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mhabich

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    NOAA Custom Chart 2.0 released

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I asked NOAA about the land contours and got a really prompt response:

    Thank you for your feedback on the NOAA Custom Chart web application. 

    The NOAA Custom Chart resymbolizes NOAA ENC® data to create paper charts. So, if the data is not on the ENC, the data is not found on the Custom Chart.  The plan is to add back topographic contours and roads during our ENC rescheming effort. However, the process is slow. 

    If you zoom into the Trenton, NJ charts, you will see the way topo and roads look on the NOAA Custom Chart (Note: you have to zoom in very close to see them in the web map). 

    --
    Sincerely,
    Christie Ence, Cartographer
    Chart Standards Group
    Marine Chart Division | NOAA Office of Coast Survey

    Wacko tide today

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Big tides today, and big variation between larger and smaller tides.  We're at the new moon, so we'd expect big spring tides...but why the variation?

    image.png

    Looking at the whole month, the two tides in a day are unequal now, but equal a week ago or a week in the future.

    image.png

    The moon's orbit plane around the earth is at an angle to the earth's axis.  When the moon is at a high angle of declination above or below the equator, one tidal bulge at our latitude is large and the other is small, so we get a big tide and a little one each day.

    image.gif

     

    We're also at a peak of declination at this time of month, and near zero declination a week before or after today.

    image.gif

    Wilderness First Aid, March 25-26, 2023

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Join NSPN for a Wilderness First Aid class taught by Todd Johnstone-Wright, expert kayaker, BC/ACA coach/instructor, and EMT.

    The class will be held at the Gould Barn in Topsfield, MA, from 8am-5pm each day.

    You MUST be a member to register for the course. (If not, join here)

    We will be in close contact.  Pretest for Covid in the morning before attending.

    We promise an educational, practical, and FUN experience...  hope to see many members there!

    More info from SOLO... 

    WHAT IS WFA?

    Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one-and maybe even save a life.

    WHO IS THE WFA FOR?
    The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. It also meets the ACA and BC guidelines.

    WHAT IS TAUGHT?
    The WFA is 16 hours long (two days), and focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies.

    IS THERE AN EXAM?
    Yes, there is ongoing evaluation of practical skills, and there are written assessments throughout the course.

    DO I GET CERTIFIED?
    Yes. You will receive a SOLO WFA certification, which is good for two years.

    Waves, tides and currents, Saturday February 11, 2023

    in Past Trips

    Posted

     

    We'll meet at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (across from Audubon at Joppa Flats, on the road to Plum Island)...after we've all tested for Covid in the morning.

    Come at noon to have your lunch, socialize, and talk about the birds you saw in the morning if you like.  Talk starts no later than 1 PM.  We'll be out with the doors locked behind us by 4.

    We’ll learn the physical causes of waves, tides, and currents, and might find out:

    Why do waves come in sets?
    Why are the waves on some beaches always dumping?
    Rip current…friend or foe?
    Why is the water so rough around headlands?
    Why does a 12 second wave have 4x the energy of a 6 second wave?
    Why is the tide 50 minutes later each day?
    Why is there a bigger and a smaller tide each day…sometimes?
    Why are the tides so big in the Bay of Fundy?

    Lots of drawings and graphs, few equations (all avoidable).

    After the presentation we’ll have an open discussion of strategies to deal with waves and currents as a kayaker, where to get predictions, and rules for interpolation.

    This event is open to paid club members only.  Please RSVP on the calendar here.

      2023 Haverhill pool sessions

      in Past Trips

      Posted

      Availability (as of March 27):

      Jan 14   sold out
      Jan 21   2 available
      Jan 28  1 available
      Feb 4   sold out
      Feb 18   sold out
      Mar 4  cancelled
      Mar 18   sold out
      Mar 25   3 available
      Apr 1     4 available

      Remember that if you're going you need to sign the online ACA Liability Waiver for 2023 here.  This is a special NSPN link.  You only need to sign once for all 2023 pool sessions and skills sessions.

      2023 Haverhill pool sessions

      in Past Trips

      Posted

      50 minutes ago, Doug Cooke said:

      I would like to brush up on my roll. Is anyone available for one or two sessions to support that request? 

      Doug, that's what we're all there for.  Nobody can practice rolling for two hours straight.  We all help each other.

      2023 Haverhill pool sessions

      in Past Trips

      Posted · Edited by mhabich
      Covid test required

      Pool sessions at the Haverhill High School for the 2023 winter season are now available for purchase in the Store.  Details to sign up are under the calendar listings for each date.

      The dates for the sessions are

           January 14, 21, 28
           February 4, 18
           March 4, 18, 25
           April 1

      All sessions this year are on Saturday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Each session is limited to 10 boats.

      These sessions are offered as a benefit to paid members of NSPN, and therefore are only available to active members. We are required to have insurance in order to use the pool facilities, so we are using the ACA club insurance program. You need to sign the online ACA Liability Waiver for 2023 here.  Each pool session spot will cost $30, plus $10 if you are not an ACA member.

      These sessions are a great way to keep existing skills active over the cold winter months or work on new skills for the upcoming paddling season.  Although NSPN does not offer official instruction, many members are willing to offer whatever assistance they can while they are at the pool.  However, if you would like to pay for professional instruction, you can seek out an instructor directly, either from NSPN members (some of who are actually certified!) or from other professional instructors.

      You'll need a kayak, paddle, sprayskirt, and lifejacket.  You'll likely want a mask and maybe a paddle float.  Light neoprene clothing works well, both to keep warm and to keep down the bruises on your legs from jumping in and out of your boat.

      We'll be in close contact while practicing rescues.  Same day testing for Covid is required.

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