Relaxing Hike..

is something I should learn how to do.  Every hike I went on seem to be a race against time or the element.   Today promised to be a nice relaxing hike with company who do know the concept of take it slow and enjoy the view unfortunately I have to part company with my hiking partners less then an hours into my hike and rush the rest of the 6 miles to me car before the sun set.

There She Blow.

30-40 mph hours wind couple with incoming high tide, and this what you get:

And this is why you should always tie down you kayak if you have it outside.  Anyone want to bet some of these kayak will not be there in the morning?

More pictures of the snow.

It been snowing a lot in February

...and we find other use for our kayaks.

These pictures were taken outside the club front gate after a double pool sessions.  There were at lest 3 feet of snow so the path to the club was not drivable.   We stuffs all the equipment on the kayaks and dragged it into the club.

I am Still Paddling

I am still paddling.  Did not do as much long distance paddle as last year.  Spend much more time teaching then kayaking.  I will warm up with some photo.

Brooklyn Bridge

Finally get a change to do what I always wanted to do when I started long distance running.   Yesterday I ran from my house over NYC iconic Brooklyn Bridge and back onto the Brooklyn side.   I did not do any preparation when I started out late in the morning.  I did not know how far it is from my house to the bridge.  I thought it would be 7-8 miles, and that it would be simple to find the bridge.  I was wrong on both count. 

I started out later then I planned, at 11AM.  The first 3 miles were painful.  It take me a while to get into my running stride.  Once I get through my first 3 miles and get onto 4 Avenue, I feel much better and manage to ran effortlessly.   I ran up 4th Avenue for a good 7 miles, looking to my left as I get to miles 6 and 7  hoping I can see the Brooklyn Bridge.  I did not realized that up in Midtown Brooklyn, the bridge is couple of miles to my west, because 4 Avenue no long run along the shore like down in Bayridge.  I run back a couple of time thinking I had already ran pass the bridge but realize that the bridge much be further north each time when I see the shore.  I worked my way further West hoping I can see the bridge, but this meant I have to go back East to get to the entrance.   I make a couple of turn as I reach President Streets, and Pacific Street.  I know the general area but have no idea where the bridge is.  I finally meet up with the bridge but was no able to find the pedestrian entrance.  I ran a couple miles around before I finally stumble onto it.  

The approach to the bridge on the Brooklyn side s about a three quart of a miles.  I was a nice shallow grade so it was not as bad as I fear.  The pedestrians path did not get crowd till I get to the top.  I brushed a couple of tourists and ran into a couple of pictures on my way over the bridge and back.  When I get back over the bridge back to Brooklyn it was 14 miles. 

I was tempted to ran the rest of the way home but decided against it as I reach my 18 miles goal.  Properly not a good idea to push for 32 miles 2 weeks away from the big event.  Still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it almost November already.

Mini Vacation

Light rains drops are hitting the roof of the cabin as I sit here typing. It is an improvement to the heavy rain and wind that sweep through the camp at about three pm today. What the storm left behind is cooler air. If I was in the city I would be happy for the cooler air, but up here in ACA cabin, cooler air meant no swimming. I am surprise the children would let a little thing like cool air stop them. Actually, the cool air probably did not stop them, the life guard call it quit for the day when the storm come by, and do not look like he will be returning to duty today.

Bob and Jerry(?) from Yonker are the only other kayakers here today. Jerry went back so it just Bob. Bob is still on the water. I get all dress up in my swim trunk and rash guard then decided it was too cool to go paddling. Have to decide if I want to go running before dinner - all depending if the light drizzle became a heavy down pour or not. I don't want to climb some of these steep hills in the rain.

Nothing much plan for Saturday. Jerry's (Sebago's Jerry) weight lifter friends are having a competition at the camp tomorrow, and there are big sailing races at the same time so it is going to be crazy with people. I have the long run tomorrow - 18 miles. Can't put this off to Sunday like last week, I get a long distance kayak trip with Stevie to Breezy Point from Blum Beach.

I put some consecutive run in this weeks.

Tuesday 6 miles
Wednesday 6 miles (Marathon running class)
Thursday 1.55 x 3 including cool down run about 4 miles.
Friday 0
Saturday 18 Miles.

Jus come back from dinner with Linda and Pete - and one of their son,Chris. Linda cook a very good meal. Tiffany did not come to dinner, she did showed up with her friend after we finish dinner. She come in to change into her bath suit, to go swimming at 8PM - in the dark, and chilly air. I seat around and talk with Pete. He is a bit talkative today. I excuse myself after Pete say he have to go take a shower and went down to the swimming dock to watch Tiffany and her new friend swam. They asked me to join them I said hell no. I only swim when there is a blazing sun to dry me off and keep me warm.

Get back and start reading Bob Glover's The Competitive Runner's Handbook. I don't like reading book on my hobbies. It just make it so serious. I am never much of a kayak book reader neither.

I am hoping to stay up till 1oPM. Everything stop at the lake pass sun down so usually bed time is quite early up here.

Sat:
It was a stormy night up at the camp. Loud rambling thunder wake me up a couple of time during the night. I was still raining, but no thunder this morning when I wake up at 6AM. Pete did not stop by to wake me up for our 6AM morning paddle. I am glad because my side muscles still hurt from that two laps around the lake yesterday in strong wind. We were supposed to go to breakfast at 8AM but I still have not see any sign of Pete or his family.

I am trying to read "Food and Running" part of the Running Book. Eating and good diet are the most difficult area of marathon training that I have to adjust to. I don't like food, I don't like to discuss food - even conversational much less as a serious object. My eating philophy is if I get hungry enough to faint, I eat. I would prefer sleeping to to eating everytime, hence I rarely eat breakfast. I have to get better at eating for fuel rather then just barely surviving.

Get back from breakfast. Still raining. No thunder so I think it is safe to go out on the water. I may let my breakfast settle first. No much activities yet for a late Saturday morning.

It is becaming apparent that I may not be able to do my 18 miles today. Forecast call for drizzling to downpour to thunderstorm all day.

Went out for a paddle. Paddle from Sebago Dock to Sebago Beach without stopping to rest. I like these kind of paddle, work on proper forward stroke. Get back to watch the canoe sailing race start. It was 12AM by the time I get lunch started and 1PM by the time I am eating. I am eating now actually. I am not eating real fast because I am also trying find the adminstrative password for this fucking computer. I don't remember setting it. Apparently when you set a password for on of the user you also set a password for the administrator. I typed in every possible password I may have use to no avail. I hate it when this happen.

After a couple dozen attempt, I manage to get Administrator access to my computer. It is the password I thought it was. Don't understand why it did not work the first dozen time. My camera is still not recognized by the computer, which is the whole reason why I need administrator access in the first place. I give up and went to watch the weight lifter do their stuff. It was impressive.

Went out kayaking again. This time I did a couple of rolls now that I have Cody's diving mask. I hate fresh water in my nose, it sting. I get one of those expensive nose clip, but it keep on slipping off my nose, too greasy.

No going to get my long run in today. I am back indoor because it start to rain again. Have to figure what to have for dinner or where to go for dinner.

Yellow Submarine

I wake up too late to help out on the Saturday paddle. Did manage to get myself together enough to be there by 11AM. I take out my peeling yellow Skin on Frame (SonF) kayak out. Meet up with the open paddle as they were coming back. I witness a sight I haven't seen in a while, Jennifer kayaking! I did believe my eye so I sneak up behind her to get a closer look. I escorted her and Walter back to the dock.

After a short conversation with Walter about his new kayak, I take off. I did not have a plan, just go out and see how I feel. I end up grossing the channel to Canasie Pol, and decided a trip around the pol would be in order. I have a relaxing paddle around the pol, and did not feel the need rush till I was back on the other side. I capsized once while trying to edge my turn. The SonF do not have much freeboard, the deck cut into the water and I was not expecting that. It had been awhile since I used this boat. This may be the longest trip I take in the boat since the ill fate 14 mile race I did two summers ago. I end up with a couple of gallons of water in my boat when I get back. The water is seeping through the canvas.

Get back by 1PM.

The Sea in Sea Kayaking

I have been spending way too much time at the lake upstate and not enough time in actual open water. I have to remedy this stat.

We Need to Rehearse

Chorograph rolling for Blessing of the Fleet in Jamaica Bay.


On Phil whistle Bonnie capsize her boat- displace the word "Club" for by black electric tape on bottom of her kayak.


On, two three and I rolled displayig my "Canoe" written in black electric tape under my boat.



I have no idea what my timing was when I come up. I assume that Phil and Bonnie roll at the same time since the order was supposed to be Phil with "Sebago" would roll first on his signal - the whistle, then me - with Canoe, and then Bonnie with Club - to spell out "Sebago" "Canoe" "Club." Turn out it was a false start anyway since the official on Canarsie Pier were not ready.



The Coast Guard Aux boat that was supervising the Jamaica Bay Blessing of the Fleet was not expecting us to do the roll as we pass by the official on Canarsie Pier. Phil manage to calm their nerve and we get to try it again.


On Phil whistle signal I count to three, roll and then spend a good half minutes trying to get water out of my eye so did not see Bonnie roll. I wasn't even sure where I was. We don't have anyone on the pier to document our little stunt. Next time get a cameraman on the pier - and a lot more practice with the time, and the formation.


We paddle to the side of Canarsie pier to clear the way for the actual motor boats to come down in single line formation. We want documentation of our rolls so we have Andy take a movie of us rolling. The first time we did it he did not have the camera on. The second time he catched Phil, and me but was not able to keep Bonnie in frame.


We paddled to Mill Basin, the back to the club just to make it a official paddle

Pictures soon if I even get around to downloading them from my camera.

Less Politic and More Paddling...plz.

I am coming into the paddling season with a bad mindset. I am getting too much exposure to club politic both at Sebago and at the ACA Camp. I just want to paddle, lounge around in between, go swimming and have a nice fire side dinner with friends. Is that too much to asked for?

IDW & ICE

I just went through a 6 days workshop and certification courses to be a American Canoe Association (ACA) coastal water kayaking instructo. I did not come into it with high expectation. Actually I did not planned getting myself certify to be a kayaking instructor at all. My plan all winter was to not go down that route. But a last minute cancellation by someone planning to attend the workshop, my absent mindedness in casual conversation about weekend plan, I committed myself into it without think through what is required.

I did not know that it require three days, the weekend plus Monday for the workshop, and another weekend plus Monday two weeks from the workshop to actually get certified. I sure did not know how much it would cost - the initial estimated given to me by Jerry was $200 for the workshop, and about the same for the certification, for a total of around $500. I did not know any detail of the class or the logistic involves. It turn out after the fact that we get a grant to cover all of the cost, certify instructors just have to do instruction for the club. I think I would prefer to pay the full amount, because the pressure is now on to actually start instructing.

There were 8 of us in the workshop. Stevie, Jerry, Peter, Tony, Elizabeth G., Tom, Walter, and myself. The workshop is being taught by Elizabeth O'Connar, and Gordan from a local ACA instruction outfit.

I struggled through the workshop a bit but find myself much more comfortable then I thought I would be. I did all my teaching with minimum of difficulties. Once I get to the on water teaching part I feel much more comfortable and relax. I find myself enjoying the challenge and the teaching. I get towed all the way back to the bridge on the last day (a towing excercise) - it was fun for me, not so much for Stevie and Walter who have to do the towing. It was a grueling 3 days, and it take me a now weeks of no running and no gym to recover.

The weekend after the workshop, and before the certification weekend Stevie, Peter, and I went up the the lake to work on refining our skills. Pete was already in the Camp when I arrived at 10 AM. Pete waited for Stevie to arrive so I went paddling by myself, do a couple of rolls, and work on my level 1 and Level 2 skills. I come back and dry off before Stevie arrived. Stevie and Adele were not planning on getting to the camp till 1PM. They have to stop by and help Adele's mother move. I was having lunch Stevie and Adele arrive at the camp. It was not till 2PM that Stevie and Pete was ready to get in the water. I let them go out first and join them a bit later after I finish my lunch and relax a bit.

When I did get back on the water, we meet up in front of Scotty's dock and practice rescue. The problem with practicing rescue in a lake is that it is too easy, and does not replicate condition that would cause a capsize in the first place. We should take turn teaching a basic paddling stroke because it is so much harder to slow down and break down the basic then to do the more high level stuff since that where our teaching skill will be tested but we end up doing lot of various rescues, testing different ways to get someone back on their boats etc.

Sunday was a bust as usually. I get everyone up at 7AM to go to breakfast so we can have a full day on the water but we end up wasting much of the Morning waiting. I went out by myself and do a bit of straight paddling, trying to keep my arm straight. I came back for lunch when Walter arrived at 1PM, and everyone get ready to get in the water. Don't remember what we practices but by 4PM we head back so some people can have a late lunch. The plan was to go back out again but I though that it was unlikely. I for one am done for the day. When everyone have their lunch it was decided that there will not be another session - as I expected.


We get our Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) the following week. We were email the outline of what to prepare for at the begin of the week but did not remember to print it out for the practice session. I did not write out my assign lesson plan till late on Friday night.


It was decided to have the ICE close to where the IT live rather then having them commuted to Sebago. It is a good hour away from my apartment. On Saturday and Sunday we were to meet at Timber Points, and Monday at Oak Park. I was tempted to stay at a hotel but end up deciding to commute instead.


I get lost on Saturday morning. I get there 30 minutes early but was not able to find the turn off to get to the put out place at Timber Point. The instruction I was given had the wrong street name on the driving instruction. I end up just making a guess and end up in the right place. It was foggy and cold that morning as we sit around the only picnic table discussing the coming days. I give my presentation on signaling devices and emergency equipment. I actually stick pretty close to my lesson plan. The fog lift after lunch when went out on the water for the video tape skill session. I end up being the last one to perform in front of the camera. The instruction was to paddle forward, reverse, stop, draw to the hip both side, spin the boat around till facing the camera again, sculling draw and then low brace and high brace on both side. It went by so fast that I did not realized till after I am done that I forget the sculling draw (my favorite paddling stroke) - Elizabeth O' don't seem to care that I forget that one stroke.


After the stroke video taping, we went out to more open water to do rescue, and on water lesson. Before the rescue lesson everyone that want to get certify for Level 3 and Level 4 have to demonstrate ability to do a roll, three difference rolls, including roll that is not set up. I went first. I did a storm roll, a reverse roll and for my none set up roll, I attempts a couple of high braces but did not capsized so I faked a capsized so I can do my non set up roll.


My on water lesson is to teach paddle float rescue. I had Elizabeth G. do the actually demonstration while I talk her through it. I thought the lesson went well. After each rescue lesson, everyone have to perform the rescue so we get in the water a lot. i am so glad I find a solution to my semi dry dry suite problem because I would not be able to spend that much time in the water otherwise.


I actually started to have fun as the day progress.


Saturday Evening we went to have dinner at the hotel where Tom P. is staying. Nice place for the middle of nowhere. While we wait for our dinner, each of us of to self critics our paddling on the video. Its is definitely painful to see bad habits that one just taken as normal after a long period of paddling. After dinner I end up driving Elizabeth G. back to Brooklyn. Stevie and Pete who originally also plan to drive back to Brooklyn decided to stay at the hotel. I get back home by 11PM so it was not a bad commute.


Even with picking up Elizabeth G. in the morning, I end up getting to Timber Point at 7:30AM (everyone was to meet there by 8:30AM). We drive around looking for a drug store that sell medicine for my upset stomach. We find a supermarket that open early, get my medicine, stop by for bagel and still get back before everyone arrive.

Wind was predicted to be 15 to 35 knot an hour so we know it will be an exciting day. We have a couple of on land lesson, then we get in the water. The paddle to our calm spot for the on water lesson was challenging due to the wind. The whole day was about managing a couple in adverse condition. I did my lesson on reverse sweep and 360 degree turn in place. I did not have it clear in my mind what I want to do so much of it was off the cuff. I did not lost control of the group so that a plus.


We went back to the put out spot for lunch and to take the written test. I forget all about the written test. I know right off that I bombed on the navigation part of it. I send a good 10 minutes trying to find the lighthouse on the map. Since I am coming back for the Level 3 and 4 drills on Monday I will not know how badly did till Monday. Since Sunday was also Mother Day, we get to go home early, 3PM. I drive Elizabeth G. back to Sebago Brooklyn Clubhouse to pick up her car and drop some stuff off at the club. I stop by my parents' to visit my mother and wish her Happy Mother's Day.

I get up early on Monday morning and drive over to Oak Beach, right off Jone Beach. It was wonderful drive. Stevie and Pete were already there when i drive in. The instructors had not arrive yet so we take the time to get out boats down to the beach, and all our equipment together.

The wind die down by Monday, which good and bad. I did not have a chance to see the surf but it also mean we don't have to fight it and the current all the way to the inlet. Before we get on the water, I have to retake part of the test that was missing. After everyone retake the missing parts, we went over the navigation sections. I get 2 or 3 questions rights. I know from the total score for the other section, that even if i total bombed the Navigation section I would still not fail the written.


The day on the water comprise of many surprise accidents that required actions from the whole group but especially for the trip leader assign at that particular time. It was a mess but we learn a lot by our failures. I did not lead till the return trip, and there was no "heart attack" on my watch. (I may go over each of these incident separately because it is interesting in how each of us handle the situation and the lesson lead. )


After lunch on the inside part of the peninsular we paddle out to the Atlantic side. The water at the mouth of the inlet was choppy but it could be much worse of the wind was like the previous day. There were not much surf, I did not even get to use my brand new helmet. I did manage to ride a couple of small surf but nothing major. After playing in the surf for a good hour it was time to paddle back. Elizabeth paddle alone side me before we head back and asked me how I feel about capsize and waiting for an Eskimo rescue in the choppy water of the mouth of the inlet. I indicated I am OK with it. The water was much more choppy on the way back then when we went out. I try to be at the center of the group when I capsized. It is surprising calm when you are upside down in heaving water. I count to 15 (probably to fast) wave my arms, feel nothing was about to roll when I feel something on my boat and wave my arm again hoping to catch the rescuing boat, I feel a boat on the back of my hand but was unable to hold it before it slip away. I finally have to bail out of my boat and and have a t/x rescue performed. Lost my paddle in the process - I should remember to hold on to it. I end up using someone else spare paddle once I get back into my own boat. Its a good thing that Pete manage to get almost all of the water out of my boat because even without the water I was having problem keeping from capsizing from all the wave come up from behind my boat. Pete was paddle too far to my left and i was trying to catch up with him when he capsize. I was not in position to rescue him so I just observe from a distance, notice my paddle floating away so end up fighting the wave to get my spare paddle. It was a grueling 15 minutes of paddle to get to it. Elizabeth paddle by and asked me if I need help with my spare paddle because it was haphazardly store in my front deck - and advice me to get better handle on my paddle management.


After Pete was recovered and on his way again, we paddled across to the North side of the inlet. Once we get out of the rough water of the inlet mouth, and out of boat traffic i get a chance to empty out my boat on the shore. Pete did a good job when he dumped out my boat but there is still a good gallan of water in it. After everyone get back on the water, Elizabeth to me to lead the group aroun the point into the other side so we would have some protection from the wind. I picked Stevie as my point man, and Tom as my sweep. I asked Stevie to bear wide of the rock on the point but apparently my idea of wide clearance is difference from his because he did not go as far out as i though he should before turning. Everyone get around the point without running into any of the rocks so everything was ok. On the other side, we gather up and go over the prevous rescue. The lesson is rescue on rough water is completely difference from rescue on flat water. We definitely need to find more rough water to practice in the future.



After the wrap up, Elizabeth as me to lead the group back to our put in. The wind was from the South so we were push toward the shores, everyone was trying to prevent their boat from weathercocking. I try to stay as far away from the shore as posible. Elizabeth head out into the wind and zig back into to shore and zag out again, covering more distance then the rest of us. Elizabeth come back and asked me if I see what she is doing. I say "yes, you using the wind and current to your advantages" which would be what I would be doing if i wasn't tie to the group, and try to keep everyone together. I asked Stevie to lead the group the rest of the way by zig, zaggining instead of straight alone the shore, sure enough, the group start to break up. Stevie was off on his own somewhere.

We get back to the take out site sometime after 3PM. After everyone get into dry street cloth and load their boats, each of us would get a individual evaluation. I was the first one to turn in my Instructor evaluation so I was call first. First thing elizabth asked me was what I think my strong point was. My answer was I try to make it fun. And my weakness; I rush through thing when i am nervous. Her suggestion were to slow down, and break stroke into parts so i can time myself. All if which I know I must do. I do much better when I know what I am taking about, and know the logical layout of a subject. I was supprised when she told me that she think I can be a Level 3 coach, borderliningon Level 4 if I have just a bit more teaching skills. Off the coff, I told her " I hope not, I don't know what to do with Level 4." Hell I don't even know what to do with Level 3 Instructor certification. Level 3 Instructor is a lot of responsibilities, one which I am not fully prepare for.

After I foolishly commited myself to this whole thing, my reasoning for going throught it was that I would a be helping out anyway so I might as well go through it to see the process so that I won't get in the way. I am hoping for at most a Level 2 Instructor certification, enough for assisting but not enought for all the responsibility. I might had overshot my goal.

ACA Coaching Classes

I signed myself up for ACA Instructor training and certification next weekend. I am getting a bit of an anxiety attach looking through the course outline and ACA coaching requirement.

Destination Paddle

Paddle to the Walf's with Bonnie and Kevin ( a new Sebago member who i meet from ACA camp). Nice paddle, especially with a good destination to look forward to. Meet up with Adele and Stevie who were hiking near by. Discuss lot of paddling, and maybe doing something difference in the coming summer, maybe organizing a white water trip.

Nice way to spend a sunday.

Getting Back in the Water.

I had the first pool session of the season.

I did not do much instruction. Just doing some rolls, and getting comfortable again. My head snap timing is off on my off side. I actually fail a couple of high braces on my left side and was not able to get back up.

I was done by 1:15PM a good 45 minutes before our time at the pool are up.

Happy New Year

I am waiting out the last couple of hours of 2008 in my cubicle in NYC. That one thing I can be thankful for is not starting my new year jobless. Hopefully I will end 2009 with a job too.

Don't particularly want to venture out to Time Square to see what all the crazies are doing. It snow a bit today but nothing stick. But is is still cold. Weather report say it will be in the 20's tonight.

If I have any reader - or if the blog is ever open to public viewing, one of them would asked me what am I doing at my empty office 7 hours to New Year? I volunteed to marshal a race at Midnigh today - The Emerald Nut Run. The operative word here is nut. I volunteed because at the time it was the last available voluntee opportunity to get qualification for 2009 NYC Marathon. I could have change my mind after NY Road Runner extended the voluntee deadline but I thought it would be a good way to spend my New Year. Better then at home by myself. I have to get out of here and get dinner soon.

The sad part is I was running late today and did not pack the clothing that I planned for comfortable long night of standing around in the cold. Did not remember that today is Dec 31 and I will be standing outside in freezing weather for 2* hours till I get off the train this morning. I was planning on bring my skiing clothing - with face mask, polyester long john to keep warm and hot tea.

Well Happy New Year - if I don't freeze my ass off before the ball drop - my balls sure will stay nice and tight where its warm.

* Ed. update: 5 hours of standing out in 20 Degree weather.
Also the firework was spectacular.

Belate Holiday Greeting

HAPPY HOLIDAY to Everyone

Nothing like the holiday to show how social incompetence I am. I did not send out any holiday cards. There are at least ten people that I should send a cards to just to think them for their friendship and help through out the years. Even if I went about getting the cards, I would have to hunt down the addresses and the full name of people I want to send the cards to. I have to be better at this.

I did not call my landlord to wish him a happy holiday. I thought of my landlord as I was sitting here think if it is OK to call him on Christmas day to told him that I broke the kitchen faucet trying to attached the Brita filter my mom give me. I also did not say Happy Holiday to my down stair neighbor who I know for a good 4 years. I did not talk to my next door neighbor at all this week so did not have a chance to wish her a happy Holiday. These are one of the reason why I don't have close friend in the neighborhood even though I live at my apartment for 9 years.

My holiday could have been a very expensive disaster but turn out OK. My brother came by to give my a reminder why I don't like him and having to see him once a year is one time too many. But all in all it was a good family gathering.

Marathon Man

Finished my first Marathon today. Started off strong. 13 miles fly aways like a walk in the park. Started to feel the old Runner Knee symptoms on the 15 miles but it wasn't bad. Managed to pushed it up to the Bronx before there was not way I can run without causing total lost of my legs. That was about the 21 miles mark. I end up walking the 6 miles to the finish line. My legs were starting to cramp from place I don't know have muscles. My time is 4:20 minutes. 50 minutes slower then my goal time.

The slow shuffles up to from the finished line on 60's to 81st to pick up my bag was a bit frustrating but I need the time to cool down anyway. I walked from 81st to 71nd Street to catch my train home.

I did not realized how much pain I am in till I walk up from the train ride. Going down the stair to get off the station was painful. I should have arranged to have someone pick me up.

My train end up no stopping at my usual stop so I have to walk 15 blocks home.

Another Year.

Just get back from our club year end meeting.

The Kayak Committee have our meeting an hour before the general club meeting. Nothing to report from the kayak meeting. Jerry is reelected Kayak chair uncontested. The usual club politic get air out but nothing get resolve. One hour is not enough time to cover everything we have to cover but I was grateful for the short meeting.

We are scheduling another meeting to discuss what boats should be allocate to where. I am tire of this question. One member of our more advance paddlers, Elizabeth, wanted to have the better boats down at the Brooklyn clubhouse for her use instead of up at the lake. Her constance demand is stirring up petty issue of Lake vs Brooklyn clique (Culture?)which is a constant undercurrent at the club. Waldo and Holly touched on this when Elizabeth brought this issue up today. Waldo believed that our emphasis on rolling and other Greenland skill at the lake are detracting from Sebago being an "urban kayaking club". Holly position is that we are wasting too much resource both in money and human power, and pulling people away from events in Brooklyn which people who join the club is paying for. I disagree with them that have certain boats up at the lake are short changing the people who refuse to go up to the lake. We need something to draw more members to use the cabin so I don't see having these boats up at the lake for training is misusing club resources. This issue have been going back and ford for a while with Elizabeth, first with the Avocet, then with the two new boats we get this season. I really don't want to get involve but as fleet captain I will have to take a position.

Stevie and Jerry get a great deal on two great mid level to advance boats for training, and left it at the lake for training purposes. I have misgiving when intended purchase was announced but I had no idea it was going to balloon into such a major thing. I agreed with them that these boats should stay up at the lake for that purpose because I don't want them for general use from a maintenance perspective. I have enough on my hand with the Epic Explorer and there other two fiberglass boats we have at the Brooklyn clubhouse. Every time someone carelessly handle the boats my heart skip a beat.

I don't think that the club, or the Sea Kayak Committee should maintain a high end kayaks for general member use. Club members who need more advance boats should be at a place where they are committed enough to the sport to get their own boats. The only way to make this clear is to not have any high level boats around for general use. I don't want have to deal with competing demands for favorite boats if we have high skill level boats here in Brooklyn for general use. I opposed her argument that the general club member in Brooklyn deserve to use the more advance boat we get at the lake by principle. We should not have boat that encourage already committed paddles to used club resource instead of getting their own boat.

Speaking of Fleet Captain, I am a bit confused as to me duties know that I learn that the Kayak committee have it own little subcommittee to deal with the kayak fleet. First time I hear about this. I will have to speak with Jerry and John about this. I have been doing inventory, inspection of boats and equipments before the season, and spot check of boats when they go out on paddles so I have no idea what the subcommittee do. As I understand it, the duties of Fleet Captain was redefine when I take the job to mean just maintain the Sebago kayaks fleets and kayaks related equipments so I can't decide if the kayak boat repair committee that Jerry talk about is headed by me or it an entirely separate entity.

The general meeting held no surprise. The incumbents officers get elected unopposed, and we get a slate of 4 candidates for four open board positions so there is no contested election. The secretary case one vote the officers, and another for the boards slates, and we were done.

Embarrassingly I was honored as Volunteer of the Year - for last year. Much more well deserve is Stevie McAllaster honored as Volunteer of the Year for this year. A harray for Stevie - who was not at the general meeting. I could used his voice at the meeting today.

Audience Demands

One of my reader today complaining about the sparsity of my update.

Being a nice fella that I am, I feel I must oblige my readership with more update.

I have been doing a lot of kayaking this summer. Most of it is up at the lake or assisting with the club's programs.

There is only one thing that I did not yet do this summer and that is to really lead a open paddle. I did lead one paddle, but with such strong personality as assistants I did not feel like I have taken charge of the trip- because there was never a need to. I should really try to lead another trip before the end of the Public Paddle program.

It is hard to believe that is is already August 12. Where have the summer went? I thought that my unemployment during the summer would give me a chance to do more adventurous paddle but that turn out not to be the case. I used kayaking as an excuse to meet people so solo paddling hold no particular attraction to me at all. I usually wait for other people to organize a trip that tag along so being unemployed during the summer did not lend itself to more paddling since everyone else have to work. I also find myself spending most day sitting in front of the computer trying writing a decent cover letter or single "thank you" note. So most of my time sitting at the computer doing nothing but unable to enjoy the sunny day because I can't go out until that cover letter is written but if only I just can figure how to string two sentences together.

Ok. Enough about why I did not do more kayaking or updating.

The big event on my calender this summer as a trip organized by Stevie and Adele up to the Thousand Island(ACA Sugar Island Camp) area on the St Lawrence River, between NYS and Canada. I have always wanted to go there but would never go up there alone. Stevie and Adele discuss the possibility of going up there as a group last summer. I get really excited about it and mark it only calender since. I was going through some uncertainty on the work front at the time so I wasn't sure if I can do it (actually there was no uncertainty that I would not be working by the time the summer of 08 roll around). But when this August finally roll around, and Stevie inform me that the trip is this week, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I did not figure out a job search strategies yet, get a good lead or figure out what I am doing when I get back. As I drove home I decided that I not ready to pack for a 10 day trips or enjoy a 10 day trips so it is best to cancel it while the carpooling is being sort out. Stevie did not make my decision to cancel my trip easy at all. He continue to send me follow up emails with all the wonderful thing to do and see till the departure date on Friday. I hope they take lot of pictures.

ACA Youth Regatta
Arrive late and unannounced at the ACA Youth Regatta on July 31st. The Youth Regatta is usually a bite disorganize at the beginning so I see no point in getting there early. It is a Thursday so I neither have to leave early before rush hours and get there at 7 AM, or late, after rush hour which will get me there by 10:30AM. Last year I arrive at 7AM and went back to bed as I wait for everyone else to get up, and when we get to the regatta area I end up waiting around in the sun as the official organize the kids for the race.

I get to the cabin at 11AM this time. A bit late. The race started at 9:30 AM. I paddled the Avecet to Sebago Beach. For some reason I did not feel comfortable in my body on the paddle out. There was a lull in the action so I did not hear much yelling as I round the last pend to the Beach. I meet Bob A. as he get back into his kayak on a small island right before the beach. We paddle along where the each of the camps participating in the Regatta are set up. I can't find ACA on the sideline as I paddle by. Did not see anyone from ACA till the second pass. ACA have about 10 people there, including parents and speculator. I don't know if we get any kids in the race.

The next race was about to start so I did not land to say hello. Bob and I paddle to the finishing area. Hang around there for a while, not much happen. Yell encouragement to the kids and Congratulations as they cross the finish line. Some time I have to tell them to paddle just a bit more to finish. There was only one capsize during the single canoeist race. The canoe was a new fiberglass race so it was a breeze to empty out and get the kid back in the canoe.

Later into the day I switch it up a bit, paddling to the starting line and paddling behind the race as the race start. There were a couple of capsizes but I did not participate in the rescue. I spend a bit of time trailing errant canoes and telling them to paddle this way or that to keep the boat from going off the course. It was tiring so I decided to land to rest as the single persons portion of the Regatta finish up. I meet Jerry, Anne and Mike B in the ACA area. I did not see any food or water so I just rest up a bit and watch the speculators. The camp next to us have a lot of campers and are full of team spirits. It can be a bit annoying at time.

I finally get back into the water when a two person canoe capsize by the finish line as they paddle back to their staging area. I end up not doing a rescue because they pull the canoe to shore and the people on shore help them empty it out. I spend the rest of the Regatta at the finish line. I assist another kayaker with a rescue of a big aluminum canoe but was unable to do it. John - Scotty's son, come out in sit on top to empty out the canoe. I watched carefully how he did it. A couple of race later the same kind of canoe capsized (same made and model from the same camp - don't know if it the same boat thought) and I managed to get it empty out by myself with only some effort.

There were a lot more capsizes at the beginning of the race then at the finish in the multiple person race so I don't have much to do except to sternly warn a couple of finishers not to jump off their canoe.

I did get in several rolls while waiting for a race to start. Did not miss any of my roll. I did not do my off side.

All in all a good day. I paddle back with Jerry and Anne at the end of the race rather then wait around for the awards. However I soon left them behind as I sprint ahead. I was feeling a bit restless.

Manhattan Circumnavigation
I did finally get one trip on my list done, a circumnavigation of Manhattan. I did that on Sunday August 3. I meet Pete P. at the Lake on Thursday after the ACA Youth Regatta (he arrived late in the afternoon due to work) and in casual conversation he mention that he is doing a circumnavigation of Manhattan with a bunch of people on Saturday at 6AM. I was surprise because I have been keeping my eye out for the Manhattan circumnavigation trip that the Yonkers Kayakers organized each year. I miss last year because I end up waiting at 5AM in Brooklyn instead of meeting in Inwood where they launch last year and was looking forward to doing it this year but hear not a hint of it. Pete told me that the paddle registration is close but he can get me in. He did not know where they are meeting for the launch in Manhattan so suggest that I call him on Friday when he have a chance to get to his email. I called Pete late on Friday evening to asked about the launch address to find out that due to uncertain weather condition on Saturday, the Circumnavigation had been reschedule to Sunday with a launch time of 7AM.

I did not have my boat with me at the lake and driving through Manhattan to Brooklyn to pick up my boat on Sunday morning and drive back to Manhattan Pier 40 for the launch at 7AM on Saturday is out of the question. Luckily for me the club have some good boats that I can use instead. I choice to use the Avocet, a nice and easy to handle boat in most sea condition with ample storage for all my equipment. I get the boat on my car and ready on Saturday before the rain started.

I left the Lake at 5:30 AM and get to Manhattan at 7:05AM. I would have gotten there earlier but due to habit I end up on the FDR instead of the West Side Highway where I should have been. End up have to drive through 23rd Street to get to the West Side. I called Pete to let him know that I was going to be a bit late just as I drive pass him, make a couple of turns to get back to Pier 40 entrance. Get the boat and all my stuffs out of my car, register and get a number, park my car in the public garage on Pier 40 and one the water in less then 30 minutes.

There were about 45 people on the trip. That is a lot of people on a trip to be keep under control. We started by heading south from Pier 40 toward a small cove before Battery Park. The wind and the waves were driving everyone south. The guides want us into the cove but there is not enough room to maneuver 45 odd boats as the wind drive us toward the wall. We have to wait for the Staten Island Ferry to leave it slip before we can paddle around the tip of Manhattan. The trip up to our first paddle break was uneventful. We paddled around the southern tip of Manhattan, then across to the Brooklyn side of the East River and then up to a small beach against a retaining wall next to Socrates Sculpture Park on Vernon Blvd in Astoria.

It was 10:00AM when we get there. A bit early for lunch but since it would probably the only stop where there are stores nearby I wandered away from the group and go on a search for food. There is nothing in the immediate area but about 5 blocks from the landing area there is a small strip mall with a White Castle. I had never had White Castle. I ordered a fish sandwich meal which include drink and fries. I was told that it would be a 1 hour stop over, by the time my food was over I only have 3o minutes to finish my meal. I ate in the restaurant and hurry back back to the rest of the group. The water is coming in but we were not ready to go yet. I spend the next hours are so sunning in the small recycle sculpture park next to our land site.

Turn out we did not get back on the water again till noon. By then my boat along with a couple of other kayaks are floating on the water, tied together by a line to a railing on top of the retaining wall. There were a bit of a scene before we get underway. One of the paddle come in a inflatable kayak. He was having problem keeping up with the rest of the group so it was suggested that since there there are support cars at this rest stop that he should cut short his trip. He refused. He hand in his number and is officially no longer part of the group but would continue on his own. There were a short argument about how unsafe that would be but since the man refused to budge they finally decided that there is nothing the they can do about it.

We head out toward Roosevelt Island and stay on the right hand channel since there are more room and less boat traffic. This meant at the north end of Roosevelt Island we have to cut across two channel to get to the Manhattan side of the Harlem River. When we get to the northern tip of Roosevelt we were supposed to wait while the trip leader asked the safety boat to check if the channels are free of on coming boat but somehow the group start crossing without any command to do so, and there is a fast ferry coming up river. I make a mad dash for the lead paddler while yelling for everyone to hurry up and cross. Fortunately everyone make it across.

At the Washington Height section of Manhattan where a very small section of water separate Manhattan from the Bronx we ran on the river construction, construction barges on both side of the narrow river. Everyone make it through without taking over too much of the boat channel. Luckily we only encounter one or two pleasure boats up this section of the river.

At one of the bridge, on the side there was fast running water under neigh overhang branch. The lead guy, Pete and I decided to went in single file. We don't have to do much paddling, just keeping the boat away from the rocky shore, the tree branches and the bridge piling on the other side. Other follow us through and some decide to go on the more roomy side of the bridge. As we come to the around the top of Manhattan we can see where the current from the Harlem River meet the Hudson. There is a bit of waves and splashing going on where the two river meet. The Hudson River is running much faster then the current we encounter on the East River and the Harlem River. We just fly down the river without much effort.

The strength of the Hudson River is illustrated when we attempt to make out last rest stop. It was a terrible place to have 45 kayakers to attempt a landing. The "beach" is no more then 70 feet wide, and it is block in the front by a fishing pier. When I find out that we were to stop there I was determine to stay out on the river rather that hazard moving against the currents, and dodging the fishing line just to land. In the time it take for me to make that determination I fly pass the landing area, and have to very hard against the current to get back to the beach area where everyone else is also trying to determine if they should land or not. Any slow down in paddle would send me a couple of hundred feet down river and I have to paddle upriver again to stay with the rest of the group as they also try to maintain the same maneuver. I decided to land after the 3 time I have to paddle back. Getting the the beach against the current was a bit of a trick seeing that there is only 10 feet of water between the rock on the left and the the pier with fishing line and crabs traps. i thought I can goes between the piling under neith the Pier then thought better of it. I paddled a bit north of the piers and then turn into the beach, paddling like crazy to prevent the current from pushing me into the Pier and the fishing line. I made it through just barely missing having my boat smash into the concrete piling of the pier.

Crude picture below.

One of the guy that come in after me almost have his leg crush on his kayak was slam into the beach from a wave as he was getting out of his kayak (which is why one should never get off a kayak on the beach side in waves). The kicker is we did not stay there more then 10 minutes. About 6 people actually land, the rest of the group struggle in the current off the side of the river. Once we get out into the river the progress back down to Pier 40 was fast. We went along one of the marina and was amaze to see who fast the river rush pass the moored boats and the mooring floats. I try to moved to the right of one mooring floats and a moored boat but find myself unable to paddle fast enough to make it across the 50 fleet distance between the left side of the boat and the right side. I end up staying one the left side till I get to water where there isn't any boat to crash into to make my way to the right.

We paddled into the Downtown Boat house after we passed the marina. I have never been to the Downtown Boathouse before I did not realize what it look like. It is a bit more modern then I picture it. There were a couple of dozen people on site on tops inside the very small confine area with several minder in sea kayaks keep an eye on thing. I did not attempt to land. I don't think anyone land beside that one couple that finish the trip there. There were at least a 2o people on like for their chance to go out so there is not much room to land. I hang out and observe the paddlers just lazily paddling in the the square box of water between two piers.



Pictures taken off DTBH Website.

I was tempted to do a roll but decided to wait till I get pack to pier 40. After a good 30 minutes we left the confine of the DTBH and one our way down river to Pier 40. The DTBH is on 56Street and Pier 40 is below 14 Street so we still have about 7 miles to go to get back to our launch site. Everyone was tire but also happy to be so close to finish.

There were other paddlers on the water when we finally get to Pier 40. The Manhattan Kayak Company which is on Pier 40 also have a paddling program. I did a couple of rolls as I wait for my turn at the dock. It was refreshing after a long paddle. The water is not as bad as I thought.