Sometimes the Teacher
Sometimes the Student
We here in Milwaukee are lucky. Several of us are Level 4 Certified ACA instructors, and all the others are teachers at large. Everyone knows something and everyone has something to learn. Not surprisingly, our pool sessions often turn into an open classroom with everyone teaching everyone.

 

I got to be student while Rick helped me with my pathetic static brace.

Sherri worked with Ken on his sculling.                                          And the teaching continued over coffee. I think we have a wonderful paddling community here.                Paddle Safe...                                 DS



Different Strokes for

Different Folks

We aren't just paddlers, we're kayakers. We aren't all just kayakers. Some of us do white water, some big water and some any water we can find. And, even then, we behave differently when upon the same water. Even when that water is in a pool.

 At one end of the pool are the play boats manned by skilled white water paddlers.

 Seems that they can (and will) do anything in those kayaks.

 But, for shear elegance, you cannot beat Sherri's static bracing skills.

Look, Ma. No hands (on paddle)



Paddle safe...

DS

You never know who you'll see in the pool

 Me, in a SOF

Rick hanging out

Or someone in one of those little play boats doing amazing stunts.

Paddle safe...

DS



We Own Squat

I was searching for some photos on the Bing site and, for the heck of it, enter a search for "Silbs". Much to my surprise, up came my profile picture and many of the images (as the one above) I have posted on this blog. It seems that everything is in the public domain these days. So, if you partied too much yesterday and someone caught a photo of you, beg them not to post it.

Paddle safe...

DS

John Martin = Chaos

   It is winter, I am frozen off the water, so I have dug out my laptop and found some photos from a Grand Marais Symposium. I found pics of an advanced rescue scenario class I was teaching. John had taught it to me, and I thought he should be lead. As it turned out, he had another class..but we arranged something.

   An hour into my class, I said, "Oh, no. Not him again." I indicated a paddler ill dressed coming our way. I explained that he was a flake and not part of the symposium. I told the class I had had to rescue him several times. Just then, the mysterious paddler tipped over. The class looked at me, and I told them I had had it and that they knew what to do. Off they went to "rescue" John.

   Of course, he immediately banged his head against a rescue boat, vomited (oatmeal), bled from his head (ketchup) and went limp. I am not sure what was the name of the rescue the class used, but I am sure it began with the word cluster.

After being "rescued", John subjected the class to more mayhem.

Paddle safe..

DS

Biting the Bullet

There are those moments in life, memorable moments, when it seems that it is all on the line. They are those times when one is most focused on the situation at hand, and any thoughts of the future become meaningless. Often, they are moments of grave danger that summon up all of one's physical and mental abilities with only one thought in mind: survive, survive the moment.

Those of us who do risky sports eventually meet up with such a moment. It often occurs in an instant, unanticipated and looms so large before us that we can see nothing else. Everything is suddenly on the line, and what happens in the next moment may determine whether we live and die. It is only afterward, after we've survived, that we know the fear and can begin to process what has just occurred. It is also a time when one learns the value of a good friend.

Obviously, I haven't experienced life-threatening conditions out kayaking...at least not yet this year. But last week a vague monster suddenly loomed before me and life and death seemed to hang in a delicate balance. The details are not important here. Let me just say that for a few days it seemed likely that I had cancer. During those days I lived in a bit of a haze as I vacillated between hope and despair. Strangely, I found that my biggest fear was actually sadness. Sadness that I wouldn't be seeing  my grandchildren grow older. It was then that the mysterious helpers appeared.

Friends who knew something was going on came to me and comforted me. They had no idea what I was facing, but they knew I was having difficulty and they were there to support me. Some with words, some with

e-mails and some with unobtrusive companionship as I waited out the hours until I could get into the hospital for my testing. I cannot recall that time in any more detail. I am just glad it has passed. I took my test yesterday and it was okay.

In an instant, like a white water paddler just escaping a hole or a sea kayaker rolling up in a huge wave, it was over. The threat was gone and the surprisingly hard job of returning to normality had begun. As I post this, I am wrung out, hopeful and grateful. I am grateful for my life and the fact that it looks like I am getting to have a bit more of it. I am grateful for my friends who were like the wing men in the F-105's I knew during the war. They are, I realize, always there to lend a hand, cover my back or offer a T-rescue. In the end, there has been a gift here, one which I graciously and humbly accept. It's good to be back.

Paddle safe...
DS

Moving On...

Soon

Okay, I've gone and done it. I'm not going to be another Gary (see last two posts). I am going to support the economy. I have, in fact, stepped forward on behalf of my country and done the right thing. I have ordered another kayak, and I expect delivery in spring. So, I need to sell the Cetus.

 I had a steep learning curve when I first paddled this boat. Having paddled a Romany for so many years, it took me a while to learn this Swede form boat's habits. When I did, I found I loved the boat. It is the most stable platform I have ever paddled, and I have been able to do photography in some heavy stuff.

 Like many others, I did have some skeg  problems until Brian Day of P&H met me in Madison and replaced the mechanism with their new and (in my judgment) perfected gizmo. Since then, I have had no further problems. The boat does have the usual cosmetic scratches, and I have ordered a batch of the original gel coat from the factory in England. In fact, the support I have had from Brian and Kelly Blades has been sensational. Any time I've had a question, I have received rapid e mail responses and, sometimes, a phone call. So why sell the boat?

It's, in part, Kelly's fault. He let me paddle the MV model for a week last summer, and I discovered it was a better fit. I learned that I was in a bit too much boat with the full-sized Cetus and that I had incredible control in the MV. Although both rolled well, the MV obeyed a bit better. So, time to move on and sell the orange hull that has served me so well.

So, Brian and Kelly better get me that MV soon :-)

Paddle safe...

DS

CORRECTION!

In the p revious post about Gary, it should have read that he bought no boats in 2010. Sorry, I am a bit preoccupied just now.

Paddle safe...

DS

Record Broken

The Big Kayak Story

of

2011

While some famous individuals spent 2011 paddling around large land masses and others plunged down enormous waterfalls, the biggest kayak story of the year was unfolding right here in the Milwaukee area. Frankly, we were unaware of what had transpired until just this morning when our ice-bound group met from coffee and Gary Simon let it all slip out.

An excellent paddler who is heavily into racing, Gary is one of our most experienced kayakers. A skilled paddler, he is most often seen in his latest racing craft. In any event, it was at coffee this morning that he announced that, unlike the previous 11 contiguous years, he did not buy one kayak in 2011! It's True.

"It's not that I didn't try," said the humble Simon. In fact he had looked at at least three possible boats for purchase but, in the end, bought none...the entire year.

Hats off and congratulations to our own record-breaking paddler, Gary Simon.

Paddle safe...

DS

Short Therapy

Short Cure

I was able to take my Romany to the pool this past Sunday, and what a joy that was. There were few sea kayakers, so there was plenty of room to roll, brace and screw around. I was actually doing C-C rolls, something I have avoided in the past. I was also able to pull off my other side sweep rolls.

Flash ahead to today, and the cure has worn off. The temps aren't supposed to go above freezing this week, so it is unlikely any launch sites will open. Oh well.

Paddle safe...

DS

Molecules, Compounds & Me
We all know how molecular activity and, for that matter, most chemical reactions can be slowed by lowering the temperature. Apparently, the same phenomena has the same effect on my rear end and the rest of my body. Call it winter lethargy. The analogy does not stop there.

Most compounds tend to expand when heated and contract when cooled. Water (don't get ahead of me) actually expands when frozen. Sadly, the compounds (call it adipose) around my waist act the same. In the science of Richardology (the study of Dick) we learn that I get slower and fatter when the sky is constantly gray and Polar Bears appear in my back yard here in Wisconsin.

 And don't forget the mental consequences of all this. As my scores on the Zunge Depression Scale soar my motivation to go outside plummets (and now we're back to slow, expanding molecules and compounds). Each day it becomes harder to go to the gym. It has gotten to the point that when entering my garage (to get into my car) I have to keep my eyes down lest I gaze upon my abandoned skin on frame hanging above Lady Linda's car.

But do not fear and do not lose hope. I will get to a pool session soon. Classes at the two colleges will begin. I will become engaged. I will be active and on my feet more. I will get out of the house much more frequently. And, hopefully, I will leave a trail of fallen adipose compounds where ever I go.

Paddle safe...

DS

A Good Ending

I was in withdrawal. The ice had kept me off the water for far too long. But yesterday--the last day of the year--Carl and I found a little opening at Bradford beach and launched onto Lake Michigan. A southerly wind was making for a foggy day and, at times, we were unable to see the shore from 100 yards out.

 We had a long "carry" to the opening, so we made like sleds and dragged our boats over the ice shelf.

Carl had on his helmet cam, and I am waiting to see what he shot.

 The landing was dicey because of onshore waves and large chunks of ice floating along the shore. 

All in all, I was a happy camper having finished off the year with a paddle.

Paddle safe...

DS

                                  Keeping It Simple

I cannot believe all the things that have been invented, so far, in my lifetime. They say that if a yard stick represented all the time Humans have been on earth, 99% of knowledge would have been accrued in the last 1/16th of an inch. Still, with all the instant communications, reality shows and the like, I still find the simple things most satisfying.

Family, a paddle alone or with friends, camping and sitting and staring still top my list of joys in my world. I hope you have found yours and wish you all blessings, happiness and good health in the coming year. And, as always...Please...

Paddle safe...

DS

Is Self Rescue In Conditioins  Realistic?

A New Hook

ACA and BCU differ on this question. Where as ACA instructors teach the paddle float rescue, the BCU takes the position that the that technique is not possible in conditions. BCU coaches, on the other hand, teach the re entry and roll as its self rescue method. For those of us who often paddle alone, this is a topic of the utmost  importance. In fact, many of us practice both the paddle float and re entry rescues with the hope that, should the need arrive, we will be able to get back in and upright should we dump in conditions. Now, it appears, there may be a new consideration.

The February issue of Sea Kayaker magazine just came. and it has an interesting article by Christine Burns entitled, Heel Hook Self-Rescue. In her article, which is well illustrated by Bob Burnett's photography, she explains and demonstrates a paddle float rescue using the heel hook to re enter. As many of you know, the heel hook is becoming the standard for assisted T-rescues since more people seem to succeed at it when compared to to "swimming" onto their rear deck.

I have not had an opportunity to try this idea, but I will as soon as possible. It looks promising, but I do wonder how practical it will turn out to be in conditions. After all, it still is a paddle float technique. We will, I am sure, find out as more of us give it a try.

Paddle safe...

DS

                                         Hanging out,

                                  Wandering Around

I have been delinquent in posting lately as I have been land locked by the ice. When I don't paddle I tend not to write. This has been one of my longest periods during which I have been unable to paddle in part due to lack of launch areas, but also due to family and medical issues. It is going to be above freezing for the next three days, and I am hoping something will open up for launching. In the mean time, I've been hanging out and wandering around...sometimes with my camera.

 I suppose it has had its upside. After all, I did rearrange the mess in my room and can now actual walk a straight line from the doorway to the computer. 

And, I did get to do some for-the-heck-of-it photography. Now, however, I need to get afloat once more.

Paddle safe...

DS

Not Looking Good...just now

I checked out the beach to see if I could find a launch site. Someone had posted that there was no ice there. That turned out to be an illusion.

What appeared to be beach included 15-20 feet of ice. More over, it ended in over hangs that made launching and, even more, recovery unsafe. The wind was on shore, and there were chunks of ice battering the over hangs (and any one who might have been standing there.

The search/wait goes on

Paddle safe...

DS

The Coast is Not Clear Here in Milwaukee

I have been told that the South Shore Harbor is all ice. Not too amazing since that is quiet water inside a break wall. In hopes of finding some shoreline from which to launch, I went to the lake front yesterday and took a look at the places where we often can get a kayak onto the lake.

 Everything was coated with ice. Above is the little "bowl" at McKinley. It is here that we often find a place to sneak onto and off the lake.

 Looking north was no more promising.

This is the shelf of ice right on the shore of the "bowl". I once pitch-polled right here in similar conditions and wasn't enthusiastic about launching alone. With support, I think this would have offered a fun paddle.

Paddle safe...
DS

I Am Frustrated

It should be Christmas today. The temp is just around the freezing mark, there is little wind and a fluffy snow is drifting down. But it isn't Christmas, and this weather is ideal for a winter paddle. Problem is that our launch sites have shore ice that makes it unsafe to launch and harder to land.

I don't know what this stuff is good for.

Paddle safe...
DS

Not Just an Illusion

   In a recent email from fellow kayaker and author, Aaron Stander told me he had purchased a very responsive kayak that weighed around 45 pounds. So I went to this site .. http://www.sterlingskayak.com/index.shtml

 They look good, and I trust Aaron's judgment.

Worth looking into? Anyone have experience with them?

Paddle safe...
DS

First Impressions

Up to now, I have been shooting the Pentax Optio W30 out on the water. It is a good camera. Since I am aware of the eventual failure of most waterproof cameras, I decided to treat myself to another and bought a Canon D 10. Although I have just begun to use the D 10, I do have some early pro/con impressions:

Both Cameras: PRO: Both take excellent images and are truly waterproof.

                        Con: Because waterproof buttons need to be slightly recessed, both can be somewhat difficult to operate with gloves or mittens on.

The Optio: Pro: 1, This camera has a far thinner form making it easier to tuck into the top of my pfd.

                                    2. Can transfer images from camera directly into PhotoShop.

                  CON: 1, Although 7.1 mega pixels is far more than needed for images to be posted, it does limit the amount of cropping that can be done while still maintaining good image quality.

                             2, One of the controls I use the most frequently is the +/- to compensate the exposure. On the Optio, one has to go into programs to do this. This is awkward and time consuming, especially on the water.

D10: Pro: 1, 12.1 mega pixels allow for a lot of cropping.

                2. This camera has image stabilization which helps in obtaining crisper images when the water is up.

                3. The +/- control is right there and can be kept on the screen.

                4. So far, I have found the controls a tad easier to operate while wearing neoprene gloves

        Con: 1, The profile is a bit bulky which is only problematic when tucking it into my pfd

                 2. Must use the Canon Utilities program to download to computer.

Now I need to use the D10 a lot and see what I get.

Paddle safe...

DS

I Am Amazed That

They Are Amazed

While still in medical practice I often saw men who had retired only to gradually die when they had no education and no interests outside of their work lives. Because of them, I learned to stay engaged and promised myself that I would stay in the game and be active as long as I was able to do so.

 Now that winter is here, it can be a challenge to stay active, especially outdoors. Because of structural problems, I have had to give up down hill and cross country skiing. That has left me with sea kayaking. So, I go out on the lake, occasionally alone and often with other like-minded paddlers. When I mention this to civilians, they are amazed that there are folks out on the big lake in winter. What interests me is that most of these amazed people are younger, some very much younger, than myself.

 Another thing I learned as a cardiologist was that my patients were the age they appeared to be and the age they acted. It didn't seem to matter what the calender said about how old they were supposed to be. Those folks who look and acted young and kept active were healthier and, for the most part, happier.

This philosophical thinking has come to me, as it does every winter, as I approach another age mile stone. Again I sit and try to remember how my parents had appeared to me when I was a child. I believe that when they appeared to be old they were actually in their late thirties, not old at all. Of course, their generation had had harder lives and poorer nutrition than we enjoy today. In any event, I "learned" that 40 was really old, but that changed as I got older and watched my parents being active into their seventies.

Just now, I have a bad cold and laryngitis. Even so, I am watching the weather report with hopes of being out there on the lake this weekend. More over, classes are over soon, and I am hoping to do lots of paddling after that. Yes, I occasionally glimpse at the calendar, but I choose not to act my age. Hopefully, I will eventually amaze myself.

Paddle safe...
DS

Is it just me?

   This won't make sense unless you're a reader (as I am) of paddlingplanet.com. This page compiles blogs from all over the world and publishes them in their original languages. One can click on something interesting and go immediately to that blog's site. Now let me digress for a bit.
   When writing, I have been taught that there is the writer and the editor. The writer spills his guts after which the editor kills the writer's little darlings. One of the hardest skillsfor the writer to learn is when to stop writing. This also applies, in my humble opinion, to photo arrays. That is, one needs to select the best and fewest images that will enhance the post. Now, back to paddlingplanet.com.
   Unless I am wrong, many blogs posted in foreign languages contain an inordinate number of photos. A tree is seen in four views and every skillet used over the fire is on display. It is as if every picture taken on that day/trip are posted, irregardless of their quality or usefulness in explaining the post (which I cannot read as it is in a foreign language). If this is true, and I am correct, I wonder how one might  work toward solving that situation (if you are one who agrees it should be solved). Perhaps the best way is by example. For instance, what if someone blogged and did not post a single picture?

Paddle safe...
DS

And that has made all the difference... 

Frost, as I've mentioned before, tells in one of his poems about taking the road less traveled and how that decision changed everything. We often forget that it is only at the beginning of something that all possibilities exist and that each subsequent choice means all the other possibilities are lost. We take the road to the left or right and give up reaching any destinations that the road not taken might lead to. But, it ain't necessarily so.

I have a very roomy and well equipped chemical darkroom in my basement. I have trained in fine art black and white photography with some very fine artists. I love the alchemy and deliberate process that takes place under the glow of the red light. Just now, however, that equipment is surrounded by the stuff stored there, and I haven't made a wet print in over 2-3 years. Still, I love the gray-scale image. I have chosen to do digital imagery because of its convenience. I can stop anytime in the process without having to dump and then remix chemicals. I chose a road, but must I sacrifice all the possibilities of the darkroom?

Thankfully not. And so, I am going to make an effort to capture images with the intent of making them gray scale images. I look forward to this with some anxiety as I am not as skilled with digital processes as I was in the darkroom. Time will tell if this is a productive decision. Either way, I expect to learn something.

Paddle safe...
DS

Helen Hatches A Hit

(with apologies to Dr Suess)

I met Helen Wilson at a QAJAQ camp in Michigan and quickly discovered she had both technical and teaching skills. I had asked her to help me with my basic sweep roll as it had become an effort to do. She watched me once, diagnosed the problem and made a simple suggestion that fixed everything. Those are the same skills she has brought to her new DVD. 

The quality of sound and images are excellent, and Helen's instructions are clear and the sequences well planned. She brings a simplicity to the static brace and how it relates to lay back finishing rolls. It was just like the time when she worked with me at the QAJAQ camp.

I am pleased to have it in my collection and recommend it highly.

Paddle safe...

DS