billvoss

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Bill, if you're a white water paddler, you're probably more rough water- savvy than you think, as whitewater , along with surf , is a classic way of advancing rough water skills.

I do think it will be more of a challenge to get my sustained pace up to 4 knots, than to paddle in rough conditions. However, it still seems prudent to first encounter rough water in a well spotted training environment, and not wait for unexpectedly bad weather on an L3 trip.

We'll try to organize a intro-to-moving water safari there this summer.

An intro-to-moving water day would be wonderful. Combining the NSPN "Master Calendar" and my personal calendar, assuming we wait till at least June for warmer water, it would need to be on August 18th, 19th, 25th, or 26th or sometime in September to avoid hitting a weekend which already has at least one paddle scheduled! I just love the way the 2012 calendar is filling up so early!

Google says Bath, ME is almost 3 hours away for me, , but something on the North Shore of MA, or the NH coast would definitely be wonderful.

greg teaches intro to tide race paddling several times throughout the summer.

It looks like www.kayakwaveology.com is probably the closest commercial option suggested so far. Depending on where in Rhode Island they meet, Google is giving me driving times in the 1:45 to 2:30 range. I'm already booked for the tide race weekends he has on his calendar. However, his surf weekend in April looks promising. I just used his contact form to see if I can attend it as a pair of day trips (to preserve domestic harmony).

Check out Seacliffkayakers.com in Boothbay.

At first I thought the seacliffkayakers.com/Classes.html page was empty. After I figured out that I was supposed to click the links for class descriptions I got a bit excited. A number of the offerings sound great. Unfortunately, when I went to seacliffkayakers.com/Calendar.html I did not find any of the classes I was interested in listed. There is a lot of open space on the calendar, but this is not the year to procrastinate on picking dates! Google also estimates a more than three hour drive for me to Boothbay, ME. Which makes a day trip challenging. Perhaps he will offer something further south someday.

Thanks again,

Bill Voss

Can you tell us what intermediate rough water skills you hope to experience? Everyone's definition of rough water differs; and we don't know where your current skills and experience are at. The more details the better.

By intermediate rough water, I mean conditions which exceed NSPN L3 criteria, but which are mostly within NSPN L4 criteria.

In my Sea Kayak, I consider myself a solid L3 paddler, trying to become an L4 paddler. I've also become addicted to Greenland rolling. To become an L4 paddler using NSPN's paddle level criteria, I still need to practice paddling in up to 25 knot winds, up to 4 foot waves and surf, up to 4 knot current, improve my "Surf skills," improve my "Tidal current skills," and get my sustained paddling pace up to 4 knots. Any training which safely moves me toward L4 is good.

So far, I've basically paddled in L3 and milder conditions. I do not have much if any sea kayaking experience in L4 conditions. Last summer I started joining the Tuesday night surf sessions, but never made it on a "big" surf night. I have also done a tiny bit of rock gardening, but still consider myself a beginner. The bumpiest open water paddling I've experienced was either the confused chop in Boston Harbor (which I loved), or a paddle at Newburyport where the tide opposed the wind at the mouth and kicked up a little excitement. Though I have a solid flat-water setup roll, I don't know if I have a sea kayak combat roll, because I've never accidentally capsized my sea kayak in water more than about a foot deep.

I am also a solid class 2 white-water paddler, working on becoming a class 3 paddler. In my WW boat, I have a good chance of rolling up in a combat situation, but it is not a certainty. In a pool, my Sea Kayak roll with a Greenland paddle is much more reliable than my WW roll.

By the way, I posted this in Events and Commercial Classified because I wanted to allow commercial responses. Though I'm definitely cheap enough that an NSPN "developing L3 paddlers into L4 and beyond..." series would be perfection.

While WALES! sounds wonderful, my skills, budget, and wife all say that trip is not for me this year. However, I would like to attend some intermediate rough water skills training closer to home this summer, and my calendar is quickly filling up. My wife would like me to restrict myself to day trips. Though I might be able to sweet talk her into letting me go for a long weekend.

Any suggestions?

This AMC trip may be of interest to NSPN members.

On March 25th, 2012, I'll be assisting Jerry Smith in leading an AMC Sea Kayaking trip in Portsmouth, NH. Jerry is a Maine Sea Kayak Guide. I'm just an "intermediate paddler." The official AMC trip listing is at activities.outdoors.org here.

In NSPN terms, this would be an L2 trip in the summer, but will carry an L3 rating because it is a winter paddle.

For those unfamiliar with AMC trips, non-AMC members are welcome to join most AMC trips. The official AMC trip listing will show any restrictions or charges to participate. Unlike NSPN, the AMC carries liability insurance, and thus must comply with the insurance company's rules. Those rules include having AMC approved leaders for each trip. The leaders are required to screen participants so that beginners do not endanger themselves and others on advanced trips. Registration for sea kayak trips is also usually limited to a single pod, because a led trip can not easily be split into multiple pods at the put-in. All participants will also be required to sign a liability waiver, and to wear a PFD.

There is no charge for this trip. Everyone attending must pre-register with Jerry. The AMC custom is to only disclose the exact launch time and location to registered participants, and it is not appropriate to bring along an unregistered "friend" without getting the trip leader's approval in advance.

Despite the additional bureaucracy, AMC paddles are still paddles, and paddles are almost always fun. So I hope you can join us.

Also posted to the Calendar.

I love having NSPN trips for those who plan!

August

Sat 8/11 Gerrish Is. Doug Mogill

L3-L4

Alas, this one conflicts with my Boston Harbor - 18 mile AMC Sea Kayak Trip, which I published back in 2011!

That is a real shame, because I would love to join the Gerrish trip, and because I will miss some of the NSPNer's who might have otherwise joined my trip.

I think my roll would be toasted if I paddled that.

The ultimate for lightness is a SOF boat and they are tough enough, but not many are designed for "regular" paddlers as opposed to Greenland fans.

I love my F1 by Cape Falcon, and paddle it all the time. The Cape Falcon L.P.B. also looks interesting. They are both "modern" SOF designs, as opposed to reproductions of historic designs. However, only consider the SOF choice if you want to build your own boat, either at home, or in a week long workshop. Note that the Delmarva class http://www.capefalconkayak.com/events.html is in Delaware, a reasonable drive from here. Delmarva is also a great event to attend in its own right.

"NEW" GREENLAND Rolling and Bracing Clinic just added. (Cost of entrance to the pool session "only")

Awesome. I'll be mailing you another check.

... I would use Thule cross bars even if the car came with cross bars. ...

Then go to http://www.thule.com and use the Thule Fit Guide for the particular vehicle you are looking at. Thule will have model and year specific information, and will know what you can safely mount to the factory equipment.

My current favorite is the Ice Bay by Glacier Glove http://www.glacieroutdoor.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=17 The raw neoprene is grippy on the paddle and the glove isn't so heavy that it is hard to grip the paddle with. I find they may not last long as the neo is thin and the seams may need a little reinforcement on the outside after they start leaking. But, they work for me.

I definitely second the Ice Bay glove. That is the heaviest glove that I feel comfortable wearing while holding a paddle. Unfortunately, the seams definitely do give out. I think I'm on my third pair. I have not tried "a little reinforcement on the outside" and am curious about the details of what worked.

I acquired a pair of pogie's last X-mas, and used them for a new years day paddle. I felt a bit trapped in them, when combined with my big hands and the Ice Bay gloves. They were also a non-starter with my Greenland paddle.

...along with my talent to hit the highest rock during every rockplay...

I think I found a higher rock on Saturday. See pictures 29 and 32, which I'm pretty sure are both the same rock. Which I was able to enjoy for a little longer than I originally planned.

It was definitely a great day. I'm very glad I joined you.

Please post interest below....

I think I'll probably be able to join you.

-Bill

I guess the weather scared everyone off. So I will NOT be going to Walden this Friday.

I'm very interested in another pond session this Friday, if anyone else will commit to be there to help me with my boat, and spot me on the water! I think I could get there by 4pm. Anyone interested?

Last call. I need someone else to say they want to go by early Thursday afternoon. Otherwise I will not arrange for time off from work, and will not be loading my boat on the car Thursday night.

The first Friday in October, the sun will be setting around 6:17pm, but I might be up for practicing what I learned at Delmarva. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

I'm very interested in another pond session this Friday, if anyone else will commit to be there to help me with my boat, and spot me on the water! I think I could get there by 4pm. Anyone interested?

NOAA is currently predicting Sunny with a Hi of 63 °F on Friday.

For rolling practice, a dry-suit might be nice, but how is that different from the rest of the summer? Besides, if you have not done so already, you should probably check your dry-suit before going out on a "real" paddle this fall anyway.

It looks like I should be able to join you!

-Bill

Given my wife's need for my assistance Friday, the current drizzle at my house, and the forecast for rain tomorrow, I'm not going to load my boat on the car tonight, which means I won't be joining you tomorrow, September 23rd, 2011.

Next week I should be arriving at Delmarva Friday afternoon for a whole weekend of rolling. Sorry you are not all coming with me!

The first Friday in October, the sun will be setting around 6:17pm, but I might be up for practicing what I learned at Delmarva. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

till later,

-Bill

If you are planning on attending, please post here.

I plan to attend.

Not sure if I will be able to get there early.

-Bill

Gempler's does not seem to be selling rolls of fluorescent plastic tape any more.

It is not a roll, but I have used Gempler's Fluorescent Orange Vehicle Marking Tape (Strips) Item No: F6PKKIT in the past.

I have not used them, but these Gempler options might also work for you:

2" x 25-ft. Roll Red Reflexite Tape Item No: RXR25

2" x 25-ft. Roll Yellow Reflexite Tape Item No: RXY25

Retro-reflective Tape - Fluorescent Orange Item No: 173308

My boat is on my car, and I expect to leave work around 4pm to arrive at Walden around 5pm.

I consider 2 people the minimum for safe rolling practice. So in my opinion, we should be fine.

-Bill

I love the "View New Content" option, but have a problem.

In the morning I usually have my browser open a whole bunch of tabs at once, including NSPN. Before the end of the day, I normally get to each tab, including NSPN. When I get to the NSPN tab, I click "View New Content". Unfortunately, on days like today, where I connected to NSPN in the morning, but don't click "View New Content" until late in the day, instead of getting all the content that I have not read, I get a message like:

There are 3 new entries since Today, 10:11 AM

So basically, on days like today, I'm missing all the new content that occurred before I opened my browser tabs this morning. Is there a workaround? Some other way to get a listing of all the recent content without having to manually visit each individual message board? I'd be happy to manually specify that I wanted the new content from the last N days, or something along those lines. The board is just trying to be too helpful in my case.

thanks,

Bill Voss

If the weather resembles or even I plan to be there on Friday to see

However, if the weather resembles I'll be staying home.

-Bill

Please post here if you pan on attending tonight's session.

I plan to attend.

I have to see more

Belated August 3rd congratulations to Warren for doing the back-deck rodeo roll in his polo kayak on his first attempt, then repeating it as he says "100 more times."

August 17th congratulations to Warren for repeating the back-deck rodeo roll in a nice long sea kayak. Note: Warren also has a hand-roll, so I'm not surprised he found the back-deck rodeo roll trivial.

Speaking of hand-rolls. Congratulations to Les who I saw do her first two hand-rolls yesterday! I also saw her stand up in her boat (for a very long time) and eventually juggle two balls. She promises to try 3 balls next time. So come join us, and enjoy her performance.

Warning to all, be careful of the signs when you park, especially if you annoy a grumpy old non-NSPN paddler with a tendency to complain to the rangers. One of our group escaped with an official "warning" from the rangers on August 17th for parking between the "Reserved for trailers" signs. Unfortunately, on nice days like yesterday, the boat launch lot can fill up very quickly at 5pm, leaving you little choice but to unload, and then drive to the main lot to park.

We have 2 more sessions coming up this month.

August 24 - Sunset 7:34pm

August 31 - Sunset 7:22pm

Some of our regulars, including Les, will not be able to attend after school starts, the life guards say the swim area closes after Labor Day, and the rangers say they will start closing the boat ramp at sunset instead of 7:30pm.

September 7 - Sunset 7:10pm

September 14 - Sunset 6:58pm

September 21 - Sunset 6:45pm

September 28 - Sunset 6:33pm

Is anyone else interested and capable of meeting around 4pm in September instead of 5pm, or should we just admit the season is over after August?

-Bill

In the preventive department, I used to always dump and immediately refill the bladder with city tap water after every use, then immediately stick the bladder in the fridge. Thus I always had cool water immediately available, and very very little growth in the bladder or tube.

Now, like most, I just try to drain and air out my bladder. That does not work nearly as well as the old system. However, now I'm on well water, and now I share the fridge with my wife. So my old system is no longer practical for me.

-Bill