

Warren, I am sure your guardian angels were with you on this trip. Your Mom would be so pleased to know you made the journey. And that you acquired the skills you needed before undertaking the trip so you could truly savor the moment. Which is after all, what it's really all about!

Warren, so happy your trip brought you joy. I am sure your skills jumped to a whole new level, all while having the time of your life. Pacific Northwest paddling is on my bucket list-hope to get there one day. So many places to paddle-not enough time and resources! Thanks for sharing your trip.