BLConaway

I just tried to reup, but when I try to add a membership to my cart, all I get is a spiny wheel that never loads. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Fantastic. Late to reading this, but enjoyed it no less.

Well, I have an easy access hose, so I often wash my boat, paddles, and gear. Depending on how you store your boat and how dry it is, the cockpit can get a bit stinky if you don't rinse it out, I have found. Our garage is slightly damp, and the inside of the boats are often lightly covered in beads of water--especially when I don't wash off the salt, which seems to draw water out of the air. Just my preference. I also do wonder if it's better for cloth seats to get a good rinse every so often. But I've been told I'm a bit "retentive" so take it with a drop of salt water.

Nice TR! This is on my bucket list--just haven't coordinated it as I'd like to do it with someone who has done it before. Aside from the stuck boat, how was the other boat traffic in Fox Creek? Last year my SO and I encountered some folks on Jet skis FLYING through the creek. At least you can hear them coming, but dang.

Beach-goers rescue shark off Cape Cod: http://www.wfsb.com/story/29542815/watch-beachgoers-help-rescue-stranded-great-white-shark

So cool--thanks for posting! What a beauty. I admit to having watched some of the Shark Week programs. I appreciated the change in tone, but also sort of miss the B-movie feel. So, er, sharks won't go for a yellow boat, right? Extra Sharkey!

Thanks Rick, I appreciate your offer and have no doubt I would learn at lot from you--I hope I have the opportunity at some point (I'm out of town the next 2 weekends). Yes, I did take it personally, because I am in fact exactly the type of person it was aimed at. But I probably could and should have tempered my post. Lesson I keep trying to learn--don't post in the heat of the moment. I had a few reasons for writing the post, the primary being to try to shed light on why some people (like myself) may rely on a paddle float rather than other self-rescues--there are certain physical limitations that I think it's easy to overlook when you are an experienced paddler. I was also responding to the "driving people away" comment, given that I have been privy to a few conversations about how to get more people involved in NSPN, so I thought the feedback might be helpful. I have to admit that it sometimes feels as though the bar for getting recognition for the skills one does have is pretty high on this site--and on some of the trips. There are many more recreational kayakers out there than experts, and I think it's worthwhile to view someone through the lens of what they do bring to the table rather than what they lack. Please let me be clear that this is not directed at any one person--just food for thought. Respectfully, Brenda

Rick, When a member with your credentials says something like this, it certainly reads to me like I am a fool for going out without more tricks in my bag: "personally, i hold paddle floats in VERY low regard as a self rescue tool and believe that the illusion of safety they may offer endangers new paddlers lest they {think} that a paddle float is a good alternative to other methods of self rescue that they may not have mastered yet; in the real world they would soon run into the limitations of the tool....and if that's the only tool in your tool box, you got a problem." Apparently, I have a problem. I think that is CLEAR from what you wrote. I have no desire to get into a pissing match about exactly what you said vs. the intended or unintended underlying message, but there certainly are a number of different ways you could have responded to my post without going on the offensive with all caps, underlines, and sarcasm. Really? As someone who loves to kayak, who is working to improve my skills with the small amount of spare time I have, it is in fact pretty discouraging to have a 5 star/ACA Coach/Reg. Maine Guide not only tell me I have a problem, but then respond to my post in such an aggressive way. I can't say it makes me feel particularly welcome here, FWIW.

Honestly, it's sweeping comments completely dissing paddle floats and saying that a paddler who doesn't have any other option for re-entry basically shouldn't be paddling that are more likely to turn people (me for one) off. I'm a big busted, big bottomed gal, and heaving my chest up on my boat and getting my butt high enough to get back in without being able to hook one leg on a paddle float would make it mighty difficult for me and I suspect, other women with my build to reenter a kayak. I've tried the cowboy on my boat, it is does not work for me. I paddle solo fairly often, very conservatively, but I always carry a paddle float just in case. I practice with it, and know how to use it, so for someone like me, it's essential. I'm working on a roll, but let's face it, it takes time before it's something you know you can count on, so what should I do in the meantime? Only go with a group? Never go out? I'd never get in any paddling. No, I plan to use what I've got.

Funny, I was just thinking about this issue. We were out paddling and hit some choppy water--stuff none of you would even think about, but my SO, who is not so comfortable, got really stiff. I watched his forward stroke go from reasonably efficient to just stabbing at the water, and he lost all upper/lower body separation--I could see that his hips were shaking a bit because he was nervous. He was actually making it more likely he could tip over because he was not absorbing the wave action from side to side. I stuck like glue to his side and kept talking, telling him what I was noticing and reminding him that he had handled WAY worse conditions in an Oceans Skills class. We got through it fine, and I was glad he got some practice being in less than perfect conditions. He actually enjoyed it until we had to turn sideways to the waves as we headed back to our put-in. But it did make me wonder about the best way to handle it to help him not freeze up and get stiff. He's not nearly into kayaking as I am, so it's unlikely he's going to work as hard to improve, although he has taken several classes with me and practiced with P&L on a couple of occasions, and he's actually improved a lot. It's that fine line between challenging yourself and scaring yourself, and when you go over the edge, it's hard to make your way back! But I do think how to handle it may vary from person-to-person. So perhaps having a couple of approaches up your sleeves might be helpful. I teach skiing, and over the years I've learned more than one way to approach things, so if something doesn't work, I try something else. It certainly helps me feel more confident as an instructor.

I paddled Nauset Marsh last summer, and it is BEAUTIFUL. Definitely watch the tides, although I hit it on the low side and was able to get around reasonably well. One thing--the charts I found online from NOAA do not represent what is there now. The northern part of the spit is blown out, and the currents there are spicy, so you'll want to avoid the mouth. Best map I could find here: http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20131218/NEWS/312180327 You'll see lots of seals, which is cool. I put in at Salt Pond, decent amount of parking there. Have fun!

I would just add that your wife should try before you buy. BIG difference in comfort between brands I found.

Spectacular! It's clear that you have to be very comfortable being alone. Really alone. Impressive!

While I know you're statistically more likely to be killed by a hippo than a shark (tongue firmly in cheek), it seems to me that paddling around seals may in fact up those odds this time of year. Is it really overreacting to choose your paddling spots carefully when GWs are in the area? I paddled Nauset Marsh this weekend not knowing that the barrier beach had a huge breech (despite having downloaded the NOAA chart, which didn't show it), so I was surrounded by seals (and frankly plenty of boaters) for much of my paddle. It was pretty cool, but I will say there were some dark shadowy figures below that had me wondering ...

Dang! Guess my decision to skip Monomoy last Sat. was a good one.

Spectacular! Wish is wasn't so far for me.

Yikes! Very scary situation--glad it turned out alright. I also dumped at Cohasset (sounds like that's where you were) while I was learning about currents, and I recall a moment of panic because I was on my back deck and definitely disoriented. I had to think in the midst of panic to "lean forward and pull on the loop." I had also not practiced a wet exit in awhile, so it was not automatic. Sounds like the conditions you were in were quite a bit wilder, so I can imagine how easy it was to become disoriented and panicked. This is a GREAT thread--lots of good stuff to think about. One takeaway--spend time early in the season doing multiple wet exits and getting your spray skirt off in different ways. "Having" a wet exit is not enough and doesn't necessarily carry over in muscle memory from year to year.

I paddled by there at low tide on Sat. and it looked fine from what I could tell. But you may want to hear from someone who has actually launched there.

Thinking about this. Did Porcupines a few years back, paddled solo up there too. Would love to explore more in the area. I've camped at Hadley before, so might do that. Will confirm as soon as I can.

I too am sad to see the end of the TR, but would love to learn more about the adventure. I hope to make the potluck.

I'm enjoying the adventure so far! Looking forward to the next installment.

Can't come this Friday, but if you do it again this summer (after July 13), I'd love to join.

Hi Mike, Yes, that was a fun day! I do have several AMC paddling guides--my MA book is getting dogeared. Thanks for the video recommendation. Phil you speak like a teacher--I wonder why. Of course I know on water instruction is best, but are you going to tell me you haven't enjoyed reading Allen's and Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips or watched the NATO videos? Just looking for something like that. I'll be in the Midwest for a week and could use some reading material. Even cool kayak adventure books would be nice.

Well, it seems that I have officially got the sea kayak bug. I've observed this phenomenon before when I started telemark skiing. I found I thought about it constantly, wanting to learn as much about it and improve my skills. So I am familiar with the sensation of having found a new passion. As an example, I am supposed to visit some old friends this weekend in the mountains and find myself vaguely resentful that I won't get a paddle in this weekend. I am looking forward to spending as much time on the water as possible, but I also want to indulge in a lot of reading and other dry land pursuits to forward my education. Aside from making 10,00 strokes on the water (or as we would say in skiing, 10,000 turns), what videos, books, magazines, podcasts, and the like did you find helped you learn more about this wonderful sport? Or at the very least, amused you on those days you weren't on the water? Thanks for any input!