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.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
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.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Fit like a Glove
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:
Monday, May 21, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, May 18, 2007
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.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
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....
Have to remember to open my eye....
Monday, January 22, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, January 01, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, December 11, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, November 27, 2006
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.
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.
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.
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