Looking For The DMZ

Waring countries are sometimes separated by a DMZ. Theoretically, this is a neutral area free of weapons and hostility. Well, I could use such a place just now. I need a place where there are no weapons (read harsh rhetoric) and no shouting. I need a place were friends don't fight with friends.

 I need a place where folks with differing opinions don't shout at each other in a hopeless effort to change one another's belief systems. I need a place where friends with polar opposite ideas can gather, ignore (at least for a while) their differences and celebrate what draws them together.

 You all probably know about the political battle going on here in Wisconsin. The issues have resulted in demonstrations and have spilled off the newspapers onto Facebook and heaven knows how many blogs. It is on the national news and almost impossible to escape. Almost.

Much to my relief, there is no mention of this turmoil on Marine Channel 16. More over, the lake seems unchanged and unfazed by our human antics. For the most part, I am unaware of where my fellow paddlers stand on these issues and, I suspect, they are unclear what I support. Our kayaks could care less. Away from the cacophony ashore, we gather to enjoy our common  pastime and the water we've come to love so much. It seems to be understood and respected that our outings are not partisan rallies but, rather, a gathering of friends who have something important in common and about which they share similar ideas. I do believe I have found sanctuary.

Paddle safe...

DS

Getting up to speed...slowly

At last, some of the ice has cleared off, and we have been able to get back onto the lake. I am paddling the Cetus while awaiting delivery of the Cetus MV...and I am using a smaller blade. Interestingly, I am moving the boat as well and, perhaps, even better than I had with the tennis racket.  

And, no, I haven't really increased my cadence. Why this is, I cannot say. I haven't been paddling that much and don't think my technique has taken a quantum leap up. In any event, I am just happy to be alive, healthy and back on the water. Sherri also seems to be happy out there.

Paddle safe...
DS

Ever wonder what happens to your students?

I once posted about my back surgery and how the anesthesiologist turned out to have been one of my students. Occasionally, I meet a paddler on the water only to realize I had given him/her their introduction to paddling. Well, I happen to notice that one of the followers of this blog is a Mandy Friedl who, as I recall, was in an anatomy and physiology course I taught.

It looks like she is now a nurse and, if you read one of her blogs, a good and out spoken one. It turns out that her nursing blog has hundreds of followers and, from the one I read, I can see why. Good to know she is doing well. It makes me wonder what the heck happened to all the others.

Paddle safe...
DS

It won't be long now...

...and guys like this will appear at our launch site on Lake Michigan. It happens every year. The first warm day of spring arrives and along with it what I call the April Fools. They come in recreational boats, seldom have a pfd (and when they do it is on the rear deck) and are never dressed for the water which remains under 50 F.

Apparently, there are squadrons of guardian angels assigned to these would be paddlers as I am unaware of any recent deaths. I have read of some rescues of these individuals, usually by a fisherman who happen to come along at the right time (see guardian angels above).

For my part, I will be doing a presentation at the local REI store and will address the dress needed in these situations.

Paddle safe...
DS

At Last

(all comes to he who waits, including senility)

 It took a little hiking and dragging...

 ...and some careful climbing, lowering and launching...but

 Sherri, Russ and I got onto Lake Michigan yesterday...my first time this year.

 Temperatures were up into the 40's F and the 10 mph wind was gusting to 25-30 before we were done.

It was shear play and fun, and my body appreciated the workout. Temps are supposed to be moderate all week so, hopefully, the ice shelf up here in Milwaukee will break off and allow for multiple paddles each week.

Paddle safe...

DS

Who/What is doing the choosing?

Okay, you get a new (at least for you) kayak, and what happens? The next day you see a kayak that has just hit the market and...and you want it. It looks sleeker, faster, more stable or something. All you know is that you are already thinking about the next kayak, the perfect boat. What, I have often wondered, drives that thought behavior? Can we never be satisfied with the boat we have? And just what is it that that perfect boat offers that our present and past boats do not?

 For some, I suspect, it is pure aesthetics. Just look at some of the Tahe boats, the ones that look like a Greenland Skin on Frame. Sleek, black and kind of sexy. Is that your perfect boat? You might want one even though you have never paddled it and have no idea how it behaves.

 Or are you a disciple who follows the recommendation of an "export", sure that his/her boat is ideal for everyone? Or do you want an NDK boat because, well...because everyone knows they are famous and that Nigel Dennis is a legend in the kayak world?

 Maybe you lust for a skin on frame. After all, the creators of our sport paddled these crafts exclusively. Must be the best boat in the world...or is it? Do you know how to maintain this kind of boat? Do you have a bomb-proof roll (ever try wet exiting a well-fitted SOF?)?

 Okay, you want the longest boat on the market, right? After all, aren't they the fastest boats on the water, doesn't the length of the water line determine its hull speed? Yes...but. Can you push 18 feet of boat around for hours on end? And what about its beam? If its too wide and has too much wetted surface, how much effort will it take to horse that thing around? Or maybe you want to be able to hold seven months of supplies even though all you do are day paddles.

In the end, I can only speak for myself and what I look for in a boat. I had nearly found it in the Cetus I have: It is stable as hell, responds well to edging and sweep strokes and can be rolled with regularity. Then, I paddled the Cetus MV for a week and realized I had been pushing around a bit more boat than my body could handle well. I found that in the MV I had a boat that had less beam and rolled even more easily than its big brother. Bottom line: I found a boat in which I felt both competent and safe. And that is my ideal boat. Now, if the damn thing would only get here.

Paddle safe...

DS

In the wings.

I haven't posted in a while and haven't paddled in a longer while. I feel as if I am not meeting my obligation to get something up here for the few folks who check out the blog from time to time. I realize now that it is the obligation to myself that isn't being met.

My drivel and writings serve me more than others, of that I am sure. It is a release and a way to muse out loud. Usually, I write and post pics about recent paddling experiences. With those experiences on hold, I thought I had nothing to post. In a way, I didn't; but that was because I was letting my circumstances get to me. I wasn't paddling, I was spending way too much time in doors (much of it at the computer working on school stuff) and it was all getting me down. What to do?

Simple: write about it. It may not be fascinating for others to read, but it helps me cope with my presently dull existence. So, there, I have written about it and, although nothing has actually changed, I feel better. Now, I will walk across campus in the near dark and chill factor of -8F.

Paddle safe..
DS

Waiting is hard...

The city is digging out after a historic blizzard. There is snow everywhere, and the ice shelves along the lake shore have been reinforced making launching essentially impossible. The local river, which had managed to have surface flow until last week,  is now frozen over.

 What splashes of color we had are now under several feet of snow. When the sun comes out, sunglasses are mandatory.

 Other than pool sessions, I have not been on the water this year and it is costing me. I stay inside too much unable to cross country ski. The bindings on my snow shoes busted, so that is out. I am not getting enough exercise, not even with gym sessions. I had gained weight and, happily, have managed to lose 9 pounds of it. I would like to dump another 10 and get near my high school weight of 162. Yes, I am wallowing in it, but life isn't all bad. There are Skype sessions with the grand kids, the Packers are in the super bowl and I am enjoying my two teaching jobs. So, while I await the inevitable thaw, I will just press on and enjoy the winter sculptures.

Paddle safe...
DS

Yak it up?

I talked about the 3M product that can be applied to a deck to protect against scratches. I believe Gnarly in Australia uses it. Well, Blue Water, who markets the Freedom 500 electric bilge pumps, has a plastic-like product they call Yak Armour. Have any of you had experience with it?

Paddle safe...
DS

Auspicious Beginnings...today

 So, a storm of historical proportions has hit our area. The interstates are closed. Wind has been gusting to over 40 knots, and there is drifting snow everywhere. Once again, Mom Nature has shown Her ability to dominate my life. She has, after all, kept me off the lake this year with her ice making abilities. But I digress.   
It began, for me, yesterday. The university closed at 4pm, the same time I usually lecture on pathophysiology. Since my semester consists of 3 mini courses, I have to stay on schedule. This means that on Thursday (if She lets us have class) I need to do a double lecture in one hour so we can hold the exam scheduled for next Tuesday (you following this?).


   Knowing I had today off, I figured I would put on my snow shoes, get the paper and enjoy a leisurely breakfast  (Man plans, G-d laughs). While trying to put on the snow shoes, a binding broke...okay, no snow shoes. I waded into knee-high drifts and made my way to the mail box where, of course, there was no paper. Back to the garage, now with wet socks. And so it went from then on. Lady Linda said we have enough groceries so we can stay in today (she's still asleep). Well, we don't have my favorite omelet veggies. Then, I discover I was low on coffee beans. I did, however, find a can of chicory coffee I had once  bought in New Orleans. There was a satisfying hiss as I opened it...it was still "fresh".

 

Okay, I am over my snit after an omelet, toast and surprisingly good coffee. I suppose that the paper will eventually show up. I do have all day to write my exam and prep for other lectures. It helps that I have some old pics to enjoy. They bring with them memories of warmer times.

Paddle safe...
DS

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