cfolster

I have it, but I’m pretty sure that’s a boar.

I will bring to party.

Name some paddling locations you expect to visit in 2019 or 2020 for which you don't already own a chart: Not sure yet If you DO own some charts, how do prefer to get them? (buy online, marine supply store, print them myself...) Buy online, make myself. If you were to BUY a chart, would you choose a $25 waterproof chart or an identical $10 paper chart? Waterproof How much would you be willing to pay to BORROW a waterproof chart that you didn't have for the duration of an NSPN trip? ($0 is a valid answer) I would not borrow  Which of the following do you NOT currently own? waterproof chart case, deck compass, handheld compass, marine radio, tow belt, helmet Own them all

A bunch of us are gathering at 11:30am on January 1, 2019 at the Red Heat Tavern in Wilmington, MA to have brunch/lunch and ring in the new year. Post here if you can join us!

Ditto!

Do you still need to be on the road by 3:30? We can make that happen.

Just one paddle day for me and I guess that’s tomorrow. Would love to eat on Tuesday .

I’m in!

Dear Prudence, We must have felt your lack of camera, because we uncharacteristically not only brought our camera, but took pictures as well! Alas, they were night shots and because we were not solidly anchored to the ground, most are blurry. long exposure abstracts. We did manage a couple images, but for the most part, words will have to do. First, it was great to see Jane Cobb again and nice to have a third person join Robert and I on our last minute adventure. I changed the launch location day of because I realized Cape Neddick harbor was much closer than York Harbor, so no long return crossing in the dark. We met at 3:45 in partly sunny conditions with the temp still around 45 degrees. Plenty of parking for the beach - I wonder why? Doesn't anyone else want to be out enjoying this beautiful day?? ? If only they would open up their eyes and see the sunny skies. I rushed to get the boats and gear because I was so excited to get started with the Christmas light installation! I had two battery operated sets of lights for each of our boats; one for the back and one for the front. That turned out to be a good plan - allowing us to turn off the front to save night vision, but still be festive! The sun was fast disappearing as we prepared to launch: By the time we were getting on the water, it was almost dark: Thus, we paddled off into the gloaming, chatting away about our destination, paddling at night, how long it would take to get there, etc. Jane and I stopped to turn around and look at our launch. We noted the streetlight and the little house to the right of it. Otherwise the cove was dark, which in and of itself is a good marker of location. Robert also did this, but he was off on another task. I could see he was paddling away from us, making a beeline for the bell buoy to our left. I knew he was getting a heading from there to the lighthouse, but I wasn't sure why. It turns out he had seen some mist on the water when launching and just in case, was getting a sense of the line of direction from the lighthouse to the bell buoy in case we didn't have visibility. It turned out to be unnecessary, but a good exercise nonetheless. We passed Short Sands beach on our right and soon were close to the Nubble when we encountered Harbor Patrol. No wait, something's not right; that flashing blue light looks like it's moving around, not fixed on a boat. As we paddled closer, 'harbor patrol' turned into a stand up paddleboarder with white lights and a blue flashing light on his paddle! He and others from https://www.seacoastpaddleboardclub.com/ had the same great idea to paddle out to the Nubble. He was joined by none other than Santa Claus! It was great to meet other brave souls out there! They invited us to connect with their club and try paddle boarding. It would be great to get a paddle together with them and NSPN. The folks on shore loved Santa and he was playing the part well. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! in a big booming voice. I think our pretty lit up boats, Santa and the other paddle boarders were a main attraction for those on shore as they waited for the lighting. There was a strange little lit up lump in the water: What's that? Oh, that's just a lit Christmas tree submerged underwater by scuba divers. Because that's what you do on the seacoast! Later in the evening, they fully submerged the tree and then it rose out the water and made it's way a bit tipsily to shore. It is a strange, but wonderful site! We still had a 1/2 hour to kill, so decided to try to paddle around the island. It was at first a bit unnerving, but we shut our headlamps off and it quickly became easier to see and the swells were pretty small. I was still a little uncomfortable, so before rounding the point to go in the other side, so despite Robert's encouragement to forge ahead, had us turn around, where we rode a following sea back to the safety of more light and flat water. We need to do these night paddles more to get more comfortable with sound and motion as cues, rather than visual. So we paddled around, in the cove, chatted with santa and the other boarders who were talking about how we wouldn't be able to see the moon much longer. The three of us were confused; there was no moon, what are they talking about? But then we turned around and saw the biggest, most beautiful moon EVER! Words cannot describe. Our pathetic attempts at photography cannot describe. It was right at the horizon and bigger than I have ever seen. The bank of clouds that was the front was just above it and very quickly swallowed it up. That was hands down, the best part of the evening and the best part of any paddle I've been on. We were all starting to get a little chill around the edges and getting inpatient, when all of a sudden, the lights on the Nubble came on and the crowd erupted in cheering and applause. Pictures were taken and it was time to paddle back. Turns out the three of us paddle fairly fast, so as with the paddle out, it only took a 1/2 hour. We were quite pleased with ourselves that we were able to correctly identify our cove, the street light and house. Robert had some other visual cues from about 1/2 way that were helpful and I took note that it's good to get those visual images not just at the launch but at different distances from your launch. It was 37 degrees when we returned, but the long carry to the cars warmed us up (note to self: put kayak wheels on Christmas list). We loaded the boats and gear to the cars and with that, the 1st Annual NSPN paddle to the Lighting of Nubble LIght was complete. It was a 2 hour paddle, but was fun and invigorating and a great experience! I do hope you and many others can join us next year to create a flotilla of kayaks festooned with lights. Yours truly, Cathy

I’m emailing you offline with info.

If you were warm enough at the Easter paddle and have some extra layers, that should be fine. Dry suit should go without saying. a white light is a boating law requirement to identify yourself to an oncoming vessel. A headlamp will work for that. We have plenty of glow sticks (if we even need them).

Robert and I are planning to paddle from York Harbor to see the lighting of the Nubble lighthouse tomorrow night and we'd love to have people join us. Launch by 4 - arrive at nubble around 5:30pm Lighting at 6, back to launch around 7:30. If you're interested in joining us, you need to be prepared to paddle in cold water (47), cold air (37-43) and possibly rain (but not likely). You need to have appropriate gear for paddling at night (headlamp for getting around on land, a light you can turn on to identify yourself to other boats (there may be boats around the lighthouse) glow sticks as needed, etc). Things to consider: In our favor: Ebb on our way out and flood on the way back in. Seas are 1-2 ft with little period. We may or may not have the moon and rain is expected after midnight (so need to be prepared for it to arrive early). It may not be possible to get out of boats at the Nubble (but if seas and crowds allow, there are some rocky areas to do so). I plan to have Christmas lights on my boat. Post here if interested and want to join.

So happy to announce that Robert Folster has just become the FIRST to earn the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Coach Award in North America under the new coaching scheme. EDITED:Today Kevin Beckwith has also joined Robert in getting this award, along with Jeff Forseth! Congratulations all! i should add that Kevin already had the old Level 2 coach.

Love the action shot of getting out or coming in through the dumping surf!

Joe, thank you for posting the trip. I thoroughly enjoyed our little tour of every nook and cranny in Manchester Harbour and back to west beach. But the best was your quoting Dr Seuss to start our Day: https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.poemhunter.com/poem-amp/west-beast-east-beast/ thanks to Liz and Prudence for joining me on the alternate paddle.

Congratulations Tom, Kelsey and Jonathan! So well deserved - and what an amazing location! I raise an imaginary pint to all three of you and hope you are raising real ones at the Sloop!

West Beach sounds good to me.

I’m in.

Congratulations Janet!

Mike, that’s what I do in a mix of photoshop and acrobat.

I definitely agree with your first statement! I don’t believe the BC path is about competition; it’s a system that provides a path for learning. Each individual can determine what path is right for them. When you take the BC trainings and assessments, it’s never about comparing one person to another; it’s about each person’s growth and achievement in kayaking. i would argue that training and practicing is the best way to safely get to the places most others never get to, and BC is one way to get that training. EDITed to add that we all have our own path, as long as we’re safe on the water, it doesn’t matter how we get there.

I’m in!

I would really like to go surfing Saturday, but Bob reminded me how crowded the beaches are going to be. Can anyone suggest a place to surf without too many people? Scituate where the North River comes out? Is the James Landing boat ramp at Conservation Park possible as a put in? Thanks!

Thursday’s weather is looking great and it’s the longest day of the year- think of how long we can stay out on the water! Come join us!

Wish it wasn’t Mother’s Day. . . Would be great to meet you and paddle with you and hopefully see Pam again. Another time!