Joyce Carpenter

Probably. The search was suspended, but authorities are asking for assistance finding the owner of the boat (presumably, just to be sure). Here's an article with a picture. It's an inflatable boat, so we may not be the best resource, but anyone from the area should probably take a look.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/10/21/search-underway-for-owner-of-kayak-found-adrift-off-nahant/

I'd love to come, although I'm yet sure I can make it. Can I be a tentative attendee? I have a drysuit and would happy to do either the ocean paddles you mention or a quiet fall paddle near Concord.

Walden was closed all day today and will be closed again tomorrow. Divers are searching for the body of a man who didn't return from a swim on Sunday evening.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/23563286/search-suspended-for-missing-mass-swimmer

Be sure to check that the pond is open before driving all the way down/up/over/etc.

https://twitter.com/waldenpondstate

Hi Bill,

Sorry not to have at least responded. I was so busy trying to find the right configuration of details for my new dry suit (yes, it's on its way to me as I type -- YAY!!!) that I had no time to consider Walden this week.

Probably have to see you at a pool session at this point, but thanks a TON for all your help with rolling & my high brace over the summer. It was delightful!

--Joyce

Walden Pond just tweeted: Wed 9/11 1:30pm Walden Pond SR is at capacity. Reopening at 3:30pm. Space may be limited.

Great. 3:30 at Walden this week. See ya!

Note: It would be extremely hard to close Hart Pond as there's no gate or anything. There's a pond and there's a parking lot. Many people use the lot for the pond, the picnic area and the bike trail. However, in the summer there's a lifeguard at the roped area who won't let me swim outside the ropes. Grrrrr. People put in kayaks from the beach next to the ropes. I can't really imagine that the pond could be closed, although I suppose the town of Chelmsford could decide not to allow anyone (other than property owners) to access it. I'm not sure how to double check other than to show up and use it until someone says we can't.

Bill, the more I think about it, the more I'd prefer Walden on Wednesday. I can get there by 3:30.

Andy -- yes to all + lots of rolling instruction/practice. The idea is to come and practice whatever you need to work on. Maybe you're just practicing something you know how to do or perhaps you'd like to work on something that another attendee can help you with. There's no set list and no guarantee that an expert in any particular skill will be present, but it usually works out that someone can give you some advice and everyone's happy to help you get back into your boat when needed.

Can I add a couple of related question to the not-better-but-more-experienced herein?

How do you tell if it's wind or current that's pushing you to one side?

Should your response be any different if it's wind versus current that's pushing you to one side?

Hi Bill -- I wonder if another spot would work for Wednesday. There's a pond in Chelmsford that I'm fairly certain is open to the public with decent parking at this point in the year. It's Hart Pond, along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Do you know it by any chance?

http://goo.gl/maps/6NU1F

I suggest it because it might only be a few people, so maybe a little further out wouldn't be a problem and becuase of the temperature differential between Tues & Wed.

Thoughts?

--Joyce

I can't make it today. :-(

Have fun. It's a great evening to pass yourself through the water.

Hi John -- good to know. If we should be on the lookout for the other two, let me know.

I hope the injury wasn't anything too serious and that you have a great trip to Deer Isle! Maybe see ya next week?

I'll be there about 5. Anyone else?

We really need to be in the water as quickly as possible, since we have to getting off the water by 7ish and out the gates before they lock at 7:30.

Brenda, have fun!

Bill, see ya soon. It's a great day to be in a pond :-)

I'm planning on it. Anyone else?

I wish it were a human deterent ... for the shark.

https://www.sharksavers.org/en/home/

Thanks for the info! I completely forget they tweet. I do follow them, but -- not having checked since last year -- I completely forgot.

See you soon!

Hi Brenda,

I just heard from Les that she's unlikely to make it today, but I'm planning on it. I hope to be there by 5:30.

Sometimes on very hot days -- for example, today -- the park closes when they hit capacity. I thought I had a phone number to call to check, but I can't find it right now. If I find it, I'll post.

Do you know where to park? THe boat launch is separate from the main parking, but you need to pay at the main gate or have a season pass. If you're coming from Rt 2, the main lots / pay kiosk is on the left; the boat launch and parking is on the right further down.

Hope to see you later.

--Joyce

See you soon! :-)

Have a great paddle! I'm afraid I'll have to join you next time.

Hi Katherine,

I was hoping to be able to make it for this paddle, but that was way back in March before I knew about The Visit from in-laws. I'm not positive yet, but I think I may not be able to come. I wonder if it should be rescheduled if it's in conflict with other NSPN events? Certainly don't keep the date on my account.

Hope to see you soon!

Joyce

Ditto!!

http://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/9285-cold-water-day-in-gloucester/#entry55047

After arrival, we spent time on the beach talking about dry suits, cold water, signs and symptoms of hypothermia, etc. Rob had some excellent examples of items one can use to warm someone who has spent enough time in the cold to be very chilled, but not so bad off as to need medical attention. The ideas about layering for both ourselves as we dressed in our dry suits and for warming someone else were very good.

Getting us all into the dry suits was an adventure. But once we were in with zippers done, we learned to burp. Then it was into the water, and more burping. This was my first time in a dry suit so the experience of going into the water and not getting wet was odd. Very odd!!

After a few minutes, we were feeling the cold. We spent some time warming up and discussing various safety issues on the beach. Then it was into our spray skirts and PFDs and back into the water for some swimming. We didn't get far, but we all found some methods of moving ourselves through the water. And then it was back the beach.

The brave amongst us (which did not include this author) took boats out and did some wet exits and rescues. I'll try it next time. Promise.

Boats on cars, sometime in the sun, and we called it a day. An excellent day!

Huge THANK YOU to Rob for a wonderful day!! I also send special thanks to Cathy for the use of her dry suit.

Either Seabrook or Glouchester work for me, with a bit of a preference for Seabrook. Either 10 or 11 sounds fine.

I wasn't planning to bring my boat. Would that still work?

Cathy -- Very nice offer! And since Rob won't need to borrow it, I'd love to. I'll PM you to be sure.

I don't have a dry suit, but I'm curious to try one. I know I can rent one for the day at my local scuba shop. Would that makes sense or is this really intended to test "my" dry suit rather than "a" dry suit?

Thanks,

Joyce

PS I would only be able to make the 4/21 date.