josko

That's the run on which I quit wearing my towbelt. (and I'm dying to see what my new Taran and Epic wing will do to the time.) Oh, and the Gales are awesome IFF (if and only if) you like rough water.

I'm a slowpoke, but still feel good about yesterday's run: WH to Cuttyhiunk, r/t, 30.03 miles, 5:28:37 in an Explorer with an Ikelos. Lots of room to grow, but 5:30's been my time to beat for a while now. I've been tempted to go down to the lighthouse-to-lightouse race, but am otherwise tied up this weekend: https://www.kayakwaveology.com/event/woods-hole-races-and-over-falls-advanced/

I confess I have no idea what dorsalflexion is... Who are the go-to forward stroke coaches in the area (besides Wes Echols)? I'm thinking I could use a round of wing blade forward stroke lessons.

What's the latest thought wrt feather? I'm used to my 60 degree left, but as I get used to a mid-wing, it might be time to change feather angle as well, if there's any reason to do so. I've heard that wing paddlers are trending towards no feather. Is there any truth to that, and if so, why?

Onno footbar seems a bit hard to find. However, the Stellar footplate looks sort of similar. Has anybody here had first-hand experience with it?

I just remembered that I have two peg positions; long for 'club paddles' and rough water, where I want my legs pretty much on the hull, and a shorter peg position for exercise paddles, where I really put the legs to work. Is there a way to foam out and still leave this kind of adjustability?

Is there a surfski community on Cape Cod?

Thanks folks - I'll go mess with it and post back what worked.

Before I give up on all that cargo space... are there NDK'compatible footpegs and/or stiff-soled shoes that might help? My next boat's already got full-length footrests.

With apologies for some thread drift... I'm also having issues with my feet cramping. The little and big toe overhang the footpegs, and I'm having foot cramping issues after using the pegs aggressively for a couple hours. My foot is wrapping around the peg at each push, and starts to complain after a while. I've switched from NRS booties to Astral Brewers, which have a stiffer sole, and the problem got better, but is still not completely gone. It really only happens during exercise paddles, when I use the pegs harder than during group paddles. Boat's an Explorer with stock NDK pegs.

I assume most of us have seen this: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/nyregion/11-kayakers-rescued-from-hudson-river-after-collision-with-ferry.html?_r=0 Kind of makes a case for a modicum of guide training.

!What are the thoughts about wrapping friction tape around the shaft? I notice lots of surf ski folks do this.

CRCK?

What length Ikelos and Mid-wing do you use?

Wes had me try out a huge range of blades, most of which I couldn't control, but I did learn there is a basic tradeoff between twist, power and ease of use. I did read his reviews, but talking to the man was incomparably more worthwhile. Hence my puyylement on why we're talking Epics only. FWIW, my exercise paddle is rounding Naushon island, 18 nmi. I find I'm consistently 5-10 mins faster with an Ikelos than a Cyprus, and I only choose the latter if paddling into a 15+ kt headwind. The Stellar wing didn't do anything to my time (over an Ikelos), and I'm not sure of the reasons for that.

FWIW, I'm getting a wing blade for my new Rockpool Taran. I took some lessons with Wesley Echols, and he got me started with (according to him) very forgiving Stellar Mid and advised me to progress to blades with more twist as I get comfortable. Right now most of my paddling is with an Ikelos (and Explorer), but I found I was 'spinning out' the Ikelos when trying out the Taran (i.e. I felt my cadence was wanting to go higher than I'm comfortable with in the long run). I was advised to contact Mark at CRCK for advice in demoing and selecting the appropriate paddle, but I would welcome any other advice on size,model and what to look for. My primary uses will be downwind surfing and fitness.Thanks in advance.

Is there any reason to look beyond Epic when picking out a wing paddle?

I'm thinking of buffing out my Explorer's deck. The obvious thing seems to take off the deck lines and shock cords and have at it with a buffing compound, but I'm wondering if anyone's got any tips or links to pass on. What's a good way to do this? Thanks in advance

Did we ever determine if aftershave was a suitable component of a solo paddler's rescue kit?

Makes you want to carry not just a towrope, but aftershave, too.

I wholeheartedly agree, but (with advance apologies for not getting it) why would any two paddlers in the world choose CAM as a model for their paddling trip?

As I read that article, the question that comes to mind is: should legs be in full contact with the boat, or allowed to move with respect to the hull(to help out rotation)?

My 'gut feeling' if I were in a group, but not a leader, and I was within my limits but thought somebody else might need help before the day is over, would be to stay with the group and offer whatever help I could offer. Somehow bailing on the group because somebody else might need help doesn't seem like the right thing to do, but then again, I don't understand the CAM model. Or maybe I'm not understanding the thread. If you were the person in trouble, I could sort of see a: 'Folks, I'm in over my head. I know I can safely make it back, so why don't you continue without me.'

So you left the group because you thought somebody else was being unsafe?

On a related note, would anyone point to a link on how to 'foam out' the boat and/or select the seat? I've never really understood what I'm trying to achieve with padding, etc. especially now that I'm focused on rotation and good leg work. Does it even make sense to think of torso rotation/leg motion and 'foaming out' the cockpit at the same time?