Metro West-friendly skill sessions (next one Tuesday 9/14)

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:24 pm

Jordan and I have been talking about doing a skill session further inland. Rather spontaneously (10 min ago), we decided to do this tomorrow. (Surprise!)

We are meeting at Ashland State Park Saturday morning (05 Jun 2010) at 10:30.

A link to a map of the park is below. The parking lot allowing for curbside put-in is off Spring St. at the very bottom of the map.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/ashland.gif

Google map link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safa ... CBMQnwIwAA

We'd like to do this somewhat regularly. Possibly after work during the week. Feedback and ideas would be great.

See you on the water!
-A

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:29 pm

Hi All,

To have the most fun and be comfortable during the skills sessions please remember to bring the following;

Nose Plugs = You'll be happy to have had them!
Clothes to keep you warm while immersed in the water.

Think about what you'd like to practice and or get more familiar doing. It's very casual and informal.

We'll play and practice until sufficiently water logged.

See you tomorrow!

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:18 pm

We are going to try to do a training session every 2 weeks on Tuesdays. Try to get the boats hydrating at 6.

First inaugural Tuesday session will be June 15.

The map of the park and the Google directions to the park are given in the first post. Please be aware that the google map gives directions to the front of the park not the boat put-in which is on Spring Street. Hence the 2 maps.

Remember to bring all the necessary equipment and a dry set of clothes for the traditional PPR.

I hope to see you there!
-A

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:07 pm

Anyone planning to attend on Tuesday (June 15th),an RSVP on here would be greatly appreciated!

All you locals will have to scope out a suitable PPR location for after the session

norm · Post by **norm** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:42 pm

I'm thinking of joining you. Been too long since I've been in the kayak and want to get out as many days as I can this week.

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:53 pm

Only 6 miles from my office, nice weather forecast, looks like a great place for me to play with my new boat, I'm in!

See you there, Bev.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:02 pm

Excellent!

See you there!

norm · Post by **norm** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:25 am

I think I need to bail out on going to Ashland tonight. I have my boat with me at work but I'm thinking I need to get home earlier to prepare for the Wednesday trip to Monomoy. I don't want to roll into my driveway tonight at 9:00pm (or later) and have to start preparing for the next day that late.

I think I'll take a spin around the bay in South Boston this afternoon at about 4:00pm, instead of sitting in traffic, and that should get me home by 7:00pm.

Sorry for the late cancellation.

wildwoman · Post by **wildwoman** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:43 pm

I'm in. I need all the practice I can get. See you Saturday in Ashland.

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:27 pm

wildwoman wrote:I'm in. I need all the practice I can get. See you Saturday in Ashland.

Barb,

The Sat. mentioned was 2 weeks ago. Although if people want to get together, I'm game.
Next biweekly session is 6/29 (Tuesday).

-A

wildwoman · Post by **wildwoman** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:45 pm

Thx Astrid. Hope to see the lake in Ashland sometime soon.

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:05 pm

Next session: Tuesday evening, 29 June.

Boats should be hydrating by 6 pm.

I hope to see more of you out there!
-A

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:35 pm

Can't wait - see you there.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:27 pm

Hi Gang,

I'll be there, and hope to see all the Metro West contingent ready to get wet tomorrow

Cheers,

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:36 pm

Hi Jordan,

I should be there! Any one else coming?

Cheers,

Bev.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:43 am

Hi Bev,

I believe Astrid, and Aimee as well.

Hopefully the more of the Metro West Clan will join us as well........

norm · Post by **norm** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:01 am

I am planning to join the metro-west crowd today. Got my boat loaded on the truck and ready to head out the pike after work.

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:20 am

It's a party! Hopefully Thor and Zeus aren't going to gatecrash.
See you there.
-A

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:40 am

Thor and Zeus were no-shows yesterday (Gee, too bad). Instead we had lovely, balmy weather with delightfully warm water. Perfect for learning to roll. Jane and I tried w/ Jordan's help to roll (no octopi or sharks were present). Jane had more success than I. It's amazing how critical proper padding is when you're upside down: I actually fell out of my boat once! (Sigh. I know what I'm doing this weekend.)

Aimee, Bev, and Norm filled out our group and worked on non-rolling skills. Norm claimed he had his fill of being wet after his whitewater sessions; Bev needed to strut his stuff in his racing kayak; and Aimee worked on her bracing and cheered us on.

A final paddle across the lake and we were ready for our PPR at a local Thai restaurant. Yummm.

I'm looking forward to our next session in 2 weeks (7/13). It should be fun.
-A

Jane · Post by **Jane** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:00 am

A great evening. I learned a lot and as I write my husband is outfitting my cockpit. Jordan, he thanks you - not!

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:30 pm

Ah my work is done here, and yet your homework is just beginning

At least its all to further our fun on the water!

Jane · Post by **Jane** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:00 pm

All done and feeling great on dry land - now for the water test

lora925 · Post by **lora925** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:51 pm

What did you have him do to it? Tighten it up all around you? I'm finding that I'm going to need to make some adjustments to my long boat as well.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:58 pm

Jane wrote:All done and feeling great on dry land - now for the water test

I'm guessing that's all you need and you'll be rolling!

Nice work and fast!

crayolabarb · Post by **crayolabarb** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:06 am

Didn't get back from the Gloucester Whale Watching (by the way, AWESOME!) in time to get down to the Hingham paddle last night (July 1) but the Tues. July 13th skills session in Ashland sound like a real possibility!

I'm marking it on my calendar and will plan to meet you there.

Then, hopefully in Hingham 2 days later.

crayolaB

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:22 pm

Well, I figured out one major problem w/ my seat---one of the 2 contact points had released itself from the kayak!

No wonder I had such an incredibly hard time doing a simple hip snap.
I think I've managed to fix it. Also got some adjustable pads for my boat in Norway (I have to share it) which is helping me get an idea of how I need to pad out the seat of my US boat.
Argh!

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:45 pm

Anyone planning to show up on Tuesday?

crayolabarb · Post by **crayolabarb** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:09 pm

ME!
My boat's on the car - though, I may switch to my son's that is already all padded for him- he can roll in it so maybe If I bring it I'll at least not "fall" out- might have to get someone to come under and pull me out though....his hips are a bit narrower.
Well, one boat or another- I'll be there to play!

Crayolabarb

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:17 pm

I will be there to play in the Ashland hot tub!

Cheers,

Bev.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:36 pm

HI Gang,

I'm iffy for this week as I'll be back to the grind after vacation.

I'll know better after reality sets back in on Monday :roll:

crayolabarb · Post by **crayolabarb** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:16 pm

Hope you can make it tomorrow Jordan- and Lora? Norm?

A "Newbie" question- Is there a place to change into dry clothes nearby? Or, does one need to devise a method for doing it somewhat discreetly.

How do you gals do it? Tricks of the trade?

and what did people wear last time that was comfy for the "wet skills"?
Is the water really warm?

I'll take notes.

Thanks!

Barbara

lora925 · Post by **lora925** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:41 pm

Barb, I'm not sure I will be joining you on Tuesday unless I decide to bring my "short boat" with me to work so I could leave from there. As far as how to dress for warm water goes, I prefer to just wear a bathing suit and bring a large beach towel to cover up while changing discretely when done. In this heat, sometimes I prefer to stay in my wet bathing suit and just throw on a cover up and sit on the towel for the drive home (or for a PPR BBQ). I also have a changing cape but I find it too hot to use at this time of year so I've been getting creative with a beach towel. Start at the top and work your way down.

Another tip I picked up recently is to wear/bring a casual strapless summer dress to throw on after wards - makes changing even easier. And an old bath mat or something to stand on also helps a great deal.

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:36 pm

crayolabarb wrote:Hope you can make it tomorrow Jordan- and Lora? Norm?

A "Newbie" question- Is there a place to change into dry clothes nearby? Or, does one need to devise a method for doing it somewhat discreetly.

How do you gals do it? Tricks of the trade?

and what did people wear last time that was comfy for the "wet skills"?
Is the water really warm?

I'll take notes.

Thanks!

Barbara

Hi Barb et al,

It's not looking good for me to attend tomorrow's session as work is crazy.

There's no chaning facilities at this location. I use a changing robe that I bought from a Surf Shop a couple of years ago when privacy is at a premium. :shock:

Have a great time tomorrow!

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:37 pm

Jordan uses the casual strapless summer dress approach - at least I think that's what that thing he uses is. He claims it was a prototype for the 'Snuggie' but I have serious doubts. My wife bought me a tye dyed snuggie as a joke - I think I'll give it a try. I can terrorize the parking lot looking like some sort of a wet 60's wizard! I'll use half my wing paddle as a wand and prance round the parking pointing it at at the locals with a cry of "carbonfibrous motivamus!" Move over Harry Potter!

By the way, have any 'Wild Turkeys' ever been arrested - who comes to bail us out? Pat?, Jordan? Just curious.

See you there!

Cheers,

Bev.

crayolabarb · Post by **crayolabarb** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm

WOW- "ask and you shall receive"-
WHAT helpful suggestions!!!

You see, even if I didn't want to paddle, just to hang with you guys will make the drive worthwhile!

Hope you can bring your short boat Lora! I'd love to see what you have learned on your "wave" sessions!

Sorry you'll likely not make it Jordan. I'll look forward to seeing your strapless "snuggie" sometime.
And Bev's tie dye affair.-

I'm thinking that this alone would make a great photo sometime!

See those who can make it- tomorrow!

If it's raining, still on if no lightning or not?

Crayola

bevbarnard · Post by **bevbarnard** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:27 pm

Hi Barb,

My office is only 6 miles from the Ashland lake so I am going unless there are lightning bolts crashing around. And, yes, the lake is really warm - my guess is nearly 80. Very pleasant.

Intellicast has 50% chance of rain only. Wunderground has chance of thunderstorms, but they usually do!

Now I have to bring the snuggie I guess!

Bev.

Astrid · Post by **Astrid** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:54 pm

I'm not going to worry about T-storms as long as we have Stupendus Magister Bev. He'll just prance and skip and gambol in his stately tie dye robes waving his wingèd wand and muttering strange magical (?) things.

The lake is indeed warm. As for changing...S.M. Bev may have a spell or 2 up his tie dyed sleeve that could help. If you dare.

I will certainly bring my camera.

See you all there tomorrow!
-A

lora925 · Post by **lora925** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:08 pm

I'll be there rain or shine as I plan to get wet anyway

crayolabarb · Post by **crayolabarb** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:40 pm

Yay!

kayakerjnj · Post by **kayakerjnj** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:01 am

Sure..... I miss a night and all the cool kids pop out of the woodwork LOL

Have fun tonight!