Sebago Canoe Club

2013 Season Opener

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:50:00 +0000

Saturday, April 27^th, was not only the season opener, the first “official paddle
of the season” for the Sebago Canoe Club in Brooklyn, it was also one of the first post Hurricane Sandy events. A group of kayakers left the Sebago dock around 10:30 and paddled around Canarsie Pol. Other paddlers and rowers paddled independently of the organized paddle. My wife, Vicki, and I were two of those who paddled independently.

Looking at the Belt Parkway Bridge over Mill Basin

Vicki and I put in just after the Canarsie Pol paddlers had taken out. It was our first paddle of the season, first paddle since Sandy, first paddle since sometime in the fall, and first time to paddle under the newly finished Belt Parkway Bridge over Mill Basin and not under the old bridge which has been removed. I paddled my Ocean Kayak Drifter, a sit-on-top I probably had not paddled in over a year. Vicki paddled her Current Designs Sirocco. Using an old fashioned mercury thermometer, I checked the water temperature under the bridge. It was 57°F. The air temperature was in the mid 60’s.

Kayak Committee Mtg Convened by Kayaking Chair, Tony

Vicki and I paddled under the bridge, past buoy 13, and to where the channel to the salt marsh would have been if it had been high tide. Not wanting to miss the kayak meeting or the food, we turned around there and paddled bcak. Our total paddle was about only an hour long, but enough to reacquaint us with paddling in Jamaica, especially after Sandy, and to wet our appetite as well as paddles and bats for an upcoming paddling season.

General Mtg Convened by Commodore Walter

After getting back to the Sebago dock we carried our boats up to the wash racks where we rinsed both salt water and debris from Sandy off. Then we attended the Kayak Meeting, held in the club house at 3:00, and convened by Kayak Chair, Tony Pignatello. After the Kayak Meeting we took a break and headed outside for the General Meeting, convened at 4:15 by Commodore Walter Lewandowski with several other chairs and officers making reports. We enjoyed food, wine, and fellowship before, during, and after the meetings.

Follow the Osprey

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:10:00 +0000

Canarsie Pol osprey, April 2007

With the remnants of last weekend's blizzard still in evidence, there's certainly no mistaking the fact that it's still winter, but the days ARE getting longer (I do love it when I start seeing a bit of blue still left in the sky when I leave work at my usual hour of 6, and we are there!), and the various Sebago committees are beginning to gather to plot out the season's fun (SailComm was last night, kayak & canoe committees this weekend), and before too much longer, our local ospreys will be starting their long flight back from their wintering grounds to the South. One of the ospreys that nests in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (over in Broad Channel) has actually been tagged with a GPS tracker, and I'm really looking forward to following along on Osprey's Journey.

Thanks to John at Control Geek for passing the word word word, word on the bird!

Cross-posting at Frogma.

Sealwatching Hike

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:38:00 +0000

With a forecast for winds gusting to 32 mph, Sebago's sealwatching paddle turned into a sealwatching hike. We did a loop around the west end of Jones Beach, starting and finishing at the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center - about 5 miles at a nice leisurely pace. It was hard to see the seals in all the chop but there was one definite and two possible sightings, plus all sorts of birds. Lovely day to be BY the water. More pictures tomorrow!

Sailing: Philosophy for Everyone: Catching the Drift of Why We Sail

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:31:00 +0000

The sailors among us might be interested in Sailing: Philosophy for Everyone: Catching the Drift of Why We Sail, Edited by Patrick Goold; Forward by John Rousmaniere, ISBN 978-0-470-67185-6, and my review of it on Summit to Shore.

Welcoming the New Year, Sebago style!

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 03:32:00 +0000

From Sebago Canoe Club Annual Frostbite Regatta (plus New Year's annual meeting)

Happy New Year! Here's a link to a few (by my standards anyways) photos from this morning's annual New Year's Day paddle at the Sebago Canoe Club. Always a nice way to start off a year. Welcome 2013!

Post Sandy Repairs Progress

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:52:00 +0000

Sebago Canoe Club members of all ages and races, recent members and long-time members tackled post Sandy repair work this Saturday.

Post sandy walkway before repair

The biggest job requiring the most people was repairing the main walkway, lifted off its foundation by the tide and left broken and scattered around the club grounds. Even after the walkway was sawed into smaller pieces, it took ten to twenty people to lift and replace the sections. One crew had started near the dock and was replacing the walk from west to east. Another crew had started at the sidewalk gate and was replacing the walk east to west.

We all took a lunch break before finishing the walkway work. Many volunteers had made soup, stew, and chili or brought store made lunch items for a group lunch. Scattered around the club grounds, members ate lunch and told of their own hurricane experiences as well as sharing other news and stories they had heard from others.

Slipping the final piece into place

Refreshed by a hearty lunch and rest, the final sections of the walkway were cut and carried into place until the last piece of the sidewalk puzzle was put into place, only an inch or two having to be cut off to make it fit into place. It was like the joining of the transcontinental Sebago railroad sans the golden spike.

Sebago walkway after repair

Throughout the morning and afternoon others had been hard at work cleaning out the storage containers, cleaning and re-positing sailboats and kayak, pulling water logged material out of the club house, and other odds and ends. It was a true group effort involving forty to fifty people and a testament to the dedication many Sebago members have to the volunteer run, 501C3 nonprofit membership organization that operates as a concessioner on New York City Park land.

A lot of work still needs done around the club, inside the clubhouse and containers and out on the grounds, but the grunt work which demanded many hands is finished. With walkway, kayaks, and sailboats back into position, it is now much easier and safer to move around on club property and the grounds look almost normal.

Recreational Water Advisory For Jamaica Bay

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:42:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12
October 31, 2012
Contact:
Chris Gilbride/Ted Timbers (DEP) (718) 595-6600 Chanel Caraway (DOHMH) (347) 396-4177

Recreational Water Advisory For Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and Kill Van Kull

Due to flooding and power related shutdowns caused by Hurricane Sandy, wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations have discharged untreated wastewater into New York City waterways. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene advises that direct contact with the Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the Kill Van Kull for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing or any other water activity that would entail possible direct contact with the water should be avoided until further notice.

The Department of Environmental Protection is responding to the impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy on its waste water treatment facilities and will monitor water quality conditions through testing to verify when these water bodies are safe for recreational uses.

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:35:00 +0000

Vicki and I made it down to the club late this afternoon. There is a lot of work to do to clean up, repair and rebuild. Here are some shots from our visit.

After Sandy Update

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:45:00 +0000

Commadore Walter Lewandowski has updated the club after Sandy via our yahoo group:

"I went to the club this morning and can report almost everything is still there. I estimate at least two feet of water covered the property based on high water lines on the containers. Much is moved around and the clubhouse still had water inside. I was unable to get into the clubhouse to assess damage.

We will not be participating in the food bank paddle this Saturday on Long Island due to the damage at the club from Sandy. All members should plan on offering some assistance for the cleanup effort this weekend. Details will follow later this week.

A reminder to please photograph any damage before you attempt a cleanup."

"Greatful and dead" iPhone & iPod Cases by andytechie | Redbubble

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 23:10:00 +0000

"Greatful and dead" iPhone & iPod Cases by andytechie | Redbubble:

Last Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 Season

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Weather permitting; we will have the last moonlight paddle of the 2012 season Friday, September 28th. Meet at the clubhouse no later than 7:30 PM (earlier if possible and it takes you awhile to get ready to paddle) and plan to be on the water, launching in the dark with a light on your boat, no later than 8:00 PM. We will enjoy food, drink and camaraderie afterward. Moonlight paddles last from one to two hours and cover three to six miles depending on weather and ability of the group.

Also, here is a link to a site of worthless self-promotion that also mentions the Sebago Canoe Club and our moonlight paddles.

http://www.meetthemoment.com/moment/view/john-h-1#email-link

The First Moonlight Paddle of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:16:00 +0000

In spite of a forecast of possible thunderstorms, eight paddlers enjoyed a calm Jamaica Bay under a spectacular super moon Friday evening, May 4, 2012.

Paddlers started arriving at the Brooklyn Club House a little after 7 PM. A fire was built in the wood stove to take the chill off the Club House and to provide for a warmer space to return to. With an announced "on the water" time of 8:00 PM, all paddlers were finally on the water before 8:15 PM.

The evening was one of firsts. Not only was it the first Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 season, it was also the first led by John Harris and assisted by Vicki Moss. For Laurie G., it was her first Moonlight Paddle ever but will certainly not be her last. Walter and Dottie each paddled with their new Greenland paddles for the first time. It was the first time John paddled the demo Chatham 17 he bought in January. For Tony, it was the first time he used his new deck light.

Embarking at high tide under a nearly full moon, the eight Sebago lunatics easily paddled over the mirror smooth water, under the Belt Parkway Bridge, and out into a beautiful moonlit Jamaica Bay. After crossing the channel to Canarsie Pol, they circumnavigated the island counterclockwise. On the back side of the Pol they encountered a large flock of birds which darkened the moonlit sky and created a "thumping"sound across the water. A few jets, landing lights blazing, were also descending into JFK.

Crossing back from the Pol toward home, the group waited for a party boat to move up channel before crossing. Other than the small fishing boat they passed by near the bridge, the paddlers encountered no other traffic.

Back at the Club House, gear rinsed and stowed, the eight moonies enjoyed assorted snacks and beverages while also watching the recently released and colorized 1902 Le Voyage Dans La Lune with soundtrack by Air.

The next Moonlight Paddle is scheduled for Friday, June 1, 2012. Paddlers should be at the clubhouse by 7:30 PM and plan to be on the water by 8 PM.

Sebago Open House Info 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:17:00 +0000

May 17 - May 20th Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:17:00 +0000

The Kayak Fishing Classic at Jamaica Bay will be here before we know it. With such a mild winter and reports of anglers already catching fish, many of us can’t wait to get started with the season. The Kayak Fishing Classic at Jamaica Bay is a great way to catch the first fish of the year and hook up with old and make some new friends, all for the benefit of worthy causes. Those of us who share the enthusiasm for the sport of Kayak Fishing know this is a premier event that shouldn’t be missed. May 17th – 20th 2012 at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn NY

2012 KAYAK FISHING CLASSIC TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event. Minors must have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county, or federal regulations or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. A completed entry form and entry fee must be received no later than the published deadline.

AWARDS: will be presented in 4 categories if the division criteria have been met. Within each of the competitive division there will be first, second and third. In the registration raffle, prizes will be awarded by the pulling of numbers and the total number of prizes in the raffle will be determined by the number of donated items.
Targeted Species (Bass, Bluefish and Weakfish).
Open Division – longest fish caught of targeted species.
Fly Division - longest fish caught by fly rod of targeted species.
Junior Division - longest fish caught by a person under 18 years of age of targeted species.
Electric Division – longest fish caught in an electric powered kayak of targeted species.

Grand Slam - will be determined by the longest aggregate measurement of 1 of each of the 3 target species (Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Weakfish). Tournament organizer has final word on determining winners.

FISHING TIMES: Friday 12noon to 6pm, Saturday 5am to 7pm, Sunday 5am to 12 Noon. All entrants wishing to enter a fish must do so at the tournament tent site before scheduled ending times each day (fish can be entered any time before that time). Tournament fishing is only allowed during safe day light hours. No pictures of fish taken at night will to be allowed to be entered for prizes. During the event it is possible that due to dangerous weather participants will be asked not to enter the water until a period of better conditions – any person not complying will be disqualified from the event.

FISHING LICENSE: We don't need no stinkin' license! While there is NO Saltwater Fishing License in New York State you must comply with the NYS Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. Please register to avoid any issues with law enforcement officials.

PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: All fish must be caught live via hook and line by bait or artificial lure. Entries to the Fly division are not permitted to have any other fishing outfits besides fly rods and reels and are required to launch from the registration area following inspection by a judge.

SCORING: Catch and release criteria, will be determined by total length of the longest fish: for the Grand Slam the combined total lengths of each fish of the target species. Each contestant must have a digital camera to take pictures and enter pictures for prizes. Please have an empty data card in your camera. There will be posters placed at the tournament tent each day. You must take a picture of the poster each day and it must be followed by the fish you wish to be entered for prizes. Fish must be photographed in or on boat, (vessels should be distinguishable in photo) next to provided tape measure. It is recommended that you fish with a buddy not only for safety reasons but for the assistance in taking pictures. It is required to take a picture against the tape measure and requested that you take some holding the fish under its belly with you in the picture. The photo on the tape must show clearly the length of the fish. Total length is determined from the tip of the lower jaw to the end of the tail. The judging committee makes the call and the tournament director is the final authority on length but will not change the ruling of the judging committee. The tournament Director is not liable for photo processing and condition of cameras. In the event of a tie the most visibly larger fish of contestant's catch will be used to break tie. Only Striped Bass, Bluefish and Weakfish can be entered for prizes. Fish taken for consumption may not be entered into the tournament.

Click Here To Register
Additional FAQ's

Greenland Style Paddlemaking Workshop!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Greenland Style Paddlemaking Workshop!
Sunday, May 6th, 2012
9am - 4pm
Sebago Canoe Clubhouse, Canarsie, Brooklyn

Chris Raab of Tuktu Paddles will be coming to the Brooklyn clubhouse for his 3^rd straight year to conduct another one of his very popular Greenland style paddle-making workshops. As we leave winter and look forward to the summer this is the perfect opportunity to make yourself a Greenland paddle to start the season with. Depending on weather conditions, we try to hold the workshop outdoors.

Fee is $130, which includes supplies. Deadline for registration is April 20th.

What will be provided:
Instruction and guidance through out the day. A cedar paddle blank (unless
you have requested other materials) and tools as needed.

To register for the class, please contact Elizabeth Green at elizabeth.green10@gmail.com

Check Chris Raab's website for more information:
http://www.tuktupaddles.com/

Winds out of the West...gusting to 50 m.p.h.

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:42:00 +0000


Wind report from iWindsurf...Westerly winds, gusts up to 50 m.p.h. This is the kind of day that Joe Glickman describes in his book, Fearless, see below for sound bite from his book signing...

Joe Glickman presents his book At REI SoHo,NY

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:15:00 +0000

Sebago's Saturday Night Indoor Pool Sessions

noreply@blogger.com (Walter L) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 03:22:00 +0000

Sebago Kayaking FUNdamentals ACA Level 1

Learn the basics of kayaking with certified instructors in the comfort of a classroom and heated indoor swimming pool!

Three Saturdays at the Flushing Corona Pool $99

January 7^th – 7:30pm-9:45pm

January 14^th and 21^st – 7:00pm-9:45pm

January 28^th – snow day if needed

Material includes the basics of kayak design, transportation and launching. Students will capsize and exit their kayaks and learn both assisted and solo techniques for getting back in. Fundamental paddle strokes and maneuvers will be taught for easy control of your kayak.

Sebago Rescues and Recoveries

Students learn a wide variety of sea kayaking recoveries for maximum safety

Two Saturdays at the Flushing Corona Pool $75

February 4^th and 18^th, 8:00pm-9:45pm

Rescues taught include the paddle float, paddle float with sling, cowboy, Eskimo reentry and roll, T and T-X. More will be taught as time allows.

Sebago Eskimo Rolling

Learn to right your kayak after a capsize without exiting the boat!

Two Saturdays at the Flushing Corona Pool $75

March 3^rd, and 17^th, 8:00pm-9:45pm

Relieve yourself from the fear of capsizing. A solid Eskimo Roll increases kayaking safety and broadens a paddler’s horizons. Students are taught the C to C or Sweep Roll or the Eskimo Roll of their choice.

Advance Registration Required

Contact Walter at kayak824@gmail.com to register

Just Another Ho Hum Day On Jamaica Bay...

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:58:00 +0000

Nah, nah, just kidding. Off-season paddling takes a certain amount of preparation & awareness -- but boy, it ROCKS.

Work Day Slideshow

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Just a few pix from today's work day.

Photos and video after Irene

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:22:00 +0000

"Video of the dock as it looks at 10 am Sunday.."

Notice the walkway removed to prevent it floating away.

Leaves and debris on the kayaks and canoes, no big branches on any

Inside the clubhouse, lots of water, the phone still works!

The worst damage was not from mother nature,
but from a human...can you identify the above suspect?

Plane Zones

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:40:00 +0000

Plane zone, Saturday:

Plane zone, Sunday:

Noon to two,
woo hoo hoo!

Holly the Sailing Co-Chair's post-sail comment - "Anyone who didn't plane today is doing something wrong".

What a splendid Sebago weekend it was!

Return to Orient Point

noreply@blogger.com (bonnie) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:41:00 +0000

Eddied out again (except I washed out while I was filming) - this time with a few friends!

Friday afternoon found me & TQ back on the road to Orient Point again, where the Sebago troops were gathering at our favorite "kamp"site out there, the Eastern Long Island Kampground.

There'd been discussion of an afternoon or evening paddle - but after all the packing up and getting ready to go, and the fun of the sheepherding class we took TQ's dog Bella for with the trainer with whom the dogs were staying for the weekend, and a couple of last-minute stopping shops, I found that the only thing I was particularly interested in doing once we'd made camp was testing out the Thermarest for leaks. It was functioning fine - and it was absolutely perfect weather for napping in a tent with the flaps open & the breeze passing through. Aaah. TQ had brought a book along, and then when I woke up, well, there was still time if anyone had really pushed for it, but somehow we were all quite happy with camaraderie and beer.

If we'd known what was coming on Sunday (recordbreaking rain), we might've gotten off our duffs & gotten out there, but I'm not going to lie - I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I spend entirely too much of my life running around doing stuff and I love it when there suddenly aren't any deadlines or places to go or things to do. There was discussion of dinner, but I was already getting peckish, and we'd stopped for corn, potatoes and tomatoes at a farm stand, and I decided to break out my camp stove and cook up an ear of corn for an appetizer, only it was my first fresh corn of the summer and I couldn't stop at one, and John had brought out his usual fantastic cheese, and Jake was suddenly passing around cheeseburgers, and somehow all the sudden I was full. Go figure! We talked about the various plans for the weekend, we sorted out more or less who was going on what, TQ & I brought out the chart and the Eldridge & talked about what we were going to find in Plum Gut on the following day, TQ gave a nice on-shore (more like on picnic table, really) lesson about ferry-gliding using his pocket knife as a model kayak, and there was more beer & more camaraderie and it got dark and the cicadas started to sing and then we all got sleepy and that was pretty much Day 1. Nice, huh?

Day 2 - Woke up psyched for the day after a good night's sleep. TQ knows me entirely too well, he'd brought Spam! Eggs and bread, too, and he cooked those up while I made coffee and packed up lunch. By ten o'clock or so, we were back at Orient Point!

Look familiar?

Now, we had promised our little crew a real rough-water play-session, boils and eddies and waves oh my, and I had pored over my Eldridge carefully, and by gosh, look at the veritable MAELSTROM into which our...

little band...

sallied...

forth...

No, no, no, we totally meant to do that. Ebb was starting at the Race right around noon, and Plum Gut really gets going before anything else does. We very intentionally set our launch time for about an hour and a half before that because that's when we figured things would be quietest - and I hate to brag but look, we nailed it. I'd wanted to start with some rolling and rescue practice, just to get warmed up; we did that, and TQ also came up with the great idea of going out & giving everyone a calm-water preview of the area we were going to be playing in as the current started picking up. We did that, caught a few boat wakes to practice surfing, it was all very nice --

and as we were out there, our bands of standing waves ever so gradually began standing up.

We went in for a lunch break, a little more discussion of using eddies and ferry angles, and another good look at the Gut from the point - things starting to move now, the waves still not very big, but you can see where they are shaping up, and where the eddies are forming, and all that good stuff:

And then after that, time to go give it a try!

Main hazard of the day:

We should have had helmets, but we had a pretty capable group and as long as we stayed downcurrent from the rocks, we thought we would be OK; water temperature was fantastic, air temperature likewise; there were motorboats around but we kept our eyes peeled & didn't have any problems with them - really, these lion's-mane jellyfish were the main issue. Fortunately, as you can see, they are big, easy to see, and while there were plenty of them, it wasn't anything like my first trip to the point a couple of years ago, when there was a bumper crop of smaller ones & you literally could not have capsized without running afoul of at least one. Stevie did get a little bit of a sting at one point, but these are also not the worst of the stinging beasties out there; he was able to keep going fine & by the end of the day the redness was gone.

We'd gotten back on the water at a good time - things were starting to pick up but we had some time for Luis & Derrick, our two takers who were trying this for the first time, to familiarize themselves with the feel of moving water before things got to max ebb.

Stevie already knows his way around moving water fine - that was nice, TQ and I were the "official" trip leaders on this one, we've done plenty of paddling on our own and with others in water this size, but this was our first trip where we were actually in charge & taking care of others (that was neat...there are SO many people out there who've taken me out in conditions that were at my outer limits, finally & officially doing the same for others felt like the start of paying back a longstanding debt -- great stuff) so a one-to-one ratio plus one extra totally competent person out there too was VERY nice.

Derrick working his way up an eddy -

Oops. Shore break while one of the trip leaders makes the aforementioned (aforeblogged?) emergency repair (SO disconcerting to look forward as you're careening about in waves & current & realize that you are looking INTO your hatch - I was just lucky I noticed it BEFORE I took anything over the bow - that was starting to happen, too)

Paddle flourish from Luis - Derrick & Luis both really got the hang of this fast & Luis even got a combat roll (not his first, really, but his first in moving water - that was VERY cool - "Boat over!" - "Boat back up, WOOHOO!")

This is actually right when the video at the start was taken - we'd been playing for a while, and we were about to strike out for the lighthouse, and there's a patch of large rocks right before you get out into the more open section, and that makes a nice spot for a group to take a bit of a breather.

TQ, having fun!

Stevie makes his break for the lighthouse -

And a minute later the rest of us followed & once we left the shelter of those rocks, no more pictures until --

Rest break at the lighthouse

Stevie, Luis, TQ & Derrick at the lighthouse

And the next pictures I took was of the purple potatoes I was cooking for dinner -

and a very shiny car.

Day 2 ended with an absolutely ridiculous amount of food (Sebago's notorious for eating well, but this was over the top - I swear you could've stocked a small butcher shop with the meat that was cooked!) and a thoroughly entertaining debate over whether marshmallows should be Gently Toasted, or set afire (I supplied the marshmallows that fueled the debate and I think that has to be one of the most entertaining contributions I have ever made to a Sebago repast), and some good stories.

Day 3 -

A total...

washout!

Stevie was the only one crazy enough to want to paddle in the deluge (with possible thunderstorms), so that didn't fly - but still -

spirits remained fairly high -

An extra tarp was set up -

Coffee was made -

and then TQ and I got the heck outta Dodge & back to the club, where I took advantage of the good soaking & the rain-every-day-for-the-whole-week forecast by planting some seeds - my beets had gotten strangled by weeds, and I hadn't planted enough basil seedlings, and I had some seeds in my bag and figured a wet week might make it worth trying again. We'll see!

Then home, to where the bathroom is still festooned with stuff hung up to dry.

Could've been more paddling - but on the whole, what a really fun weekend.

“How is the Water?"

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Novick) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:48:00 +0000

"How Is The Water?' Report

A Sebago Day to Remember

noreply@blogger.com (John Edward Harris) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Joe Glickman coaching Laurie Pea on her forward stroke

Yesterday afternoon, Sebago Canoe Club Commodore Tony Pignatello posted this comment on facebook: “Coming back on the Open Paddle I saw about 50 kayaks on the water. Open Paddle, Stroke Clinic, Level 2 classes plus individual paddlers. That's what makes us one of the best in the city. Thanks to all who gave their time.”

I was one of those paddlers Tony saw. My wife was another. She and I were not participating in the same activity but happened to be on the water at the same time.

Yesterday was indeed a day at the Sebago Canoe Club to remember, a day that rivaled our annual open house in terms of people and activities. Vicki and I pulled into a nearly full parking lot a few minutes before 9:30 AM. Vicki came to the club to participate in the second half of the ACA Level 2 class. I came to participate in a Forward Stroke Clinic led by Joe Glickman, one of the premier paddlers in North America.

As the stroke clinic and ACA Level 2 class were gathering and preparing for the day, the open Paddle was finishing outfitting. A few minutes later, they were all standing in a circle, paddles in the air, Stonehenge like, making introductions and receiving a safety briefing and short paddling instruction. I estimate that about thirteen to fifteen paddlers were among the group.

While the open paddle carried kayaks down to the water and began to paddle, five students and three instructors as well as a dozen or more participants in the Forward Stroke Clinic stood around Joe Glickman as he demonstrated the forward Stoke. After half an hour or more of instruction on terra firma, the two groups broke apart and the ACA Level 2 class hit the water, paddling out into Jamaica Bay while the Forward Stroke Clinic finished outfitting.

By the time the Forward Stoke Clinic put their kayaks into Paerdegat basin and headed out toward Jamaica Bay, the ACA class was already out of sight. As those of us in the Stroke Clinic paddled, Joe observed our forward stroke. Once in the bay, we caught up with the ACA Class, passed it by, and paddled into some shallow water where Joe offered each Stroke Clinic participant some one on one instruction.

Sitting on the bow of each participant’s kayak and facing the paddler, but with his feet on the bottom of the bay, Joe prevented the paddler’s kayak from making forward progress while observing the paddlers’ forward stroke. From Joe observing me while paddling out toward the bay, and from the one on one session, I learned that I need to keep my paddle shaft and shoulders more parallel, follow-through from 11 O’clock to 12 O’clock, and focus on not allowing my right hand to drop during the follow-through.

While were receiving our individual instruction, the nearby ACA Level 2 Class paddled away toward Ruffle Bar and were eventually out of our sight. Those of us in the Stroke Clinic eventually paddled to the concrete ramp at Floyd Bennet Field, each paddler focusing on their forward stoke as we paddled.

At Floyd Benet Field, most of us beached to stretch our legs. As we were standing on the beach, we watched two large NYPD Boats circle nearby to the south. Eventually, a helicopter took off from Floyd Bennet Field, hovered about 15 yards above the bay between the two police boats, and three scuba gear clad swimmers jumped out of the helicopter into the water. The swimmers eventually climbed into a motored raft and headed toward shore while the helicopter flew away. Apparently the NYPD was doing the same thing we were doing, capitalizing on a beautiful day on the bay to practice and refine their skills.

Already having been out on the water several more hours than we had expected, and having paddled farther than we expected, we climbed back into our boats, paddled toward Sebago, again focusing on our forward stroke while paddling, even though Joe was no longer observing us.

Back at the clubhouse, the open paddle had long been back and there was no evidence of their even having been there. With our boats on the wash racks, washed but not put away, we sat around a picnic table and pulled our collective lunch resources to enjoy a late lunch. As we were finishing eating, the ACA Level 2 class began pulling in to the dock, so we hastily put our boats away to make room on the wash racks for their boats.

After the ACA Level 2 Class had washed and put away all their gear, instructors and students gathered around cold beers in the Sebago Club house for some post class debriefing. Those few of us still around from the Forward Stroke Clinic were permitted to listen in. Hearing both students and instructors debrief the day as well as the entire two-day class was itself instructive.

About seven and a half hours after we arrived at Sebago, Vicki and were a slightly tired, a slightly bit more tanned, and slightly improved paddlers. Throughout the day and as we headed toward home, we were both amazed at the level of activity at the club that day, three major events, but a few individual paddlers and sailors doing their own thing. We were also impressed with the level of expertise possessed by so many of our club members, expertise they were willing to share with others as trip leaders, assistant trip leaders, and instructors.