Just the Figurehead

I lead my first trip this season. Actually all the actual doing and leading is done by the 2 assistants, Mat and John and the drill sergeant, Ed, who is a school teacher in real life. Ed is a short, purry man who like to give commands. He was at the club already when I arrived on Saturday morning, and put himself in charge of the Sea Kayak containers. He explained to me what he want to do and asked if I am ok with it since I am boss for the day, but there is no to turn down the offer. So Ed handle handing out boats. Mat, an experience trip leader end up doing the introduction to paddling. When everyone gets boats, lifejackets, and introduction to basic introductions witht he help of Mat and Ed, I step in to do a bit of introduction, our plan for for the trip and off we went.

I assigned each of the trip leads their rolls, John Wright, a moderate speed paddler get the lead to keep pace, Matt will be mixing with the newbies to help them along, and I would be doing the sweep making sure no one get left behind.

I asked John to get into the water first before everyone else launched while Matt helped the newsbies into their kayaks. Matt end up launch two paddlers before John as ready. I gentlely remind Matt that John is not ready yet on the other side.

The water in the inlet on Saturday morning was disgusting to put it nicely. It had been raining the last couple of night so there were overflow from the water treatment plants at the head of the inlet. It have a very milky green color to it and smell really bad. Normally I would try to get out of the inlet as soon as possible by leading everyone toward the bridge and into the bay for cleaner water but procedure now call for us to head closer to the water treatment plant to see who would have problem paddle before actually starting the trip.

So we paddled three quarter of a miles up the inlets in the foul smelling water before I called a stop, and asked how everyone is feeling. Surprisingly noone complain about the foul smelling water. Everyone feel good, even thought a couple of paddler have problem with control and maintaining speed. Since noone want to go back to the dock we make our way down the inlet to the bridge.

The water only get marginally better when we get into the Bay. I find out that my VHF radio did not work (I was using a club radio b/c I left mine on all week and it dead.) I end up having to relay my instruction to John in the front by yelling up to the nearest kayak in front of me and he/she would send it up to the next kayaker till it reach John at the front. Usually it would a request to stopped so the rest of the pack can catch up. The group tend to get separated out into three subgroup, the front - all the younger or more experience people, the middle, and then me with two ladies all the way in the back. One of the woman paddle with us before, I think she is a conditional member, and her friend, who have never paddle before but is very atletic. They have two problems, the boat that the second woman is in is not design for long straigh trip, it tend to turn a lot even for experience paddler, and the two women are simply having too much fun yakking and stopping to yak. Since I am the sweep, I can't go any faster then the slowest paddlers so I end up falling behind.

And since we left on time and the weather condition is perfect for a lazy paddle, I made a lot of stop to let everyone regroup and rests. It take all of 1 hours to get to our turn around point. We usually go into the shallow salt marsh right before Mill Basin Bridge but on this Saturday there weren't enough water to form the marsh. It was only 10:45 AM when we get to our turn around point, so I decided to continue to the Mill Basin Bridge. I asked Mat to take the sweep so I can get some exercise in. We paddled to the bridge but did not go into Mill Basin.

The trip back is always the part I hate the most when I was a newby. It tend to turn into a free for all. The fast paddlers just want to get home leaving everying behind, abandoned. I decided to make sure that this would not happen on my trip. I take sweep again on the way back, giving encouragement as needed. I have John stopped a couple of time so everyone can regroup and rest. I was happy that the group did not get spread out on the way back. We get back just after 12 O'clock, everyone help washing the boats, equipments and puting everything always. Ed again coordinated the tasks.

I promised on of the conditional members, Scott, that I would go out kayak with him after the official trip so he can try out a surf ski kayak. I did get a bit of rest stand around watching the group clean up before getting into my boat again. The worst part is the foul smelling water. Scott capsized right before the bridge where the water is still murky. I did not envy him his swim. I come along side his surfski and stablized it while he get back on top. That is the only time that I have to assist him get back into his boat. He did capside thrice afterward, twice in the bay, and once again inside the inlet. I hoped he washed himself with lot of soap when he get home.

Well that my first trip as trip leader. Wasn't bad at all.

Afternoon Paddle

No time for the lake the last two weekend. I don't know what I did the last two weekends. I don't think I did any kayaking. I finally get to go kayaking this Wednesday. The weather forecasted a chance of thunderstorm and the sky is overcasted as I inched my way down the Belt Parkway to the clubhouse. From what people who went on Wednesday evening paddle, there is a large regular crowd but this Wednesday due to the uncertain weather, I get there 25 minutes late but there is only 3 cars at the club. I ran into Phil, George, Mat, and two other people that I don't know. Phil informed me that there are only two guests, and they are just paddleing in the basin since the weather may turn any second.

Mat is not coming with us on this paddle. I end up having a conversation with Mat, and end up volunteering to lead this Saturday trip. I have to see if I can get assistants for the trip, the weatherman is forecasting a perfect Saturday so we could have a large crowd on Saturday.

The only reason i will be in NYC this weekend is because the cabin at the lake is fully book for our Star 1 and Star2 classes. I wished I could be up there with them but they have more then enough Coaches, and Coaches trainees helping I would only get in the way.

We were just leaving the dock when Peter and his daughter Danielle come down the ramp. Pete were hollowing something to us but it was held to hear anything. We just hollowed back that we are just going up the basin then back down, that he can catch us on the way. I have a pleasant conversation with George on the paddle and learn that I should goes on the Friday night paddle. I haven't been to any organize paddle at the club this season so I missed out on the going on at the club.

We get back to the club as the thunder get louder and more frequent.

So close but not quite

To quote on of my assessors, very close to star 3 but not quite. I was nervous and untight the whole day. I was not where as confidents with my skills as I should be. But the key thing is I was sloppy with basic techniques.

Getting my last star.

BCU Star 3 that is. I will be taking my assessment on Friday at the lake.

Plan is to drive up today, Thursday evening. Finally practice and testing is on Friday. I will stay over till Saturday. The rest of the group will do Coach 2 training which I am not doing. Will do some hiking. I will probably use the time to go to AKT and Campmore to get a couple of stuffs. I will drive home on Saturday evening, at about 5 or 6PM to get back to NYC before nighfall.

I get a race on Sunday. I hope my legs feel better then last week. I hate to have to give up running again last last year.

June 9 and 10 Weekend

Spend at the lake. Get there early, 8:30AM. I promised Adele that I would get there early to go paddle with her. When I get there the plan change. We went shopping, for antique and for food. Grocery is way expensive ins Sloatburg the town right outside the park. I should stock up on grocery when before I get there. Between Adele and Anne, they both 50 dollars worth of grocery that would have cost about 30 dollar in NYC. I volunteer to cover the meat part of our meal since I have often enough steal food from them last summer. We did not get to that part of the shopping till after the first paddle of the day. Just me, Adele, Anne and Jerry on a slow site seeing paddle. The flowers along the late shores are beautiful.



We did not anything too adventurous on our paddle. I was feeling a bit dizzy (from the sun and the fact that my hat is too tight). After the paddle Adele and I went swimming. Turn out Adele was also feeling dizzy from the paddle. The swim make us both feel much better.



I drove Adele to the only local grocery store that sell meat. I end up spending 48 dollars for two tray of ground meet for burger, 7 links of sausages and miscellaneous other food stuffs. We get back and lounge around till 5 when I start the fire in the fire pit at Anne and Jerry's cabin. It take almost an hours to get enough ambers for a proper bbq. I end up doing much of the cooking, which I preferred because I have obsolutely nothing to say in a conversation. There were about 12 people with us not including Beth and Mike's kids. Everyone have fun. We get too much sausages but other then that everything goes well.



Sunday started with breakfast at the local dinner. I ordered my usual, Western Omlette with home fries.

...don't remember much else about the weekend.

Belated Memorial Weekend Summary

Get a 4 day memorial day by taking Friday off. Went with Tony and two other guys, both name Walter for a paddle on the other side of JFK. It was a 14 miles paddle both way. The water is much cleaner then Jamaica Bay, but there is much more power boats traffics. There is one point in particular where we have to watch out for boats coming from 3 different directions. Patient and calm are the key to paddle a group across these busy waterway. This paddle was to access if it would be a good group trip. The wind and wave is a bit more interesting then Jamaica Bay but I don't see why a moderate paddlers with experiences with powerboats traffic would not be able to handle it.

We stopped at Empire Kayak for lunch. Empire Kayak is a sweet setup. It is run as a outfitter/kayak stores right in the backyard of the guy house that have a small beach, small as in enough room for 5 kayak to land nose in. We left our boats tied together under the ram so that it would be out of the way and walk out to a clam bar/burger place. I had a cheese burger with raw half shell clams on the side.

We tried to time our return trip so that the current is going out, since we started the journey at close to where the inlet open into the Atlantic Ocean. We did not rush lunch but we were itching to start back by 4PM because we don't want to be catch in the dark. The current were still coming in, which is not what we wanted but we decided to start back. Since the wind were on our back, and we take the short cut the first legs of the journey were not bad. I did have a bit of trouble trying to keep my boat going straight. I always prefered going into the wind the with it behind me because I end up spending way too much time adjusting my strokes. We get back to our car by 7:30PM.

I stopped by the Club to pickup my my Sof boat for the trip up to ACA cabin Harriman Park upstate (hencefore ACA Cabin). I will be leaving both kayak on top of my car outside my house overnight. When I get home, and try to find the key to my kayak lock, I realized that I losted it. I know at the end of last season I put it in a safe place, then I remember seeing a set of keys that look familiar to mine on the table at the club when I pick up my boat. I have a feeling that it was mine. I probably hide it in my winter summer water shoe. I was tempted to go in the morning to pick it up but decided against it, because it would defeat the whole point of me storing the boat on top of my car overnight.

I end up buying gate key at Harriman which I don't need since it was open when I drove up. There was noone one at the camp group when I get there at 8:30AM. The usual full time summer residents are about, Beth, her husband Mike, Scott the Camp Director, Anne, her long time companion, Jerry and some people from other club who I have never bother to meet. Since I don't have a key to the cabin, I knocked and hope that someone is inside. I wakeup David and his new girlfriend, Michelle. Nice enough kid.

Turn out that Sebago is hosting Memorial Weekend, meaning we have to sweep out the public area, make sure there is toilet paper in the restrooms, and clean the toilets. I volunteed to do the sweeping and tidying up of the pavilion. I think I finally get out of my SoF boat for a short paddle. Getting into it was a bit of a trick because a normal procedure for getting into a kayak would not do, and our dock have been push up onto the rocks and have a 30 degree incline. I forget what the proper way to get into a SnF boat was so I end up gingerly wiggling my legs into the boat while trying to keep the boat from sliding forward and away from the dock. It take my 5 minutes doing something that I normally take seconds doing on a normal boat. I take it out for a short paddle. The boat taken in about half a cup of water from water coming through the skin in the thirty minute paddles. It would be a problem if on a longer journey. The paint is not water tight.

Don't remember much of what else happen on Satursday. I may have take a paddle with Anne and Jerry around the lake. Don't remember, its a bit fuzzy.

Sunday is a bit more fun. Lot more paddles. (Really should write these thing down 3 week ago, because now I have no idea what happen). I did remember that my favorite little person arrived on Sunday. I went for a long paddle with Anne and Jerry on my SoF boat and end up with plisters on both my toe knuckles. There were cake, tea, cofees and movie night. The feature movies were Pirate of the Caribean, one and two which I already see on Sunday evening. Enjoy a nice game of frisby with a cute 11 years old girl who keep on trying to chop my head up with the frisby. Lucky for me her aim were bad and the frisby is a 3 feet nylon cover disk which do not hurt at all. Spend much of the rest of the night listening to people chat. It was a relaxing Sunday evening.

My regular paddling partners come on Monday, Stevie and his girlfriend(wife in everything but official), Adele. When Stevie arrived, it meant time for underwater fun, lot of rolling and getting completely wet. We take a long paddle to warm up, then went to a non-swimming beach to do the more adventurous stuff. Discover that I still remember my basic roll, on both sides. I take out my SoF in the afternoon and do some rolls that I would not be able to do in my regular both. It is also good to know that I can wet exit the boat without any problem if I have to. I do learned thought that sometime the boat refuse to complete capside leaving me disoriented and not know where the surface is. I wet exited both time it happen.

The day ended as usual with us all in front of Stevie fire at his camp ground. I steal some sausage and steak from Adele for dinner. I went for a walk right before the sun set, hoping to take some picture of the wild lifes. End up running into more deers then I bargain for, including one that block the path and refuse to move away till I flashed it why my camera flash. Get back right before it became complete dark. Good think too because I almost get lost a couple of time.

We planned to get to bed early, 8PM and get up at 4AM to drive back to NYC. I decided at night that there is no reason for me to rush home at 4Am so the plan was change to driving home with Elizabeth, who plan to drive home at a reasonable time, 6AM. But when I wake up at 4AM to see Stevie and Adele on their way and get back into bed, I decided that why should I came in to work at all? So I end up getting up at 9AM, have breakfast and take a short hike. Get lot of pictures. Meet a couple of deers, wild turkey and a very fast fox.

Fit like a Glove

DSC_0171
Originally uploaded by Spigquax.

The inside of my new kayak. It is a skin on frame kayak, weigh in about about 25lb at most. I bought it used from a friend at the club. She bought it last summer and only used it once or twice before her back problems force her to give up rolling. It fit me with centimeter to spare. I can't wear anything on my feet otherwise I would not fit into that truncen you see there. I have toe cramp on both of my feet the first time I sat in it.

I felt really guilty about spending another thousand dollar on a new boat when my future remain so uncertain, but it is an opportunity I just can't pass up on. I also get the sprayskirt that goes with this kayak. Best fitting stray skirt I ever had. I can't wait to go out and role at the lake. Itching to get it upstate this memorial weekend.

More pictures:

Open House and Little Yellow Boat.

Wake up at 6AM on Saturday to go to Manhattan for my 10K race in Central Park. I get there with enough time to get my numbers/chips and warm up. The sky was overcast, a bit chilly, and a light random drizzle. Perfect weather for a run. Love the t-shirt they give out, one of those sport fiber material. Race started at 9AM after a stupid speech from a representative from the UAE. I started the race out very strong. My ankles were not bothering me as much as I fear. I started to lost steam into my fifth miles. I attempted to sprint the last quart of a mile but end your dry heaving and gaging before I get to the last 400 meter. I end up dragging myself to the finished line at 40.43 instead of under 40 minutes that I was hoping for. I need to learn to run the 10k right.

Take a train back home right after crossing the finish line. Well not right after, I did sat around long enough to eat two peaches and drink lot of water while my lungs get it act together. Get home by 11:09 to change out of my running tight into a jean and drive to the club. I did not get to the club till 12:25 because my sister left a message saying she need the car. Turn out she don't need it for the evening. There were not that many people at the club. Many people stay home due to the uncertain weather. I grabbed something to eat first before changing into my dry suit. I did not get on the water till 2PM. I end up on the last group to go out for the day.

Also end up with a new yellow boat.

Dock Bum

Spend all Saturday and Sunday at the clubhouse but never get a chance to do any kayaking. For that matter I have don't do what I was a the club to do neither, which is to inspect all the club kayaks under my supervision as Fleet Captain. Turning out for Saturday work day was pathetic. I end up with only one voluntee to help me with the boat. Send much of Saturday and Sunday mowing the the "grass". I meant weeds field when I say grass. This weekend is the Open House. I have a short race in the Morning. Hope to be there by 12PM.

Peaceful Sunday

I went to the Revlon Run/Walk on Saturday with my sister. It was impossible to run, there are forty thousand participants, and there are no separate start for runner. Since it was not timed, there was no sense in me running. I would never be able to find my sister again after the event if I ran, then have to wait for a hours for her to catch up. It take us 1hours and 10 minutes to get to the finish. It was a pleasant day for a short walk and a short free outdoor lunch. We walk back down to 57th Street from the finish area at 97th Avenue. Meet with my sister's friend for a movie, Spiderman 3, then go to a Korean restaurant. Never have Koran food before, interesting but nothing spectacular about it. So that's it for Saturday.

Get up relatively late on Sunday, 10AM, droved to the club. Spend 3 hours doing minor fix on the club boats, and washing them out. Went for a short paddle with Louis, Mary and Bonnie. It was a bit windy. going out against the wind I am ok with, going back with the wind at my back I am not too crazy about. My boat weather cock when running with the wind comming from the stern. We did a good 6 miles paddle. We get back at about 6PM, washing our boats and get all the club's boats back into the containers and get home by 7PM.

Revlon Walk/Run for Women Fund Donation

My sister and I will be participating in Revlon Run/Walk for Woman. It is a 5K run/walk to raise money for figh women's cancers.

Details on the cause and the event can be find here.

You can make donation neither throught Revlon website, or go to my donation site.

So what's been up....

Have a great winter. Did three great ski trip with Zogsport. Meet interesting people, regrettably do not get to know them well enough to maintain relationship after we get back to NYC. Finally learn how to ski properly, enjoy it immensely. Wanted to plan other trips for the winter, but there were just not enough time.

Reason I don't have enough time is because I am taking up running seriously. I registered and ran a couple of race in March, all with New York Road Runner (NYRR). I have ran so far, one 6.2 miles run ( in Central Park), a 12.4 miles run (Coney Island/Prospect Park), and two 4 miles races. The 4 miles races are the worst. I have to work on keep a faster pace for these 4 miles race. I do enjoy it thought. I need to find a running partner(s). I wanted to do a couple of half marathons and cross country before the weather get bad again.

April 21 - So back to kayaking. My club season opener was last Saturday. The weather was perfect, in the mid 60's with clear sky. I arrived at 9AM with my egg rolls. This is the first time I ever cook something to the club pot luck party. Actually, this year we have a Chili cookout. It was billed as our first annual chili cookout so this would be a annual thing. As soon as I put my food down, I was pursued to go out kayaking. I was fully repair for a little on the water fun so not much persuasion was needed. There were five of us, 4 men and one woman. Since this was our first paddle in a couple of months we did not go far, out across to Canarsie Pol, and along to northeast coast to a egress nest at the tip and back. We get back by 1:30PM, ready to sample all the Chili that had been entered into the contest. I only manage to sample 3 different chilies. My pick did not win. But the day was not all bad, my egg rolls were a hit.

This weekend, April 28 and 29
Send an e-mail out Friday to let everyone in the club know that I am going out for a paddle on Saturday, and would love company. Did not get any reply, except for Stevie M to say that he can't make Saturday. So on Saturday I kayaked out along. The weather was overcast, and a in the low 60's, not much wind or wave. When I launched the tide is going out. I brought my Garmin Forerunner with me since today I plan to work my speed. When I get out under the break, the water is flat with a slight breeze. I paddled across the channel, and start to head toward Ruffle Bar. My plan was to do a quick paddle to Ruffle Bar and back since I was bored just paddling by myself. As I approached the channel separating Canarsie Pol from Ruffle Bar I start to get into my stroke so I decided to go around to the back of Ruffle Bar just because I have never been around Ruffle Bar before. Getting around Ruffle Bar was not difficult, like I say I was in my groove. When I clear the back of ruffle Bar, I send a long land mass in front of me. I don't know where Canarsie Pol end, and the vast expand of salt marsh islands that became visible in low tide. As you can see I make the first guess right, and the second guess wrong. I end up going around a marsh island before I get to Canarsie Pol, expending my trip by 3 miles. Even thought the trip is longer then I planned, I enjoy it. The only pain I feel afterward was a slight ache in both my elbows from fight the wind that pickup as I round the pol on the way back. I make very good speed, managing to keep between 4 and 5 miles per hours most of the way. I only reason I need to rush to shore was to use the facility. I don't want to beach and get out of my dry suit. I make it back to dock just in time.

As I was getting my stuff together to leave the club, I heard someone yelled , " Sebago", "Sebago." Since I was the only one at the club, I went outside to see who it was. I see someone standing on the other side of the fence separate our club from parking lot of the sport facility next to us. I do not recognized the guy standing on the other side. He introduce himself as a member of Yonkers Club named Lee Reiser and that he come down to paddle with us. The problem was he did not set up a kayak trip with anyone. He just drove down from Yonkers and find the gate lock. I was not sure what I should do. I was supposed to leave to meet my mother, at 1PM, and its now 2PM.

I felt really bad for the guy, driving 1 and a half hours down just to drive back up. I can't just let him in to launch because I need to lock the gate if I leave. As we take another club member drive in. He is a racer. I called the him over an explain to him that the guy from Yonkers guy want to go out kayaking but he need a member to be at the club to lock up. The club member say ok, but I don't think he care. So I let the Lee in but was sure that the racer have no idea what I am asking him to do because he just go and pick up his K-1 and launched.

Instead of leaving I stay around, getting Lee to sign in, and watch him repair his kayak. He seem to have the right gears and able to take care of himself on the water. I called my sister and find out that my mom and sister already went home from a little apartment shopping without me so I don't have to leave right away. I end up staying at the club, inventorying, and check all the paddles and spray skirts in preparation for the season. By that time Bonnie stop by to do some gardening and to work on her boat. We chatted a bit. She need to repair her kayak for her up coming coach 2 training. When Lee come back, Bonnie recognized him so they have a long chat. Since Bonnie is there to let Lee out and lock up I left the club.

Sunday - Get up at 6:25AM to get ready for my second 4 miles race in Central Park. I had a can of spaghetti, which taste sweet and disgusting. I did not finish the whole can. I get to Central Park at 8:10 and have to rush to the baggage area to leave my bag before rushing to the starting line. Instead of going the very start of the line with the 5 minutes miles people, I get to the front of the 6 minutes mile section. I try being the very first one out of the gate on last week race, and was death by the first mile. I feel great for this race. I actually do a couple of 4 miles practice run on this same course last week so I was ready, and my legs feel loose (probably from the run to the subway and from the subway to the starting line.) I maintain a good 7 and 6 minutes miles most of the time, with enough energy left over for a sprint for the finish line at 25.44 vs 27.22 last race on the same course, and I felt great afterward. I headed to the subway right after I crossed the finish line. I have a noon appointment at club for a bit of kayaking and a bit of work on the club fleet of kayaks.

I was not expecting anyone to still be at the club when I get there. Stevie, and a couple of members are planning to go out this Sunday but I expect them to already be on the water then the time I get there at noon. The first person I meet as I drove up was Adele, Stevie's girlfriend. From her I was informed that Stevie have not left yet, along with Pete. Elizabeth is getting ready in the club, and Pete was changing in the locker room. Apparently they had been delay. Another group left earlier in the morning and have not get back yet. Since no one was there for my planned workday at noon, I decided to join them for a short trip. I get ready in a hurry and get my boat down on the dock in record time. The other group come back as we get ready to launch. One of the guy on their group capsized, and was retrieved without any incident. Elizabeth was borrowing another member's kayak so there was a bit of adjust before everyone get on the water. We headed out and head straight for Canarsie pol. Elizabeth paddle back and ford, trying get the feel of the boat. I was more then happy to just paddle around, backward, forward, bracing etc rather then a long trip anyway. We head toward Mill Basin, and then back to the club just to test how Elizabeth borrowed boat handle in cross wind. It was a nice and relaxing 4 mile trip. I get back, washed my kayak and equips and let them dry in the sun rather then returning them to the container. I planned to spend a couple of hours inspecting the club's boats and doing repair so may as well let everything air out.

I only manage to get around to 2 boats. One of the wooden boat have a problem with the seat. The left side of the backrest was missing a screw, so that was easy enough to fix. I hunted for a proper screw and tool in the club work container. Take me long to find the screw then to fix the problem. The boat is full of sand even thought all club equipment should be thoroughly clean before putting back. I open all the hatches, and give the boat a thorough wash down.

The second boat that need fixing is the pride of our kayak feet, a 17 feet Epic Expedition donated to us by a local kayak outfit. The seat is loose due to loose screw and on screw that is missing a nut. The woman that used the boat when the screw come loose safe the screw and plastic retainer so I get that, I just don't have the proper nut. I can't find any nut that fit the screw that this boat used. I tighten all the screws that is still in the seat and it look secure enough. I take the boat the the wash rack to wash out the send and pebbles in the boat. As I sponge out the inside that I find the metal nut from that screw that come out. So in goes that screw, and now the bat seat is solid as a rock. I finally called it quit when Stevie had to leave since I need someone to help move the boat.

From Water to Ice.

I will be away skiing this weekend. Going from heated pool to subzero temperature, recklessly down hill on two sticks.

Have to remember to open my eye....

Kayaking in Place

Hitched a ride with Stevie over to a High School pool in Long Island to do a little kayak skills practice. The pool is a bit crowded so bringing a 17 feet sea kayak was discourage so I decide to used the river kayaks that the event sponsor have for rent. It is a bit expensive, 25 dollar for the pool session and 10dollar for the boat. Stevie brought along a friend of his, Danny, a musician. Danny like exactly how I imaged a Rock star to look like, ear rings and british ascent.

We get to the pool at 5 minutes to 3 PM. We pulled in the school parking lot to see a woman standing next to a trailer full of very small kayaks. I was introduced to Elizabeth, the person in charge of today pool session. We were the first 3 persons to arrived. After getting our boats (Stevie brough is Romany and Skin on Frame kayak) and equipments in and fill out the disclaimer form we changed into boating cloths. I am wearing my dry suit. I was pointed to a small red kayak, about 7 feet long. I have a difficult time getting my spray skirt to fit the kayak, end up ripping a nail on my right hand. After 5 minutes trying to force my spray skirt onto the kayak, I try one of their.

Elizabeth have to get out of the pool to try an fit it. I end up sliding into the stray skirt after we finally get it to fit. It is strange to be paddling a 6foot boat after spending so much time paddling a 17 feet kayak. Don't take much to make a complete turn in place.

I have a bit of trouble rolling a river kayak the last time I try but this time it was not hard. I have to remember not to over do the hip flip. I like this pool, a lot less chlorine then the last week pool. I stend some time just hanging upside down and have a look around. Did not learn anything new but practive alot of rolling and bracing. I seem to lost my shotgun shoulder roll. I just can find the correct motion.

At the end of the pool session I have about a gallon of water in each legs.

We eat a tie place. A bit expensive.

Solo Circumnavigation

Make my first solo Canarsie Pol circumnavigation last saturday. The wind was in my favor most of the way so i do not feel tired at all afterward. The was stiff wind on the way back but not too difficult. I was not bother by the wind at all till I return Paeregat Bay. Make the trip in less then one and a half hour.


Went to Club board meeting on Tuesday night. Learn about a couple of item that I was not aware of but my participation was not required. Drive a guest speaker and his young son home afterward.

2007 Frostbite Regetta

Waked up to raining falling on my air condition unit on my window. I get up, turn my computer one to see if today Frostbite Regatta paddled been cancel. No such luck. Jerry and Anne did give me an out thought since they send a email saying they can't make it. I send an email out with the weather condition as an excuse not to goes out. Jerry and Anne were going to be at the club to set up for the meeting at 1o:30 so I decided to drive down at 1o AM to help them out. I brought 2 bottles of soda and two bags of chips for the potluck.

The ground at the club was soggy and water log. The usual crazies went out paddling. It was a beautify sight outside with a light drizzle coming down and fog just a couple of feet off. I take a couple of photo of the fog and close up of the water droplets on branches and leaves.








The meeting itself was uneventful. We wrapped up by 3PM. I took home lot of foods.

New Year Eve Paddle

I was determine to make it down to the club for a paddle on Sunday. My first attempt on Saturday was unsuccessful, just can't get myself out the door. I arrived at the club by 1o:40AM - plan was to get there at 9AM. Better late then never. I saw Pete's van at the side of the clubhouse, and his name on the log book but I can't find him.

Instead of wearing street clothes underneath my dry-suit, I changed into running pant, hydro under layer, and a neoprene fuzzy rubber upper. I did not wear the polyester Fleece sweater. The last time I wear it I was burning up inside.

Since I thought nobody was at the club, I used one of the dolly to drag my boat down to the dock. The dolly was not very efficients at moving my long boat. I drag the stern of the boat on the ground when I pick up the bow. When I get to the waterfront, I see sign of human activities, but no one around. I hollered Pete name, and sure enough he was on the bank, under the ramp going from the shore to our floating dock. Pete is running wire from the club house to the dock, via conduits under the ramps. The tied is low enough that there is a 15 feet drop between the shores and our dock.

The ramp to the dock is way down due to low tide. I end up going down the ramp backward, slowly lowering the boat on step at the time. When I get to the bottom of the ram, I end up with the stern hitting the dock. As I stand there trying to figure a way to get my boat the rest of the way onto the dock and not dragged my boat bow on the ramp, Pete called up from below - find a green rope. I was confuse as to what green line he meant. I went up to where he was underneath, no green line there. Pete then specified that is on the dock next to the ramp. Sure enough there is a green line come out of a conduit running underneaths ramp. Pete want me to carefully pulled the green line out (very slowly and carefully - he have been spending a good part of the morning fishing the green line up the conduit so that he can drag electrical wiring down by tying the line to the electrical wire) as he feed the wire into the conduit from the other end. This will take a bit of time. Since I need another person to left the boat from present position to get the rest of it on the dock I wasn't going anywhere anyway so there I was in full paddling gear, on my knees pulling a green wire out of a conduit. After 15 minutes, the electrical wire emerge on my end of the conduit, and we can both breath easy.

Pete wanted to go paddling, I can use the company so I waited for him finish, and get ready. Needless to say, It was 11:3o by the time we both get on the water. I brought down my two wooden paddles that I bought some years back at the Big Splash Fund riser. They are called Greenland paddles but the blade is way too wide for a proper Greenland paddles. I also brought my European paddle just in case I can used the wooden one. The only thing I noticed as I paddle out is the annoying squeaking nice as my neoprene gloves rubbed against the paddle. I keep on thinking there were a flock of geese flying above me.

I want a short, uncomplicated paddle so we headed under the bridge, and straight out to the red buoy on the Canarsie Pool southern tip. Pete offered Floyd Bennett Field and King Plaza as the alternative but I wasn't looking for anything that long. We headed from the buoy to Raffle Bar. Beside the boat Channel much of the water is no more then 2 to 4 feet deep. I end up having to switch over the the European paddle because I keep on hitting the bottom with the Greenland paddle(and the squeaking is annoying). We rounded the tip of Canarsie Pool and head for Raffle Bar. We were paddling over less then 3 feet of water till we get to the channel between the Canarsie and Raffle Pool. When we get close to Raffle Bar, I asked Pete to spot me while I try to do a skooling for support. I switch over to the Greenland paddle to do this. My first attempt was good, I try to do a second on with more extension and end up slipping out of my seat, ending up capsize. Did I mention there is only four feet of water? I try to used the paddle as a pole to get up. Since I was out of my seat, I can get enough hip motion to get back up again. I ended up having to tap my boat for a rescue from Pete.

This is the first time I get my face in cold water. I panic a bit when I find myself out of my seat and attempt to get up as soon as possible instead of staying calm. My ears were clamped shut and I can't will them to open. I try a couple of hip flip off Pete's bow. Was not smooth at all. I do need more practice in cold water.

After I have enough with trying to practice my cold water technique we headed to Raffle Bar. I have hot tea and cooks for lunch while we warmed up. We almost lost our kayaks as we stand next to them talking. The water come in as we talk and the boats floated away - about 20 feet away. Fortunately for us, the water is only 2 feet deep, and would be for a good 300 feet out so I ran out and drag them back. Pete get a picture.

We start back at 2:00 and end up back at the dock by 3:00. I was not at my best on this paddle. I was tire throughout much of the trip even though on the scale of 1 to 1o (10 being the most challenging) this trip would be a 2 and that is just for distance.

Breezy Point Redux

or alternatively " Where is the surf?"

Stevie send out an email trying to organize a paddle out to Breezy Point in the middle of last week. I did not reply to his email saying I would go. I like to hedge my option. Going out to Breezy is not a relaxing paddle. The water from Blum Beach to the sand bar at Breezy Point get very tricky in the best of time. The people of come out for these Breezy Point paddle tend to be more experiences and are looking for big waves to play in. I can deal with big waves when I have to but I don't go around looking for them. I was not sure I want to commit to going out.

I wake up at 9:00AM. I need to get to the club at 9:30 to pickup my kayak if I want to do the Breezy Point trip. It is doable if I don't have to to stop by and pickup grocery for my sister. I picked up the grocery and stop by my parent's place to drop it off by which time its was 9:40AM. I continued to the club anyway, hoping I can do some solo kayaking, and working on my kayak. When I get to the club, I was surprise to see Stevie's car with his kayak. I learned from Stevie that he have to push the launch time till 10:30. Stevie asked me if I want to go, of course I say yes. I put my kayak on Stevie's car instead of taking my car.

I meet Marcus and Jeff at Plum Beach. I have not paddle with them before. Marcus and Jeff apparently are very famous in the kayaking cycle. They have been waiting for quite a while so we hurry up and get our boats down and change in paddling clothing. I just wear my dry-suit over my street cloths so change was not a hassle. Marcus and Jeff were already in the water and waiting for us by the time we get out stuff together. I have to drag my boat out 50 feet to find enough water to launch. I have to get out of my kayak after paddle a couple of foot because I end up on a send bar so drag it over the send bar into a couple of extra inches of water. I was tire by the time I find enough water to paddle.

Marcus is a fast paddle. I find it hard to keep up with him. I manage to keep with the rest of the group. I was using Stevie's spare gloves because I did not remember to bring mine. It fit nicely but slippery. I can't get any gripe to control the paddle. I end up having to gripe the drip rings to have enough control so that the paddle do not rotate the wrong was as I pulled the blade through the water. I was surprise that I was able to keep up without too much problem. We get Breezy Point in good order. I handle the waves much better then the first time.

We scanned the horizon ahead of us for surfs that for off the underwater sandbar at Breezy Point. We did not see anything that stand out. There are a lot of whitecap, but no traveling breaker that kayak surfers looked for. Stevie need to land on the beach to recover from a bit of sea sickness, and I just need a rest so I went with him to be beach. Marcus and Jeff went to look for good surf. We were on the beach for no more then 15 minutes when Marcus and Jeff joined us. No surfable breaker. We decided to go around the point in search for surf-able breaker.

I get to learn to launch from beach with more grace and less water in my kayak. I end up with more then 3 inches of water in my kayak when a wave hit my boat as I try to launch. The paddle around Breezy was hair rising. I followed Marcus out to the buoy that mark the point then turn north to round the point. I ride up and down 4 feet waves, smashing my boat bottom into the water as i crested the wave and come down on the other end. It was amazing that I did not capsize. Capsizing is just one wrong move always as I round the jetty and see for the first time the ocean facing shores of the Rockaway.

There were good size waves hitting the shore every which way. I paddled as far away from the jetty as I can before turning to shore. This will be my first surf landing. I mean real surf landing not just 1 foot waves. I decided to paddle as far in as I can and hope that when I finally capsize, it would be close enough to shores to walk my way in. I was doing find running perpendicular to the shores till the wave I was ridning break and the one behind me overtake my kayak. Before I know what happen I was upside down with wave rushing over the boat. I did not thought to even rolling back upright, pop the sprayskirt as soon as I realize I was underwater. I straighten out and find my feet touching bottom. My boat is full of water as I drag it onto the beach. I dumped half of it out before I was able to drag it beyond the waterline.

We had a quick lunch. Actually just a snap for me and just seat around listening the guys talk about how unpredictable the surf condition around the NY coast is. The lack of big waves condition for surfing was a disappointment to some of the guys. As for me, I have just about enough wave for a while.

Launching from the beach in surf condition as not as bad as I fear. I actually get in, manage to get my sprayskirt on and paddle out without any mishap. It was fun to break through the first wave and slammed the bow down the other side. It was a long none spot paddle back to Blum Beach. Luckily for me Stevie was as tire as I am so I have company on the way back as Marcus and Jeff race ahead.

I was glad to be back to the car and out of my drysuit.

Suit and Ready for Liftoff

Wake up early on Saturday and drove down to Jersey Paddler to pick up my dry-suit. I make the same mistake I made when I drive down two week ago. Loved my GPS get me back on track in no time. I end up special ordering a XL youth size SuperNova dry suit two weeks ago, it finally come in.

I order the SuperNova Kid dry suit in mango color. My only concern about the suit is the neck "gasket", it not a gasket so much as APT collar with vecro. It would not be 100% waterproof. I try to get home early enough to go out on Saturday but end up taking my mother out shopping.

Finally try out my new dry suit on Sunday. I was hoping that there would be a group going out but there wasn't so I went out by myself. My plan was to go to Raffle Bar and back but I only made it to the tip of Canarsie Pool before the wind force me to cut the trip short.

Stick around for the archival project meeting. Don't think we have much of a historical information to save.

Equipments and other Stuff

I stopped by Jersey Paddler on Saturday. I wanted to see if they have dry suit I can try on. They don't have anything in my size. I end up putting down a deposit for a special order on a youth size Extra large Kokatat Dry suit. They will let me know when it come it. It will cost $339 total if I get it. Here hoping that it will fit. I also get two skullcap for cold water kayaking and a high tech top. Get a manager special discount on that.

It is very frustrating shopping for my size. I am 5 feet 4, 105 lbs so most often I end up having the used kids size or woman size. The problem with using woman cut clothing is the crotch area is always too tights and the waist tend to be too big on me.

I will Pass on the Big Wave, Thank You

Sunday, Nov 26

Arrived at the Club by 9:30AM. I was the first one there. I wanted to get there early and do some work on the club boat but realized that I don't have the key to the club workshop. Instead I get my roof rack set up for our short trip to Plum Beach for my first open water paddle. I have never actually sea kayak in my 6 years of paddling. I been on a lake, Long Island Sound (in a bay), in the Hudson River, and on Jamaica Bay but never in open ocean. The plan was to car-top my kayak to Plum Beach, meet up with some other paddlers, launch from there and head to Breezy Point to surf the waves off the underwater sandbar. The usual crews are going on this trip plus three others. Mike Miles, who I have never meet, an experiences Rockaway kayak surfer will be our guide for this trip. Lorry(Glory?) who I met before at the lake, and Bonnie's friend, whom name slipped my mind, were the other two paddlers that I don't often paddle with. Jerry, Stevie, Bonnie, Pete and myself make 8 in total on this little trip.

It take a bit of time before everyone is ready to start off when we get to Blum beach. The paddle to Breezy Point was not too difficult. A couple of 2 to 3 feet waves, nothing I have not see before, just require a bit more concentration and attention then flat water but more fun. We we get close to Breezy Point I see for the first time the waves that form off Breezing Point from the underwater sandbar. Never seen anything like it before, curtain of water 5 feet tall, a quarter of a mile wide running for about half a mile then dieing down as it clear the sandbar. I have enough problem just trying to hold my position outside the surf zone. I was terrified that I may unintentional end up inside the surf. A couple of other paddles were more adventurous and try to ride the wave. Bonnies has a blast, she probable spend the most time in the surf. Her friend capsized and had to swim his boat out of the surf zone before he can be rescue. The sound of the wave crashing onto the water was deafening.

After everyone have their fun, we head along the surf zone, and headed to the Brighton Beach. It was a tricky paddle because water is still effected by the surf from the sand bar. It seem like it take us forever to reach the beach. It was 1:30PM when we landed on Brighton Beach for lunch. I did not bring any food again, and have no money to get pizza. I ate two old energy bars, and a couple of crackers I get from Stevie.

We left the beach at 2PM. I never like launching from a beach. I always end up getting water in the boat, and getting my spray skirt on. I backed out as fast as I can to clear the wave and almost ran into Mike. I did not notice he was out there. Oop.

Pete needed to be back by 3PM for a meeting so we are on a deadline. Jerry have difficulties so Mike and the rest of the group wait for him. Stevie, Pete and I started the paddle back to Blum Beach. We hugged the shores, passing Manhattan Beach, round Kingboro College, cross the mouth of Sheepshead Bay and onto Plum beach by 3PM exactly. The rest of the groups arrived about 5 minutes after we landed.

We get the kayak pack and say good bye to our out of town visitors. I did not change out of my wet clothing till I get back to the club.

It was an exciting day of paddling, see the surfing that everyone is talking about. Maybe next summer I may actually try to ride it.

It was a short trip, about 7.4miles, but the challenging conditions make it feel like a lot more. I have to do more of these kind of trip instead of sticking to the same old same old boring trips.

Back post - Sunday 11/19/2006

I don't like writing. I don't like talking neither. I need to practice both as conscientiously as I practice safety skills for Kayaking.

A planned workday turned into a kayaking adventure on Sunday. Jerry and I planned to have a look at all the club's boats to determine their conditions and repair needs. Email get passed back and fore, by Saturday night a sizable group of people want to do a paddle before the workday.

I get to the Club by 9:30AM. The sky was sunny and a very slight breeze. There were fifth of us going out to Gerrison Greek, Stevie, Charles, Bonnie, Elizabeth, Pete and myself, all experience paddler. Jerry have a family emergency and was not able to make the paddle. Because everyone is experienced there was not need for a formal trip leader. Everyone keep together in a tight group naturally as we conversed.

J. Bay was very quiet, not much waves or boats. We reached Marine Parkway GI Hodges Bridge by 11:45AM. We landed on the beach right before the bridge for a rest. It was nice to have a chance to land and get out of the boat to cool down. It is amazing how hot it get in my wet suit and dry-top. We headed under the bridge and toward Dead Horse Bay after 20 minutes rest. There is a slight breeze as we entered Rockaway Inlet. Just enough to cool us down, not enough to have to struggle with. Instead of going into the Marina at Dead Horse Bay, we paddled a bit pass it, and into Gerrisen Bay. I was going to go right through the middle channel, not realizing that there is a peninsular, and an island, the water take the formed of the letter CD, thinking that there are two islands. The rest of the group the channel furthest to the right so I have to hassle back to join them. We landed a the tip of the island for a break and lunch. I did not bring any food. I get some boil eggs from Steven and candle bars from Stevie to hold me over.

We paddled around the Island and down the middle channels back out toward Dead Horse Bay. I was a bit bored by that time and decided that I would see if I can paddled without stopping to Marine Parkway GI Hodges Bridges. I ended up with a sizable lead from the rest of the group when we all meet up again on the other side of the Bridge. We ended up with two group, Pete, Charles and I were the lead group, and Stevie, Bonnie and Elizabeth were in the second group as we make our way around Floyd Bennett Field to Bergen Beach. Stevie, Bonnie and Elizabeth land on Bergen Beach for a nature break. I decided to wait for them while Charles and Pete head back to the club. I waited till everyone is on the water then continue my way back to the club. I get the the dock 5 minutes before the rest of the group.

It was just a bit after four when we get back, and the sun was already setting.

And as I expected, no work was actually done.

Good Time In Queen

Saturday Sept 30
I have a fun time on Saturday. A bit of work and fun at the same time. My club is participating in National Estuary Day in Queen as a membership and educational drive. We will have a table at the Alley Pond Pk Environmental center and sign up people who want to Kayak.

We need to talk 10 or so kayaks to a launch site away from the Center - did not know where that would be when I get up in the morning. My plan was to meet up with the rest of the group, help load up the boats onto the trailer and follow everyone over. I though the meet up time was 9 AM, so I get up at 7AM, deep fried my spring rolled and finally left at 8:45. The spring rolls are for the BBQ after. I did not get there till 9:15. Everyone is already there and loaded up. I was late apparently. I rushed to set up my car roof-rack. Everone was leaving. I was generally sure of the direction to the Center but not the actual place launching area itself so I was hoping to catch up with the rest of the group. Get my kayak tied up and all my equipment in my car in record time. It turned out that Steve and Peter were waiting for me. Good to have friend that remembered.

We get up to Queen in less then 30minutes. We end up in a Marina off the Cross Island Highway, on Little Neck Bay. We were not sure that it the place. It turn out to be the place where we would set up our kayak - the only problem is finding a launchable area. We finally set up in a little "beach" on the righ side of a concrete boatramp. There large boulders between the ramp and the little beach so we have to have two people on the beach and two person on the ramp passing the boats down.

Picture 1

Picture 2


We get all set up by 11AM, and the first group(if any) is schedule to be at 11:45 We take a short paddle. Pete and I went for a longer paddle then the rest of the group. We paddled out pass Fort Totten, far enough to see City Island, and Throgs Neck Bridge. There were little winds or wave so we hardly notice how far we paddle till it was time to turn back. Half way back the wind started to pick up and we started to notice the waves. Much more fun then on the way out but a bit tiring. I would really like to paddle across the Sound to Orchard Beach.

There is was only 1 person who want a kayak ride. John and Mary take him out. The went south toward the pass of the bay. Tony brough some food for us. We have two additional guests but they stay around the beach area. Jerry and Phil showed them rolling and braces. The first group did not come by by 1:45 so we were getting a bit worry. Pete and I decided to go back and look for them. We meet them where they were on their way back. Peter and I decided to continue to the base of the bay and follow the creek. The tide was coming in so that counteract the wind a bit. We went under 2 bridges till we went out of water therefore have to turn back.

By the time we get back to our staging area, it was time to start packing up. In all we take 5 guests out on the water. There was a lot of people stopping by to ask questions so as a publicity event it was successful.

After the event there is a BBQ at a home of one of our member. I hate driving in Queen. We finally find our way to her house. Lot of foods and drinks was have by all. The party breakup by 7PM.

More time at the Lake

Spend last weekend I was at the lake again. I get up Campmore by 8:45. I knew that the rest of the gang would not be up that early for a paddle so I stop by Campmore. Unfornately Campmore is not open till 9:30. I drive down two parking lots to a McDonald for breakfast. I forget how disgusting McDonald breakfast is. After breakfast I drive up to a the nearest U turn on route 17 to get to Kmart and Stop&Shop. I get some foods and desert. I did not bring any food up from the city (don't have any.) Drive down Route 17 to another U turn to get back to Campmore again. Pickup a tow rope and spend sometime looking at tents. Did not get a tent.

Get to the cabin at 10:30 to find nobody around. Stop by to say hi to Beth and her kids, stop by Steve's cabin. Hang round the cabin, take a nap till Bob from Yonker show up. Then Steve and Adele arrived at 11:30 something. We did not get in the water till at least 1PM. I was not as aggressive as I was last week at the lake. Just don't feel adventurous. I did not use Anne's skin&frame kayak, no sprayskirt. It was much more tiring to roll my 17feet,50 lb kayak then the 17' 35lb skin&frame iceland kayak. I find myself have difficulties with roll that I don't even have to think about on the lighter boat. We get back by 4PM. Hang around the fire talking till 10PM.

I get the Sebago Cabin all to myself. A far cry from the usual kids yelling of most of the summer weekend. I have a vey peaceful sleep. I get up at 8AM, get ready for breakfast. We drive to breakfast at 9AM and did not get back till 10:30. After getting everything in order we get on the water at 11:30. Which is not bad considering we always end up wasting the whole morning on previous sunday. More rolling, but spend most of the time fighing the wind. It was very windy and overcast on Sunday. I was not doing as well as last week. I end up wet exiting my kayak a couple couple of times when I fail my new roll, and can't stay calm to set up for my main roll. I was not holding my breath as long as I know I could. I was a bit panicky for some reason. We get back and have lunch at 2PM.

We return to the water at 4PM. The wind die down a bit, and the sun finally comeout even if only momentarily. I don't spend too much time rolling. Just a lot of bracing exercises. We get back at 6:30 righ before the sun started to set. It was almost 8:30 when I get my boat tie up on the car, clothing all backup and moved my bedding to Steve's cabin. I will be driving home @ 4AM on Monday.

I get rearend as I exit the George Washington Bridge to get on the FDR. It was a slow rearend accident so I was sure that not much demage was done. I looked back to see if the drive that rearended my stop. He/She did not so I just drive along. I did not notice that my coke bottle was no longer in the cup holder till later when I smell it. I don't bother to look around for it till I get to brooklyn and get to the first red light. I was on my middle consel. 90percent of it was gone. I finally get a chance to inspect the car when I get to the club. Not visible damage. The dealer plateframe was destroy but I should have remove that along time ago anyway. The car the rear end me was a sedan with sloping front so it slid under my bumper instead of heading it so not much damage there. The gap between the reardoor and the bumper was sighly less on the passenger side where the rear end occur then on the driver side, but it did not interfere with the closing of the door. Not bad really.

Misc Items

Friday, Sept 8 2006
Night kayaking with 26 people. Last full moon paddle and tiki party of the season. Actual may not be the last, last full moon paddle. It was my first time nigh paddling with a large group. It was still lighted when we get in the water. But the sun was setting when we get to the bridge. I leaded the group to the bridge but as the sun set, my light was not unobstruct enough to be seen by the other kayakers so Pete take over as lead. By the time we went under the bridge and start our crossing it was dark and the moon have not rise yet. With just a bit of confusion we get across the boat channel and to the the west side of Canarsie Pol. The original plan was to break up the group into those that want to go around the island and those who want to cut the trip short.

We stop to rest as we round the southern top of the island. The waves were pushing us toward the shoreline. I was on the shore side of the group to keep a lookout. When I get too close to shore i have to get the group going again to get away from the shore wave. We did not have the time to make the decision as to who would go back and who will continue on. Pete thought that it was decided that everyone will continue on so he proceed to lead the group further around the island. We end up with one group just staying back in confusion and a smaller group following Pete. I have to get Pete to stop, and go back to Tony to see if it was decided when we will break the group up. We finally short that out, and a good portion of the group decide to cut the trip short. Only about 16 of us wanted to continue around the island. The rest of the trip when smoothly. The moon rise as we make our way along the eastern coast of the island. The reflection of the moonligh on the water give it an erry glow.

We get back to the clubhouse at 9PM for the Tiki Party. I end up being late for that because I have to set up my roofrack and tie down my boat for the trip to the Cabin upstate. All in all it was a nice nigh out in the moonligh.

Summer Kayak Wrap Up

Sunday was our year end General meeting at my boating club. I get there a bit late for the kayak committee meeting but was not late enough to miss it altogher so was not able to avoid being peer pressure into take the position of Fleet Captain who is in charge of club boats and equipments.

Generally meeting is uneventful. Members attendant were heavy comparing to last
year. We don't even have to do a head count for forum. All old officiers get reelected, 5 open spots on the board and 5 nominees so there is no contested election. All done before the sunset.

So it time to write up a wrap on my kayaking activities.

I did not do any long distance regional kayak, except for the two early in the season. Spend lot of time at the lake upstate, hanging out with a small group of kayakers and learning new skills. I get a lot more comfortable handling my kayak by learning how for I can push the boat over and still be able to get back up right. I learned a couple of skills that I never though possible, like side skulling for support and rolling my kayaks even without my paddle!!! I was so stuck on that last summer, trying and trying to roll but always fighting myself. I have the help of two enthusiatics kayakers; Jerry and Stevie, who are happy to teach me and offer support when I fail. It was great hanging out with them (also Anne and Adele) in front of the campfire afterward and reharsh our time in the water. I think I am ready for Star 3 assessment finally.

Driving home with Stevie at 4AM in the morning is an experience in itself.

I am ready for some winter kayak know that I can eskimo roll with some confidence.

August 19 and 20 Wrapup

Assist on our club's Saturday Public Open Paddle. There were at least 3 other experient tripleader so I was not really needed but it was fun. The boats were already out and the guests all seem to be set for fun in the water. There were a couple of cuties in the group. I end up taking point, leading the group out and keeping everyone together. It was a leisurely paddle. I paddle backward on the way out just to slow myself down and see who everyone was doing. No slacker and do capside. I did not have a chance to chat up any of the hottie thought, that the problem with taking point in a kayak group, you never get a chance to chat the pretty girl up. All in all it was a good day.

I found out durring the trip that Stevie and Jerry were going to be at the Lake so I have to change my plan for Sunday. I need Stevie and Jerry to help me with my bracing and rolling skills. My original plan for sunday was to help with the swimmer in the morning, goes out to Breezy Point to kayak surf in the wave and get home in time for a day at the beach. I really need to practice thought on my bracing and rolling skill for Star 3, and the opportunity to practice with Stevie and Jerry is too good to let pass. I decided to cancel the after noon paddle, pack up my kayak and drive up the the lake. I was a last minute thing so I have to run home and get my overnigh stuffs. The trip out of the city was uneventful. Not big traffic jams. I get to Campmore by 3PM. End up getting a new watershoe and cockpit cover for my kayak. I get to the cabin at 5:30PM.

I meet Joyce and her friend Adam at the cabin. I found out that Stevie and Jerry is already out on the water practicing. By the time I get my boat down and into my gears they were coming back so we decide to have dinner. I did not get to go back into the water on Saturday.

Sunday, I get up at 9AM. Have breakfast at a local dinner with Stevie, Jerry, Ann and David. We finally get on the water at 10:30AM. I asked Stevie to help me with the side skulling for support....

Flash forward.

It had been a couple of weekends since I first started to side skooling(I believed this is the correct spelling.) On my good side I am completely confident that I lay my whole back in the water, with my boat on it side and not capside. On my offside less confident but I am sure I can do it. Since my first tentative attempt at side skooling, I finally learn how to do an Eskimo roll. Still have moment where I have to wet exit but not often. I also learn 3 differents kind of roll. I will post movie when I get them. I will try to get more details later.

Quicky Summary

Do my first Wednesday afternoon paddle last week. I was late. The paddle was very nice. I was hoping to go out again for the full moon paddle but there was not enough interested people so we cancel it.

Spend a long weekend at the lake, but do not do as much practicing as I hope. Everyone else was busy. I took more tour of the lake then I ever did. Good for my long distance endurance. I need more excercise. I am not ready for the 3 star assessment.

Baby Steps

Spend a great weekend outdoor. I assisted on a Public Paddle on Saturday. End up spending much of the trip teaching one of our elderly member basis of kayaking. Rose is in her 80's, so the fact that she is paddling is amazing. She is a bit slow due to inefficience paddle stroke which cause her kayak to turned instead of going straight so we end up lagging behind the rest of the group. I radioed ahead to the trip leader tell her that Rose and I will be practicing stroke where we were instead of continuing further ahead. I went over the basic forward stroke, and sweep stroke to steer the boat in the direct she want it to go. She was getting better at at by the time the rest of the group come back. I will need to work with her on it more. Still need a bit more body rotation.

Sunday was spend up at the lake. I get up to the cabin at 15 after 9AM. No traffic at all on the way up. When I get there there were already three person on the dock getting read to go out so I change into my paddling cloth and catch up with them. I find them the old Sebago Beach practicing rescue. I paddled around, watching them and offering suggestion on how to do it better. That get boring real fast since they were doing the same thing over and over. It was a good time to practice my edging sweep as any. I was doing well till I get over confident and capsize. I try to do an Eskimo roll. Still no dice. Spend much of half and hour practicing self rescue. I am not very good with paddle float self rescue, I wend up with ton of water in my kayak.

By eleven a large groups from Sebago finally arrive. Jerry, who just get his 3 star certification is a very enthusiastic paddle and teacher. He offered to teach/coach all the skills needed for Star 3 certification. I tried to worm my way out of it by saying I want to paddle rest of the group for warm up, but then Jerry started showing me how to do supporting stroke on my back the challenge was too much to pass up. I capsized the first 3 times I try it. I just was not laying on my back enough, and using my knee to keep the boat from capsizing. So Jerry start from the beginning, just the paddle float to give support while I practice with laying on my back while keep the boat on it side. It was not as hard as I thought. I finished up with just a bit of air in my paddle float but do not have the courage to take the "training wheel" off yet. I think can do it.... My shoulder's muscle is killing me today.

Sunday July 2 and July 4

Take my sister with me to the cabin. This will be the first time I invited her up to the cabin in the 5 years I am with the club. Just never thought she would like it. Good to have a driver. My sister drive when she in the car so I don't have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel. We get there at 9AM and no one was up yet. Find Anne and Berry, we sent to breakfast to meet up with Steve and Adele at a local dinner. Steve and Adele left after breakfast to pick up their daughters, Emily and Toni. Emily brough her boyfriend. Both girls are nice looking.

We took the kayaks for a trip to Sebago Beach. It was hard to find a kayak small enough for my sister. This will be her first real kayaking. She is doing find short distance but on the long trip to the beach have a bit of problem keeping straight. I end up her most the the trip out to the beach. She is enjoying it dispict the difficulties thought. On the way back I switch to skin and fram kayak so Jerry and Ann look after her on the way back.

It was weird kayaking a skin and frame kayak for the first time. There is no foot brace for instince, and you have to price you knee upward instead of to the side. I get adjust to it real fast. I was inform after I was in the skin/frame kayak for 15 minutes that I need to know how to wet exit the boat because it is completely difference then regular kayak. We went to old Sebago Beach to take a breather so that is where we see if i can wet exit or not. It was easy, I did it like a pro.

The weather was getting overcase so we end out trip short. We get back the cabin and hang around. Stevie get a fire going in the back of his cabin and we have lunch, lot of sausages and hotdog. Adele asked me to drive the two girls, and the boyfriend home since we were coming home in the afternoon anyway.

I have to drive home on Sunday because my sister have to work on Sunday. I did not decide yet at this point if I would come in to work for a half a day or not. Turn out I did not come to work on sunday. I would really like to stay the look weekend at the Cabin and come home on July 4th.

Club Open House

We finallyhave good weather for our club openhouse. The original date was June 3 but we were rain out on that date.

I arrived early, 10AM and find that nothing is set up yet for the open house. Help Linda set up and just clean up the clubhouse. There were already a couple of college kids there, sunning on the dock as they wait for us to get the party started. I did not lead the first kayak trip out. There was one capside before they even leave the dock area. I assisted with two trips in the afternoon. The trips were two short to get the real feel of the water. The party wrap up at 4pm. All, in all a success.

A Full Training Weekend at the Lake

Friday, July 23 Assist teaching star 1. It was fun. I don't have to get wet.

Sat July 24, Assist teaching start 2. I have to demonstrate a couple of time. I hope I did the skills right.

Sunday July 25 A student in star 3. I was not as aggressive as I want to be due to fatigue from the previous two days.

Bonus of weekend - sleep in cabin with the coaches instead of the bunks with the students.

Star I Class

I teaching an official Star 1 Class for the very first time on Sunday, June 18. Jennifer, Maury and Peter are also instructor. Jennifer will be the lead instructor. I drawn up lesson plan and bring printout. Jennifer and Maury Bring all the clothing and other equipments to show the class.

We arrive there at 8:30AM. Before we get a chance to set up the students started to arrived.

We spend way too much time with onland class. We rushed a bit. I feel that the students should practice more of each skills rather then rushing to teach new ones.

Saturday Open Paddle - Assistant Leader

Date:June 17, 2006
Place: J- Bay, NY
Weather Condition: Calm, light wind, high tide
Group Size :Two Trip Leaders, Two Assistant - including myself. Pete and Steve M leading. Steven and I assisting, and 14 walked in from public.
Duration: 1.5 hours

Get everyone fitted and one the water by 10:20 AM. Everyone in the groups are able body. Only on guy have problem controling his boat. We get to Bergen beach, and hang around. It was a very short trip. Get back by 12PM. There was a plan for another group trip just for conditional members but noone show up. I decided to get dry up and rest for Sunday all day kayak teaching.

Are We Home Yet.

Saturday was an interesting day. I get up at 3AM to take my sister to the Airport. Get there and back to my parent by 5AM. I take a nap in my sister's room. Get up at 8AM and drive to the club. I have a feeling that the Saturday Open Paddle would be cancel. I can feel the winds blowing my car around as I drive on the highway so I suspected that the wind will be a problem. I get a call while I drive to the club but was unable to pick up.

I did not know that the trip is official cancelled till Tony and Chris get to the club. It was a very nice day except for the bellowing wind. We can see whitecap on the bay water. We very rarely get wave in the Pauragut Bay itself. The air also smell foul from all the runoff from the runoff holding tank on the other end of the Bay. By ten o'clock we have a couple of experience paddlers around, Chris, Phil, Mike, Tony, Elizabeth, and a prospective member who biked all the way from Manhatten, and myself. We decided that it would be nice to go out and play in the wave. We get out on the water by 10:20 somthing.

We started by going up wind, toward the water treatment plant. It was hard to keep from hurling my breakfast foul smelling air enter my nose with each labor breath. We finally decide to turn around and proceed out to the bridge. We went flying with just a couple of strokes to control the both. I would not want to go over in the white milky water of the Pauragut Pay. When we get pass the bridge the water is suprisingly calm, no wave more then half a feet. The original plan was just to go pass the bridge and play in the waves a bit. Since there is no wave someone tossed out going to Mill Basin, staying on the same coast, and someone wanted to to around Canarsy Pol. We decided that it would be nice to go around the pol. I leaded everyone to th green buoy so we can cross. The wind was not a factor on the crossing.

We proceed to the western top of Canarsy Pol. There were enought wind to make it interesting but not too much of a bother. We breezed around the western tip of Canarsey Pol and went along the northern shore till we came to a good beach to make a landing. We landed, Chris handed out his bag of goodies, dry berries, Chocolates and Kisses. We were are feeling very good and feel that we can handle a bit more. Chris and Tony were thinking of going over the Ruffle bar, a small island directly north of Canarsey Pol and directly in front of our beach, and practice some rescue. Elizabeth thought that that would be taking a good thing too far. I agreed with her. I don't want to get wet. There were talk of splitting the group up, on going around the pol and another to Ruffle Bar.

It was decided that we should all to around the pol and home. I get back on my kayak first and proceed to heard to the northern tip. I get a call throught the radio from Phil, it was decided to when back the way we come. I race back to meet to where the rest of the group was, only to be told that we will be going around after all. I lead everyone out from the coast and the norther end of the marsh totrying to avoid the shallow water that run between the north shores and the marsh. I turned back after 15 minutes and notice that everyone else was hugging the shores. They were all follow Tim. I end up haveing to cut across to intercept the group. I catch up with Elizbeth and old her to hold up, then race to catch Tim. As I feared I run aground as I try to clear the marsh. I was left with only one option, I get out of my kayak and drag it out to find the narrow channel that have at least 1 feet of water. The others also have to get out of their kayaks and drag their kayaks to for 2o feets to the only part of the channel that was navigatable. I finally catch up with Tim, and inform that that I was leading. Tim do have a habit of heading off on his own.

We finally regrouped, and make the turn toward the other side of the pol. As we clear the the Eastern side we were confront by strong wind. Challenging but not impossible to paddle against. For some reason, our only guest on this trip end up getting towed by Chris. I don't know when that happen. As we turn back south the wind pick up and push us toward the pol's shores. I was having problem keeping clear of Chris and his tow. We end up landing on the beach, and the prospect of trying to launch against the wave and wind were dunting. We decided that it was easier to walk along the shores, dragging our kayak till we get somewhere closed to we have to cross. It was a good quarter mile walk through knee high water, with a small portage to get to where we are almost opposition to where we have to be.

Chris will be towing Christine across with me being the communicator and Elizabeth being the lead. It was a challenging paddle. I try to be close enough to the tow to communicate with Chris and his tow but not too close that I may run across his line. I end up being further away then I should been. Elizabeth, end up all the way on the other side of us and no where close enough where I can communicate with her if I need to. We beach again on the opposite shore to catch our breath. Elizabeth told me I need to be close to Chris. I did not reply to her comment. She was not even in sigh when we crossed.

Tony towed our guest the rest of the way to the clubhouse. It was a challenging trip. I was tied but invigorated. The next day I feel better then I thought I would. I have no sore muscle or anything.

On Water Kayake Trip Leader Workshop

Date: Saturday, 10AM to 3PM
Location: Sebago Canoe Club in Jamaica bay NYC
Condition: Slighly overcast, light wind, not wave condition.

Short summary: On land lession. Leadership qualities, and skills. Chris R. presenting material. Phil give demonstration on proper VHF procedures. On water by 11 AM. I was almost last to leave the dock due to equipment malfuntion - strayskirt used was too small for boat. Paddle to Paeragut Basin Bridge, and wait for everyone to catch up. Goes under Bridge on the right side, the make a hook around righ bank sand bar, proceed to green buoy. Chris R. fake a capside while everyone was hanging about the buoy. Susan attempt with rescue. It was a mess. Too many helpful advise. Get Chris R back in his boat, and get summary of what happen.

Chris R. In the water. Way too many people hanging around the escue. I was off to the side.

We contue on after the rescue exercise from the Green Buoy to the Red Buoy. Crossing the motor boats channel in large group is always my least favorite thing. We end up bunching up to much and cant move at all.

And Down the River We Went

Back Date: May 20 and 21, Sat/Sunday
Location: Hudson River. Laughoff Beacon Train stop, travel South to Bannerman Island, and back to Garrison Greek for lunch, then back to Beacon on Sat., Sunday Day on water at Sebago Lake or Hike. 5 miles. 10-15 knot head wind. 1 Feet Wave.


Last week was my first time in the water this season. The weather is in the 60's. There was a chance of thunderstorm in the evening on both days of the weekend. I left the apartment at 7AM to arrive at the Clubhouse by 7:20. There was noone at the club to help with my boat. But the roller and cradle for the kayak on my rack take a good 15 minutes, I can do it faster with more practice. Getting my 17feet kayak by myself on top of a 6 feet car roof was a challenge. I banged my boat a bit trying to manuever it into the rollers. I should have called up some of my friend at the club for help. No window was broken so all is well.

Two things worth mention about my trip up to the cabin. Run into my two favorite people at the Club, Steve and Adele. Steve hongged as they passed by me on the way the the Battery Tunnel. Othe other thing was I was not able to take the FDR Drive, don't know why but the turn off was block by the police. We drive up the Westside Highway instead. A bit show due to all the traffic lights but we get up the the GW Bridge. I take the exit for the GWB but Steve/Adele drive further up north. I beated Steve to the cabin by about 15 minutes.

I did not recognize any of the car in the parking lot. I knock on the door, there was not respond so I push the door open. Inside was two 13 years old girls, all wrapped up in blanket watching tv and having breakfast. CP is of of Pete 's children and the other girl is her best friend. But I signed in and as CP where her parent was. Only her mother is here. Her father and sister will be up later.

The rest of the gangs started to come in. In all there was 7 of us. We started off from the cabin to our laughoff site at 11AM. I get a passenger for the trip to Beacon name Beth. I didn't know Beth too well. We drive furth up river and get to the parking lot of the Beacon trainstop at 11:45. There were already other kayakers there before us from the Coldspring club and another group. Only one person from Coldspring will be going with us.

I was a bit shaky getting into my kayak, it would be the first time I have been in the kayak since last season. Almost forget that the boat do move away from the gangway when I get in. That could have been ambarrassing.

I was the first one in the water so I just paddle around as everyone else put their boat in. I lead us short down along the west bank of the Hudson River. There was not that much wave action. Nothing more then 1 feets. The were a bit of rain cloud in the sky but nothing too threatening. We raft up near where the land jarred out into the river bank (Denning Point State Park) to decide what to do next and get everyone a chance to rest. The wind was picking up a bit and change direction so that it is almost from East the West. This mean that we will have the wind mostly to our back on the way down to Bannerman Island, but in our face when I get back.
Tony, Chris and I get togethere while the rest of the group stay raft up and decided that it is better make a turn into Fishkill Greek, explore the waterfall, then come out for lunch before deciding if we want to go on th Bannerman Island.

The Fishkill rout have the advantage of reduce winds and no waves as all. Fishskill Greek lay on the west side of Denning Point State back, emptying into small bay form by the pennisula. I lead us into the bay (about 3 feets water) and under the railroad bridge (actual more like a 5 meet overpass) that lead to a small marsh and upstream. We can hear the waterfall roared when we were halfway there. I don't remember the waterfall being that strong the last time. To the side of the water fall stood a couple of buildings, probably old mills. I try to paddle up as closed to the water fall as I can but have to turn back 10 feet before the rapid. Chris and Zell (Young atletic fella - probably get his name wrong) try to go up to the rapid but have to turn back as the roaring water push them back. The rest of the group don't even try, they just come close enough to see the waterfall then turn back. I hang back to watch Chris and Zell try to fight the currents.

They turn back and catch up with me after 10 minutes. Chris was talking to Zell about edging the kayak. Zell actually try it and end up capside in 3 feet of water. Get out of his boat and stand up. By then the rest of the group was alread halfway back down stream so I asked everyone to hold up till Zell get back into his Kayak. The water was very cold due to the fact that the creek is feed by melting snow.

We left the Creek and the pay to search for a good beaching area for lunch. I end up leading us up the north shore of Denning Point to a good beach area. I would pack better lunch. As we seat for lunch we can see rain fall on the other bank of the Hudson River. No thunder. Wind was picking up and change to southernly. We decided that it is not wise to contiue south to Bannerman. Instead we went back up north to our launch site and then see if we want to continue pass that. It was a bit challenging going again the wind and I was tiring by the time we get back to Beacon. I really want to just land then but we decide to take a 15 minutes paddle pass the landing site. Nothing worth seeing. We turn back and get back to our landing site. Get the kayaks on the top of the car, and drive back to the cabin.

Peter and his oldest daughter D.P. were at the cabin. They did not get there till late in the day. We have our dinner in one of the cabin on top of the hill. It was a beautiful room, with a big fireplaces and trophies on the way, very lodgy. Conversation was ligh and interesting. I get a blinding headache so I can concentration much on the conversations but it was fun to be around people for a while.

End up sharing the club cabin with Pete and his family. My room mate end up sleeping in the forest somewhere. Which I could just as well done since both windows in my room were stuck open. It was good. It is so cold that my body head do not warm up my sleeping bag. That have never happen before. Let just say I was glad for day light just to get out of bed.

Sunday,
Get up just in time not be freeze to death. Stand around while everyone else get ready for breakfast. We drive to a dinner for breadfast. We take two cars, Pete and his family in theirs and I hitched a ride with Steve and Adele in theirs car. The car need a good bit of cleaning. I ordered my usual, Western Ormlette with Home friend and white toast. Pete and his family seat in one long table, I seat with Steve and Adele. After breakfast Steve, Adele and I stop by the grocery store to pick something up for lunch. I have a sandwich made, and get a bottle of Pepsi.

Get a bit of a stomachache when I get back to the carbin. I thinks it was from too much rich food last night. I hate using strange facility. The one at the camp ground have no privacy curtain so it was a bit uncomfortable.

Everyone was already in the water when I finally get ready. I used a club boat instead of my own because I don't want to untied my boat and get it off the car rake. We practive strokes and braces, nothing too radical. I don't want to go over. We end the day with a long paddled to the long end of the lake where Sebago Beach is to do more practice. Actually, I just watch Chris and Pete practive rolls. I still can't roll yet.

Get out of the water by 1PM. Get some lunch then pack everything for the drive back to NYC.

Kayak Committee Meeting Summary

Get to the Club at 1:30 Pm on Sunday for the Sea Kayak Committee meeting. The meeting is schedule to start at 2:30PM. I arrived early hoping that the repair that I did on my boat on Saturday finally harden so that I can sand and do the finishing work on it. After greeting Steve, Jen, Pete and a couple of other clubmembers that were already there I finally get around to taking my boat out to be inspected. It was commented right away that the repair was done incorrectly by MB, who have very expensive fiberglass repair experiences. It was confirm that the release film should have been apply for smooth surface so that sanding would be unnecessary but it can still be fix with lot of sanding if the the repair harden. It was dry to the touch but not hard so the sanding will have to wait till the weather get better.

Meeting start promptly at about 2:45PM, which is not bad by the club standard of promptness. We have a good mix of people, filling out the whole clubroom. We start off with each person standing up and introducing ourself. I was almost the last person on the rotation. My intro was fast, just name, years with club and training. There were enough long winded intro from other members so I am sure everyone was glad for the short intro.

Classes for this season were goes over and discuss. We will having a couple on intro to kayaking classes at the clubhouse in Jamaica Bay which I would like to voluntee to teach since I do have coach 1 certification to teach intro to kayaking. I would be fun and give my practice on coaching. There will also be formal teaching of Star 1, 2 and 3 at the cabin at the lake upstate. I would like to voluntee to help out on 1,2 and take 3 over again before getting certify for 3. I will have to talk to Anne or Tom about that. Just send him an email in fact.

Next up for discussion is the biggest part of our kayaking program, the Open Paddle on Wednesday and Saturday. Hopefully we will be a bit more organize that last summer. I voluntee to assist two paddles (Jun 1o, Aug 15) and co-lead two paddles (Jul1 and Aug 5). We will also have more challenging paddle for conditional clubmember. Yahoo!!! I will look forward to that.

There rest of the discussion is standard safety stuffs that just drag on and on. I blanked out so really can't say much about the detail discussed.

Meeting breakup at 4:30 so it was relative short and informative.

See you all on the water.

Preparing For New kayak Season

Get to the Club on Saturday to do some repair on my kayak. I had inflicted some damage to the fiberclass gelcoat last summer from all the fail attempt at Eskimo Roll. There were already people hard at work on the club ground when I get there. The usual people, the gardening commitee people digging up holes for Spring plantings, and moving dirt and rock from on place to another.

This Saturday Andy organized a gelcoat repair workshop. I was not told who else was coming so was surprise to learn that only three other people are interest in learning how to fix fiberglass boat. Tony help me carry my kayak into the clubhouse where a fire is buying in the stove for heat. I get down to sanding my two areas in need of repair.

Tony kayak already insider the club on makeshift stand. There was really no repair need on Tony's Kayak except for a stratch on the bow. In no time at all he was ready to apply the gelcoat.

Andy bought a fiberglass gelcoat repair kit with all sort of color so that we can use it on any boat that need to be repair. There was a bit of guessing and rereading of the instructions before the color and gelcoat were mix. In their enthusiasm to get the work done, Tony and Andy forget to mix in the hardener that would cure the gelcoat so the repair area have to be clean out. The question of how much hardener to add to the mix was the most difficult part of the repair. It was decided that 3 drops should be enough, given the kit requirement of 6 drop for every tablespoon of gelcoat mix. Apparantly that was not enough because the gelcoat did not harden in the 1 hour waiting time.

Below are picture of repair on my boat. My gelcoat also did not harden in the 2 hours that we waitied for it to harden. Andy speculated that the temperature was too cold for it to harden properly. I think that we did not put enough hardener in the mix and didnot cover the repair area with the release film provided by the kit. I did not agree with Andy instruction on how to goes about mixing and applying the gelcoat. I thought that the film should be apply to provided an air tight seal for the gelcoat to harden but Andy say we don't need it. I may have to take out this repair and redo it when the weather get better.

Club Budget

Went to the Club board meeting yesterday. I arrived a bit lates because i did not get home till 6:30 and had to drive to JW's house. JW is the Commodore of the Club. I get there at about 7:45PM.

All the other members of the board were already there. I walked in righ in the middle a proposal for 500 dollars for the canoe committee. I abtained from that vote since I don't hear enough about the proposal. The rest of the meeting went smoothly. Get into long discussion about how to put out our club magazine. We have been having problem getting the magazine out on time due to turn over. I don't have an experienced at all writting or publishing so the discussion is a bit over my head.

I vote in the affirmative on most of the motion, nothing to object to. I just don't know enough about the working of the club to really have a position. Get to asked more question.

Update on nothing

No kayaking since that last windy day expedition. I did received a couple of calls from fanatics who want company for a couple of trips since, but I wisely remain silence to their calls. I can' get myself out of bed in these cold December morning much less go kayaking. Nothing to report here except for internal politic of a small kayaking club. I try to distance myself from the polically going on of the club but it hard when I seat on the Board of Directors. Thank God I opted only for a one year term. I won't bored you with the monthly's Board meeting, needless to say it was a waste of 4 hours and driving home late at night.