Matt Pacewicz

Hi Pink, thank you again for everything at Chebacco Lake last week! I'm going to stick with my own boat on Saturday and only do the L2 portion, I have an evening activity that I have to be mindful of.

I just wanted to thank you all for going out of your way to help me last Friday, between bringing an extra kayak; the excellent advice and training; and the warm and friendly company. I've never felt so comfortable so quickly with new people, and I learned so much. Can't wait to come again.

Unfortunately I don't (have a spray skirt). The Folbot has an open cockpit that precludes rolling--there's a spray deck for keeping out water but it's huge. Let me know if you want me to bring my boat so you don't have to deal with bringing two...as long as I have it out of the water by 7 that will be enough time for it to dry before sunset. And I suspect using it will give you tremendous opportunities for mirth. It really is a different species of animal. One last FYI in case I didn't mention it, I'm a big guy, 6' 4" and 225 pounds.

Yes yes yes! Leaving work at 3:30 I hope.

I can do next week, though I may not get there until 5:30 or 6 with traffic from Boston. Thanks for offering to help! Looking forward to meeting some folks.

I appreciate the advice but my boat really is too stable, it doesn't let me practice the techniques properly. Can't afford a single hardshell until next Summer.

Thanks! I'll take what I can get, and it will be useful to watch experienced paddlers too as long as you're not all doing your thing 1000 yards from shore. My folding boat takes a fair bit of time to assemble and pack so it's not practical for short sessions like this. I am a big guy, 6' 4", currently 228 pounds.

Just posted this in Walden Pond thread too... I just had my first training in wet exits and self rescues! Need more practice. If I came to one of these, would it be possible to borrow someone's boat for this purpose? Or is that the kayaking equivalent of asking to borrow someone's underwear?

I just had my first training in wet exits and self rescues! Need more practice. If I came to one of these, would it be possible to borrow someone's boat for this purpose? Or is that the kayaking equivalent of asking to borrow someone's underwear?

I'd very much like to come. I need substantial practice time with wet exits and rescues (my boat is a very beamy, very stable folding double and I've never capsized it, though I admittedly have stuck with calmer waters in the past). Is there a place there to change into a wetsuit? It takes about an hour to dry and pack my boat--will there be time or do the rangers really kick you out at 7:15?

Thank you all for being so welcoming. The Woods Hole trip sounds great, let me see if I can get a sub for work that day.

Hello, I recently joined NSPN with the goal of meeting more paddlers, using my boat more often, and developing my self-taught, somewhat rudimentary skills and knowledge. I own an old double Folbot. I've primarily used it on the Charles and Boston Harbor, with a smattering of other jaunts from New England rivers and beaches. I purchased the double hoping to get folks from work to go paddling with me but that's been rare and it's been sitting in storage for most of the last decade. I guess I qualify as a level 2. I understand a lot of theory but haven't been able to practice much of it, like self-rescues. So long story short...looking for paddlers who would be willing to include me or join me in lower-intensity trips and help me develop in a sport I've always loved but been unable to develop. Tempted to end with "Help me Obi-Wan", but in case bribery is a better strategy, I make a mean garlic hummus!