cfolster

Thank you for this report, your best so far. You moved me to tears (of happiness). It is a beautiful reminder of why we do this.

I'll be there!

It was a good day! Thank you everyone for being so 'CAMable'. and if people are checking buoy temps and getting reports for 68 or 70 degrees, trust me it does not feel that warm! I was in for a few minutes with just a synthetic top and it was VERY cold. Butt and legs in 0.5 hydro skin felt fine.

Weather and tides look good for the lobster roll trip and the timing is fine by me. We've got quite a group going, so may want to travel in two pods. A couple of us are looking at 4 star, so in addition to the cam discussions and practice, it would be great to run some scenarios. Could be one and the same if folks are interested. Could also just enjoy paddling!

I'll be there!

We've decided to go.

Anybody planning to go given the potential for weather? We're on the fence. . .

To be slightly more expansive, here are two quotes from the article: "You need to be at the front of your group because the people behind you are in your care; it is your duty to be able to dynamically risk assess the waters and coastline ahead of you, which cannot be done effectively from any other position." "The first serious headwind or tide race will split your group. Besides, it is the leader's legal and moral responsibility to make the 'dynamic risk assessment' for the paddlers who are within the duty of care. He or she can only do this from the front." "Put your number two at the back of your group as your eyes, and turn your head frequently to look back over and assess your group. Always maintain line-of-sight with your number two or 'tail-end Charlie." So so it seems he's assuming there's a 'number two'.

Updated!

I am looking for a recent article (might have been a short interview) and it discussed how the whole idea of leading from anywhere but the front is WRONG. This person, who apparently had lots of kayak leadership experience, said that you have to be at the front to lead. I seem to have thrown the magazine out. Does anyone have a copy - I'm not sure what magazine it was in. I've check Ocean Paddler and Adventure Kayak and can't seem to find it. Any help would be appreciated and if folks would like to discuss the merits of either style here, feel free!

Here are my thoughts: the inner harbor area will be gradually emptying out, and we will be left with not as much area to practice and play. Yes there is still water, but less, and much of it is shallow. im worried we'll have difficulty paddling under the Wentworth bridge on the ebb (max is somewhere around 9), so we might have to futz around in little harbor until it slows down. Then the flood will pick up (slack is around 1) and depending on how long we stay in the inner harbor, it might be hard to paddle against the flood to get back to the launch. Has anyone considered a change of venue to provide better protection from the wind? I was thinking Gloucester Harbor. We could stay inside the harbor and on the western side to stay out of the western wind. We can go out towards the harbor entrance as much as people are comfortable. Then as winds start to shift northwest, do crossing over to the other side for protection from the northwest wind. Tenpound island is a nice stop for lunch. Im open to trying to make either venue work. Perhaps trying to park at Goat island and start from there, instead of Odiorne?

Does anyone have any pointers, suggestions, etc for this assessment or care to share what it was like for them?

Chuck, just sent the float plan to you via PM.

Um, I guess I underestimated it! I wonder if people underestimate current like they overestimate wave height?

And Kate makes 8! Trip is full! Looks to be a great day on the water - hopefully no sharks !

Thank you Phil! I was planning to do just that. We now have a 5th paddler joining us on our mild adventure - Bill V. I'm going to cap the total at 8, so come on folks, work out those weekend plans!

Welcome to NSPN Chuck! We now have enough for the trip - so it is a go Others are still welcome to join. Looking forward to paddling with everyone! Please email your float plan information (name, cell, boat model and color, car model and plate, emergency contact name and phone) to me at: cathy folster at Verizon dot net I will finalize the float plan late Friday afternoon and email it to everyone. A few more notes: This is a CAM trip, so we will paddle together and work together as a group. The buoys indicate 56 to 60 water temps in that area (I've not yet been down there this year), so it's not bad, but still cool. It's going to be partly sunny in the low 70's, so dress accordingly. Helmets are required in the current at little harbor.

Wear neoprene (saving the drysuit for your trip) and borrow a helmet and pfd (I can loan you the pfd). That way there's nothing to wash (except footwear).

Launch from Cohasset Harbor 11am Paddle to Minot Light Paddle to Little Harbor and play in the ebb for a couple hours Back to launch around 4 or so Open to early dinner afterwards Level 3/4 due to current and distance from landing location Please post here if you're interested. Need at least 2 other people to go. Notes: High Tide Cohasset Harbor: 11:13am Be prepared to drop your gear at the launch and move your car a short distance away and walk back Playing in the ebb means approx. 3 or 4 knot current (does anyone know how fast it is?) with a small to medium wave(s) There is no landing at Minot light (approx. 1.8 miles offshore)

Janice, thre is a red helmet at Newbury Kayak and Canoe that was left behind recently.

Hi Joe, Welcome to NSPN! Sorry I missed meeting you at this paddle, but hope to see you on the water or at some of our upcoming training sessions!

Giving this a bump so folks see it. Great opportunity to work on a valuable skill!

I'm always interested in reviewing navigation.