cfolster

This looks like a good opportunity to get coaching in conditions. I am planning to attend - is anyone else interested?

What a delightful day it was for paddling on Saturday. Very little wind, calm seas, hazy sun. Mike, Doug and I put in at a leisurely 10:30am from York Harbor and made our way out the harbor entrance. We were paddling against the flood, but there were just a few ripples at the day marker and it wasn't very strong. As we passed the rocks at the entrance and the beach by the cliff walk, there were just tiny waves. It was nice to paddle up next to the rocks without worrying about incoming waves. As we rounded the corner we made the decision to take the straight shot across the bay directly to Nubble - chatting along the way, until suddenly it was close and you could make out the colorful little ant people scrambling over the rocks. I stopped to take the obligatory picture: Lobster rolls and other yummy food was calling us, so we promptly landed on the north side and pulled the boats up to relative safety. My mom lives in York and had decided to meet us for lunch at Fox's and she was waiting up top for us. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch of lobster rolls, fish sandwiches and chicken fingers. Yum! After lunch, I scrambled down to check on the boats and the water was getting close! Time to go! I took a selfie to show I was there: We decided to paddle around the outside of the island since the seas were so calm and none of us had ever been on the outside. Sorry no pics, but it doesn't have a bad side. Doug took a last picture before we left. For the return trip we chose to take the scenic route and paddle in to Long Sands and along the beach. It was close to high tide, so there wasn't much beach left, but not much surf at all. Just one line of surf almost at the beach about 1 to 2 feet high. We made it about half way down paddling just outside the surf line and Mike was hoping to do some side surfing until a zealous lifeguard yelled and yelled and yelled at us to paddle further out. So we pointed our boats towards the far shore of East Point and left the beachgoers behind. On the way back in, we paddle along the rocks and were momentarily followed by a (hopefully friendly) drone. It was still flooding and was a bit stronger now and we enjoyed a fun ride in. So, boring trip report, but an absolutely delightful day with great company! Wish all trips were like this. Thanks Doug for the pics!

Seas and wind are looking better for this Saturday. Plan is to put in at York Harbor around 10:30, paddle to Nubble Light, take out on the rocks on the north side - eat at Fox's takeout (has more than just lobster) or bring your lunch. Paddle back to the put in via Long Sands (not landing) - did you know you can surf at the northern end of that beach? Perhaps noodle amongst the rocks along the way. This is a led (not CAM) trip. Please post here if interested.

If you'll have me, I'd like to join.

Another fun night at Lake Chebacco this past Thursday. Here's video of Mike H. demonstrating the Norwegian Flip. We're still working out exactly how it's done, so we'll report back next week after we've had a chance to do a few more. I maintain it's a valid self rescue, and kinda fun! 00028.MTS Give it a try and report back if you can explain exactly how to do it.

Plenty of room! Send your float plan info. ALL (Dave M, Dave and Jill C, Bill V, Mike H, Liz N, Doug) - I will email you shortly to work out the shuttling. I like Bills idea of more cars at the destination, which saves me bringing the trailer. My mom (who lives in York), reminded me that the traffic into Maine gets horrendous pretty early - leave yourselves plenty of time. Cathy

I was willing to give the wind a go for that stretch, because it's mostly pushing us towards shore, but Robert also reminded me that we'd have to get under the flooding culvert, which could be difficult - so would have to portage over the road. There's just nowhere to hide from the NE wind unless you get up above Portland. The one way looks most promising. The wind and waves will be at our backs. The waves will be 2 to 3 foot 4 to 5 second wind waves, so will be sporty. I realize it's a bit of a hassle to move cars about, but don't see another way to get on the water without paddling against the wind.(enjoy the music - if you just let it play, it will go through most of his good stuff!) I'm going to make the call that the trip will be: One way from York Harbor to Kittery (Pepperell Cove launch). It's just a bit over 8 miles. There is a portapotty at York Harbor and full bathroom at Pepperell Cove. Plan: 9:15 Cathy and Person X2 arrive at launch, get ready and load boats with gear 9:45 Others arrive to watch boats while Cathy and Person X2 Drive to Pepperell Cove to drop cars (about 25 min round trip on 103) 10:15 Cathy and Person X2 arrive back at York Harbor in one car. 10:30 Launch - paddle down coast - play, stop at Braveboat Harbor, check in on Wood Island renovation XXpm Arrive at Pepperell Cove. Boats loaded onto Cathy's Car (3) and trailer (4) (and Person Xs car if needed) XXpm Drive back to York Harbor (10 min) 2. If we have a lot of people, more than 2 of us will need to have cars at Pepperell Cove (probably school parking lot) because we need to fit people and gear into the cars. If you're up for this trip, please let me know and send your float plan info by 5pm today. I'll need a volunteer to be Person X2.

How about a Gerrish counterclockwise circumnav from Kittery area? If we launched at 10:30, went out and up to braveboat, stop for play and lunch, is that enough time for the flood to get going (I don't do it enough to know)? other option is one way Portsmouth to Rye. id probably choose the circumnav, but someday would like to try a one way.

It concerns me as well. i don't really want to paddle against the wind very much. Perhaps we can think of a friendlier trip, one way or not.

All, The forecast is looking 'interesting' for Saturday with N/NE 10kts, gusts up to 25. Seas 3-4 feet. That will make for a challenging paddle to the Nubble and possibly make it so we cannot land there. Options: One way trip from Cape Neddick public launch to York Harbor - with possible stop at Nubble if seas permit. This will still be a very sporty trip with choppy waves and wind behind us. It may mean a 12 mile trip with no option to stop Postpone to another day. Those who have shown interest - please weigh in as I continue to watch the weather.

Led trip: key point. I made a conscious, but uncommunicated decision not to lead at little harbor. I felt we all know how to look out for each other. It was a very bad choice to not share that decision, even worse to make it at all. A simple 1 minute huddle at the entrance where I remind everyone of the dangers, good communication, etc, and I could have continued with my very background leadership style -because that group really doesn't need much- just the occasional reminder as we get caught up in the fun, and a watchful eye. Even if I'd just verbalized the thought that I know each of you is almost always watching and checking on others, and that I was going to step back and count on that, would have been good. I know we split into two groups almost immediately, and I should have listened to my gut then. And everyone DID watch out for each other and we had a good play because of it. I'm just critiquing my own performance. Still lots to learn - I hope others can learn with me as I lay bare my foibles on this forum. Dan, I was fascinated by this comment. It's so true. I'm glad everyone had a good time; I know I did.

It's about 9 miles round trip if we just go to the lighthouse and back. 12 miles if we extend to Cape Neddick Harbor. I think more than some trips, this one is weather dependent. I'll be updating around Wednesday when there's a better idea of Saturday's weather. I'm also thinking of alternatives with more bailout options if this one is a no go.

Stupidity and Complacency Teach a Lesson on a Fun Day Pre-reading warnings: On the Baxter trip report scale of length, this is about a 8. Grammar nitpickers: I change tenses because in remembering, I am sometimes there and sometimes here in the present; just go with it. Lots more pics available, but still limited by picture size when uploading, so can't share all of them. I’m back at Cohasset in the summer. It’s one of my favorite kayaking destinations for so many reasons – the water is warmer than up north, Minot light, pretty coastline, easy conditions in some areas or sporting if you choose, Little Harbor current, pretty walk from the car to the launch and back with view of the fast-moving water at the lobster pound, the racing dories, the little fish in the stream, and of course, a nice bathroom at the launch. It’s been slightly over a year since I was there to do this same trip – with some of the same people. Last year’s trip was modified because we were socked in with fog, and I was too unsure of my navigational skills to paddle out to Minot light. This day, however, there was no fog and the weather looked great – we were finally going to get out to the light! As a navigational exercise, the night before I had worked out the heading I thought we should use from the last little point of land on the west side of Scituate Neck. I gave thought to the shoals between the neck and the lighthouse, possible wind and how I might adjust the heading to accommodate. I also found the heading back to land from the lighthouse. With no fog this day, on the crossing over I did my best to ‘pretend’ there was fog, not focus on the lighthouse, but instead on my compass, the water and my group. It was an interesting exercise to keep an eye on the compass and the group. It was like having a paddler that needed a bit more attention than the others. We had a discussion about the 4 star assessment and whether it would be acceptable to delegate navigation to one of your led participants. If you did, what would you do to be sure they were navigating correctly? My answers led me to the conclusion that I would never truly delegate navigation – but that’s my philosophy of paddling – stemming from control issues. I would never hand over control to another person and let them lead me blindly - I must always ‘know’ – location, technique, plan, etc. Anywho – that’s a long discussion for another post . . . It was rewarding to keep the compass right where I wanted it and occasionally look up and see we were heading nicely to the lighthouse. I know I would not have that luxury in the fog and would be a lot more anxiety-ridden, so I enjoyed the ease of the exercise. We stopped once to wait for a boat to cross our path – and Robert reminded me to take that stop into consideration on the overall time to cross – only 35 seconds or so, but a very good reminder. We arrived safely and on time by my calculations – we were finally here! A first time for many of us! We didn’t see any sharks, but someone thought they saw a seal, so there was lots of speculation and joking around about sharks. We had been pre-advised that it is great fun to climb up the ladder and jump off. Of course, climbing navigational aids is probably illegal, so of course, we wouldn’t do that, but here are some presumably photoshopped pictures of what it would have looked like if someone had done so . . . twice. I shared with everyone that the lighthouse has a unique flash sequence of (1, 4, 3). Dan shared with us the local lore that it stands for ‘I Love You’, with the origin being the lighthouse keeper flashing this message of love and endearment to his bride on the shore. I choose to believe it because, well, love. There were lots of fishing boats around and once you’ve circled the lighthouse a couple times and not jumped off the ladder a couple times, and a couple people had done a couple rolls, it’s time to go. So now I look back towards the shore and attempt to figure out where Little Harbor is visually (yes, I can use my chart to get a specific heading, but this was now a piloting exercise). I think it’s right below the white tank between the two mounds of light colored rock, but have nothing but my gut to support this – I’ve never been this far off the shore in this area and the tank is not on my chart. But, since conditions are benign, it’s early in the paddle, there’s light boat traffic and it doesn’t really matter where we hit shore – I decided that’s a nice visually distinct spot to head to and see if I was right. Mike had taken a heading on his chart and felt my instinct was right. It was a pleasant paddle back to shore. We visited the day marker and just generally chatted and enjoyed the calm sea and this wonderful sport that we do. I tried to race a small motorized dingy and was doing well until they throttled up and outpaced me. Oh well, maybe next time. So, as we drew nearer and nearer to shore, I saw that I was indeed right. Yeay! But now here we are at the famed Little Harbor – home of the fun current, the scary current, the wave with the big hole, the messy wave train, the deceptively safe eddies, a place of learning, of conquering fear, of pride and of humility. If, as the coaches would say, “It’s just water” – how can it be all of that? But it is – and more. The ebb had indeed started – it was about 12:15 or so and high had been at 10:54. There was a bit of current running out, but not much in the way of waves, so some of the group stayed at the lower end and some paddled in to play at the bridge and have lunch. I did a roll in the mild current at the lower end to remind myself that I could do it. Robert did the same and reminded himself that he could get some air, retry and be successful! Eventually all of us ended up at the bridge and stopped on the beautiful pebble shore to have a rest and a bite. After lunch, a few headed out to play in the waves forming below the bridge. Some of us stayed on shore to bask in the sun, search for pretty rocks and dangle our feet in the cool water. A couple boats made their way out of the harbor before the water got too low. A family was having fun jumping off the rocks under the bridge, riding the current, landing in the eddies and walking back for more. It looked like great fun. After a while, a small group of paddle boarders came laughing and screaming from under the bridge and one of them was almost dumped from their board as they hit the waves. I (and others as it turns out), were silently scoffing at them for not wearing their pfd’s. But they were having so much fun and the water looked so inviting, as they passed by, I lept up from my spot on the shore, and jumped into the swift moving current to have a play. It was exhilarating – a little cool, but fun with the waves and being swept along with the current. But then, I got hit in the face with a wave and decided I should find an eddy and get out. I swam towards the shore but couldn’t get there. I swam with all my might, but could not escape the current. I continued to be swept down the small river, with panic starting to rise in my gut and crowd my thoughts. I looked back towards my companions on the shore as I rounded the corner and waved for help, but they interpreted it as a wave and one of them waved back. I was now desperately trying to identify eddies and figure my escape route because I was heading towards the wave at the entrance, which hadn’t really started it’s pourover, but I didn’t know that yet. I tried again for an eddy, and couldn’t make it. I looked upstream when I could, hoping to see a kayak heading towards me, but no one came. I looked downstream and with my focus now there, I was relieved to see the wave still had not really started with any force, but also could also now see and hear the paddleboarders. I called ‘Help’ and they turned to me. I said, ‘Please, can I hang onto your board?’. One of them turned to stay in place in the current and I started to swim with the current towards them. I took in a little water as I hit the rougher water at the entrance and was coughing when I got to them. I thanked them between gasps of breath and coughing, relieved for this relative safety. As I caught my breath and looked around, I see Robert come around the corner, racing downstream to my rescue. I feel even more relief and he is soon at my side. I thanked the paddle boarders again, and Robert directs me up onto his back deck, where I lay low, and he paddled back against the current to bring me to shore. He’s glad I’m safe, but he’s mad – a little a me and a little at the group. It turns out he was facing away from the group getting into his kayak when I made my impetuous leap into the current, and did not know what I had done. Once he was on the water, I think they mentioned that he should go find me – and he was surprised to learn what I had done. Why had they not come after me? Well it turns out, they all thought I looked happy and in control – and I was when I was still near them. I think we were also lulled into complacency: because we’re all skilled at being on top of this current in our kayaks; because the swimmers were having so much fun; because it was such a beautiful day. If you know this area, you know it’s really a short stretch of river I’m talking about. If I had to guess, this all took place over 2 minutes at most – maybe 3 by the time Robert go to me at the mouth. It was still some ways out to the island – which was my next thought of safety if the paddleboarders had not helped me. The irony of the boarders without pfd’s rescuing the person with the pfd, who had just silently mocked them, was not lost on me. I had lept into the water without a vessel or plan and in hindsight, the pfd actually probably hindered my ability to navigate the current in some ways. The swimmers were unencumbered and could maneuver more easily. In one of my attempts to swim towards an eddy, I briefly thought the pfd was hampering my ability to swim. My pfd was also more easily swept along by the current. I AM IN NO WAY ADVOCATING GOING WITHOUT A PFD. What I do need to do, as Bill pointed out, is take a swift water rescue course and learn how to swim in fast moving current, learn how to ‘roll’ into an eddy, etc. I know about that roll technique, but have never done it. It did not occur to me, nor did it occur to me to use my whistle or use my radio – all happening so fast. I wonder if the paddle boarders had not been there, if Robert hadn’t been on his way and I had more float time out to the island, would I have thought of these things? Would the current have lessened enough out there that I could get out of it? I wasn’t in grave danger, but I wasn’t in a very good situation. I had put myself there. I have thinking to do. So, after Robert dropped me off and paddled back up against the current, I walked back along the pretty stone shore, too tired and wound up to see those pretty stones. I shared some of my tale with the group, but I downplayed it a bit, still in a bit of shock and processing. I think this writing is probably the first time they will understand what it was really like. The day continued on with folks playing in the current at the bridge, which does have a temporary bridge set up, but nothing hindering play there, at least for now. Bill, who has excellent white-water experience, walked up and over and lept in with the swimmers, and rolled beautifully into the first eddy. Soon, we all moved down to the outer wave and it was really going by the time we got there. The hole looked huge as we swiftly headed downstream, but we all crossed it with ease and no falling over. Dave, Bill, Dan, and Mike attacked the wave, taking turns attempting to get right up to the top. There’s a somewhat scary eddy in the middle that you can’t really see that sucks you right towards the hole. I made one good attempt and once I got to the other side, was happily, and somewhat cockily, playing on the eddy line, when I suddenly went over. I was too surprised, so had to wet exit. I had my scaredy pants on by the time Bill got to me for the rescue and was done for the day mentally. I enjoyed watching the others repeatedly try to conquer the water, with lots of great rolls and rescues when those did not work. 3pm approached and the water was getting shallow; it was time to return to the land. We paddled back against a mild ESE wind that had recently appeared (but as forecasted) and passed the pleasure boaters in the harbor entrance, all the while hoping to see the ice cream boat. I’m beginning to think that experience of a past trip was a dream, that I imagined a small dinghy pulling up with Haagen-Dazs in a cooler; but I hold out hope that I will encounter it again, dream or not. We returned to the launch and slowly returned our belongings, boats and beings to their respectful places. It’s always a bit of a tough mental transition for me, mixed with joy and tiredness. After everyone is changed, dinner was discussed and we settle on Stars on Hingham Harbor, as recommended by Mike. It did not disappoint! Another day on the water. Another great day. Another fun day. Another day of learning. Another day of living. Thank you to Jill, Dave, Judy, Bill, Mike, Dan and Robert for joining me on this adventure. I hope we can do it again next year.

Judy - I'm emailing you now with the launch info. Everyone - please send float plan info to me. Thanks!

Parking is on Harris Island Road along the street, but not in the permit spaces - so it means we're a little farther down, but it's easy to drop boats and then drive a bit down the street. Google view here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harris+Island+Rd,+York,+ME+03909/@43.133447,-70.6478925,193m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e2ba405abe38a1:0x26f0211fca4c0277!8m2!3d43.1313337!4d-70.6475809?hl=en

Okay, we're at 7 now!

This trip is a go! we have 4 people who aren't afraid of a little sharky nibble. weather looks great! let me know by 4pm tomorrow if you'd like to join us.

We have the ACA, which has a structured learning system, and you can be certified as having achieved a specific level with specific skills. Also the British Canoeing system - same deal. Perhaps we as more advanced kayakers could promote those more.

Just behind us!

Plan is to put in at York Harbor around 10 or 10:30, paddle to Nubble Light - eat at Fox's takeout (has more than just lobster) or bring your lunch. Continue on to Cape Neddick Harbor just to explore. Paddle back to the put in via Long Sands (not landing) - did you know you can surf at the northern end of that beach? Perhaps noodle amongst the rocks along the way. This is a led (not CAM) trip. Please post here if interested.

Plan is to put in around 10 or 10:30, paddle to Minot Light - yes, there was a shark sighting there just a couple weeks ago Then paddle (assuming we are not eaten) to Little Harbor and play in the ebb. Not a long day, not a strenuous day - just a good day! Led (not CAM) trip. Post here if interested. Hi 10:45am Lo 4:52pm

The 2017 Solstice Paddle did not disappoint: Beautiful weather - sunny, high 70s Calm Seas - 1 to 2 feet at ~ 9 seconds Great People - 20 NSPNers ready to paddle and enjoy the day Amazing Food - As always, folks outdid themselves with delicious dishes - even had hot of the grill hot dogs! Deals on Gear - a few people brought gear to sell and excellent deals were scored on new and lightly used gear. Three Trips: Paddle to Salem Willows for Lunch - 12 embarked on this journey and I've never seen a group of paddlers stay together as well as this group. Our crossings across a VERY busy Sound were so beautifully lined up. Great food and shaded benches made for a relaxing lunch. Paddle to Baker and Miseries - this group looking for more mileage headed out to the beautiful islands of the sound. Hoping one of the participants will chime in with details or pics. Paddle South along the coast - this group looking for some lump and rock fun headed south along the coast to see what they could find. Also hoping someone will chime in with tales of their adventures. Sorry no pics - we are working to fix the site so pics can again be uploaded.

Just a reminder to everyone: bring your own beverage (non alcoholic) NSPN will provide cups plates utensils napkins

Ice cream aficionados and sea glass hunters - so glad you are joining us! I'm looking forward to a great day on the water. Full disclosure - I found a good sea glass beach on a trip there a couple years ago - by accident. I'm only hoping I can find it again - so it is a treasure hunt! Prudence and I have discussed and decided to cap the trip at our current count of 8 people instead of the original 10. We will start a wait list - so please do contact us if you're interested.

If anyone needs to borrow a boat or gear to enable them to attend, please post here. Lots of folks have extras.