Happy New Year! Frostbite Regatta 2010!

From Sebago Frostbite Regatta!

First day of winter at Sebago (and Mill Basin)

Matinicus Peapod Update

I have put in a good deal of work on the peapod lately, and now have one plank to go! The complete post is on my own blog here.

Also, another boat-builder, Steven Clancy from Bellingham Washington, sent me some photos of the same boat that he built nearly 20 years ago. Here is a fine example of the double-ender in her home waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Sebago Member Marcus Demuth Presents Tierra Del Fuego Expedition Plans

Sebago Canoe Club member Marcus Demuth and his paddling companion Biff Wruszek recently talked about their upcoming Kayaking Expedition to Tierra Del Fuego. Read more about their presentation, with links to photographs from the evening and to other sites related to the event and the expedition, at Summit to Shore.

Marcus Demuth Expedition site: http://tierradelfuego2010.com/default.aspx

Blue Fin anyone?

New York Times By CHARLES McGRATH

Published: November 22, 2009

Here is a story of a kayaker who likes risks. Catching Blue Fin Tuna in a kayak and dragging it back to port... Only thing crazier than would be to catch Mako Shark that follows Blue Fin...

Here is the story.

Sewers at Capacity

Here is a good New York Times article about storm water pollutions around the country. We had our shares of issues with the storm water facilities and it seems we have less issues as we are aware and take proactive measures.

It is 3 pages long and talks about issues at a Brooklyn facility and Suffolk county. It also mentions RiverKeeper which does a lot of good work. It is worth a read.

Again here is the link.

Sebago Canoe Club Sponsores Pool Sessions

Sebago Canoe Club's Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center Pool Sessions 2010

Sebago Canoe Club is proud to announce the start of their winter kayak instruction program at the Aquatic Center in Flushing Meadows Park ( next to Citifield). Easy walk from the #7 train or free parking is available.

It is open to all, club membership is not required.

The sessions will take place almost every Sunday from 9am to 11am starting January 10, 2010 and will run until the middle of April.

NO LONG TERM COMMITMENT, RSVP and PAY WEEKLY AS YOU USE THE PROGRAM.

Sebago offers the ONLY program that allows full sized sea kayaks in the pool. Other kayaks will probably be there as well. Our program usually has at least 2 A.C.A certified coaches each week.

The program is for people who have never been in a kayak or are new to kayaking and those who just want to sharpen their skills or learn to roll. Many sessions will have use of the diving area for those experienced kayakers who just want to practice. This is especially good for practicing rescues.

For the beginner: learn how to do a wet exit, learn a self rescue with a paddle float, learn how to edge your boat.

For the intermediate paddler: sharpen your bracing skills, learn how to scull, learn advanced self rescue techniques and begin to master a roll.

For the more advanced: perfect your roll on both sides, practice your balance braces and finally learn to roll without a paddle.

Have more fun and be safe the first time you get back into the water this spring.

SPACE IS LIMITED and RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN EVERY WEEK. You must RSVP!!!

Boats, paddles, PFD's and all equipment provided if needed ( see cost below)

Swim caps are required for all participants. If you have one, bring it. If not, one will be provided.

SESSION COSTS

Cost:
If you bring and share a boat $20.00

Without a boat $25.00

Non A.C.A. Members will pay a 1 time insurance fee of $10.00 which will cover your insurance for ALL sessions.

We'll be washing the boats out thoroughly before they get in the pool. A
hose will be provided.

For those meeting at the Sebago Canoe Club to load boats and car pool,
we will meet at at 7:30 AM. Others meet at the rear of the pool before 8:30AM to help move/prep boats and get ready for our time slot. PLEASE be early, late arrival takes precious time away from others.

Reservations or questions contact Steve McAllister, preferably via email at brooklynkayak@gmail.com. If email is not an option call 917 496 1523.

Info about the pool:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_rink.html

Some of Bonnie's pix from last year:
http://sebagocanoeclub.blogspot.com/2008/03/inaugural-rolling-session-in-queens.html

Directions. Be aware that we enter from the rear:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_directions.html

Thanks to Dorothy Lewandowski for this opportunity.

Harper's Magazine December issue - of special interest to fans of the Hudson River

cover courtesy of Harper's

The December '09 issue of Harper's Magazine should be on newsstands any day now, if it isn't already there*. I plan to buy a copy. The editor is one of our clubmates at Sebago. The last time we paddled, he'd mentioned that the December issue included a well-researched and very sobering look at the status of the Hudson River PCB's.

Subscribers can read it online now. For the rest of us, especially those of us who take a very personal interest in the well-being of the Hudson River, it sounds to be worth the cover price.

*update since original posting - the word is, "The official onsale date isn't until next week but...it might be in the newsstand on Bleeker and Broadway".

Fall Sailing

We had a lovely early November sail recently. The winter ducks have settled in. There are thousands of Brant Geese, and many rafts of the beautiful little Buffleheads. There may still be some good days left! This is a great time of year to be on the Bay.

Holly and Jim aboard Cricket. Photo by Bonnie Aldinger.

Looking east toward the wildlife refuge.

Without a big lens, its hard to get good photos of the birds. Here's a couple of shots of my decoys.

This is a male Bufflehead decoy, from my collection.

A Brant Goose decoy from my collection.

Cruising the Great South Bay

Avi, John W., Elizabeth, Walter, Beth, Pete, Phil, Tony and I (photo top right) started arriving at the Club House around 8:00 AM Saturday morning. By 9:00 AM nine kayaks were on five cars and leaving Sebago, headed for Heckscher State Park, and perhaps the last cruising trip of the season.

After the fifty mile drive we all pulled into the parking lot at Heckscher State Park, just feet away from the north shore of The Great South Bay, and by 10:45 AM we were on the water (photo second from top). The water temperature was around 48-50. At put in the air temperature was 52 but warmed up to 58 by later in the afternoon. Most of us were wearing dry suits but a few had donned wet suits.

After crossing the Great South Bay we beached on Fire Island, near Sailors Heaven Center, around 12:20 PM. With the picnic area to ourselves we enjoyed a true picnic lunch. After refueling we tied up our kayaks against any rogue waves and followed the boardwalk into the Sunken Forest where we were treated to a close encounter with a five point buck. Passing through the Sunken Forest we emerged on the southern shore of Fire Island and briefly visited the Atlantic Ocean before heading back to our boats.

Putting in from Fire Island around 2 PM we paddled back across the Great South Bay (bottom photo right) from whence we had come. With wind and tide combining to provide one to foot waves for our enjoinment, the water was just a little more rougher for our return trip than it had been earlier in the day. Every once in a while it seemed like waves were over two feet, but those were few and far between.

By 4:00 PM were back on the beach at Heckscher State Park, changing, and loading boats for the return drive. Before we pulled out we were treated to a spectacular sunset over the Great South Bay.

Back at the club we unloaded and stored boats and gear, said our goodbyes, and signed out by 6:45 PM.

I have posted a more embellished report about this Great Day on the Great South Bay on my blog, Summit to Shore, complete with a link to more photographs from the trip.