2012 Season Openner at Sebago Canoe Club.

To be honest, I completely forget about that last Saturday was Sebago season opener.    I only find realized it when Pat and Ginger of the Aux. Coast Guard email to remind me that they are stopping by to do safety inspection of Sebago club's kayaks.   The last time I was at the club was on January, so I have not idea of the state of the kayaks.

This year I actually guess right which one of the ladies is Ginger and which on is Pat.   I reversed my assumption.    This year Ginger and Pat get the procedure down the a science.  I just have to open the club container where the kayaks are store and show them which outdoor racks hold club's boats and they do the rest.   They filled out all the paperwork and sticks the inspection stickers on each boats without my help.  Some of the kayaks in the container were orients the wrong way so I have to have these pulled out so they can see where the old stickers were.  Luckily for me I get two tall helpers, Stevie and Dereck, who were waiting for me to compete the inspect and come out paddling with them.   I signed the paperwork for the inspections and the water by 11AM.  There was few other members the club even at that late a time.  Beside, Stevie, Dereck and myself, we have two other paddlers with us.   We decided to heard for Mill Basin and see all the expense houses on the shores.

After a long absence from any type of real paddle I was apprehensive the night before that I may not be in shape for a long paddle.  I have not done any distance paddling since November of last year.   Turn out I worry for nothing. By the time I was under the bridge and in Jamaica Bay I get into my strokes.   I was in the lead most of the trip without really thinking about it.  I forget after a long absence who much I love the motion of paddling.   

The winds which was blowing strongly in the morning calm down a bit by the time we start our paddles and was not  a facts on the paddle.   We turn around and returned to the club by 1 O'clock. 

I planned to skip the club general meeting at 4 PM but somehow end up still around when 4 O' Clock roll around so I stick around, if for nothing else but to vote Kari in as Senior member.   Great addition to our Senior membership.

The season opener is usually a bit party. This year everything some to be a bit of an afterthought (say the guy that forget all about it till the day before).   Our entire leadership, except for John Wright were away.  The normal group that usually show up did not show up this year.   We do not have Sea Kayak meeting because our chair is in South Carolina with the Commodore.   The Season Opener officially started at 10:30 in the morning but the General Meeting is at 4PM.  Everyone decided to come as close to 4 PM as possible so we don't have a large group of paddlers going out.  There were group of 2 or 3 paddles come out as we returned to the dock at 1:30 PM.  Other members did not show up till 4 PM for the general meeting.  

Editor Note:  My last draft post was the 2011 Season Opener.   That mean I have not post any to this blog in almost a year. 

Snaking Around Brooklyn

Brooklyn Half Marathon Map 3-22-12

We are spending some time out on the mean street of Brooklyn.   I don't know this was going to be the changes when I ran my 21 miles long run last Sunday.  I just happen to get lost and end up on East Parkway after getting out on Grand Army Plaza.

Kayaks Destruction by Racoons

 I finally get around to having a proper kayak maintenance and repair workday.  Only four people (not counting the usual suspects - Phil, John, and Stevie) show to help but if is still an official workday I organize so I will take it.  We actually get a lot done.  Stevie help me with most of the repair.

We reattached the forward bulkhead on Pete's plastic Romany. Technically its a private boat, but it was damage while on loan to the club.

Nesting Materials

The the bulkhead behind the cockpit on the Avolet is re-sealed, won't know for sure if it work until I can water test it.  The seat totally destroy by raccoon is clean out and replace by another seat also partially destroy maybe by the same racoon (or sqirrel)
We repair two Chatham 16, replace bungees, velcro seat into position for one, replace the back band adjustment for another. We also fix the skeg on one of the Chatham which get knock off while we were moving it in the storage rack.  It was a pain to re-attached - take 3 people to do it.  We can't adjust the toggle to give it enough slack to put it back in the slot - take a plier and another guy to man handle the cable back in to skeg.

Velcro back seat on on Necky Soar.  All the Necky boat seats need new velcro to stay secure to the boat. Another work day and more supplies are need for that.

Put new neoprene pad for the yellow Lincoln.  Stevie handy work.   The foam seat on this boat also badly damage by animal and must be replace at a later date.  I counted 3 new seats needing replacement so far at cost of at least $200 total.

Kevin and other guy find some seat metal and cover that hole where the raccoons enter the storage container.  Hopefully it is now secure from the destructive animal. 

Kevin find my pricey sunglass while moving the boats in Container 15 which I give up at lost.

Stevie, other member and I have Jamaican food for lunch while waiting for the glue to set.

All in all it was a good day of work.

 Next up:

1. Wash all the boats, 
2. Replace bad velcro attaching seats to boat on some of the Necky Soar.
3. praying UV protectant on all PFD, Boats and plastic seals.  
4. Finish refitting the huntsman
5. Better waterproofing for the Montauk hatches.  Attach hatch to boat to prevent accidental lost.
6. Mark all Sebago boat with Sebago name and number.
7.  Replace skeg cable on Montauk, Saurios, Avocets 

Also have to find time to fix my own boat. 

Any Kayak season.

Getting ready for another kayaking season. Hope to do more long distance open water kayaking.  I should really write more on this blog or delete it.   Don't have anything to write about.   I can't even write something decent even when I get thing to say.  I don't think anyone read this anyway.

Phoenix raising.

I am getting on a early morning flight to Phoenix tomorrow.    This will be my first destination race of any kind and also my very first away marathon.  I am complete unprepare.    My goal is to have fun, take my time and enjoy the scenery.

See you in Phoenix.

Busy Kayaking weekend.

We had our Frostbite Party/General meeting on Saturday.  Before the party some of us crazy people went out paddling.   I wake up late and almost don't make the paddle.    It was high tide so we have a chance to went into a couple of marsh and plan in the ice sheet.  I ran up a sheet of ice and drag myself by my knucle back into the water.   We then went to Raffle Bar and explore the salt marsh in the back.  Definitely no short cut that way. 

Get back in time to have  a hearty party then the meeting.   I left as soon as the meet wind down.

Sunday was spend at the pool.  I am still getting back into the hang of it. 

Get a bad migraine after the pool session, feel like my head is splitting open and my eyes are popping out.

2011 Paddling Goals

1.  More long distance paddles.
2. Expand my comfort zone.  More open water paddle.
3. Get more more articulate and accurate in my instruction.
4. Paddle with wider group of people.
5. Take initiative.

2011 May it be better then the last one.

One day of the year away and 364 days to go.   For the first time since I been member of Sebago Canoe Club, we cancel our Frost Bite Regatta.   I am very disappointed.   I thought we could have make it work. 

Anyway,  New Year did not started the way I planned.   This year I was to finally do the Emerald Nut New Year run.   I walked part of the course and stop by NYRR headquarter to pick up my goodies.    The course was wet and some part very narry due to snow.   Road Runner decided to make it a fun race instead of a time race so I don't see any reason th wait till four just to walk the course and went home.  Watch Doc Who marathon till it pass midnight.  Burn some garlic and  make my apartment and the rest of the building smell like roasted garlic all night. 

I am not making any resolution this year. Epically fail on last year resolutions and worst yet think I am regressing in the social department.   I keep in missing so many opportunity to make my self notice.

Well like I say 364 days to go.

Hello, Anyone out there?

Been neglecting this here blog. Unfortunately I have been neglecting a lot of thing the last couple of months.

Kayaking have been lacking lately.    I did manage to do one solo paddle and a group paddle on my two days off last week.   On Friday I paddle by myself to Mill Basin.  It was a breeze getting there, but a bit more work to paddle against 10-15 mph wind.   It was a good cardio exercise.  Went out last Saturday with Steve H, Bonnie, and her boyfriend to Gerrison Beach. It was a wonderful trip. The sun was out and it is just cold enough that I do not sweat like a pig in my drysuit. We have lunch at the beach, then paddle back to Sebago.  Nice group of people to paddle with. We paddle none stop there and non stop back.

I have not been doing as much running as I would like.   I have a marathon on Jan 16 next year in Phoenix, AZ.  Don't think I will try to break any PR.

Finally get up the courage to go winter hiking by myself today.  I was a bit late.   Don't get there to 1PM, and end up at the wrong parking lot.   I have 28 lb backpack on my back so it was an exercise even thought  I did not go far.  Just up two hill to an outlook, then back to the shelter where I plan to spend the night.  Wind as gusting at 20-30 mph hours.  I end up having to bushwhack it when I walked up to the top of a hill and can't fine my trail markers to get back down.  Turn back after the overlook to find the shelter that was supposed to be right off the trail and relatively close to where I park my car.   The sheet metal cover settle was very hard to get to from the trail, I end up having to climb down a side of the hill to get to it.   I decided to set up my tent first then cook dinner.   There is a wooden platform in the shelter so there is no place to stakes the tent to.   The tent keep on flying away as I set it up. End up tie three corner to the metal posts.  After that is secure I try to boil two eggs. 

It take forever to get the stove going.   Wind keep on blowing it.  Finally get it going long enough to boil the two eggs and pouring a bit of it into my freeze dry rice and chicken.  I retreated into my tent after the food are cook. My hands were freezing.  I used the hard boil eggs to warm my hands up.  The rice and chicken weren't bad. It eatable.  I was half way through my dinner when I realize that I have 5 minutes to decide if I really want to risk the outdoor or hike it the rest of the way to the other side of the hill and down to my waiting car.   I was not too cold in the tent, but at night the temperature probably goes in the low 20's, and with the wind it is not going to be a comfortable night.   I have 30 minutes of sunlight to back everything up and marched up the hill again to the trail and then around the hill to my car.   I decided that it is dangerous and foolish to attempt my overnight camping trip alone and in very gusty wind.

Get up, stuff my sleeping pad, sleeping bag back into it bags, throw everything outside, untie and dismantle the tent and repack my backpack in less then 15 minutes.   I decided not to climb back up to the top of the hill to get back to the trail, instead I pushwack it.   Get back to my car as the last bite of light die.

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?