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Hey Peter and Kate, thank you both for organizing this workshop! I will plan to be there. Perhaps I will also bring one of my favorite receipes as well. Kate, I would also value your "lessons learned" on any special safety measures you consider when paddling solo. Especially when you paddle solo in a new area for the first time. Warren

Cathy, thank you for a great trip report! And Jerry, thank you for the great pictures. It was an excellent way to begin the paddling season, great conditions, great leadership (Jerry and Bill) and great paddling buddies. Now if I could only find my paddlers' body from last season! Hopefully, it will reappear from it's winter hibernation before the kayak camping trip to Jewell Island. Warren

Rick, Since we now name hurricanes equally for men and women, you might consider a guy name for your new boat. When my Explorer arrives in the same container as yours (Quill/White/Black), it will be christened "Charlie" as in "Charlie the Tuna". The color combination seemed to influence my decision. Warren

Rick, Color combination may influence the choice. I feel a "Tart" should be red. Are you getting a red boat? Warren

Al, I believe you have hit the nail on the head with the question, "Is it the goal of NSPN to grow the membership of the club?" If so, we do need many inexperienced L2 paddlers who are working their way to become L3/L4 paddlers. To achieve that goal mentoring is critical. However, the beginners must do the heavy lifting during the knowledge transfer and understand they will need to work outside their comfort zone to grow. I believe the problem for many beginners is that they do not know what they don't know. NSPN already has in place the on-water CAM workshops which are superb! However, the L2 paddlers may not understand the value those sessions provide. When I attended one last year, I saw more L3/L4 paddlers than L2 paddlers in attendence. If we reach out to the L2 paddlers, perhaps they will attend in greater numbers. Warren

Doug, Facinating topic. I suspect it will receive many comments. As you know, last season was my first time kayaking. I participated in my first CAM trip on May 5 2011. It was a great learning experience for me. It did help me realize that I needed more paddling skills, so I began the BCU and ACA structured programs. It also taught me that the CAM model by design tends to have trip leaders and participants with varying degrees of skill and that requires each participant to have a high degree of self responsibility. That variation within the group further taught me the need for seamanship skills and solid decision making skills. I discovered the need for solo trips and trips where I would be one of the senior members in order to force the skills to be embedded in my actions. So during the June, July and August period, I needed to step back from the CAM model until I felt ready to return. By September I had the basic skill structure in place and enjoyed several CAM trips in September/October and hope to enjoy many more in 2012. In essence, CAM can help a beginner move into the novice and intermediate levels quickly, if they do not mind the unpredictable nature of the design. However, it is clearly not for everyone! Warren

Gene, Three weeks ago I took delivery on a 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport Limited. The Sport version comes with factory installed side rails. I then installed Thule crossbars. I used 47" Rapid Aero Load Bars (RB47) with the Rapid Crossroads (450R) and I installed locks on each. The mesurements are 40" side-to-side on the front crossbar and 37" side-to-side on the rear crossbar. The crossbars are separated 32" front to back. I use this same arrangement on my 2010 Subaru Forrester and I plan to use the Fairing and the Set and Go kayak craddle on both. Thank you for the heads up on the rollerloader! I like the sound of it and perhaps I will get one and try it out. I think the version with the 8" wheels should clear the rear deflector on the Impreza. If I put together the package soon would it be helpful to meet someplace convenient so you can check it out? It seems like a great way to protect the back and shoulders from excessive wear and tear. Warren

Doug, Wow! You are getting into kayak camping!! Excellent! Just a few quick ideas and more to follow later. I have had success with the following; Hilleberg Staika (green) tent, Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 32 regular and 45 regular, Exped SunMat 7 UL M. Unfortunately, these items are not inexpensive, but they do provide a great camping experience. Hopefully, we can camping this season on Casco, Muscongus or the Stonington islands. And let's not forget Squam Lake! Warren

Gary, Count me in as well. Since I have never been to Jewell Island, you can add me to the list of first timers. Warren

Gary and Kate, I have had success using three tools. A Garmin Oregon 450, Garmin BlueChart Canada g2 , and Garmin HomePort. The combination allows me to save waypoints and build routes on the desktop then upload them to the GPS. That way I never key in a waypoint on the GPS and run the risk of a keying error. Kate, I learned that potential point of failure from one of your trip reports. The other benefit of the BlueChart data chip is the ability to transfer it to the GPS. You always know where you are with the detailed nautical chart even if you did not set a waypoint. It is slick! Warren

Jeff, For a year now I have been happy with the factory rails on my Subaru and Thule crossbars in a configuration identical to Doug's description above. I did purchase locking mechanisms as well as a fairing. I was able to install them myslf, but there is a store in Framingham as Doug mentioned that can be a great help. The vehicle is a Subaru Forrester 2010. Next week I will be adding a second vehicle with an identical arrangement. The second vehicle will be a 2012 Impreza Sport Limited 5 door. Both vehicles were selected for the sole purpose of riding under my NDK kayaks. Warren

Katherine, Thank you for your kind words. I am planning the use the Romany often this coming year. The Romany will no doubt be my favorite since it is perfect for day trips and one or two night camping trips. I do, however, have a strong desire to complete several camping trips that are longer than 3 nights. For those trips the Romany's storage capacity would be too tight for me. With the two boats I am hoping to spend even more time on the water in 2012. Katherine, I hope 2012 will be a great year for you and I look forward to seeing you on the water. Warren

Gene, Thank you for the great concept! I did not have a chance to think about it, but yes, I received a true paddlers spinal fusion! They used 50% local bone and 50% man made cages with two keel strips held in place with 6 screws. I did not get a chance to pick a color for the keel strip but since it does not show, who would notice. Now what a really need is a full clear gelcoat repair, maybe next year. Warren

Pru, Absolutely! And the wine cooler and martini bar! We may have many NSPNers wanting to join in on our camping trips! Warren

Peter, I am ordering a 2012 NDK Explorer 50/50 layup with custom forward bulkhead placement and a few other details that I need from Tom at MIKCo. Tom believes the container will arrive Feb/Mar which probably means Mar/Apr which will be fine for me. Same colors as my Romany, just a little longer. Should hold all my gear. Warren

I would like to thank all the members who nominated me for the Traservo Award and the Board of Directors for selecting me. It is a great honor and a great way to cap off my first year of kayaking. I wish I could have been able to attend the Holiday Party to receive the award, but I was being discharged for the hospital after having a spinal fusion procedure to repair my lower back. My recovery journey is going very well and will be coupled to an intensive weigth training program starting in January so that I can emerge stronger and better prepared for kayaking camping expeditions in 2012. Shortly after the New Year, Santa is planning a delivery of my new expedition quality kayak and an expanded collection of camping gear so that Pru and I can enjoy many camping trips off the coast of Maine. Recently, a collection of NOAA charts for the Jonesport/Machias regions arrived and Staples helped me prepare laminated sections for each of our trips. (Thank you Ed Lawson for the great idea, the charts look awesome!) I would also like to wish all the NSPN community a safe and healthy holiday season. Hopefully, we will each have many opportunities to use these winter months to begin planning for our kayak camping expeditions in 2012. Take care, Warren

I have been happy wearing wool (Ibex) layers under my dry suit. I have two upper and two lower which I adjust to existing conditions. I also like having my storm cag handy during lunch breaks and also to wear during nasty days. Blaine, during a nasty day on Knubble Bay this past summer the storm cag came out of my day hatch and kept me dry and happy. (Definitely go for the Gore-Tex version.) Supprisingly, among the 15+ paddlers that day, I was the only paddler with one. I never paddle without it in the day hatch. Warren

Gary, Thank you for an excellent report! I have never been to Moosehead Lake and now I want to go in 2012 since it is another place to spot an eagle. Also, having lived under a mushroom most of my life, I have never seen a moose. Eagle and moose, what more could you ask for on a trip. Now Gary, PB&J X4! I do need to share some of my camping recipes. Warren

Peter, thank you very much for your perspective on how a paddler obtains local knowledge. Over the summer I have tried to purchase many publications and became familiar with several websites. My goal was to improve my seamanship skills so they would help me feel safe on the water. I also highly value the help I have received via NSPN postings. As I look forward to 2012, I have much more to learn and accomplish. Gene, my esteemed colleague, I understand, as well, how solo trips can help a paddler become more skilled and an improved team member on group paddles. I do like both approaches, but sometimes I need to get away by myself on a solo trip to gain the confidence in my own abilities that I can not gain through a group trip or class setting. Over the summer I did have the very good fortune to paddle with Pru who is very much a like-minded paddler and together we learn from each other. We have the added safety of watching over each other as well as the ability to meet our learning goals. I very much enjoy reading the insights from Rick and Phil regarding the complexity of structuring a learning environment as they take on the roll of coach/teacher/leader. A responsibility that Mark and Sean struggled with at the Lumpy Waters Symposium. As a student, I believe I have four important obligations to the coach/teacher/leader. 1. Self examine your skills/ knowledge and be very honest with yourself and your teacher/paddling buddy. 2. Understand how you learn/retain knowledge and choose the correct format for the knowledge transfer. Perhaps a group class or group paddle is not your best approach. 3. By very clear and concise in your communications. While at the same time be constructive. 4. Do your “homework” in preparing for a class/trip since your life may depend upon your effort. Warren

This past summer I did have an opportunity to implement an action similar to what you described. In order to take the action (lay low and watch others until the lesson was over) I needed two important pieces of data. 1. My abilities from previous lessons. In this case I can successfully surf waves of 1 to 1.5 feet in height. 2. What is the wave height in this new lesson? On that day the waves measured 3.5 feet in height. As the instructor commented, "They are as big as they get during the summer months!" After four gallant attempts which all failed, I said to myself, "Not me, not today. I will return again when the waves are 2 feet in height." Ed, I as well feel at times I am a timid woodland creature. That day this timid woodland creature hide out under a mushroom and sipped a martini! Warren

Rick, Thank you for your insights into the symposium model. I sense that the two major New England symposiums have been run with the structure you describe. However, the model does seem to me to create a potential risk simply due to the fix date requirement. I have noticed that somehow over the summer my abilities to access risks have changed. I no longer believe any fellow paddler or any highly skilled instructor should shoulder most of the responsibility to protect me for harm. I have the ultimate responsibility. So I must question each trip/class as to its safety for me. I do believe many of the students in that class on surfing did understand their responsibilities and spent most of their time on the beach. Perhaps because of my transition, I did not view this report with the same fear reaction as the NSPN Isle of Shoals report. However, I do believe both reports have a great deal to teach us regarding how we see and understand risks. As you mention above, I do understand the value of local knowledge. I also understand how valuable that knowledge can be when it is part of a paddling team. However, I tend to take a different path in my journey which can involve solo trips and trips in new areas where local knowledge is not available or part of the paddling team. Because of that path I am keenly aware of the increased risk and am intrigued as to how other NSPN colleagues deal with that dilemma. Perhaps other esteemed NSPN colleagues will jump in with their insights. Rick, in the report Mark felt both he and Sean should shoulder a great deal of the responsibility for the outcome. Perhaps as a fellow coach/leader you would agree. I, however, feel the students had some responsibilities as well. If you agree that the students did in fact have responsibilities to the team, what are their responsibilities and what would you like to have seen in their actions. Warren

Pru and Bob, Wow! I hope this thread has legs for a few more days. Therefore, let me throw out a few ideas. It is interesting how each of you assess risk. A common human trait is the tendency to "drift into at-risk behavior". Unfortunately, the data shows that this trait is more common among the very highly skills people within all occupations. Fortunately, I have not seen this behavior during any of the classes I have taken here in New England, but I am always looking for it to appear. I believe both Mark and Sean drifted into an at-risk behavior and unfortunately a good barrier to counter that behavior had been removed. The barrier was group understanding of the waters to be used during the class. Perhaps this is a common weakness in the Symposium model? Since it is my goal to paddle in the Pacific Northwest, I found this report to be facinating to say the least. Pru and Bob, I do believe that our much less experienced skill sets can bring value in both the way we understand behavior and in the way we manipulate barriers to drifting into at-risk behaviors. Warren

Rick, Thank you for posting the link above. I find postings of that nature to be riveting. Perhaps each of us are constantly trying to find the right balance between what helps us feel safe/comfortable on the water and what helps us feel challenged and rewarded. Before beginning each trip I am reminded of a statement you made to me this summer in Seabrook. The statement was; "Be careful and thoughtful regarding the trajectory of your kayaking journey. If not, you may very well find yourself in a situation that you are ill prepared to handle." No doubt those were words of wisdom gained from prior experiences. However they were gained, they will stay with me as my journey continues. Warren

Suz, Yes, I use the approach you describe above, but I also needed to add Mrs. Palmers Surfboard Wax for Cold Water to the paddle shaft as you recommended last year. Warren

Pru, Once again, thank you for a great trip report! As you know, I have already begun thinking ahead to next year and all the great and exciting places we need to explore. Last week six more nautical charts arrived and I will look at buying even more. I do not believe a sea kayaker can ever have too many charts! Warren