Welcoming the New Year, Sebago style!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Last Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 Season

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

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

May 17 - May 20th Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament

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