Kayak Thursdays

[Hugh]

I should have posted this before - but - well - I didn't.  In any case, Summer Sea Kayak Thursdays has started again with last night being the first session.  Below is a copy of the email sent out by the noble and dedicated leader these sessions, Ben Blakeley.

The first session had four paddlers.  There was a slight chop in the water and the air was cool enough to make wearing a neoprene tuilik a good option.  Fun was had by all - and I can highly recommend it for other Thursdays this summer.  Read below for more information!

Cheers,

Hugh.



-------------------------Below Copied from Ben's Email ----------------------------
Hi all,

Time to paddle!

Summer Sea Kayaking Thursdays is back for it's tenth year! Oh my goodness that's a decade! That's bordering on a tradition.

"A bunch o' folks kayaking, enjoying Cayuga Lake, and learning from each other."  If we were organized enough to have a mission statement, it'd probably be something like that.

We'll start this week, Thursday  6/5, 6:30pm at East Shore Park.  (Those getting a boat/gear from COE meet at 5:00pm sharp at COE.) 

Reminders:

-Forward this to interested folks.  Anyone can get on the list by merely sending me an email.

-Send me an email if you want off the list.  (Seriously, I won't be offended. I think some of you are in different states/ countries now but I can't keep track of you all.)

-If you have questions please do read the following description, most answers are there. 

Hope to see you on the water,

Ben

Benjamin R. Blakeley
607-342-3484

Summer Sea Kayaking Thursdays

A loose group of folks meeting every Thursday evening, 6:30 pm, at East Shore Park to work on kayak skills, improve kayak related teaching skills, do a little touring, and enjoy the summer and Cayuga Lake.

The Philosophy:

Kayaking is fun.

There's a bunch of us that would like to share that with others.  There's a certain amount of basic safety precautions that we'll be taking to ensure that it remains fun.

What to Expect:

Some of us are certifiable paddle nuts, but, by design, the majority of folks will range from entirely new to novice.  We usually spend about an hour to an hour and a half near the put-in working on strokes, re-entries, maybe playing a kayaking game, then finish the evening with an up and back sunset tour of the lake.

Generally, it's up to you what you want to work on.  To make it an enjoyable experience (remember it ain't fun if yer wigged out,) there will be a few things that we'll expect everyone to do, or, more appropriately, learn to do.

*Demonstrate a comfortable, calm wet exit.  (Get out upside down.)
*Demonstrate an effective deep water re-entry.  (Assisted or solo.)
*Paddle as part of the group.

We find that, on the whole, learning what to do in the event of a capsize makes for a much more enjoyable experience than trying to figure it our for the first time when you've capsized for real.

The Gear:

There's a lot of it; us humans weren't designed very well for extended water contact, so we have to use a lot of those tools for which we're so famous.  That being said, don't overstress about the gear, we can get you hooked up. Really, let's get you on the water.

Please note that the required gear is so required for safety and so we'll be sticklers there.  There's lots of ways to beg, borrow, and, er, borrow gear so don't let the list intimidate you.  (See "Getting Yer Gear" below.)

Absolutely Essential Gear:
-Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (kayak style Type III recommended)
-Kayak with adequate flotation (defined as fore and aft bulkheads and watertight hatches, or properly secured fore and aft float bags.)
-Appropriate dress for /*Water*/ temperature (usually means at least sleeveless wetsuit for Cayuga Lake, remember she's deep)

Required Gear:
-Spray skirt (best= full neoprene, 2nd best= neoprene deck with nylon tunnel, distant 3rd= all nylon: remember to try it on the boat for fit as well as on yourself)
-Paddle (210-230 cm recommended)
-Closed toed shoes (wetsuit booties or old sneakers, zebra mussels will carve up your feet otherwise)
-Some way to get this pile o' gear to East Shore Park (Car or friend with car.)

Highly Recommended Gear:
-Bilge Pump
-Paddle Float
-Nose plugs
-Waterproof Flashlight (required for dusk/night paddles if folks want to stay a bit longer)
-Water bottle
-Snack

Nice to Have Gear:
-Towel/ warm dry clothes for when we're done
-Wool socks for inside of booties/old sneaks
-Baked goods to share 


We'll be there rain or shine.  (Be sure to dress appropriately; wet and warm can be fun, wet and cold is just miserable.)  First sign of lightning and we're outta there.

Getting Yer Gear:

There are several options:

1)  Bring yer own stuff.  By all means.  Please note our safety requirements where applicable.
2)  COC has two touring kayaks and assorted paddling gear. Gear nights are general Thursday ~5:00 pm, perfect!  Members know the deal.  Non-members should think about joining.
3)  COE has 14 touring kayaks and assorted paddling gear.  Kayak, paddle, and PFD normally run $30 for a day, but COE has a certain Outfitting Manager that is interested in getting folks out to paddle, so he's worked as much of a rental deal as he can. Here it is:
    "However much gear you need to get on the water for the Thursday night"- $15 (first time free though!), no reservations.  Available:  Kayak, paddle, PFD, wetsuit, paddling jacket, wetsuit booties, spray skirt, bilge pump, paddle float, waterproof flashlight.  First come, first served.  And, like any good pusher, the first time is free.  Meet at COE at 5:00 pm sharp for folks who want to take advantage of this option.

Directions:

Take Rt. 34 north from Stewart Park
Turn left opposite Cornell's lake source cooling building into East Shore Park.
You should see a bunch of cars with large brightly colored objects on top at this point.

Or... punch 1190 East Shore Drive, Ithaca into your snazzy smartphone.

Still got a question? Throw it my way.

Cheers,

Ben

[Patricia Miran]

Hi Hugh,

We would like to join next Thursday's group. Last fall, my son, Max, took a couple of courses at Cornell on kayaking. He has a kayak and the other required equipment but no spray skirt or wet suit. From your email it sounds like he can get that at COE. Not sure where that is. We are coming from Waverly which is about 45 minutes south of Ithaca.  Is it ok for me and my other son to join the group using our canoe? Thanks, Pat Miran 

[Hugh]

Hi Pat,

I think Ben is really the person to talk to about this.  I have never borrowed/rented equipment from COE for the Thursday evening event.  Because of this I don't know more details than what is included in the email above.  Ben's email is: brb4"at"cornell.edu - I may have neglected to include this before.  I think getting a wetsuit and skirt should not be a problem.

I will say something about kayaks and skirts.  Generally speaking, skirts are sized to the boat - at least roughly.  Some recreational kayaks have huge cockpit openings, and I am under the impression that COE  does not have skirts to fit every boat.  So you should look at the brand and model and have that handy.  Most sea kayaks with a keyhole cockpit should be OK.  Places that sell skirts on the we often have a chart for looking up sizing based on kayak model or cockpit dimensions:

charts
  model:   http://snapdragondesign.com/fit-lists/
  dimensions:  http://snapdragondesign.com/deck-sizing-index/ 

Regarding joining the group with a canoe - I will have to defer to Ben.  It is pretty informal gathering - just be aware that a lot of the stuff we practice is pretty specific to kayaks and practicing kayak safety - e.g. deep water re-entry, wet exits.  Canoes are great, but they are much different than kayaks and you might be a little bored watching all these nutty kayak people hop out of their boats and try to scramble back in.

I hope my response in helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Hugh Philipp