Between working on my house, hiking in the snow, and shoveling snow everything in my body hurts. Add staying up late two nights in a row and I was less than excited about paddling. But the weather looked good and my home project is in limbo while I wait for materials to show up, so what the hell!
Traveling to RI for kayaking from central Mass is quite a commitment. It’s typically about a 75 mile commute. My usual ritual is get up at 6, eat a good breakfast, pack my stuff, make my lunch, leave the house at 8, and arrive at around 9:30 for the 10 o’clock paddle. In winter I like to put the boat on in the evening before. Even on a day like today when it is forecast to be low forties it is usually only about 20 degrees when I walk out in the morning. On this particular morning it was quarter of seven when I got up and the boat was not loaded. Fortunately I’ve got my boat and equipment fairly organized so when suitably motivated I can gather everything up very quickly. I was on the road just a little past 8 and I was the first to arrive at the bay campus.
Matt showed up, ironically planning on paddling solo because he did not know a paddle was planned. Ken and Cat followed and finally Joe showed up at the last minute. We all geared up for the cold water. Cat and I were probably a little over dressed expecting a bit more wind and a little less sun than we had. We discussed plans to make a loop of the lower west passage and agreed to do it clockwise so that we’d be protected by the Narragansett shoreline if the wind should pick up. We would be fighting the tide but the neap tide was not very strong.
We decided to make a more or less direct crossing from the bay campus to beavertail. The crew was full of capable paddlers and the conditions were fine so we had no fear of lingering in the middle of the channel. (We saw only two other boats in the distance the whole day.) In the open water we could see that a powerful swell was in evidence. It was not high but with its long wavelength it was pre-disposed to build over the bars. On the Jamestown shore the boys showed great discretion in avoiding too much play in the rocks. At Beavertail we could see some waves steepening up over the shallow water. We chose to stay out of this and head towards Whale Rock. From there we turned due north. We were headed to lunch just inside the cove where Bonnet Shores is. But it would get a little exciting at the corner when we were all caught by a set of 3 waves that tried to surf us into the rocks. It was my first chance to see how the new Impex Force 4 would respond to a steep growler. It stayed upright as did everyone else’s boat but provided for a little excitement to spur on the lunchtime conversation.
After lunch we were headed to Bonnet Shores beach for a little surfing. Everyone except me donned their helmets. I was in a new boat in winter. I thought it was best that I avoided all the rock gardening that the crew was doing along the west shore.
We explored the beach from west to east. The waves were a bit larger on the west side. We were all a bit tentative about getting wet. Somewhere east of center the waves seemed about right and everyone started taking rides. They were a perfect 2-3 feet and the surfers would just disappear from view as they rode in. I was a bit tentative with my new boat. I simply didn’t know how this long, low rocker boat would handle the surf. The larger waves were arriving in sets of 3 (as we experienced just before lunch). For my first few rides I avoided this set and played in the smaller waves in between. As I became comfortable with the boat I started surfing the third of 3 so that if I was to get messed up I would not have 2 more big ones to pummel me. I was building up body heat and the spray of heading back out through the breakers actually felt good. The boat surfed pretty well so I decided to try and back surf it on a smaller wave. It did this well also but bracing when back surfing is a confusing proposition and I ended up upside down in shallow water. I tried to set my paddle up for a roll but had difficulty getting it into position. Possibly I was pinched by the sandy bottom. I chose to bail out.
We all had a few more rides then headed around the point and back to the bay campus. As expected there were some pretty impressive walls of water coming over the bar inside the point. We discussed some of the adventures we’ve all had at this point on numerous previous paddles.
The route back always seems long. It is only a mile and a half but we are usually fighting the current there and it’s anti-climactic as the swells die out in this section of the bay. This section gave me plenty of time to think about the fact that I hadn’t rolled this boat yet. I was rationalizing that I hadn’t foamed it out yet but I’ve jumped in a lot of other people’s boats and rolled so that was no excuse. The water was cold but I had to try it. I managed a reasonable roll and called it a day. The cold water was delayed from reaching my head by my neoprene hood but as it soaked in I knew it was enough.
Post paddle was a simple coffee and bagel at dunky’s. We wished each other happy new years as we left from our last paddle of 2007. Knowing a first paddle of 2008 was not going to be too far away!
12/30 Air and water 42. Winds light. 10.5 miles round trip.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Why we don’t put our boats away
It’s days like today the remind me why we don’t put our boats away for the season. Temperatures were in the upper 30s, the sun was occluded by high thin clouds, the wind was light, the water was in the low 40s, and the seas were calm. Cat, EJ, and I met at the town beach on West Island in Fairhaven. We joked about not needing our helmets as we loaded the boats and gazed out over the mirror like Buzzards Bay. On a summer day this would have been a disappointment. But in December, with only three paddlers, this was heaven. Like an omen, we were visited by a seal before we even got the boats wet.
The plan was to paddle around the island but I suggested we head over to Ram Island. Ram Island is a small island off the end of Mattapoisett Neck. I’ve paddled West Island at least a half dozen times but never in that direction.
We had a couple of seals popping up around us within the first mile. As we approached the aquaculture pen there were at least 6 seals popping up all around. We did some paddling backwards but they seemed to figure that out quickly and still popped up behind our backs.
I landed on Ram Island and put a few scratches in my new boat. We then headed to the beach on Mattapoisett Neck for lunch. From the beach we could see seals ½ mile away on Seal Island. (Clearly, we know how it got named.) For lunch we had our sandwiches, soup, tea, Christmas goodies, and H’s excellent corn bread.
After lunch we headed back to West Island passing ¼ mile north of Seal Island. In the water beyond the island I could see one or two feisty seals leaping through the air, their whole bodies airborne for half a second. A couple of seals greeted us as we passed the Island but as we moved further away even more showed up. At one point I counted 12 on the surface. At times they were close enough that I could hear them breathing.
When we reached West Island we were in the midst of a large flock of Eiders. Mixed in was a Buffel Head couple. As we approached Whale Rock we spotted a seal out of the water so detoured well around the rock so as not to disturb him. Near the put-in we saw a seal 3 feet out of the water on a steep sided rock. Clearly she had gotten up there when the tide was higher and the water had dropped out from under her. We were closer than we wanted to be to her because we didn’t notice her until the last moment. Fortunately she wasn’t disturbed by our presence.
Back at the launch EJ was determined to do a couple of rolls. I watched closely to be sure he came back up. In the distance another seal was watching us from its rock. (Look closely in the photo for the smiley shape!)
Without the seals it would have been an uneventful but relaxing day. With the seals it was an exciting and memorable paddle. Either way I was happy to have not put my boat away for the season.
12/26 9.5 miles round trip.
The plan was to paddle around the island but I suggested we head over to Ram Island. Ram Island is a small island off the end of Mattapoisett Neck. I’ve paddled West Island at least a half dozen times but never in that direction.
We had a couple of seals popping up around us within the first mile. As we approached the aquaculture pen there were at least 6 seals popping up all around. We did some paddling backwards but they seemed to figure that out quickly and still popped up behind our backs.
I landed on Ram Island and put a few scratches in my new boat. We then headed to the beach on Mattapoisett Neck for lunch. From the beach we could see seals ½ mile away on Seal Island. (Clearly, we know how it got named.) For lunch we had our sandwiches, soup, tea, Christmas goodies, and H’s excellent corn bread.
After lunch we headed back to West Island passing ¼ mile north of Seal Island. In the water beyond the island I could see one or two feisty seals leaping through the air, their whole bodies airborne for half a second. A couple of seals greeted us as we passed the Island but as we moved further away even more showed up. At one point I counted 12 on the surface. At times they were close enough that I could hear them breathing.
When we reached West Island we were in the midst of a large flock of Eiders. Mixed in was a Buffel Head couple. As we approached Whale Rock we spotted a seal out of the water so detoured well around the rock so as not to disturb him. Near the put-in we saw a seal 3 feet out of the water on a steep sided rock. Clearly she had gotten up there when the tide was higher and the water had dropped out from under her. We were closer than we wanted to be to her because we didn’t notice her until the last moment. Fortunately she wasn’t disturbed by our presence.
Back at the launch EJ was determined to do a couple of rolls. I watched closely to be sure he came back up. In the distance another seal was watching us from its rock. (Look closely in the photo for the smiley shape!)
Without the seals it would have been an uneventful but relaxing day. With the seals it was an exciting and memorable paddle. Either way I was happy to have not put my boat away for the season.
12/26 9.5 miles round trip.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Winter Solstice Paddle
Each year on the Winter Solstice RICKA has a paddle on the Slocum River in South Dartmouth. I’ve paddled this river a number of times. I maintain it is the prettiest river in Massachusetts. But for some reason I’ve never done this paddle in winter.
Seven showed up for the paddle. TM, CM, JS, PH, KF, CR, and PB. We were all suited up in our dry suits as we shoved off into the bottom third of the tide. The sun was shining brightly and the winds were light. The first ½ mile was very pleasant but we quickly ran into ice. TM and PH led the way, carving through with their plastic boats. At first the ice was merely a nuisance because it was soft, as you typically expect in salt water. But as we went further it became more than a ½ inch thick and difficult to break through with the paddle. This went on for a half mile or so. I tried to be last in line through the ice. Not because I didn’t want to work. But because I didn’t want to scratch my new boat on its maiden voyage.
There were plenty of ducks to be seen and a couple of hawks floating over the nearby woodlands. The paddling was easy until we reached Potomska Point and had to navigate the sand bar protecting (or confounding?) the river. The channel passes to the east and although that side is the side I prefer the group was determined to take a shortcut and head towards Barneys Joy Point. We found a way through that only required a gentle rub on the bottom of the boats.
We stopped for lunch at a pocket in the dunes just past the rocky section of shoreline. This location afforded us some protection from the wind which had picked up with the coming of the clouds. CM brought some special beverage and we toasted to the winter solstice. From now on the days will be getting longer. I can’t wait for spring! As we ate lunch CR was the only one to admit that her feet were cold. But I felt the same. Mine weren’t painfully cold but they were uncomfortable.
Without the sun it wasn’t comfortably warm feeling. We finished up lunch and headed back out again. As I backed my boat into the 6-12 inch surf it was just large enough to dump a few gallons of water into my cockpit. Great, just what I needed for my cold feet.
It took a surprisingly long time for TM and CM to get off the beach. I never did figure out why. Meanwhile KF played around the rocks trying to get as much excitement as he could. CR and I were not quite as determined but she did get caught by an unexpected wave that instantly turned her towards shore and surfed her towards a rock. She avoided it with ease but I felt a little bad that I didn’t warn her it was coming.
Our short stay on the beach for lunch didn’t give the tide a long time to change and put some more water in the river. As we approached “Deep Water Point” we all had to try various methods of getting over the sand bar. This included pulling with the paddle and getting out of the boat and walking. I chose to push off the bottom with my hands which kept me in my boat but certainly made my hands cold quickly.
Once over the bar it was smooth paddling back to the launch. The icy section had opened up and no more ice breaking was required.
Back at the launch KF joined in and admitted his feet were ice cold too. We all did what we could to get our boats loaded up and get warm. For some reason there was no post paddle meal. We all wished each other a happy holiday and went our separate ways.
So it was a very uneventful paddle in contrast with some of the more recent outings. But anytime you are out on the water with friends in December it’s a great day.
12/22 Air and water upper 30’s, Wind SE at 10. 12.5 miles round trip.
Seven showed up for the paddle. TM, CM, JS, PH, KF, CR, and PB. We were all suited up in our dry suits as we shoved off into the bottom third of the tide. The sun was shining brightly and the winds were light. The first ½ mile was very pleasant but we quickly ran into ice. TM and PH led the way, carving through with their plastic boats. At first the ice was merely a nuisance because it was soft, as you typically expect in salt water. But as we went further it became more than a ½ inch thick and difficult to break through with the paddle. This went on for a half mile or so. I tried to be last in line through the ice. Not because I didn’t want to work. But because I didn’t want to scratch my new boat on its maiden voyage.
There were plenty of ducks to be seen and a couple of hawks floating over the nearby woodlands. The paddling was easy until we reached Potomska Point and had to navigate the sand bar protecting (or confounding?) the river. The channel passes to the east and although that side is the side I prefer the group was determined to take a shortcut and head towards Barneys Joy Point. We found a way through that only required a gentle rub on the bottom of the boats.
We stopped for lunch at a pocket in the dunes just past the rocky section of shoreline. This location afforded us some protection from the wind which had picked up with the coming of the clouds. CM brought some special beverage and we toasted to the winter solstice. From now on the days will be getting longer. I can’t wait for spring! As we ate lunch CR was the only one to admit that her feet were cold. But I felt the same. Mine weren’t painfully cold but they were uncomfortable.
Without the sun it wasn’t comfortably warm feeling. We finished up lunch and headed back out again. As I backed my boat into the 6-12 inch surf it was just large enough to dump a few gallons of water into my cockpit. Great, just what I needed for my cold feet.
It took a surprisingly long time for TM and CM to get off the beach. I never did figure out why. Meanwhile KF played around the rocks trying to get as much excitement as he could. CR and I were not quite as determined but she did get caught by an unexpected wave that instantly turned her towards shore and surfed her towards a rock. She avoided it with ease but I felt a little bad that I didn’t warn her it was coming.
Our short stay on the beach for lunch didn’t give the tide a long time to change and put some more water in the river. As we approached “Deep Water Point” we all had to try various methods of getting over the sand bar. This included pulling with the paddle and getting out of the boat and walking. I chose to push off the bottom with my hands which kept me in my boat but certainly made my hands cold quickly.
Once over the bar it was smooth paddling back to the launch. The icy section had opened up and no more ice breaking was required.
Back at the launch KF joined in and admitted his feet were ice cold too. We all did what we could to get our boats loaded up and get warm. For some reason there was no post paddle meal. We all wished each other a happy holiday and went our separate ways.
So it was a very uneventful paddle in contrast with some of the more recent outings. But anytime you are out on the water with friends in December it’s a great day.
12/22 Air and water upper 30’s, Wind SE at 10. 12.5 miles round trip.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Not quite how I wanted it to end
I had a goal this year of paddling during every month of the year. I did achieve my goal. In some ways it was an adventure better than I ever expected. In others ways, the ending was a bit sad.
It was my love, me, my boat, and my friends traipsing month to month and state to state enjoying new adventures, learning about ourselves and each other, creating stories to tell and never forget. Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Oregon, Maine, Gloucester, Stonington CT, Alaska, Lake Champlain, Isle-au-Haut, Stone Bridge, Casco Bay, Sakonnet, Newport, and Jamestown. There is about 12,000 miles of travel here for about 500 miles of paddling.
There were plenty of mistakes made in the year. Most of the time we were upright but there were rolls not fulfilled, places not explored for want of destination, conversations not had, guidance not given or taken, and perspectives not viewed. There were plenty of high points, successful rescues, tricky passages made, one on one time, small intimate groups, and oh those special conversations. At times we were a well oiled machine. Other times we were a fragmented group bickering over what way to go.
All in all it was a wonderful year. By far the most fun I’ve had in years. The bumps and scrapes the boat and I have accumulated only add character. I’m not sure I could have made it better by trying to do more. And I’m certain it would not have been as much fun if I would have played it safer.
But my December paddle was marred with ill feeling. We met at Fort Wetherill. The weather was wonderful and the company was good, but I was not whole. A sickness had snuck up on me and although I headed out and returned under my own power my equilibrium was edgy. We had to stop early for lunch in Mackerel Cove. I thought I might be OK and tried to push on towards Beavertail. But I didn’t have it in me and I had to turn back. The last leg back felt long and hard for me but my friends were there to keep an eye on me. Back on land I could just sit there in a daze a bit. I recovered to get my stuff packed but the ride home was almost as bad as the paddle.
It was really not the finish I had hoped for.
12/8/2007 Air 41, Water 39, winds West at 10-15
It was my love, me, my boat, and my friends traipsing month to month and state to state enjoying new adventures, learning about ourselves and each other, creating stories to tell and never forget. Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Oregon, Maine, Gloucester, Stonington CT, Alaska, Lake Champlain, Isle-au-Haut, Stone Bridge, Casco Bay, Sakonnet, Newport, and Jamestown. There is about 12,000 miles of travel here for about 500 miles of paddling.
There were plenty of mistakes made in the year. Most of the time we were upright but there were rolls not fulfilled, places not explored for want of destination, conversations not had, guidance not given or taken, and perspectives not viewed. There were plenty of high points, successful rescues, tricky passages made, one on one time, small intimate groups, and oh those special conversations. At times we were a well oiled machine. Other times we were a fragmented group bickering over what way to go.
All in all it was a wonderful year. By far the most fun I’ve had in years. The bumps and scrapes the boat and I have accumulated only add character. I’m not sure I could have made it better by trying to do more. And I’m certain it would not have been as much fun if I would have played it safer.
But my December paddle was marred with ill feeling. We met at Fort Wetherill. The weather was wonderful and the company was good, but I was not whole. A sickness had snuck up on me and although I headed out and returned under my own power my equilibrium was edgy. We had to stop early for lunch in Mackerel Cove. I thought I might be OK and tried to push on towards Beavertail. But I didn’t have it in me and I had to turn back. The last leg back felt long and hard for me but my friends were there to keep an eye on me. Back on land I could just sit there in a daze a bit. I recovered to get my stuff packed but the ride home was almost as bad as the paddle.
It was really not the finish I had hoped for.
12/8/2007 Air 41, Water 39, winds West at 10-15
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Self Assessment and Paddle Ratings
The Sea Kayak leaders at RICKA have set up a paddle rating system that is a guide to the expected difficulty level of a paddle. It’s on a 1 to 5 scale and is intended to help a potential paddler judge whether they have the abilities needed to participate.
When we post a paddle, be it a sanctioned RICKA paddle or a winter show and go, we are counting on the individuals to self determine whether they have the skills to participate. Please be realistic.
Self determine is sometimes a problem. Some paddlers over estimate their skills, or under estimate the conditions, or are more risk tolerant.
I used the following hints as I started paddling with RICKA:
Start with a 2. Repeat until you know you are comfortable.
Proceed to a 3 but… know the location. Our rating system doesn’t distinguish between “bay” paddles and “ocean” paddles but really there is a progression of 2, “3 in the bay”, “3 with ocean exposure”, 4, and 5 (which is usually RSVP only). Proceed to a 3 “in the bay”.
Also, check the weather. If you’ve been doing level 2’s make sure the weather is ideal the first few times you do a 3.
Practice with the group. At level 3 paddles there are frequently impromptu practice sessions at lunch or after the paddle. If you want to do a rescue, or be rescued, or try and learn a new skill this is the time. It is hard to imagine you can’t find a skilled paddler to support you with some practice at any RICKA paddle. We love that. During practice, TIP OVER. Tip over accidentally while practicing, a lot. When you tip over on a paddle it’s not going to be an expected thing and it’s highly likely to be in “the last place you want to be upside down”. If the only way you’ve been over is holding your breath and counting 123 you’re not prepared for it to really happen.
If you’re paddling strong and practicing with the group the following will invariably happen; skilled members of the group will encourage you to come to higher level paddles. It is no one’s job to rate paddlers but if your skills are up to the challenge people will be encouraging you to “join us on the level 3 next week” or asking “Will you be coming to the level 4 on Sunday?”
Proceed to” level 3 in the ocean” but again, check the weather. Make sure the weather is ideal the first few times you advance a level.
Grow your skills in the summer. Winter is not the time for less experienced paddlers to be learning new skills. Nor is a time to be advancing to higher level paddles.
Be considerate of the group. In summer the groups are larger and paddles more frequent. And warm water makes immersion in most locations a much more benign experience. A mistake here in the name of growth is often a growth opportunity for everyone.
In winter you need to be sure. You need to feel that you can help your peers if they get in trouble and that you can help your peers by being skilled at executing your own rescue efficiently with their assistance. Things quickly degrade when a problem occurs. Be cautious in winter.
And finally, know your peers. There is a wide level of skills and propensities throughout the group. On a show and go, who’s organizing the paddle is often as strong an indicator as what the paddle is rated.
Comments, as always, welcomed and encouraged.
When we post a paddle, be it a sanctioned RICKA paddle or a winter show and go, we are counting on the individuals to self determine whether they have the skills to participate. Please be realistic.
Self determine is sometimes a problem. Some paddlers over estimate their skills, or under estimate the conditions, or are more risk tolerant.
I used the following hints as I started paddling with RICKA:
Start with a 2. Repeat until you know you are comfortable.
Proceed to a 3 but… know the location. Our rating system doesn’t distinguish between “bay” paddles and “ocean” paddles but really there is a progression of 2, “3 in the bay”, “3 with ocean exposure”, 4, and 5 (which is usually RSVP only). Proceed to a 3 “in the bay”.
Also, check the weather. If you’ve been doing level 2’s make sure the weather is ideal the first few times you do a 3.
Practice with the group. At level 3 paddles there are frequently impromptu practice sessions at lunch or after the paddle. If you want to do a rescue, or be rescued, or try and learn a new skill this is the time. It is hard to imagine you can’t find a skilled paddler to support you with some practice at any RICKA paddle. We love that. During practice, TIP OVER. Tip over accidentally while practicing, a lot. When you tip over on a paddle it’s not going to be an expected thing and it’s highly likely to be in “the last place you want to be upside down”. If the only way you’ve been over is holding your breath and counting 123 you’re not prepared for it to really happen.
If you’re paddling strong and practicing with the group the following will invariably happen; skilled members of the group will encourage you to come to higher level paddles. It is no one’s job to rate paddlers but if your skills are up to the challenge people will be encouraging you to “join us on the level 3 next week” or asking “Will you be coming to the level 4 on Sunday?”
Proceed to” level 3 in the ocean” but again, check the weather. Make sure the weather is ideal the first few times you advance a level.
Grow your skills in the summer. Winter is not the time for less experienced paddlers to be learning new skills. Nor is a time to be advancing to higher level paddles.
Be considerate of the group. In summer the groups are larger and paddles more frequent. And warm water makes immersion in most locations a much more benign experience. A mistake here in the name of growth is often a growth opportunity for everyone.
In winter you need to be sure. You need to feel that you can help your peers if they get in trouble and that you can help your peers by being skilled at executing your own rescue efficiently with their assistance. Things quickly degrade when a problem occurs. Be cautious in winter.
And finally, know your peers. There is a wide level of skills and propensities throughout the group. On a show and go, who’s organizing the paddle is often as strong an indicator as what the paddle is rated.
Comments, as always, welcomed and encouraged.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
3, 2, but not 1
I’m pretty sure that I paddled once per month in 2006 but this year I’ve been documenting it as part of my blogs. This November things had conspired against me and I had not yet paddled. (Well, actually I did demo a boat at Charles River Canoe and Kayak a few weeks ago but I didn’t want to count that.) Thanksgiving weekend was the last weekend in November and I had four chances to get on the water. Thursday would have been nice with 65 degree temperatures but it was windy and I had places to be. I tried to set something up Friday but there were no takers. Sunday was going to be difficult because I was picking LB up at the airport as she returned from Mexico at 12:30 in the morning. That left Saturday as a must paddle day. I talked about a road trip to Monomoy but we all settled on Third beach in Middletown. I’ve never paddled from 3rd beach around to the Mansions of Newport and that was my plan.
When I arrived, TM, a new person, was waiting. This made me a bit nervous because I did not know his abilities. He did have a dry suit and a neoprene hat. He was dressed for the water and the winds were very gentle. I didn’t think we could get in too much trouble. CR, BH, CC, CM, and EJ showed up shortly after.
I was a bit cold getting the boat ready. I could not keep my hands un-gloved for too long without them chilling out. When I opened a hatch there was ice inside that I had to scoop out with my bare hands. I had bought a new neo-hat that I wanted to wear but I opted for my full hood instead.
Once fully dressed and in my boat I was quite comfortable. I was trying my new snapdragon pogies that have stiff cuffs and are very easy to slip your hands in and out of. My opinion after a day of using them is that they are all right. No more pulling pogies over my dry suit with my teeth!
CC was excited that the female/male ratio was close to 50% (3 to 4). We had some great conversations as we rounded Satchuest Point. I was looking for recommendations as to where to spend my Christmas break and there was no shortage of suggestions as to where I should fly off to. We headed to the far end of second beach and decided to land because TM was nursing a stiff back. This, combined with his need to get to work at 3pm was going to squelch any possibilities of reaching 1st beach and the mansions.
Before we stopped on the beach CM and BH did their best to surf on 9 inch waves. (OK they may have been a foot.) Our beach spot was a perfect place to sit for lunch with a 10 foot tall rock to block the wind and capture the warmth of the sun.
After lunch we headed out along the rocky shoreline on the west side of 2nd beach so that I could gaze over at the cliff walk. Then we turned east and headed back to Satchuest. There was some discussion about heading out to Cormorant Rocks which are about 1 ½ miles from the point. Unfortunately we would have had to split the group to do this so we chose to head back together.
Back at the point we were treated to sightings of Harlequin Ducks. CR had mentioned that we might see them here and of course she was right. CM and I noticed that there was an occasional line crossing our path. It turned out to be a huge tangle of poly-twine that BH and CR rescued.
Back at the launch CM and TM (no relation!) packed up their boats and headed off to other commitments. I waited for EJ to arrive and we both tested our rolling skills in the cold water. Mine was successful but even the small amount of time in the cold water with full hood on was enough to give me a hint of dis-orientation as the cold water slipped down my ear canals. EJ started to attempt an off side roll but missed and switched to on side and popped right up. One roll each was all we needed. The sun that had kept us warm all afternoon was fading behind high thin clouds and the heat we had built up while paddling was quickly fading. We headed to shore.
For post paddle festivities we searched out a spot to eat in Newport. We caravanned around downtown following BH until we settled on “Yesterdays”. Our meal was simple but tasty. From there we winnowed down to four and walked along the cobblestone streets like tourists. We stopped in to Starbucks so EJ could caffeine up a bit more. Then, down to three, CC, BH and I watched an “unresolved” movie that I won’t be renting on DVD.
But as a whole it was a wonderful relaxing winter paddle that was good for the soul. A perfect day for my only November outing!
11/24/2007 Air Temperature 38, water temp 49, winds light NW
When I arrived, TM, a new person, was waiting. This made me a bit nervous because I did not know his abilities. He did have a dry suit and a neoprene hat. He was dressed for the water and the winds were very gentle. I didn’t think we could get in too much trouble. CR, BH, CC, CM, and EJ showed up shortly after.
I was a bit cold getting the boat ready. I could not keep my hands un-gloved for too long without them chilling out. When I opened a hatch there was ice inside that I had to scoop out with my bare hands. I had bought a new neo-hat that I wanted to wear but I opted for my full hood instead.
Once fully dressed and in my boat I was quite comfortable. I was trying my new snapdragon pogies that have stiff cuffs and are very easy to slip your hands in and out of. My opinion after a day of using them is that they are all right. No more pulling pogies over my dry suit with my teeth!
CC was excited that the female/male ratio was close to 50% (3 to 4). We had some great conversations as we rounded Satchuest Point. I was looking for recommendations as to where to spend my Christmas break and there was no shortage of suggestions as to where I should fly off to. We headed to the far end of second beach and decided to land because TM was nursing a stiff back. This, combined with his need to get to work at 3pm was going to squelch any possibilities of reaching 1st beach and the mansions.
Before we stopped on the beach CM and BH did their best to surf on 9 inch waves. (OK they may have been a foot.) Our beach spot was a perfect place to sit for lunch with a 10 foot tall rock to block the wind and capture the warmth of the sun.
After lunch we headed out along the rocky shoreline on the west side of 2nd beach so that I could gaze over at the cliff walk. Then we turned east and headed back to Satchuest. There was some discussion about heading out to Cormorant Rocks which are about 1 ½ miles from the point. Unfortunately we would have had to split the group to do this so we chose to head back together.
Back at the point we were treated to sightings of Harlequin Ducks. CR had mentioned that we might see them here and of course she was right. CM and I noticed that there was an occasional line crossing our path. It turned out to be a huge tangle of poly-twine that BH and CR rescued.
Back at the launch CM and TM (no relation!) packed up their boats and headed off to other commitments. I waited for EJ to arrive and we both tested our rolling skills in the cold water. Mine was successful but even the small amount of time in the cold water with full hood on was enough to give me a hint of dis-orientation as the cold water slipped down my ear canals. EJ started to attempt an off side roll but missed and switched to on side and popped right up. One roll each was all we needed. The sun that had kept us warm all afternoon was fading behind high thin clouds and the heat we had built up while paddling was quickly fading. We headed to shore.
For post paddle festivities we searched out a spot to eat in Newport. We caravanned around downtown following BH until we settled on “Yesterdays”. Our meal was simple but tasty. From there we winnowed down to four and walked along the cobblestone streets like tourists. We stopped in to Starbucks so EJ could caffeine up a bit more. Then, down to three, CC, BH and I watched an “unresolved” movie that I won’t be renting on DVD.
But as a whole it was a wonderful relaxing winter paddle that was good for the soul. A perfect day for my only November outing!
11/24/2007 Air Temperature 38, water temp 49, winds light NW
Sunday, October 28, 2007
2-Issues
Sunday’s paddle from the bay campus was planned to be a level 2 to Rome Point. When we arrived the air temperature was in the low fifties and it was blowing 15+ on the shore. It was clearly a bit stronger on the open water. T suggested we could have a pleasant paddle at a nearby pond and have the added benefit of cleaning our gear in fresh water. The group votes were “don’t care” and “the bay” so the bay was chosen. JS, JS, and L were planning to head across on a 3-4 fishing paddle. They were a bit more organized and pushed off at 10. We were on the water at 10:30.
PB,TM,HCJ,DV,LB,EJ,CC,RB,BH were all paddling (CM was not!) We headed out into open water and then realized we should probably hug the shore for as long as we could to stay out of the wind. TM and EJ were out front. I hugged the shore closely to feel the waves a bit. The paddling was easy and everything was warm except for my hands which were chilled by the wet-wind-chill. C offered her gloves; RB was trying his new pogies which he found too warm.
As we rounded Casey Point the winds started to make their presence known. The slight NE direction of the shore line had been protecting us from the north wind more than we realized. About this time we noticed the JSs coming across the bay without L. Apparently he had decided the wind on that side of the bay was too much and headed back to the launch. In what will turn out to be a bit ironic we questioned the judgment of letting L go back alone.
We approached the Jamestown Bridge and regrouped by the beach near the old structure to prepare for the final assault into the wind towards Rome Point. As we passed under the bridge it acted like a wind tunnel and focused an incredible blast into our faces that was difficult to overcome. From there all we could muster as a group was ½ mile of paddling to Greene Point. BH and I both attempted a few up-wind runs to investigate the down wind surfing opportunities. The down wind runs we fast but I at least couldn’t sustain any continuous wave riding. We laughed about how we would need only about 17 minutes for the return paddle. In a strange occurrence JS tipped over just from lack of attentiveness (playing with fishing stuff I assume). His strong roll got him back up quickly to make it a non-event.
We stopped for lunch in an area that was not as protected from the wind as we would have liked. T had his usual spare sandwich which I really wanted but JS beat me to it. I ate H and C’s cookies instead. The conversation was enjoyable as always. RB wore CC’s “special jacket” to keep warm.
After lunch it appeared that the wind had died significantly. B and I expressed a bit of disappointment in this given our desire to ride one long wave back to the bay campus. We shouted over to T “to the lighthouse?” and with an assenting nod we were headed out towards the Plum Beach Lighthouse which sits in the middle of the west passage in the shadow of the bridge. My boat was happy on a more northerly reach directly to the lighthouse. T took a path closer to the bridge abutments. I was treated to a paddle through a huge assemblage of seagulls fighting with the blue fish over some surface bait. As I continued I could see T on my beam and was beginning to feel the wind lift my paddle a bit as it crossed my boat. The seas were a bit taller out there but nothing I couldn’t handle. I knew that some of the group was beginning to fall back a bit but I was focused on slipping behind the lighthouse into an eddy and then come about and watch them approach.
It was about ¾ of a mile from the beach to the lighthouse. Somewhere about ½ mile I should have recognized the changing conditions and waited to regroup with the others. What had happened was that the wind had not died down at all. It had just backed to the west a bit and the beach that we ate at was shadowing wind in a way it had not done before lunch.
In the last ¼ mile the conditions worsened quickly. They became sloppy enough that I could no longer glance over my shoulder to see what was happening behind me. All I could do was check that T was still on my beam. By the lighthouse it was utter chaos. The current and the wind and the lighthouse had things stirred up to a frenzy. I slipped behind the structure but was met with waves approaching from both sides instead of calm. I knew at this time that the whole group didn’t want to be there. I think T could see this so he headed down wind under the bridge. I took that as a clue and headed towards him. Just as I passed under the bridge B started shouting “Boat Over” and looking back from where I had come. I had no idea anyone else was out there with me. As I looked back I couldn’t see anything because the bridge abutment blocked my view. When I finally drifted past the bridge I could see the boat over and B and I headed over. T accessed that B&I could start the rescue and instead headed to a power boat and asked them to stand buy if we needed help.
B and I reached the swimmer about the same time. He had the composure to have kept contact with the boat and his paddle but was clearly fatigued from the ordeal already. B was closest to the overturned boat and I came alongside him. I had realized the previous day from practicing rescues in the standing waves by Stone Bridge in Tiverton how dis-concerting it was to do the initial lift of the boat to do a T-rescue in these conditions. B was showing this hesitancy. From my position I could reach over using B’s boat for stability and lift it easily so we got the boat up and emptied.
The next struggle was getting a tired swimmer back in the boat who was also worried about being a paddler again in the same conditions that had caused the boat to go over the first time. We were stable in this position and the water was not too cold so we tried to get him to relax a little and gain some strength to lift himself up onto the boats.
About this time my paddle that I had tucked under my deck line swung out into the “outrigger position” out of my reach. I began to focus on getting a grip on my own paddle and lost track or the two other paddles I was supposed to be holding on to. Fortunately E arrived about this time and retrieved these paddles.
We got the swimmer up on our decks and began to get his legs in the boat. B was doing the rescue in a bow-to bow position because that was the quickest way to approach the over turned boat as we approached it. Unfortunately that also meant it was hard to hold the boat as the tired swimmer tried to slip his legs into the cockpit. The boats separated and the cockpit re-filled with water as the swimmer hung precariously between his boat and B’s boat. We managed to get the boats back together and the swimmer in but then had to do a lot of pumping to get the boat emptied. T had showed up by this time so I used his pump to help empty the boat. We did not attach the spray skirt at this time. We were lucky that the boat was floating high enough and stable enough with us both holding it that this oversight was not critical.
It was clear that the swimmer was going to need some support while he regained his balance. E hooked up the rescued boat and B together and began to tow them both. I did not have my tow belt on because this was a level 2 paddle. E started the tow but it was clear that a double tow would be needed. I rafted up with B to get his belt as opposed to opening my day hatch and chancing filling that with water. I hooked to E and we both pulled in the direction of the Kingston shoreline. As we neared the shore we discontinued the tow and met with the others who had headed towards shore earlier to avoid any additional boats over. We paddled back to the Bay Campus together and began the de-brief of what had gone wrong (and right).
I was a big part of the wrong department in a number of ways. But I think the simplest way we could have avoided this would have been to paddle as a group. T, B, and I headed out towards the lighthouse without gaining consent of the whole group. Half the group didn’t know where we were going. Had we stayed together as a group we would probably have headed towards the lighthouse as we did BUT we would have certainly decided to turn towards the Bay campus sooner.
I headed out to the light and although I was in visual contact with T we were not in verbal contact. I’m sure he would have slowed me up as the conditions worsened had he been able to communicate with me.
As I neared the lighthouse I chose to go through the worse conditions to seek the protection (which actually didn’t exist) behind the lighthouse. I should not have put myself in these conditions where I could no longer look back at the rest of the group but could only focus on keeping myself up.
B and I chose to allow the rescue to proceed bow to bow. It was probably a good decision to continue this way once it started but if we were more attentive to getting this set up right we could probably have avoided the boat filling up with water again.
I didn’t have my tow belt on.
I lost track of the paddles.
The good things were the support of T and E, they let us work the rescue but provided support to the little mistakes. And Bob was extremely attentive to the whole situation.
I think given the fact that we had power boat support readily available sending the remaining paddlers to shore was a good decision. (Had the situation been different I think they should have stayed together and held a position down wind of us, paddling into the wind and keeping visual contact, rafted together if conditions and wind drift allowed.)
This was supposed to be a level 2 paddle. We as a group struggle with keeping a paddle at that level. Sometimes it works out where the advanced paddlers play closer to the rocks and the more timid paddlers stay in the more predictable conditions. Other times the conditions are hard to hide from. In this case we let ourselves get into conditions we didn’t have to. It never would have happened had we stayed as a close knit group and provided opportunity to everyone to weight in on there comfort with the conditions.
Comments and thoughts of course welcome and encouraged ...
Winds North 20 G25+, water 60, air 56
PB,TM,HCJ,DV,LB,EJ,CC,RB,BH were all paddling (CM was not!) We headed out into open water and then realized we should probably hug the shore for as long as we could to stay out of the wind. TM and EJ were out front. I hugged the shore closely to feel the waves a bit. The paddling was easy and everything was warm except for my hands which were chilled by the wet-wind-chill. C offered her gloves; RB was trying his new pogies which he found too warm.
As we rounded Casey Point the winds started to make their presence known. The slight NE direction of the shore line had been protecting us from the north wind more than we realized. About this time we noticed the JSs coming across the bay without L. Apparently he had decided the wind on that side of the bay was too much and headed back to the launch. In what will turn out to be a bit ironic we questioned the judgment of letting L go back alone.
We approached the Jamestown Bridge and regrouped by the beach near the old structure to prepare for the final assault into the wind towards Rome Point. As we passed under the bridge it acted like a wind tunnel and focused an incredible blast into our faces that was difficult to overcome. From there all we could muster as a group was ½ mile of paddling to Greene Point. BH and I both attempted a few up-wind runs to investigate the down wind surfing opportunities. The down wind runs we fast but I at least couldn’t sustain any continuous wave riding. We laughed about how we would need only about 17 minutes for the return paddle. In a strange occurrence JS tipped over just from lack of attentiveness (playing with fishing stuff I assume). His strong roll got him back up quickly to make it a non-event.
We stopped for lunch in an area that was not as protected from the wind as we would have liked. T had his usual spare sandwich which I really wanted but JS beat me to it. I ate H and C’s cookies instead. The conversation was enjoyable as always. RB wore CC’s “special jacket” to keep warm.
After lunch it appeared that the wind had died significantly. B and I expressed a bit of disappointment in this given our desire to ride one long wave back to the bay campus. We shouted over to T “to the lighthouse?” and with an assenting nod we were headed out towards the Plum Beach Lighthouse which sits in the middle of the west passage in the shadow of the bridge. My boat was happy on a more northerly reach directly to the lighthouse. T took a path closer to the bridge abutments. I was treated to a paddle through a huge assemblage of seagulls fighting with the blue fish over some surface bait. As I continued I could see T on my beam and was beginning to feel the wind lift my paddle a bit as it crossed my boat. The seas were a bit taller out there but nothing I couldn’t handle. I knew that some of the group was beginning to fall back a bit but I was focused on slipping behind the lighthouse into an eddy and then come about and watch them approach.
It was about ¾ of a mile from the beach to the lighthouse. Somewhere about ½ mile I should have recognized the changing conditions and waited to regroup with the others. What had happened was that the wind had not died down at all. It had just backed to the west a bit and the beach that we ate at was shadowing wind in a way it had not done before lunch.
In the last ¼ mile the conditions worsened quickly. They became sloppy enough that I could no longer glance over my shoulder to see what was happening behind me. All I could do was check that T was still on my beam. By the lighthouse it was utter chaos. The current and the wind and the lighthouse had things stirred up to a frenzy. I slipped behind the structure but was met with waves approaching from both sides instead of calm. I knew at this time that the whole group didn’t want to be there. I think T could see this so he headed down wind under the bridge. I took that as a clue and headed towards him. Just as I passed under the bridge B started shouting “Boat Over” and looking back from where I had come. I had no idea anyone else was out there with me. As I looked back I couldn’t see anything because the bridge abutment blocked my view. When I finally drifted past the bridge I could see the boat over and B and I headed over. T accessed that B&I could start the rescue and instead headed to a power boat and asked them to stand buy if we needed help.
B and I reached the swimmer about the same time. He had the composure to have kept contact with the boat and his paddle but was clearly fatigued from the ordeal already. B was closest to the overturned boat and I came alongside him. I had realized the previous day from practicing rescues in the standing waves by Stone Bridge in Tiverton how dis-concerting it was to do the initial lift of the boat to do a T-rescue in these conditions. B was showing this hesitancy. From my position I could reach over using B’s boat for stability and lift it easily so we got the boat up and emptied.
The next struggle was getting a tired swimmer back in the boat who was also worried about being a paddler again in the same conditions that had caused the boat to go over the first time. We were stable in this position and the water was not too cold so we tried to get him to relax a little and gain some strength to lift himself up onto the boats.
About this time my paddle that I had tucked under my deck line swung out into the “outrigger position” out of my reach. I began to focus on getting a grip on my own paddle and lost track or the two other paddles I was supposed to be holding on to. Fortunately E arrived about this time and retrieved these paddles.
We got the swimmer up on our decks and began to get his legs in the boat. B was doing the rescue in a bow-to bow position because that was the quickest way to approach the over turned boat as we approached it. Unfortunately that also meant it was hard to hold the boat as the tired swimmer tried to slip his legs into the cockpit. The boats separated and the cockpit re-filled with water as the swimmer hung precariously between his boat and B’s boat. We managed to get the boats back together and the swimmer in but then had to do a lot of pumping to get the boat emptied. T had showed up by this time so I used his pump to help empty the boat. We did not attach the spray skirt at this time. We were lucky that the boat was floating high enough and stable enough with us both holding it that this oversight was not critical.
It was clear that the swimmer was going to need some support while he regained his balance. E hooked up the rescued boat and B together and began to tow them both. I did not have my tow belt on because this was a level 2 paddle. E started the tow but it was clear that a double tow would be needed. I rafted up with B to get his belt as opposed to opening my day hatch and chancing filling that with water. I hooked to E and we both pulled in the direction of the Kingston shoreline. As we neared the shore we discontinued the tow and met with the others who had headed towards shore earlier to avoid any additional boats over. We paddled back to the Bay Campus together and began the de-brief of what had gone wrong (and right).
I was a big part of the wrong department in a number of ways. But I think the simplest way we could have avoided this would have been to paddle as a group. T, B, and I headed out towards the lighthouse without gaining consent of the whole group. Half the group didn’t know where we were going. Had we stayed together as a group we would probably have headed towards the lighthouse as we did BUT we would have certainly decided to turn towards the Bay campus sooner.
I headed out to the light and although I was in visual contact with T we were not in verbal contact. I’m sure he would have slowed me up as the conditions worsened had he been able to communicate with me.
As I neared the lighthouse I chose to go through the worse conditions to seek the protection (which actually didn’t exist) behind the lighthouse. I should not have put myself in these conditions where I could no longer look back at the rest of the group but could only focus on keeping myself up.
B and I chose to allow the rescue to proceed bow to bow. It was probably a good decision to continue this way once it started but if we were more attentive to getting this set up right we could probably have avoided the boat filling up with water again.
I didn’t have my tow belt on.
I lost track of the paddles.
The good things were the support of T and E, they let us work the rescue but provided support to the little mistakes. And Bob was extremely attentive to the whole situation.
I think given the fact that we had power boat support readily available sending the remaining paddlers to shore was a good decision. (Had the situation been different I think they should have stayed together and held a position down wind of us, paddling into the wind and keeping visual contact, rafted together if conditions and wind drift allowed.)
This was supposed to be a level 2 paddle. We as a group struggle with keeping a paddle at that level. Sometimes it works out where the advanced paddlers play closer to the rocks and the more timid paddlers stay in the more predictable conditions. Other times the conditions are hard to hide from. In this case we let ourselves get into conditions we didn’t have to. It never would have happened had we stayed as a close knit group and provided opportunity to everyone to weight in on there comfort with the conditions.
Comments and thoughts of course welcome and encouraged ...
Winds North 20 G25+, water 60, air 56
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