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Friday was a great day to be out on the water. Started out of Rye Harbor at 1:00P and paddled up to Odiorne hoping to see you guys. Needed to be off the water by 4:00P so could not journey further. Still getting my sea legs and getting use to the Romany. Hope to join you guys on future trips.

Safe travels,

Warren

Count me in as well!

Warren

Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

Warren

John,

Thank you for an outstanding presentation. I will forever remember your famous lines; "Moon the Current" and "Timing is Everything"

Warren

With our facination for all things related to kayaking, I thought you would enjoy the following;

1. Go to Google Maps and click on Get Directions.

2. Write USA as your start point.

3. Write Japan as your destination.

4. Look at the 31st and 46th directions!!!!

Anyone up for the trip?

Warren

Bob,

Upon reflection, I thought I should expand on my posting above. Just as Doug has asked above, I need to ask if you have a boat. You will need a boat. Also, your arrival onto NSPN has given me an opportunity to try and join what I call "The Helpful Clan". NSPN has many helpful people who can teach you a great deal. As a potential member of that clan, I need to state very clearly that I highly recommend that you seek assistance from a trained sea kayak instructor. When I stated in a previous posting that I will bring two paddles for you to try that is in an attempt to show you two possibilities. I can not and will not make a recommendation for you. There are many great instructors within NSPN who are trained to do that. Seek one out and pay for their help. In the long run it will save you both time and money. Also remember the final decision on any item that you purchase, such as a boat, a dry suit or a paddle will be yours. I clearly understand what I can do to help you and what I can not do.

Warren

A potential member of "The Helpful Clan"

Bob,

I am planning to attend both practice sessions and I can bring with me a couple extra paddles for you to try. On is a Werner Kalliste 215cm straight shaft. the other is a Werner Cyprus 210cm straight shaft. These are both high end but I would like you to try a premium paddle. Please remember purchasing a paddle is a very important decision and I believe you should buy the best that you can afford. Although many of us purchase the wrong length or wrong blade size when we begin, perhaps you will learn from our mistakes.

Warren

(the semi-new member)

Welcome Bob!

For several months (since August 2010) I thought I was the only beginner at NSPN. It is great to have another beginner in our group. Your first great step was in joining NSPN. Read many postings, they will help you. Since August, I have been busy and perhaps understanding what I did during my first few months will be helpful.

1. Spent time and effort understanding what I wanted to do with a kayak.

2. Researched for hours what kayaks would meet my needs.

3. Spent days trying out my "short list' of 15 kayaks, paddling each.

4. Began my research on paddles, cothing and gear.

5. Learned where to find the right professional instructor for me.

6. Spent time understanding if my body would be ready for the challenge and learning what I would need to do.

7. For me, yoga was the solution so I coutinue to invest a great deal of time in my yoga practice.

8. Signed up for 15 pool practice sessions this winter using a loaner boat until my boat arrives.

9. This is where I am now on my journey which I hope will last for years.

Bob, keep a journal if you can for you will cherish the first year when you read it many years from now.

Warren

Doug,

Please sign me up for April 2 at Haverhill H.S. as well as April 10 at Portsmouth YMCA.

I will send you a check for $45.00 made out to NSPN and mailed to your Derry P.O. Box today.

Thank you for arranging these two additional pool practice sessions!

Warren

John,

I would value your recommended list of books, articles and websites which you found to be most helpful. With the potential for a long cold winter ahead, I would like to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book.

Warren

Doug,

Thank you for clarifying the snow day arrangement. Since I live only a few miles away, I should have no problem getting to the pool. See you tomorrow!

Warren

Doug,

Please add me to the list of attendees. Thank you for arranging the event.

Warren

Doug,

I am hoping you still have a pool practice opening on January 8 at Haverhill, H.S.

I will send off a check for $20.00 to your Derry P.O. Box today.

Thank you,

Warren

Doug,

Thank you very much for arranging the additional pool sessions at Haverhill and Portsmouth. I am planning to attend on the following dates; Saturday 2/26 in Haverhill, Sunday 1/16, Sunday 3/6 and Sunday 3/13 all in Portsmouth. I will make out a check to NSPN for $95.00 and mail it today to your Derry P.O. Box.

It was good to see you at the NSPN Holiday Party and I look forward to seeing at the pool sessions.

Warren

Thank you Doug for arranging the pool sessions! The check and form are on there way to you for all three sessions.

Life is Good!

Warren

Warren,

If I attend on Sunday (back problems), I can possibly bring a spare kayak (Impex Force Cat 5) for you to use. Has custom bulkhead set for 31-33" inseam. Check with me much later in the week.

Ern

Hey Ern,

Thank you very much for thinking of me. My 32/33" inseam and my size 13 feet makes it difficult to find a good fit. The Romany on order has a 35" bulkhead placement with final foam to fit. Your spare kayak might fit, but I do understand back problems. I know some day I will have a chance to paddle with many NSPN members.

Thank you again!

Warren

Suz,

I am planning to participate in your November 6, 2011 session at Coastal Maine Kayak in Kennebunk, Maine from 10:00 to 3:00PM. I contacted Coastal and registered for that session. I was not planning to join you for the November 7, 2011 paddle since I do not yet have a kayak. I will look forward to joining you on a similar paddle next year. Thank you for thinking of me!

Warren

"as one of the little people I request 3 and not 2 hours"

Ed

Doug,

Another one of the little people votes for 3 hours!

Warren

"At the next Board Meeting I will discuss the possibility of having Cheri & Turner come to one of the NSPN pool sessions we will be hosting at UNH in January, February or March on Sundays. If other people have an interest in this, let me know soon. "

Doug

Hey Doug,

Pool sessions at UNH! Count me in!!!

Thanks,

Warren

Similar to Prudence above, I am new to cold water paddling (or any paddling for that matter) and I also attended Suz' workshop on Cold Water Apparel at CRCK. Suz gave me a "boat load" of info and helped me carve at least two years off my learning curve. I have my new dry suit ready now for the October 24 session at CRCK. Yes Suz, the beeswax works like a charm!

Warren

P.S. Tentative arrival of my NDK Romany 50/50 layup is Christmas! Yahoo Santa!

Foxes, thank you for the insight into using honey. In the past I always used Polysporin. Now with the more frequent occurances of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in both wilderness as well as urban medicine, I have switched to using Mupirocin Ointment USP, 2% on all lacerations. You will need to obtain a perscription from your physician to buy it, but it will effectively kill MRSA.

Warren

Ed,

Great video! I did happen to notice the yellow helmet. Do you think he was just wearing it for the camera?

Warren

To: Isle of Shoals Team of Seven

I address my comments not to the NSPN community at large but instead to you the IOS Team. I will attempt to keep my comments brief.

I do not have a depth of experience in the kayaking field; instead my depth of experience is in the healthcare field. In healthcare we have, all too often, adverse events. The adverse events always create crucial conversations which are both essential and at times painful. These conversations have multiple phases. In healthcare, the team involved in the event always controls the movement from one phase to another if they establish one common voice.

The first phase is always the discussion phase. When the team is ready and they have established one voice, they frequently request a pause in the discussion while they work to develop a plan. Since healthcare is typically a very collegial community we always honor the request with both dignity and respect.

The adverse event team works on their plan which always has two essential characteristics. 1. The plan must express the unified views of all involved in the event. 2. The plan must be both honest and genuine.

The plan itself typically has three component parts. Part#1 – A clear list of the missteps. Since most events are the result of multiple missteps, all must be listed. Part#2 – A statement of what we learned as a team from those missteps. Part#3 – What is the message we wish to bring forward to the community at large so that other teams will benefit. Everyone within the community makes missteps and we all benefit from this section.

This approach is simply one methodology, you may settle on a more effective approach to move us forward.

As the new day is dawning, I hope my comments have some value.

May you all have safe journeys.

Warren

Emilie,

Thank you for the tutuorial! I was able to recreate your graphs. Your directions worked like a charm.

Warren

Ernie,

Thank you for providing additional information regarding the Isle of Shoals trip. As a beginner, I can not begin to imagine all the challenges the group faced. The crucial conversations that invaribiliy need to take place are never easy. I will read future postings with great interest.

Warren