Lallen

As far as safety calls go, we had info for the Canadian Coast Guard, Twilingate Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Mayor of Twillingate, who apparently is also the Harbor Master. Plus the ranger at Dildo Run Park gave us his cell and told us not to hesitate to call if necessary. We all carried Marine radios, and had a SPOT device to send messages to family and friends monitoring the trip. Fortunately, no need to use the emergency call numbers! Pru, mosquitoes were surprisingly non-existent. With the exception of the wooded island we stayed on night 6. For some reason (I think because of the wind direction, they all flocked to my side (outside!) of the tent. I counted 50 clinging by my head. Told Phil I thought I was part of a new Alfred Hitchcock film entitled "The Mosquitos."

John, the upcoming 4* training with Carmody is the weekend on Sept 15th & 16th in Boothbay.

If you have a group of friends with whom you like to paddle, know their skills, etc... that's great. However one of the great things about NSPN is that it gives those excited about being on the water who haven't experienced how vulnerable we all are an opportunities to get on the water hopefully with some more experienced paddlers. Phil and I often paddle now with friends whom we've discovered have mutual goals, skills and common interests over time. It's often simpler and more fun. NSPN definitely played a huge role in our getting to this point. The opportunity to get butt in boat time on the water with the group-for better and worse sometimes-was key. Not to mention seeing people with different skill levels, the CAM workshops and wisdom shared by more experienced folks, and the introductions to great coaches, etc... NSPN also provides an opportunity to build those friendships with people you trust so you don't have to paddle solo even if it isn't in the context of an official CAM/club trip. I think there are some problems with the CAM model. But, given the liability issue, I'm not sure there's another model realistically available to the club.

Congratulations, Pru! Will I see you at John's 4* training in September?

Hi Kathy, As Warren mentions, there are some excellent coaches for both the ACA and BCU. Some have certifications in both. I agree that finding the right coach or coaches that fit with your particular learning style is key. Personally, I've been working to develop my own paddling and leadership skills through the BCU. However, for my teaching purposes, I'm planning to go through the ACA Instructor Development Workshop and Certification process. The reason for this is simple. I was introduced to the BCU system under one of the finest coaches around. I like the structured system of skills development it offers and the rigorous training. This is not to imply the ACA doesn't have that, it's just what attracted me to the BCU. However, from a teaching/guiding perspective since the ACA is an American program, it carries with it insurance you can't get via the BCU in this country. And also seems to be widely recognized as a standard for coaches here. I don't think though instead of focusing on ACA or BCU finding the right coaches is really the most important piece.

One of the most common reasons the group gets split or spread out is when the faster paddlers at the front fail to look behind them. I've seen this happen on CAM trips, on led trips and several times during guide training. People often simply forget to keep looking over their shoulder to see where the rest of the group is. I'm sure I've been guilty at various times, too! There are always faster and slower paddlers within a group. So, if the folks at the head of the pack aren't super vigilant about looking behind and stopping to wait as needed, it doesn't take long for the group to get spread way out. Is this a problem? Yes. One example is during guide training we were paddling around an island. There was a lead and a sweep. The sweep couldn't see all of the paddlers up front because we were rounding the island. The guide upfront never looked back. One of the paddlers in the group seized the opportunity and went off in the other direction. He'd done another complete circle without the two guides even realizing he was gone.... It served to illustrate well how you quickly you could lose someone of you aren't vigilant about keeping track of where everyone is. The solution is for everyone to be conscious of this, keep turning around and wait for others to catch up. Another reason groups get split is when members of the group have different desires about what they want to do. I.e. one group wants to play in the rocks, another makes a beeline for their destination. Discussing expectations upfront and coming to an agreement about who's doing what and when is one option. One thing that can sometimes be an issue especially on CAM trips is that the more adventurous paddlers are often the more experienced or stronger paddlers. So this can be problematic if it means the least experienced paddlers are left to fend for themselves while the others play. Especially in more challenging conditions. A willingness for more experienced folks to take turns looking out for less experienced paddlers and rotating who's playing can be helpful. As mentioned on the previous radio thread, conditions can also make it more of a challenge to stay together. Wind can make communication difficult. Swell and waves require enough separation that you don't end up surfing onto your fellow paddlers. It also becomes more challenging to keep close contact with your paddling partners if you're at the limit of your comfort zone and paddling as hard as you can and working to maintain boat control. It also becomes even more crucial to keep the group cohesive in these circumstances since the risk increases as well. I've seen the buddy system work in this type of situation. I'm sure there are other reasons and other solutions but that's what comes to mind for now!

Just a shout out to Adventure Kayak Magazine for its wit and sense of fun. My latest issue just arrived. What's not to love about a magazine that posts "Safety: The New Don't Get Hit by Ship App" and "Gear: For Weather that Blows" as it's cover lines? For those of not familiar with it, this is a Canadian magazine you can find at REI or online. While they have some excellent info on a variety of topics, what I admire most is the tone and fact that they don't take themselves TOO seriously-after all kayaking is supposed to be fun! (And by the way, they do acknowledge the downside of trying to use an app on the water!) Of course, I enjoy all sorts of kayak porn-each magazine has its own unique merits. Sea Kayaker has some great info (addicted to their first person accounts of trips gone awry and analysis). Ocean Paddler, out of the UK is gorgeous-the photos are always stunning. Any other great resources like these out there other folks like?

Group cohesion is another great topic of discussion. And Gene, I definitely agree with you about the electronic medium. It's so easy for tone and intent to be misinterpreted. As you say, face to face many conversations that have gone haywire on the board would likely have been very pleasant discussions without anyone feeling offended, defensive, or slighted.

Billy, thanks for solving the mystery. Good meeting you and having you along on the first leg.

Christopher, oh glad to hear it wasn't you! We were afraid you'd waited to make sure we were back-looked like it may have been you car. Much better to hear you were sound asleep as it was late.

Les, we must have been typing our trip reports and posting at the same time! Lol.

Six of us launched from Lanes Cove for a meandering game of follow the leader through the rocks around Halibut Point to Rockport. Billy D quickly learned from the rest of us how to put scratches on his beautiful Tide Race Explorer. A pod of 4 decided conditions were perfect to continue on and circumnavigate Cape Ann. An orange moonrise followed a brilliant sunset. Water "fireflies" danced off our paddles. Gentle swells accompanied us on the leg from Rockport to Gloucester Harbor with the revolving light beckoning. Rick Crangle deftly led us along with his local knowledge of hidden shoals, buoys out in the middle of nowhere and rocks that might appear. Crashing waves bounced off the rocks to our right. Just before the Dogbar someone turned on the washing machine. As we rounded the bend, the phenomenon of Gloucester Harbor receding as we paddled in became apparent. A quick beach break with hot tea, snickers and organic peanut bars fortified us for the last leg of our journey. Les and I couldn't believe how the length of the endless Annisquam had tripled since the last time we paddled it. Fog softly greeted us and stayed off our left shoulder as we emerged from the Annisquam and made our way back to Lane's Cove. But wait, who was in that car with the boat on top we spied leaving Lane's as we arrived back at 1 am? Sure hope it wasn't Christopher waiting to make sure we'd made it safely back?! Must have been an illusion. Thank you Christopher for posting and to my paddling companions for a spectacular evening.

We shall plan to see you then, weather and traffic permitting!

Phil and I are interested. We could do either Friday or Saturday.

Like many other decisions we all make each time we paddle, where to carry the radio or other gear is a question of risk analysis and how much risk vs convenience you are comfortable with. Ideally, having any gear you might need on your body in the event of emergency if you are separated from your boat is the safest option. However, it's a personal choice. Radios and other electronic gear do wear out much more quickly on your PFD when exposed to salt water than when kept dryer in a hatch. And the new small knee hatches are very accessible provided you aren't separated from your boat. So, on a clear, windless, flat day with a group of experienced paddlers, does everyone inthe group absolutely need to have their radios on their PFDs? I'd say if you are comfortable and keep the group tight so you are all within hearing distance, probably not. On the other hand, if it's pea soup fog with lobster boats around, the risk increases and so IMHO wearing the radio becomes more prudent. There are lots of choices we make and it's good to be aware of them and what makes you comfortable and why. Do you carry a first aid kit? Where do you store that? Do you have a mini first aid kit you keep on your PFD and one in your hatch? What about if you get stranded overnight somewhere? Do you have a bivvy sack? Do you keep that in your boat or on your PFD? I started carrying a bivvy in my PFD because it's light and I can tuck it into my hydration pack on my back and I don't even notice it. Could be a life saving piece of gear if everything went to crap. I'm comfortable with this choice but wouldn't presume everyone would be nor would I dictate they must do it this way. Again my point is we should all think about these things and the what ifs and then make our own decisions-whether it's where and how we store our gear to whether or not we decide to get on the water based on our own risk analysis and comfort levels.

Rob, the full neoprene skirt is much better at keeping the water out. The nylon skirts are especially good for beginners since they tend to pop off the boat so easily in the event of "an unexpected water landing.". The only caveat with the neoprene skirt is to be sure to practice wet exits with it a few times to make sure you can comfortably get it off your boat when necessary. Not a big deal just something to practice since different skirts vary in terms of how snug the fit to the cockpit is. I have one of the Glacier skirts Ern refers to above. I love it for Winter, since it's much easier to get up over the drop seat zipper on the women's drysuit. Also more comfortable with multiple layers on under the drysuit since it's so adjustable. For summer, playing in surf and rolling, etc... I prefer to use a full neoprene skirt since it definitely accumulates less water.

Yes-the thunder, dark sky and line of red and yellow on the radar all indicate staying home tonight is the wisest course.

I'd be up for this with more notice as well.

Hey Pru, Your topic is quite hot :-)

Katherine, really wish I could assist you on this one but we have other plans for the day.

Our favorite comment came from a 4 year old when we were launching at Walden Pond for some rolling practice one evening. She pointed at our boats and said, "Look Mom, big kids.". Out of the mouths of babes...

Also read another interesting thread elsewhere on the topic (think it was paddling.net. Consesus there was similar to all comments above-largely body and boat dependent. There was some discussion that the boat was less likely to turn while performing the stroke if you edged into the stroke (which had to do with what happens to the stern as Bob described above).

Hi Pru, Sorry I missed it. I had a project at work due yesterday COB and was still working on it after COB... Will check the calendar too see if I can come next week.

Pru, I believe you can do it either way. If you edge away it feels more stable. But I think both are ways are options and help the boat slide more efficiently.

I have a project on deadline Thursday so will depend on if I can get that done in time. If so, Eric I will likely take you up on your offer to be my victim. And Pru, I do seem to recall an instance in Maine where a certain someone was rescuing me during practice and I was most grateful. I had dressed accordingly ;-)