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

Safety...It's the economy

In the August issue of Sea Kayaker Magazine Aras Kriauciunas has an excellent article addressing an important part of kayak safety--the go-no go decision- before setting out on a crossing. What makes this article so unique (and ultimately valuable) is Aras' way of applying his MBA and business methods to making those decisions.

I won't try to reduplicate his info (or the wonderful graphs he uses to make his analogies), but I do want to share one of the take aways I got from piece. It addresses that situation we all run into when trying to get a novice paddler to rethink going out into challenging conditions. Because of their lack of experience, they have trouble assessing the risks...and that's how a lot of us (read me) of limit our thinking in this situation. Using his business model (and some terms unfamiliar to most paddlers), Aras introduces other aspects to consider.

For instance, one is often over-influenced to launch because they have invested lots of time and planning into the trip ahead. To not go, in this way of thinking, is to squander that time and energy used to plan. But, as the author points out, that is a set loss, already gone, and unchanged by whether or not one proceeeds with the trip. More over, folks often inappropriately launch when they do not have (or have not considered) alternative activities available if they stay on shore or (as he shows in one excellent example) play in the cove in front of the camp site, get off the water earlier than if they'd crossed and enjoy a hot relaxing evening meal.

There is a lto of meat in the article, and I highly recommend it to your library under risk assessment and management.

(While you're at it, read the review on This is the
Roll by are own (SE Wisconsin's) Sherri Mertz. It's spot on.

Paddle safee...
DS

The business of fatherhood...

When choosing a career way back when, I chose medicine because it fulfilled several things I wanted in my life. I wanted to help, I wanted to do work that mattered, I wanted integrity in my life, I wanted work of which I could be proud, I wanted challenges and so on. I got all that and more during a wonderful career in cardiology.

Somewhere along the line, while looking at my medical career and my dozens of other interests (judo, photography, SCUBA, HAM radio, etc), I ended up in the hospital with emergency back surgery. Suddenly...I had time to think and to listen to that inner voice. It told me that my real calling was to teach. Duh.

How could I not have realized that what I enjoyed most about everything I liked was teaching it? (It is no less true for kayaking. I would rather be teaching than doing a long paddle...but I digress).

Going halfway back, about 30 years, I figured that all those things I sought in medicine (I will wait while you go back a look) also applied to fatherhood...all of it. And, there was more. Unlike medicine, I never had to retire. I could get more and more benefits as I did less and less work and...I never had considered it...I would get a free (well, kind of free) franchise. I had people and my people would have little people of their own. I ask you, is this not the best deal in the universe?

I get to teach (when I can get little ears to listen), I get to model honesty and integrity...and so on. And, this is the best part, I get to see a part of me going forward after I am gone. I get to see my daughters (married to wonderful men) doing an incredible job mothering.

Medicine and fatherhood. Not to brag, but I am happy with my career choices. I hope you are half as happy with yours.

Paddle safe...
DS

The Waltz in 4 beats...

Even I, jazz musician, knows the waltz has 3 beats...and so does the forward stroke (so we say). I also know how much time we spend struggling to teach new paddlers the wonders of torso rotation, which is important. I have often found that a little 4-beat waltz lesson helps break up the learning.

The (original) waltz was capture-propel-recovery; and I often paddle slowly while humming the Skater's Waltz for the student. This show them how short the propel phase actually is with the paddle in the water only a third of the time. But, in order to make this flow, the waltz requires a 4th beat. Enter the pause. In reality, the waltz continues to have 3 beats but with 4 parts: capture-propel-recovery-PAUSE.

PAUSE: sitting after recovery and while rotating and waiting for the 3rd beat to pass, the boat glides along while we wait to start the next stroke. After all, at recovery the boat is going as fast as it will go with the effort and cadence we are using. Then why would we hurry to start another stroke? It will not accelerate the boat. Applying another stroke to a nicely moving boat is a waste of energy and adds to the number of strokes per minute with no benefit.

In essence: The first beat of the waltz is capture & propulsion. The 2nd and 3rd beats are recovery and pause. Now, go forth and make beautiful music.

Paddle safe...
DS

Birthing a Boat...Eclampsia

One of the risks of human pregnancies is pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. with wood boat kits, it can be a normal part of the birthing process.

 Using multiple clamps, some from pvc piping (thanks to Leslie), the hull is being re enforced in preperation for mounting the deck

So far so good.

Paddle safe...
DS

So-So
There is no doubt that Body, Boat & Blade and its well-respected duo of Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme' are tops in their field. They present themselves well and are highly skilled paddlers and teachers. So, when their new DVD Sea Kayak Rescues came out (along with high recommendstions), I ordered one immediately. It arrived in a few days.

After viewing it once, I must say that I was disappointed or, possibly, missed the intent of the presentation. Don't get me wrong, it's all there to see. All the techniques divided into calm, not so calm and gnarly waters are demonstrated by the capable duo. Yet I was left with the feeling that I got it all only because of my experience and that someone just learning these skills would want and need more detailed explanation.

I own that I may be wrong and would welcome thoughts to the contrary. I will, when time permits, view it again to see if my thoughts persist. Meanwhile, I believe it is a worthwhile view for one who knows the basic concepts of these rescues and can use the visuals to perfect their technique.

Paddle safe...
DS

A picture...
...is still worth a 1000 words. I remember my first lesson when learning to roll. The instructor told me that I was lifting my head too soon. I insisted I wasn't. He videoed me, I watched it and I was lifting my head too soon.

Now, I carry my camera when I teach, as I did this past weekend. It was only after looking at herself in the picture that she had to agree that she was, in fact, putting her left shoulder at risk.

Paddle safe...
DS

It's just not true:

I have not gone back into practice...I am not doing heart catheterizations as suggested by illegally taken paparazzi photos recently.

I am fiberglassing tapes into the chines of the hull and will soon be glassing the cockpit. I am not totally pleased by my workmanship and will need to do some sanding. Maybe a lot of sanding. I hope black paint hides a lot of stuff.

Thanks to son in law Ben for the protective gear.

Paddle soon...
DS

Lttle by Little...fear of commitment:

 A little tweaking and the fiberglassing begins. After that, the shape cannot be changed.

Paddle safe...

DS