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billvoss

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    Walden Wednesday (Plan-B White Pond) - May 23rd, 2018

    in Past Trips

    Posted · Edited by billvoss

    13 hours ago, JRL said:

    If I show up after work at 5:30, will everyone already be ready for pasta?

    According to twitter:

    The boat ramp closes half an hour before the park, we usually get off the water half an hour before the boat ramp closes.  So this Wednesday we will be getting off the water around 6:30pm so that everyone is out of the boat ramp parking area before it closes at 7pm. 

    After the long weekend, Walden will probably close at 8pm so we will start getting off the water at 7pm to be out before 7:30pm.

    One Rolling Instruction Slot Available - AMC

    in Commercial Classifieds and Events Sponsored Externally to NSPN

    Posted

    I'm offering a few individuals rolling instruction through the AMC again this year.  At the moment I have one slot available for one student.  Meeting weekly Tuesdays at 4pm in Hudson, NH starting July 3rd and going through the end of August.  First person to contact the registrar via the official AMC list at  https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/105323&act=13 gets the slot.

    -Bill Voss

    30 second assisted rescue

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I really like it.  Especially the key point that the Wet One stays essentially stationary in the water.  However, I agree with past posters that it definitely requires an active well practiced "Wet One/rescu-ee."  With the approach I learned in NSPN "on the water" sessions, I can rescue someone who has never seen a T-rescue before.  Though I definitely prefer this 30-sec approach for rescuing in conditions where hopefully everyone involved has practiced a T-rescue.

    The main differences I saw from what I think of as NSPN's default technique:

    30-sec: Wet One rights kayak, moves kayak so they are at bow, indicates they want to be rescued, moves kayak so they are on side away from rescuer, presents rescuer with their bow.  (Based on narration, presumably Wet One would push kayak bow to rescuer if rescuer has poor aim.)

    NSPN: Rescuer notices someone is over, paddles over and grabs kayak where ever they can.  Rescuer INSTRUCTS Wet One to surrender their paddle, right their kayak (optional), and go to rescuer's bow.

    Next step same for both 30-sec and NSPN: Standard dump water from flooded kayak using edging instead of lifting flooded kayak (assumes kayak has bulkhead or sock).

    30-sec: Kayak is moved around Wet One, rescuer says "GO," then Wet One gets on the back deck much like the start of a Cowboy re-entry but then puts their feet into the cockpit without the Cowboy's straddle.

    NSPN: Rescuer INSTRUCTS Wet One to move around kayak, and usually to do a heel-hook re-entry.  (Note: both 30-sec/NSPN Wet Ones may grab other kayak's deck lines.)

    Both: Attach skirt.

    NSPN: Return Wet One's paddle.

    Both (not shown): Confirm Wet One OK, separate with Rescuer pushing Wet One's kayak toward Rescuer's bow.

    Comment about Wet One keeping their paddle: I routinely begin my pool session with a solo Cowboy re-entry.  So hanging onto my paddle is natural.  The only change from my solo Cowboy is the 30-sec initially holds the paddle in the stern hand across both kayaks, while my solo Cowboy initially holds the paddle in the bow hand paddle extended over the water.  I don't think I have ever done a heel-hook re-entry while holding my paddle.  I suspect that heel-hook holding paddle might be awkward.

    Comment about Rescuer giving up their paddle: In the 30-sec video both rescuers briefly set their paddle on their skirt while using both hands to flip the Wet One's kayak using both hands.  Especially in conditions, not all rescuers will be comfortable with zero hands on their paddle however briefly.  Though usually I see the rescuer taking the Wet One's paddle, not the other way around.

    2018 Pool Sessions

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    20 hours ago, mhabich said:

    If you're an ACA member, you can avoid the doggone pesky paper waivers by using the annual online ACA waiver at 
    http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=PACOnlineWaiver
    You'll need your ACA member number to complete the form.  Once that's done, you're good for the year.

    Nice.  Just did it on December 14th, 2017.  Then I wondered if the waiver I just electronically signed expires on December 31st, 2017, in a year on December 13th, 2018, or on December 16th, 2018 when my current ACA membership expires.  Anyone know?

    Skin on Frame

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    If you have been on an NSPN trip where someone was paddling a skin-on-frame, it was probably me.  While a number of NSPNers own and/or have built skin-on-frame kayaks, I believe I'm the only currently active member who still always uses their skin-on-frame kayak when they sea kayak.  I've sent you a PM with my phone number if that is more suitable to you needs.  I'm also happy to discuss skin-on-frame kayaks here.  (If you haven't found it already, you should also checkout the http://www.qajaqusa.org/ forum.)

    Someone who has built and paddled a skin-on-frame but now uses a factory kayak would be a better resource if you want to be talked out of building your own.

    In my opinion, the main downside of a skin-on-frame is the lack of a rear bulkhead if you need to be rescued.  Though a sea-sock can address that issue if you don't have confidence in your roll, and with a little patience rescuing a skin-on-frame without a sock is very similar to rescuing a Cleopatra's Needle situation.

    The main upside is the psychic joy of paddling a kayak you built yourself without having to commit as many hours as you would need for a strip built kayak.  There is also something neat about paddling a skin kayak instead of a hard shell that makes you feel more connected to the water.

    I should also note that skin-on-frame does not mean Greenland Kayak, though all true Greenland Kayaks are skin-on-frame kayaks.  Personally I love my modern F1, and have high hopes for my not yet launched Baidarka.  Because I'm big and inflexible, I'm far less interested in Greenland style Kayaks.

    -Bill

    P.S.

    While I have carved two Greenland paddles and have three unfinished in my basement, I currently use a Gearlab Paddle as my primary sea kayaking paddle.

    Final 2017 Walden Wednesday (September 27th, 2017)

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Walden Wednesdays are coming to an end for 2017.  Weather permitting I believe the consensus is that September 27th will be the last Walden Wednesday for the year.

    I currently hope to arrive around 4pm.  Note that as of September 20th the water temperature was 71 degrees, and the park was closing at 6:30pm meaning we get off the water around 6pm.

    Walden Wednesday (September 20th, 2017)

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Anyone want to come out and play this Wednesday?  I would like to arrive around 4pm. 

    Note that Walden is closing at 6:30pm these days, which means getting off the water around 6pm.  The National Weather Service is also currently predicting "Showers likely, mainly before 2pm," but is NOT predicting thunder.  Since I expect to get wet anyway, I consider the chance of showers to be a minor inconvenience.

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