moving water skill session 24Jul2012

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cgr
Posts: 1123
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:41 am
Location: Stoughton

moving water skill session 24Jul2012

Post by cgr »

John had posted this and received interest from 6 of us(Abby, Bea, Jordan, Sue, Tracy, & myself). The plan was to launch at Cohasset harbor and paddle over to Little Harbor to get experience in the available features on the outflow. Some folks hadn't been in moving water at all, and with others it had been more than a couple of years.

Tracy pinged me that there were some folks meeting around 3ish to get a paddle in beforehand and maybe go out to Minots light. I joined up and we had unloaded, parked, and walked back to the boats - only to be met with quickly darkening skies & increasing wind. So we waited and watched the approaching storm - I was surprised that they hadn't brought the kids back in from the sailing program yet. We waited out the storm in the building where the bathrooms are, and it did blow through within an hr or so. We did get out and paddle out to the edge of the harbor and then headed back in to hopefully meet with John, Abby, & Jordan.

Once everyone was on the water we headed over to Little Harbor. We found a calm eddy to briefly go over some safety issues: Don't stand up in moving water, stay floating or swimming until your butt hits the bottom. It's easy to close distances quickly when surfing, so stay aware of others.

Next we moved to an eddy with gently flowing water and practiced peel outs into the current. John or I gave some pointers - suggestions on where to aim your boat to keep a correct angle when crossing the eddy line.

We followed this up with a ferry, which is how you cross from one side of the flow to the other without going downstream. I ended up showing what happens if you don't edge the boat when crossing the eddyline on the far side, which led to demoing a roll in current. :mrgreen:

The group practiced these maneuvers, and everyone was looking smoother and more confident with every repetition. John followed this with how to get on some of the smaller waves that were beginning to form at the top of the eddy. The clouds started getting darker again, and we heard thunder repeatedly. We discussed our options (do nothing until storm hits, go back to put in, or paddle north where it looks like the skies were still clear.)

We headed to the beach that is about 1/2 mile north, and got out and stretched. In a minute we were in the sun, could see a rainbow coming out of Minots light. (this is where Bea will insert pictures here of skies & rainbow)

Everyone hopped back in the boats, and we headed back to Little Harbor, the wave/hole at the top was getting pretty meaty; and John was the only one to try it. Everyone else practiced peelouts & ferries, or got in the chop down current where the incoming swell stacks against the current. We had one capsize & swim, and the paddler was back in their boat within a short time.

We got back to the take out, and proceeded to load up in a storm of mosquitoes. John, Tracy, Sue, & I went to Jaime's in Scituate for PPR; and were treated to a special effects show with lightning, wind, rain, & hail during dinner.

This was a fun session in a safe environment where the consequences of a swim are usually minimal. The water is warm, there are eddies on both sides to rest/watch/regroup. If you can learn to handle your boat here, or just gain experience in swirly water it won't be as intimidating somewhere else.
NorwayLady
Posts: 1338
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:03 pm
Location: Marshfield, MA

Re: moving water skill session 24Jul2012

Post by NorwayLady »

Securing the boats after we realize we might not be able to make an early bonus loop out to Minot Light
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The sky starting to darken quickly
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The winds starting to pick up
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The sailing team returned just in time
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But the storm pasted and we eventually made it out to Little Harbor. Here is John pointing out all sorts of interesting things about the water...such as eddylines
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Chris is showing us how to peel out and cross the eddylines
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Sue is giving it a try
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A new batch of bad weather made us move towards a safe location
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Hanging out waiting for the weather to pass
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Chris making us laugh trying to eat or pinch the rainbow over Minot light
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The rainbow was hitting Minot Light head on
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The storm has passed and we are heading back to Little Harbor come to find out the moving water has picked up the pace while we were gone
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Tracey is being fearless
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Chris playing
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John playing
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Jordan riding the outgoing wave (sorry Jordan for the blurry photo. Hard to keep a steady hand in all the moving water)
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The sun is starting to set, but we are still at work trying to ferry across all the moving water
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A gorgeous paddle back
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Walking across the Border street bridge to pick up the cars
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Thank you for a productive and beautiful evening on the water
Bea
Last edited by NorwayLady on Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:54 pm, edited 7 times in total.
Bea
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
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norm
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Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:13 pm
Location: Stoughton, MA

Re: moving water skill session 24Jul2012

Post by norm »

Great photos Bea! Glad you guys were able to squeeze in the learning session and had a good time. Wish I coulda been there!
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Ron
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Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:09 pm
Location: Norwood

Re: moving water skill session 24Jul2012

Post by Ron »

Sorry I missed out. Looks like it was fun.
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kayakerjnj
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Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:12 pm
Location: Randolph MA

Re: moving water skill session 24Jul2012

Post by kayakerjnj »

Great photos, great and productive night on the water!

Dr Smoke you make your boat dance out there! Very impressive and Smooooooooooooooooth!
Paddle with a big smile, its contagious 8)


Jordan
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