Back to Basics

   As I have frequentlly noted, I paddle mostly alone and begin each on water session by practicing my basic strokes. What sometimes gets forgotten are the self rescue techniques. I see others practice them in the pool over winters (as do I); but I rarely see anyone do them in real conditions.

   Add to the mix that I am waiting for NDK to ship me the seat for my Romany. So, I made a temporary (read: sloppy) closed-cell foam affair and took it onto Lake Michigan yesterday. After a little playing in what waves I could find, I went near shore, got out of the boat and practiced paddle float rescues. They went well and it felt good to be in the cold water (in a dry suit) for practice.

   Now, I have to get out with someone else so I can practice in conditions, something I generally don't do aggressively when alone.

Paddle Safe...

DS

Surgery is always serious:

Seeing a loved one go into surgery is always hard and how one feels at that moment depends a lot on the faith one has in the operating surgeon. So, as I wished my beloved Romany well, I was a bit worried by the organization and level of sterilization of the operating room. Then, I reminded myself that my HMO wanted it done in my garage, a poor second choice.

Dr. Leslie seemed to have the fine surgical instruments needed for such delicate surgery and, when I peeked into the OR, she was using the most delicate of techniques to gently remove one of the Romany's organs...its seat (seatectomy).

All went well and Romany is fine. The seat was sent to the pathologist for diagnosis. We have yet to learn whether we need to try and repair the seat (stem cells anyone?) or get a closed cell foam donor. More to follow.

Paddle safe...

DS

Going into the (kayak) hospital...

I took the old, often patched, Romany to the pool Sunday and was enjoying the easy to roll boat when something wasn't right. I set up to roll and did not feel the paddle was parallel to the hull. Well, it wasn't. The seat had broken from its port anchor under the rim of the cockpit tearing away a thin layer of glass. The seat was turned on its axis.

Then there was the day hatch. It has been cracked for some time and I actually have a new one yet to be installed. The old one was doing fine with a duct tape repair. It seems that the cold garage followed by the warm pool water was enough to end that Rube Goldberg arrangement.

Now, I have something to do if I can find heated space. I have had kind offers and advise regarding repair and am leaning toward replacing the seat with a foam one. I need to really look hard at the repair needed to be sure it is within my skills.

I still prefer the higher speed Cetus MV for group paddles; but, for teaching, you cannot beat the maneuverability of the Romany along with an easier boat to perform a paddle float self rescue. It all balances out.

Paddle safe...
DS

Crunchy Water

It was in the teens (F) and almost windless when Bob Bertram and I decided to do a short paddle. We actually thought it might be too cold, but we were dressed and the boats where off the cars. So off we went for what turned out to be a delightful sojourn through floating slices of ice that crunched as our hulls pierced a pathway. To tell the truth, I thought that when we got to shore and lifted our boats up that the hulls would separate where the ice was pressing on the hulls.

Stuff was frozen and did not thaw until my boat was back in the garage; but it was worthwhile getting out there today in the sun and surprisingly comfortable cold weather. The coffee afterwards was especially good.

Paddle safe...
DS

Kokatat = Integrity

I tore the neck gasket on one of my Kokatat dry suits. I got a repair number from them and sent in the suit and then a check.

Today I received an e mail stating that they had found a flaw in the Gortex and were replacing the suit. I am delighted with such service and business integrity and feel it deserves a shout out.

Paddle safe...
DS

It's remains a Great Mystery...

Okay, so there have now been 1,324,674 blogs on how to choose the non-existent "perfect" boat. What still alludes this paddler is how to find the right length paddle. Never mind about shaft shape, blade size, etc.. We are talking about length here.

Too many times students have come for their first kayak lesson with an already purchased (sometimes expensive) paddle recommended by an expert at the store and, in at least one case, a real expert with one of the paddle companies. What was similar among all these hapless folks was that the paddle wasn't the proper length for them and their boat. They just did not look comfy out there.

I would have different students exchange paddles, often with their spouse, and would sometimes loan them one of mine and....Shazam! They looked good and paddled faster with less effort. Sometimes an average sized lady would end up with a 220 and another similarly sized person with a 205; and both would love their paddle. The thing is that after running all the data through a NASA Craig computer, I have found no detectable correlation between anything including paddler's height, paddler's arm length, boat width or astrological signs.

So, what do I tell my grandson when the time comes?

Paddle safe...
DS

Doug

You live on in

our hearts and memories

Paddle safe...

DS

All it took was an e mail...

It is my belief that we who paddle (along with other outdoor-type groups) share some basic values. Among those values are honesty and integrity. Speaking for myself, I have always expected  these values in the business with which I deal. Sometimes I have been disappointed, but I have rarely been disappointed when dealing with those companies that deal with paddlers.

So, when I had a problem with my Brunton 70P compass, I dropped them an e mail and explained the problem. I wanted to know how to get it repaired. Return the compass, they promptly answered. They would replace it.

Today, an new compass arrived by Fed-Ex. No hassle, no charge. Thank you Brunton.

Paddle safe...
DS

It's in the history books...

I expected the neighbors to call the police to say my car had been stolen. After all, yesterday was the first day in months that I was home and the car was not on the drive way all night. That is because yesterday has gone into the history books as the first day I was able to get my car and 3 (count them, 3) kayaks into and on my side of the garage.

I shall let the historians sort out the importance of this day.

Paddle safe...
DS

Perfection...

I know, I know, I know...There is no perfect kayak. Right now, I own a Roman, A Cetus MV, a SOF and an Eastern Greenlander I built from a kit. My main paddling boat is the Cetus, but every once in a while I find  myself grabbing the Romany to teach or for a day paddle.

Sure, it is shorter and a bit more maneuverable; but the thing that really drags me back into her cockpit is the way the boat rolls. Almost like my SOF. Not so much with the Cetus MV. A great big water boat in every other way, I never feel quite as confident when rolling it. This past week I took the Cetus out and packed myself in with some pieces of minicel...and things seemed better. This, in turn, makes me wonder how I would feel in the Cetus LV. Perhaps someone in my area will have one and let me go for a spin.

So back to the perfection bit: There is no perfect boat; but don't spoil my fun by telling me to stop looking for one.

Paddle safe...
DS

Thanks, Mom...

Mother Nature sent an ESE 15+ knot wind up Lake Michigan and produced just enough action so my little Romany could catch some really nice rides.

I seem to be using my old beat up NDK boat more as it is lighter to lug and rolls almost as well (possibly better than some) Greenland-style kayaks. Something to mull on.

Paddle safe...
DS

I now realize...

that I haven't been in a Greenland boat for over a year and that it requires a different skill set than a regular sea kayak. It has taken me a couple of outings in the new boat to get some of the feel back.

I have added some padding and roll easily enough, but I have lost my touch for some of the rolls. I am guessing my form has deteriorated and that I am doing little things wrong here and there. How perfect that I am off to Greenland QAJAQ camp this weekend in Michigan. I am going with a beginners mind.

Paddle safe...
DS

On the water...

with Sherri and JB. 'nuff said.

Paddle safe...
DS

The deep secrets of fitting out a new kayak...

 First: have all your equipment and padding ready and your boat in a stable position.

Second: Test, test, test. Don't rush to glue anything in.

Third: How does it feel with the paddle and everything in place?

Finally: Take it out for a spin.

Paddle safe...
DS

At Last...

 Got the E. Greenland boat out onto the water today in a mild chop. All the lines are not yet set, but it was time to test her out. She floated. The boat was quite twitchy until I removed the seat.

She sculled well and I was able to static brace, much to my surprise.

Good luck: I hit my first sweep and butterfly rolls. Now I need to add some paddling to fit the cockpit better. Thanks again to Leslie who took the pics after helping to build the boat.

Paddle safe...
DS

Getting closer...

Many thanks to Leslie, her skills and her tools. I bit off more than I could chew.

In spite of my contributions, we are getting close.

Paddle safe...
DS

Many Thanks to Leslie...

for helping with the kayak today. I managed to cut the cloth on the kitchen floor early today.

We put a lot of cloth and resin on that boat; and she is starting to look good.

More pics as we progress.

Paddle safe...
DS

Alien Space Visitation at GLSKS...
Nothing was heard during the night, although some locals reported that at about 2 am their pets acted in unusual ways. One business man, who lives near the beach, did call the police around that time to report a "intense, low-pitched humming sound." The following morning, the following structure was found on the beach.

As you all know, it is likely that our first intergalactic contact will come in a mathematical formal since math is a universal language. All of the above, along with the appearance of the symbol "Pi" makes it almost certain that aliens visited the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium during the night. None remained for rolling lessons.

Paddle safe...
DS

Cindy  Scherrer told me to shove it...
In kayaking, as in medicine, I never miss the opportunity to learn when experts are available. So, when the Scherrers appeared at the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium I sought out their advise. My question concerned teaching draw strokes and stopping students from raising that top hand above their shoulders thus endagering their shoulders and lifting the working blade partially out of the water.

Cindy simply suggested that I tell them that they need to shove the water under the hull when drawing,. I tried it a bunch of times while teaching during the weekend and saw phenomenal results. Thank you, Cindy.

Paddle safe...
DS

Teaching...

...can be frustrating, no matter the subject. Every now and then, however, you have a small class (intro to sea kayaking) with enthusiastic paddlers who just seem to get it. After a few short hours on the water you get to sit back and take pleasure in the results.

It feels good to impart new skills and know that there are some new, safe paddlers out there.

Paddle safe...
DS