PDA

View Full Version : Show us where you paddled today thread:



Cataboo
07-28-2010, 07:53 AM
Post your pics here of your latest paddles.

Turner Creek on the northern part of the Chesapeake Bay. One of the 4 spots in Maryland where the North American lotus lives:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs206.snc4/38617_423054496864_624946864_4696644_8315198_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs080.snc4/35340_423054771864_624946864_4696665_621033_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs077.snc4/35199_423054726864_624946864_4696661_2950423_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs052.snc4/34979_423054646864_624946864_4696656_7747325_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs231.snc4/38913_423054636864_624946864_4696655_7276222_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs094.ash2/38062_423054606864_624946864_4696652_2952114_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs028.ash2/34758_423054551864_624946864_4696648_5177570_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs079.snc4/35295_423054541864_624946864_4696647_2306191_n.jpg

NoNo
07-28-2010, 08:21 AM
Disregard the crappy cell phone quality until I can get my boat camera. These are from last night on Long Island Sound. It was right at low tide, relatively calm seas, cool breeze, and few boats. Just perfect!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs127.ash2/39683_1541648911350_1538774168_31383747_2539486_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs183.snc4/37502_1541652071429_1538774168_31383755_5976810_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs214.snc4/39026_1541653431463_1538774168_31383762_3646217_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs163.snc4/37476_1541653991477_1538774168_31383763_5218610_n.jpg

Zen
07-28-2010, 09:16 AM
Catchy thread title :rolleyes:

Cataboo
07-28-2010, 09:24 AM
Looks gorgeous - I so rarely get to paddle in rocks, I love playing in rock gardens.


This was Curtis creek, when I decided to go paddling after dropping someone off at the airport... it ended up a way more industrial paddle than I wanted, and I didn't enjoy it all that much:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExf9oIdHZI/AAAAAAAAKg0/PhDzvYWwmWA/s640/IMGP7997.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgBCEvc1I/AAAAAAAAKhA/W3kME9r9l7M/s640/IMGP8004.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgBl78efI/AAAAAAAAKhE/qGv9f9_ytK4/s640/IMGP8023.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgCe30msI/AAAAAAAAKhI/I1GHGSXWKbg/s640/IMGP8032.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgC714vYI/AAAAAAAAKhM/kJms58qFxPc/s640/IMGP8035.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgEkPKjkI/AAAAAAAAKhc/tlWPJY_Py2M/s640/IMGP8044.JPG

Shipwrecks are always cool though:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgHJ_mZPI/AAAAAAAAKhs/_iRa5CziCRE/s640/IMGP8063.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgHtM9bZI/AAAAAAAAKhw/NjwLcgaoPxE/s640/IMGP8067.JPG

Further up the creek, there were more pristine areas, but the water still stunk and I could still hear highways:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TExgPdSHGXI/AAAAAAAAKig/6WynWSEm0CA/s640/IMGP8120.JPG

Cataboo
07-28-2010, 09:25 AM
Catchy thread title :rolleyes:

pbbblttt. Make your own thread if you want catchy.

Zen
07-28-2010, 01:49 PM
There.

Cataboo
07-28-2010, 08:39 PM
There.

I didn't want a thread title that didn't make it obvious that there was going to be a massive amount of pics - because if you have slow internet or have metered usage, going into a thread with a lot of pics sucks.

NoNo
07-29-2010, 04:17 AM
Kayaking: See what you've been missing (Or 'Sea' if you're feeling kooky).

Cataboo
07-29-2010, 10:25 PM
I coulda just called it a show us where Catriona paddles thread.

Quick spin this evening on the Potomac. Pics in this thread so far all taken with a pentax optio w60.

A local checking out my yak:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJMIgJ-ZnI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/ro0jKDvhBrE/s720/IMGP8168.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJML_5mDKI/AAAAAAAAKkU/BWqxaWo-JBA/s720/IMGP8171.JPG

The paddle that fixed the hand numbness issues I was having:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJMXFj24eI/AAAAAAAAKks/tZhOfhQZMzg/s720/IMGP8238.JPG

Just pretty:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJN53wLQaI/AAAAAAAAKlE/2woVmDwtkMk/s720/IMGP8258.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJOAVRlONI/AAAAAAAAKlM/FtOpvSFNnOU/s720/IMGP8265.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJOHfMCjzI/AAAAAAAAKlU/o0YJ8ZxHvoo/s720/IMGP8267.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJOrxdTAFI/AAAAAAAAKmY/Gn_T12Q68Y4/s720/IMGP8268-1.JPG

And sunset:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJORjKLBfI/AAAAAAAAKls/yNOoug7oyf0/s720/IMGP8277.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TFJOXNMDdBI/AAAAAAAAKl4/9YoL0c5tdQ0/s800/IMGP8292.JPG

Selkie
07-29-2010, 11:39 PM
I can't wait to see your pictures in October, after the leaves change colors.

What a peaceful way to end the day. Is that part of the Potomac upstream, closer to the Frederick area?

By the way, I like the thread title.

Cataboo
07-30-2010, 05:02 AM
I can't wait to see your pictures in October, after the leaves change colors.

What a peaceful way to end the day. Is that part of the Potomac upstream, closer to the Frederick area?

By the way, I like the thread title.

I'm glad someone likes it!

The Potomac around Frederick has about 1 foot of water lately - I'm avoiding it. So I went up around Williamsport so I could have 2-3 feet of water!

I still need to go down and paddle on the Potomac around DC one day - everytime I've gone, it's been with people who were training - so I was too busy paddling to keep up and didn't have time to actually take pics. If you go upstream, it gets into some gorgeous rocky cliffs.

Here's 1 pic from last fall:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs206.snc1/7329_174155826864_624946864_2869811_7003544_n.jpg

Zen
07-30-2010, 05:58 AM
Well thanks for asking :rolleyes:

Catrin
07-30-2010, 03:32 PM
Beautiful pictures - thank you for posting them!

NoNo
07-30-2010, 06:12 PM
Boss let me out early today, and I had people stopping by at 5:30, but I figured if I loaded the boat quickly, I could get a short paddle in. I'm glad I did. When I pulled into the launch, there was a group of elderly women loading their kayaks back up:cool: They'd done quite a paddle, at least 10 miles in windy and choppy seas. They get together every week. I think that's awesome. I slipped into the river and headed towards the Sound. I wanted to explore the coastline more, but as soon as I got past the breaker, the waves really kicked up. So I turned around and went back to the river and went around the marsh a bit. There, it was smooth as glass and I was able to relax. Very glad I got a little time in.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs221.snc4/38407_1545279682117_1538774168_31393987_4572901_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs108.ash2/38717_1545280922148_1538774168_31393989_3802055_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs206.snc4/38618_1545282442186_1538774168_31393991_5196649_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs243.snc4/39492_1545279122103_1538774168_31393986_6211174_n.jpg

Zen
07-30-2010, 06:17 PM
Elderly?
Like 50 years old? :eek:
The horror!

I think you mean "older"
I usually only use elderly in conjunction with frail.

ETA-
you kids get off my lawn

NoNo
07-30-2010, 06:31 PM
Elderly?
Like 50 years old? :eek:
The horror!

I think you mean "older"
I usually only use elderly in conjunction with frail.

ETA-
you kids get off my lawn

Try 70's. Real elderly. I was mighty impressed and have something to aspire to. They were looking to get ice cream afterwards, my kind of crowd.

Zen
07-30-2010, 06:38 PM
Try 70's. Real elderly. I was mighty impressed and have something to aspire to. They were looking to get ice cream afterwards, my kind of crowd.


There's just something about "elderly" that doesn't work here. Can't quite put my finger on it let alone articulate it.

Cataboo
07-30-2010, 07:08 PM
Well thanks for asking :rolleyes:

It was actually a spur of the moment thing. I didn't get there till about 6, then paddled as fast as possible to see as much as I could before the sunset.

I usually feel like i should give someone more than 5 minutes notice before asking 'em to do something. but I was working on a paper and couldn't stand it anymore and threw the boat on the car to be doing something else.

Cataboo
07-30-2010, 07:12 PM
Try 70's. Real elderly. I was mighty impressed and have something to aspire to. They were looking to get ice cream afterwards, my kind of crowd.

when in Costa Rica, I was talking to a guy that runs a kayak touring business half the year in Costa Rica and the other half the year up in Canada... and he was saying that one of the things he loved about sea kayaking, was that it was a sport that he knew he could do well into his 90's (he had lots of elder/older/elderly clients)...

Of course, if I'm 90 & still paddlign, my boat better weigh 15 lbs.

NoNo
07-31-2010, 02:25 AM
There's just something about "elderly" that doesn't work here. Can't quite put my finger on it let alone articulate it.

Well they certainly weren't acting elderly, but under any age-based system, they would be described as such. They were impressed by the Hullavator. It makes friends wherever it goes!

NoNo
08-03-2010, 03:53 PM
This may be the first time I've read the manual to anything, but I want to make sure I seal this thing up right! I'm going Sunday to a place I've been wanting to paddle for a while, so I'm very excited to try it out. First impressions: Yes, it's a bit on the bulky side, but not horrendous. And I think it starts up faster than my old Coolpix S600, and that thing was fast! Controls are seemingly well layed out and I think it has quick access to every setting I'd want. Of course, the real test will come Sunday.

Zen
08-06-2010, 04:14 PM
and what I learned.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010052.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010053.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010051.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010047.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010038.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010037.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010033.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010032.jpg

I learned I hate this thing. It's only good if you're shooting all underwater.
I am going back to my Pelican case.
Bah.
ETA- I forgot to say I was using something similar to this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Underwater-housing-case-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FX3-FX1-/110560829922?pt=Digital_Camera_Accessories)

Cataboo
08-06-2010, 09:49 PM
Some of those pictures are good. Others not so much.

I just ordered a case for my dslr to use while kayaking - I have a feeling it's going to have similar results, but I'll try it - I'm boggled as to what to do with seacaves.

Can you return it?

Zen
08-07-2010, 04:45 AM
I threw away the packaging :(

divingbiker
08-07-2010, 02:44 PM
What kind of camera is it for? It may be time for a new higher-megapixel underwater camera.

Zen
08-07-2010, 03:34 PM
It's for the Panasonic Lumix I just bought.
I guess I'm gonna be buying yet another camera :rolleyes:

divingbiker
08-07-2010, 05:44 PM
Oh, nevemind. I was able to get the link to load finally, and the housing won't work for diving (obviously.)

Too bad it isn't what you want...the camera takes good pictures.

Zen
08-07-2010, 06:01 PM
the camera takes good pictures.

The camera?
Ahem.;)

Cataboo
08-07-2010, 06:48 PM
The camera's so good, even a monkey could take a good picture with it :)

Zen
08-07-2010, 07:32 PM
I know where you live.

divingbiker
08-08-2010, 04:00 AM
I know where you live.

Well, yeah, I guess the operator might have a little something to do with it.:)

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 06:26 AM
I know where you live.

I know where you live as well.

But drop off your monkey next time, I've always wanted one.

Zen
08-08-2010, 07:39 AM
You don't want my monkey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y)

Zen
08-08-2010, 12:48 PM
Now I need these (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/NRS-Boundary-Shoe/NRS0025M.html?CMP_SKU=NRS0025&MER=0406&CMP_ID=SH_NXT001&mv_pc=r147&mr:referralID=a1e56cbc-a32d-11df-adf3-000423bb4e79)

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 02:29 PM
Now I need these (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/NRS-Boundary-Shoe/NRS0025M.html?CMP_SKU=NRS0025&MER=0406&CMP_ID=SH_NXT001&mv_pc=r147&mr:referralID=a1e56cbc-a32d-11df-adf3-000423bb4e79)


You seriously don't.

i should get out all my paddling shoes I have that i don't like and see if you want to buy them. Aren't you a 6, 6.5 like me?

Not to mention my wetsuits.

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 02:32 PM
I just got one of these for the dslr:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00169HXW2/ref=oss_product

I will post pics after testing it out.

Zen
08-08-2010, 03:54 PM
Why don't I need those boots?
I expect to step in water deeper than ankle height and I will be in the water when it's cool

yes that's my size, alright.

kmehrzad
08-08-2010, 05:20 PM
You don't want my monkey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y)

I LOVE the Trunk Monkey!! I need to get my next car from the Suburban Auto Group.

NoNo
08-08-2010, 05:36 PM
I tested out the new camera today and I'm very pleased. Extremely quick start-up, quick focus and snapping, and very little delay between shots. That was the biggest complaint on the Olympus and one of the deciding factors in me not getting it. It got passed around several boats and everyone enjoyed using it. Even my brother, who has never owned a camera and lives by the motto "All of my pictures are stored up here (pointing at head)".:rolleyes: The autofocus was a little annoying at times, not always choosing what I wanted. But several of the picture modes had an "infinity focus" option, so I chose that when I could. The waterproof claims are holding true so far, and the piece-of-mind I now have was well-worth the price of the camera. If I weren't so exhausted, I'd post some pictures. Maybe tomorrow.

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 08:01 PM
Why don't I need those boots?
I expect to step in water deeper than ankle height and I will be in the water when it's cool

yes that's my size, alright.

Here:
http://www.cpakayaker.com/uploads/resources/Safety3fold.pdf


The actual wetsuit season in the DC area is very short. Most of the winter you will need a drysuit to safely paddle (various discussions over on cpakayaker.com in their forums). You need to dress for what the water temperature is and how long you will survive if you are immersed in it, not the air temperature. I don't paddle most of the winter around here because I don't have a drysuit - even though I know that I can roll my boat back up quickly if I flip without actually being fully submersed in the water and have drytops and drypants. And I very rarely flip - but the risk isn't worth it to me if the water temperatures are such that I can't swim 100 feet without dying...

So the amount of time you need or can use neoprene boots up to your knees is pretty limited around here. Go in water deeper than your knees and those boots will fill up with cold water. So fall out in cold water, and you're submersed - it's hard to have a wetsuit on with boots up to your knees. Same with having drypants or a drysuit on with knee high boots you gotta yank up. Not to mention, yanking up tight neoprene sucks - and if it's not tight on your calves it doesn't really work as an insulator. So in any situation that you're wearing knee high boots, you really should be in a wetsuit or a drysuit of some sort and if you are, putting on knee high boots is gonna be a major paint in the *** and ankle length boots will work. Of my ankle height neoprene booties, I use the pair with the zip up the side because the pull on pair is a pain in the neck.

You could also just put on knee high rubber galoshes for that matter. They're looser and they'll go on over wetsuit or drypants legs.

I use this:
http://www.palmequipmentusa.com/gear/bibs_pants.html
The palm sidewinder pants, although the bibs are also good - they've got built in waterproof booties, so I just put those into whatever shoes I want to wear.

And... you've got a plastic boat, no reason for you to get your feet wet at all. Just put your boat half on shore, get in, and slide the boat into the water. Paddle fast & ram the shore & you'll get far enough up you can climb out without getting your feet wet. Or if you paddle up parallel to shore or a floating dock, you can use your paddle to brace the boat and climb out.

Also various types of waterproof neoprene socks you can use instead of knee high boots.

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 08:04 PM
If I ever find a drysuit that fits at a good price, i'll paddle all winter :)

Cataboo
08-08-2010, 08:29 PM
More information threads on cold water paddling & clothing:
http://www.cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4361&p=12790&hilit=wetsuit+temperature#p12790

http://www.cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3761&p=10548&hilit=wetsuit+temperature#p10548

http://www.cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2828&hilit=wetsuit+temperature

http://www.cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1246&hilit=wetsuit+temperature

http://www.cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1224&hilit=wetsuit+temperature

Zen
08-09-2010, 07:16 AM
I tested out the new camera today and I'm very pleased.

Which one did you end up with?

NoNo
08-09-2010, 11:11 AM
The ugly Canon D10. But dammit, it works!

Cataboo
08-10-2010, 07:27 PM
Zen, I met someone that has the paddling boots you want. She paddles year round, mostly uses a drysuit. But she says she uses the knee high paddling boots twice a year, when she goes down to florida to paddle in the winter, when the air temp is colder than the water temp. Otherwise, she's in a wetsuit or drysuit

Paddling on the Potomac near DC, which is really quite a nice paddle because within like 6 miles after putting in at a marina opposite the pentagon, you go past all the monuments, past the watergate, georgetown, the kennedy center, then go into forest, and then into rocky coastlines and then you're at the base of little falls. Expand that to 10 miles and you include national airport, national harbor, naval research labs, old town alexandria and a really wide river. And there was the drunk guy that swam across the river from georgetown onto a little beach - holding his beer cup out of the water. He did his victory dance, stood on his head and fell over a couple of times, insisted on hugging me, and then dove back into the water at which point his shorts slipped down exposing his buttocks and started to swim back across the river...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHk-eU_FSI/AAAAAAAAKrE/6OHEM-uCn8Q/s640/IMGP8493.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlCWA7SGI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/lYU-vb3NEEo/s640/IMGP8496.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlFZ-mssI/AAAAAAAAKrU/oQ8jvz9UPj0/s640/IMGP8497.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlMgJjnKI/AAAAAAAAKrk/7QlnYxyYhRQ/s640/IMGP8501.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlSalc2tI/AAAAAAAAKrw/z8uZfKGBQiM/s640/IMGP8504.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlTj3OfhI/AAAAAAAAKr0/LZQuUZkYndw/s640/IMGP8505.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlWBh9KcI/AAAAAAAAKr4/41m3fVZOuVo/s640/IMGP8506.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlb7tfd8I/AAAAAAAAKsE/DRMzaNKsNJ4/s640/IMGP8509.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlfyc3H4I/AAAAAAAAKsM/1fxrdUzS-dg/s640/IMGP8511.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TGHlyRWWPDI/AAAAAAAAKss/JYWa1UOSeWI/s640/IMGP8523.JPG

Zen
08-10-2010, 07:42 PM
Well that's nice to know.
Once again, thanks for the invitation:rolleyes:

NoNo
08-12-2010, 03:06 AM
So I think I was using one of the scene modes and not auto, and I'm not that happy. I had to process every picture as they were very dark and washed out. Thank goodness for batch processing in Photoshop!

There were some weight distribution issues with this boat:
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0049/966933966_Bb5TU-M.jpg

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0059/966941998_ZgRCg-M.jpg

My brother and I giving our "serious" poses:
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0069/966967746_QVsmj-M.jpg

There's a sandbar just before you get to the ocean that was packed with kayakers and canoeists.
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0104/967006968_dkv5g-M.jpg

My cousin's first day back after 7 months in Italy. Maybe that's why he couldn't keep the boat in a straight line:eek:
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0058/966939894_42tKu-M.jpg

Someone caught dinner:
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0053/966938041_WGPxg-M.jpg

The bridge stays lifted until a train has to come by, maybe twice an hour.
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0084/966986479_n94Bi-M.jpg

Checking out the sheep. Kind of surprised to see them there.
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Great-Island-Aug-8-2010/IMG0076/966978100_auJAq-M.jpg

Cataboo
08-12-2010, 05:51 AM
You'll just have to give it another shot this weekend in auto or P mode.

NoNo
08-12-2010, 06:22 AM
My trip to Canada is next week, so I'll have plenty of time to play with it. I also noticed I'll have to be careful about wiping the lens after I dunk it so I don't get splotches in my pictures.

Cataboo
08-12-2010, 06:48 AM
My trip to Canada is next week, so I'll have plenty of time to play with it. I also noticed I'll have to be careful about wiping the lens after I dunk it so I don't get splotches in my pictures.

Yes. Splashing water on it and shaking it off can get rid of the drops or salt stuff on the lens. Mine doesn't get too wet tucked into the top of my pfd.

Zen
08-12-2010, 08:55 AM
NoNo, is your boat a double?

Love that bird fish photo.

NoNo
08-12-2010, 10:01 AM
NoNo, is your boat a double?

Love that bird fish photo.

No, that was my cousin and her friend. They rented a tandem, which didn't work out all that well. Can anyone explain what's going on with my PFD? Why does it stick up so high? I don't really notice it when I'm paddling, but I have to think it should be down on my shoulders.

Zen
08-12-2010, 10:05 AM
Mine does that too. Because it's short it gets pushed up like that.
Maybe cinch the waist tighter?

Cataboo
08-12-2010, 11:04 AM
My trip to Canada is next week, so I'll have plenty of time to play with it. I also noticed I'll have to be careful about wiping the lens after I dunk it so I don't get splotches in my pictures.

btw... thanks for the invitation :0

As for shoulder straps, I don't know - how tightly do you have it tightened around your waist? I leave mine a little loose because it's easier to rotate. do you have something to shorten the height of the shoulder straps? Some of mine do.

But none of my pfd's ride up at the shoulders like that:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4877411383_5d8277e192_z.jpg

Zen
08-12-2010, 11:21 AM
I know what kind of pfd you have from that photo and it's just different from ours, that's why.

Cataboo
08-12-2010, 12:07 PM
I know what kind of pfd you have from that photo and it's just different from ours, that's why.


K. Well, none of my kayaking pfds do that, and I've got several different types.

So you guys should just buy a different one :)

Zen
08-12-2010, 12:36 PM
I'm quite happy with mine :)

NoNo
08-22-2010, 06:06 PM
Things I learned on my vacation:

1) The camera definitely works better in auto mode.
2) My PFD is getting held up on my skirt and the high seat back, pushing it up on my shoulders. It sits correctly when I'm standing and would probably be ok without the skirt. I'll have to try sometime.
3) Water pools in the lap area of my skirt, and starts to drip through after a bit. I must look into ways of better waterproofing it.
4) I have much to learn about getting out onto a dock without assistance.
5) I've been some pretty remote places before, but this was a whole new level. It was a town in name only, and only accessible by boat. Very interesting to see how people can live like that.

I have a bunch of pictures to go through. I hope I can find time to get them uploaded, but the soap business is already demanding my attention!

lph
08-23-2010, 12:41 AM
Before I bought my own pfd I had trouble with most all borrowed pfd's riding up and strangling me, while my dh was fine even though he's only a tad taller than me.

I realized this was due to a combination of:
- I have a fairly short back,
- the high seat back on my own kayak and some borrowed ones,
- sitting slightly too "deep" in kayaks a bit too big for me
- most pfd's are made for men

So when I went to buy my own I concentrated on finding one that was very short and high in back. Tried several fancy and expensive ones, but they tended to make me feel flattened like a taco when I tightened them enough, so I finally ended up with a very small and lowprofile, almost junior-size vest. Even that one will rub my seat back a little if I slouch. At some point I intend to buy a kayak where I feel less like I'm sitting in the bottom of a bucket. :)

Zen
08-23-2010, 08:26 AM
I've found my camera (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishlisting&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=373A71731B).

Yes, it's kind of spendy but I know I'll like it since I already have ones that's similar albeit non-waterproof.

Zen
08-23-2010, 08:36 AM
11816

11817

kmehrzad
08-23-2010, 08:48 AM
I've found my camera (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishlisting&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=373A71731B).


The link didn't seem to work.

NoNo
08-23-2010, 09:04 AM
The link didn't seem to work.

Same here. What are you getting?!

Zen
08-23-2010, 02:40 PM
Oh.
It worked for me, but that's because it's my wish list:p

Hold on.

Try this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673708-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TS2Y_Lumix_DMC_TS2_Digital_Camera.html)

click on "view in 3-D"
cool. I wish every product had that .

NoNo
08-23-2010, 02:53 PM
Oh.
It worked for me, but that's because it's my wish list:p

Hold on.

Try this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673708-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TS2Y_Lumix_DMC_TS2_Digital_Camera.html)

click on "view in 3-D"
cool. I wish every product had that .

Neato. I considered that one but there were a few too many leaking complaints on Amazon to make me take the plunge. I like that it has a better zoom than mine and of course that it's slimmer. I'll be interested in hearing your experience with it.

kmehrzad
08-23-2010, 03:29 PM
It's a beauty!

lph
08-23-2010, 09:33 PM
I have that one! In flaming orange :p

Had to buy something waterproof after I dunked both mobile and camera in the sea last summer.

It's a great camera, but the buttons are a bit small and dinky. When my hands are cold I have trouble turning it on in time to catch, say, a bird on the water. Love that it's waterproof and sturdy, but it's not the sleekest thing around.

NoNo
08-25-2010, 09:19 AM
I can either post a bunch of pictures or just direct everyone to my gallery. I'll go with the latter. I wish I had taken a picture of my kayak loaded into their boat as I had to leave my car behind on the mainland. That's right, there were no roads where I was. Total tranquility!
http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Travel/Canada-2010/13450325_Z7KbPr

Zen
08-25-2010, 04:41 PM
Linky hinky.
For me, anyway.

NoNo
08-25-2010, 06:29 PM
That'll teach me to try to do things from my fancy new phone!

Try this: Georgian Bay (http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Travel/Canada-2010/13450325_Z7KbP#980185106_pzkYG)

Zen
08-25-2010, 08:18 PM
Those are with the Canon? Fantastic!
Except for those baby photos. They were rather frightening.

What is your boat? I would like to upgrade to go on more open-ish water.

Catrin
08-26-2010, 02:10 AM
Great photos, thank you for sharing them! I would love to try a kayak someday - but I would have to learn how to swim first :eek:

NoNo
08-26-2010, 04:45 AM
Those are straight out of the camera, no retouching done. I'm definitely pleased with the quality. And how cool are the underwater pictures?! I had so much fun dunking the camera without worry.

My boat is a Wilderness Systems Tsunami 135. Seems to be a great compromise between stability for open waters and size for small/narrow rivers and marshes. Not the fastest thing in the world, but it gets the job done.

No need to swim if you stay in the boat!:D

Cataboo
08-28-2010, 11:55 AM
and wear your pfd. However, You can't count on always staying in the boat - especially in open water.

Cataboo
08-28-2010, 12:08 PM
Things I learned on my vacation:

1) The camera definitely works better in auto mode.
2) My PFD is getting held up on my skirt and the high seat back, pushing it up on my shoulders. It sits correctly when I'm standing and would probably be ok without the skirt. I'll have to try sometime.
3) Water pools in the lap area of my skirt, and starts to drip through after a bit. I must look into ways of better waterproofing it.
4) I have much to learn about getting out onto a dock without assistance.
5) I've been some pretty remote places before, but this was a whole new level. It was a town in name only, and only accessible by boat. Very interesting to see how people can live like that.

I have a bunch of pictures to go through. I hope I can find time to get them uploaded, but the soap business is already demanding my attention!

Put your skirt on first - as high up as you can, and then put your pfd on over it. It shouldn't ride up then. You can also change the high backband on your tsunami to something simpler - wilderness systems builds barcaloungers in for their seats.

As for the spray skirt pooling water - You can try treating it with wash in waterproofer, but that does eventually wear off and you do it again.. basically, it's par for the course. if you want to avoid that, get a neoprene sprayskirt - but those are hot. I use one for the winter when I don't want water seapage. If you have a length of webbing that goes inside of the skirt, tighten that up, and it should push the hard band that goes across teh front of the skirt up, causing it to tent upwards and pool less water.

sounds like an awesome trip.

Your canon takes nice pics. Zen - I'd probably get that panasonic myself if I could justify a new camera. I'm closer to being able to justify one, 'cause the handle pulled off the side of my pentax last week - currently I have a ducttape & rope harness to use to hold it... But I have had the camera for 2-3 years and it's spent a lot of time dangling from that cord in kayaks and in salt water. there was some corrosion around the part that pulled off... So I'll try epoxy'ing it back together and should get in the habit of religiously bathing my camera after taking it into salt water.

Nono - leaking in waterproof gear/electronics is fairly common. Especially when you're taking it into salt water and sand environments. Both of which are extremely corrosive. Sand grit gets into the doors as you open & close your battery compartments or whatever and viola - what was once a waterproof seal is no longer... I usually take all those amazon reviews with a grain of salt/sand - because I have bought several things that people have claimed leaked instantly and am still using them 3 years later. I do keep both my waterproof gps & my waterproof marine radio in waterproof drybags. I have had the gps leak once... but either of those are things that may very well save my life and float once I stick them in a waterproof baggie. I clean all the seals on the rest of my electronics to make sure no sand gets in them and I coat the gaskets with vacuum grease to make sure that if anywater does get in - there's another layer of protection.

NoNo
08-30-2010, 04:55 PM
Yesterday, my brother and I took our parents kayaking. It was hot, but bearable on the water. They had a fun time going through the marshes and just getting out for a while.

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0729/987298338_mMF7n-M.jpg
Things got off to a shaky start when we got to the nearly-full sandbar for lunch and the paramedics arrived. A man felt light-headed (likely dehydrated) and couldn't drive his boat back. The tide was coming in and his family asked my dad and brother to help hold the boat while they sorted things out.

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0737/987306654_ukg5T-M.jpg
I love how quickly the camera turns on and I can capture those fleeting images.

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0794/987349045_a6qTM-M.jpg
We nestled into a quiet cove and everyone soaked up the sun. Dad has some great one-sided burn marks on his legs.

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0773/987337202_akhZT-M.jpg
My bilge pump finally got used!

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0802/987358092_8Hbfw-M.jpg
My brother was very proud of the dead crab he found.

http://onarumagalleries.smugmug.com/Kayaking/Old-Saybrook-with-the-Fam/IMG0771/987335383_HdhSt-M.jpg
There were occasionally some steering issues...

kmehrzad
08-30-2010, 06:54 PM
Nice pics, NoNo. Looks like you had a spectacular day for a paddle.

Your steering issues didn't look so bad to some I've encountered. What I dread is running into large cobwebs on overhanging trees or running ashore on what could potentially be a snake-laden muddy shoreline. Those thoughts send shivers down my spine.

Cataboo
08-31-2010, 02:23 PM
Nono, Looks like a great trip with your family. I haven't managed to convince my mother to come out with me at any point - But my older brother's taken up kayaking and biking in the last year, and my brother in law goes with sometimes. I think my niece would like it, but don't have a tandem to take her out with. I got a canoe to do that...

I haven't finished sorting through my pics, but here's some of paddling in the Apostles Islands, I'll link to the full albums and the trip report when I get that finished up.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH1IvjWIgdI/AAAAAAAAC1g/NmAjtoKN_1k/s720/IMGP8775.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH1IxYJ5HiI/AAAAAAAAC1o/ri-b7dlkwAI/s720/IMGP8776.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH1Izj7xFPI/AAAAAAAAC1s/oYqOKUWxUpU/s720/IMGP8796.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH1I3yqeTxI/AAAAAAAAC14/gYaeqwaxmm8/s512/IMGP8817.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH15bMxhZiI/AAAAAAAAC3M/_G5v4dpPaDg/s720/IMGP8850.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH17DA_lrBI/AAAAAAAAC6k/PkG8TM7vz0k/s800/_IGP0789.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH17BOvOnLI/AAAAAAAAC6c/0cVl-Z6cdSM/s800/_IGP0771.jpg


All photos that were taken on the water - pentax optio w60, the couple photos of the moon on land are taken with my dslr.

NoNo
09-01-2010, 12:12 PM
That looks like a fun place! I think the boat will be docked this weekend!:eek:

Cataboo
09-01-2010, 12:33 PM
That looks like a fun place! I think the boat will be docked this weekend!:eek:

Both my boats need some serious gel coat repairs now. I miss plastic, sort of. The 3-4 days of small crafts advisories and 25 mph+ winds would have been horrible with plastic, but it's nice being able to rock garden or do sea caves with little care to your boat. We both basically went around poking ourselves into the tightest holes we could find - but typically in those there wasn't enough light to get good pics - or the time to take your hands of the paddle. I need to go through all the video I took.


My wrists are getting a rest this weekend.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6p_R6MP6I/AAAAAAAADJ0/pkMHlDl9rGw/s800/_IGP1136.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6o4_EvKcI/AAAAAAAADHE/Aho0To0JhSA/s800/_IGP0929.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6n88tX4BI/AAAAAAAADE0/oKpHFZjFi6Q/s640/IMGP9154.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6oDWx0PHI/AAAAAAAADFA/0SPk0bZGtgs/s800/_IGP0878.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6nXG2k5_I/AAAAAAAADDc/z86Z-cPiB3I/s640/IMGP9134.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_fkR1_xTH524/TH6pjxVSNoI/AAAAAAAADIw/R4eZgh8XRyc/s800/_IGP1068.jpg

lph
09-01-2010, 12:39 PM
Oh wow, those are sooo beautiful! Just WOW!

kmehrzad
09-01-2010, 04:54 PM
Those photos are fantastic! What an awesome place to kayak through and around. Very memorable trip, I'm sure.

withm
09-06-2010, 07:06 AM
Heres our paddling yesterday on a small inland lake in Northern Michigan.

Zen
09-06-2010, 12:00 PM
Looks similar to where I went today but your clouds are more dramatic.

I saw a snake skin on a tree and got some good close shots of a Great Blue Heron.

photos soon

Cataboo
09-06-2010, 12:23 PM
Great pics - I wish I'd paddled more in Michigan, but there were 25 mph winds when I was there and my wrists were on their last legs.

Zen - I wanna see heron pics, I very rarely manage a close up.

Pictured rocks:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TIQDmrbOalI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/8gq4iMI-NJA/s512/IMGP1132.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TIQD6gn0yXI/AAAAAAAAMWc/7YIYvC-0tnE/s640/_IGP2470.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TIQD_ZsWKlI/AAAAAAAAMX0/7me73kFDfKE/s512/IMGP1211.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TIQEMGaTZ4I/AAAAAAAAMbk/Dq7gejOOEZo/s640/_IGP2516.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TIQEmXbn9eI/AAAAAAAAMjo/bKEDV6SzAxk/s640/IMGP1330.JPG

Zen
09-06-2010, 02:40 PM
Bird is the word
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010225copy.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010224copy.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010222copy.jpgyou can see the bendy legs
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010221.jpghttp://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010219.jpghttp://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1010217.jpgSnakeskin

i knew that bird was going to take flight and still missed the shot :(

Zen
09-07-2010, 05:30 PM
http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/weekend/edo.html

I like how they call them "timid" alligators.

NoNo
09-07-2010, 05:56 PM
Awesome close-ups of the heron! I saw one in Canada but it wanted nothing to do with me.

Zen
09-07-2010, 06:25 PM
That bendy backwards leg is so freaky. It's like she has an extra joint.

Cataboo
09-07-2010, 07:58 PM
Great pics of the herons, Zen - if you paddle on the Potomac around dc, the herons are so used to humans they will let you get quite close without moving.

Herons always make the bird/dinosaur/reptile link look very obvious to me.

I finally wrote up a trip report - it'll have a lot of the same pics I posted here:
http://cpakayaker.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5144&sid=c6ab5ae597eaf93cb93833d1348bcb8d

tulip
09-08-2010, 01:42 PM
I was paddling in the Northern Neck over the weekend (no pics sorry) and a Great Blue Heron was on a low branch and swooped right over my head, croaking like they do. I about fell in the water. They are huge up close, and very pterodactyl-like.

Zen
09-08-2010, 03:10 PM
Tulip, you finally got a kayak?

Zen
09-08-2010, 03:12 PM
Herons always make the bird/dinosaur/reptile link look very obvious to me.


hump-backed dinosaurs yields clues to origin of birds (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11221459)

Cataboo
09-16-2010, 07:06 AM
My kayak is officially a tandem. I no longer paddle alone.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs673.snc4/61339_441128591864_624946864_5145614_1351744_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs307.ash2/58737_441128631864_624946864_5145615_1812761_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs337.ash2/61707_441128701864_624946864_5145619_6684725_n.jpg

She did need a better hair do after all that salt water, so that was arranged:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs318.ash2/59879_441129236864_624946864_5145656_2724871_n.jpg

withm
09-16-2010, 08:49 AM
Ha Ha! I have a mascot too that I tuck under the bungy cord. It's especially designed to fend off errant jet-skis. What I really need is a side-winder missile!

Don't have a photo, but it's similar to this one:

Cataboo
09-16-2010, 09:14 AM
wow. Apparently everyone else has way more hardcore mascots than I do. Kalidurga was showing me her voodoo doll.

withm
09-16-2010, 09:41 AM
I should have a link on my computer at home for a slide show launching "said sidewinder missles" from a kayak at jetskis who come too close. It's hysterical. If I can find it again, I'll post it here. :D

lph
09-16-2010, 09:53 AM
That's quite a bosom your young duck lady is sporting there! And what exactly is she gripping in her, er.. wings? In the first pic it looks a little like that ninja weapon thingy except it's missing the rope.

Zen
09-16-2010, 10:22 AM
11901

lph
09-16-2010, 11:21 AM
fantastic :D

Cataboo
09-16-2010, 11:59 AM
That's quite a bosom your young duck lady is sporting there! And what exactly is she gripping in her, er.. wings? In the first pic it looks a little like that ninja weapon thingy except it's missing the rope.

She's got a erlenmeyer flask in one hand and I'm not quite sure what's in the other hand, other than its lab related.

Cataboo
09-20-2010, 07:40 AM
Paddling in Maine:

Yes, that is a seal's head:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGYrHwAAFI/AAAAAAAAObo/getuFXPqMwE/s800/IMGP0081.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGI7EZTLzI/AAAAAAAAOJ8/5TqSkKtBjzk/s800/IMGP9925.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGA6n-7F4I/AAAAAAAAN1k/UQUa4J8KNsY/s912/_IGP2968.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJEZhWu98fI/AAAAAAAANtw/eF3w1sGJMvg/s800/IMGP9451.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGNXpI_vvI/AAAAAAAAOTQ/mWObdzXyLz0/s800/IMGP0016.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGPejomtMI/AAAAAAAAOXs/X9TksLMt32s/s800/IMGP9998.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TJGN-_GSgXI/AAAAAAAAOUM/frqzbz5svq0/s800/IMGP0034.JPG

kaybee
09-22-2010, 10:49 AM
Catboo, were you in the Bar Harbor area? We were there in August, and those photos look very familiar! :D

KB

Cataboo
09-22-2010, 06:34 PM
Catboo, were you in the Bar Harbor area? We were there in August, and those photos look very familiar! :D

KB


Let me guess - you took the sailing ship cruise?

Possegal
09-22-2010, 06:52 PM
She's got a erlenmeyer flask in one hand and I'm not quite sure what's in the other hand, other than its lab related.

The other hand appears to have a test tube, with some chemicals bubbling out the top. :)

kaybee
09-23-2010, 12:22 PM
Let me guess - you took the sailing ship cruise?

No, we skipped the Margaret Todd and kayaked in Southwest Harbor. I recognized the two houses that you photographed because we went right past them.

Zen
09-23-2010, 05:37 PM
And what exactly is she gripping in her, er.. wings? In the first pic it looks a little like that ninja weapon thingy except it's missing the rope.

I missed that entirely, I was boobnityzed.

Cataboo
10-04-2010, 06:16 PM
Camping on Mockhorn Island:

The silhouette gets Arch Nemesis Duck:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs755.snc4/65502_448093986864_624946864_5290232_3909839_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs746.snc4/64636_448094076864_624946864_5290236_3140527_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs755.snc4/65530_448094226864_624946864_5290250_2936775_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs601.snc4/58104_448094396864_624946864_5290260_285919_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs008.snc4/33784_448094906864_624946864_5290288_5306720_n.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/ImmunoGirl/MockhornIsland#

Zen
10-05-2010, 03:48 PM
Lincoln Quoddy Light (http://www.womensadventuremagazine.com/your-sport/water/lincoln-quoddy-light/)
That surely is a sleek black beauty. I can't justify it though. I think the new camera rates higher on the want list

Cataboo
10-05-2010, 06:53 PM
Lincoln Quoddy Light (http://www.womensadventuremagazine.com/your-sport/water/lincoln-quoddy-light/)
That surely is a sleek black beauty. I can't justify it though. I think the new camera rates higher on the want list

That's a great price for the weight of that. I met the owner of Lincoln Canoe & Kayak when in Maine - very nice guy.

Cataboo
10-14-2010, 01:19 AM
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLRvV-nL1rI/AAAAAAAAPN8/kWipDYRbW4Q/s800/IMGP0463.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLRur44chQI/AAAAAAAAPG0/gRVUUFr-v4U/s800/IMGP0319.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLRu386uPEI/AAAAAAAAPI0/ALJSleH-1K0/s576/IMGP0375.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLRvAcWnwUI/AAAAAAAAPKY/cF8dlFX5sYg/s800/IMGP0397.JPG

NoNo
10-14-2010, 04:20 AM
What kind of gear should I have to paddle at this time of year? I feel like I should have a jacket of some sort now. Not that I have free time, but perhaps it would be good to make note of for Christmas. I know that stuff isn't cheap, so it's good present request material.

Cataboo
10-14-2010, 07:21 AM
The water temperatures are changing fast - it's already down in the 60's around here.

You can google full on drysuits - but those are $500+ - if you want to paddle all winter, that's what you need.

Otherwise I'd at the minimum recommend a farmer john wetsuit & a semi dry or dry top to go on over it. Neoprene gloves or some pogies for your hands. I use the outdoor research seatle sombrero in cold water - waterproof with some insulation. You could use a neoprene hood instead.
http://www.rei.com/product/238313
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2221&pdeptid=2330

Then get a paddle jacket to go over it. Paddle jackets come without latex gaskets, with them on neck & wrist, or with them on wrists only. Latex gaskets stop the water from coming in - if you have a paddle jacket without them at the wrists, usually eventually you'll have water get scooped up by your sleeve and then trickle down to your elbow and shoulder when you paddle. It's not so much fun when that water is really cold. So I actually have one of each - a goretex one without gaskets that gets put on in summer months when it gets windy or rainy, but it's very comfortable 'cause I don't have elastic bands around my wrists. If I fall in, I'm getting wet.

Then I've got a hooded one with a zipper at the neck and wrist gaskets - this one's my main fall or bad weather jacket. The hood and the neck is comfortable - the wrist gaskets stop water from going up my sleeve. Yes, if I fall in, I'm getting wet.

Then for colder, I've got a drytop with wrist & neck gaskets, and dry pants with waterpoof socks built into it. The weak spot is the layering at the waist, but I haven't found a drysuit I can afford.

So - basically, you want to dress for the water temperatures and not the air temps - if you fall in (and yes, I know you have no intention of falling in and probably will never do so, but you want to be survive it if it does happen for some reason), hypothermia can be quick in cold water. Carry a drybag will dry clothing with you when you go out. I like polartec powershield because it's a warm fleecy layer that stays warm when wet. Mysterioso makes some paddling layers out of something similar to it, and rei has their house brand of powershield stuff. Anything nylon absorbs water and holds it when it gets wet - polypropylene doesn't absorb water - so polypro layers are better. I've got some ripcurl polypro rashguards that are very warm when wet (or not). Primaloft stays warm when wet, down loses its insulating qualities when wet. So I have a packable primaloft hat, booties, and puffy jacket that go with in the kayak if I'm camping, and if I'm paddling in the cold... If you do happen to get wet, being able to get to shore and putting on warm dry layers is very important.


Here's some links:
http://www.paddleboston.com/advice/dressforcoldwater.php

http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/pages/expertcenter/coldwater/coldwater-1.shtml

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?95

Cataboo
10-14-2010, 03:28 PM
I shoulda named this thread show us where cat paddled.

Fall color:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLeOeQyeggI/AAAAAAAAPhc/mTA1mrN2TgI/s800/IMGP0836.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLeMf7pV2mI/AAAAAAAAPdY/E9jFZwWXTag/s800/IMGP0726.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLeNMuaEv0I/AAAAAAAAPfE/QSIN8jzi5nM/s800/IMGP0766.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TLeNJxfZbdI/AAAAAAAAPe8/cLsbCmfFgBg/s800/IMGP0764.JPG

Cataboo
10-20-2010, 08:30 AM
Cold water boot camp video on hypothermia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xohI3B4Uc


Paddling over in Blackwater for the Wild Goose Chase:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL5ujNMd7oI/AAAAAAAAPt8/cSXaLX5BtEM/s720/IMGP1064.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL5yDgANIgI/AAAAAAAAPzk/XLAB0SJ8Mp4/s720/IMGP1154.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL5v0JWv2RI/AAAAAAAAPwQ/bQq_KdnuwFc/s720/IMGP1094.JPG

Fall on the Triadelphia:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL57LkXtdcI/AAAAAAAAP8k/QPLVhJs5L5k/s576/IMGP1279.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL587EhmgJI/AAAAAAAAQAY/vcCird3ovPk/s720/IMGP1319.JPG

Cataboo
10-21-2010, 10:58 AM
Stalking racoons:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_ZfHyDYEI/AAAAAAAAQiU/JLEwYhSTgow/s800/IMGP1508-1.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_TZqbaAiI/AAAAAAAAQX8/8Sq0jivxUj8/s800/IMGP1511.JPG

Stopping to put on a warmer layer:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_Vo40B8fI/AAAAAAAAQa4/qGFJmvLGQdQ/s800/IMGP1539.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_V9v-pS0I/AAAAAAAAQbs/yRK6iOpn9fg/s576/IMGP1549.JPG

Stalking wild turkeys:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_WVchFCkI/AAAAAAAAQcE/D0vjjSJ2rUc/s800/IMGP1556.JPG

Sunset & moonrise:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_X5yp3zlI/AAAAAAAAQew/JIRFyD0uOaw/s800/IMGP1591.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_X9BaV8qI/AAAAAAAAQe4/U-44mzy-LFs/s800/IMGP1593.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WfCe0A3iU1c/TL_XJ5vuqzI/AAAAAAAAQdY/3XRV6pzU8S0/s800/IMGP1573.JPG

wawaski
10-24-2010, 05:55 PM
Georgous!

Serendipity
08-18-2011, 06:37 PM
I know this is an old thread but is anyone kayaking this summer?:D

This was taken on a beautiful calm morning a couple of weekends ago on a small bay on the northern shore of Lake Superior. So peaceful !!

tulip
08-18-2011, 08:11 PM
I'm still kayakless. Big bummer. I will only pay cash for one, though, and at the moment my cash is otherwise occupied. Beautiful photo!

Serendipity
08-19-2011, 04:38 AM
I'm still kayakless. Big bummer. I will only pay cash for one, though, and at the moment my cash is otherwise occupied. Beautiful photo!

Tulip, sorry to hear you're kayakless - but I feel exactly the same about only paying cash!

Pax
08-19-2011, 04:49 AM
I miss kayaking so much! We sold ours because the only mud puddle we had to paddle in was 45 minutes away and it was crowded and kinda gross. We do rent when we go to other, more beautiful places.

lph
08-19-2011, 05:13 AM
From this summers kayaking :)

indysteel
08-19-2011, 06:26 AM
Wow, lph. That is stunning. Where were you?

These kayaking photos really make me want to live somewhere with lots of kayaking opportunities. Indiana isn't the place for it. It just looks like a lovely way to see the world.

lph
08-19-2011, 07:33 AM
Oh, just a short drive away :p

Nah, this is from Nærøyfjorden on the west coast, the narrowest and one of most scenic fjords in Norway. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a wonderful place to kayak. The whole fjord only takes maybe 4 hours to paddle, but it's just stunning. Did it last summer and again this summer. It's about 5 hours drive away from here, but it was a convenient stop between our in-laws cabin and visiting friend in Bergen.

Sardine
08-20-2011, 03:26 AM
From this summers kayaking :)

Wow!! Norway is such a beautiful country.

GLC1968
08-22-2011, 01:01 PM
From this summers kayaking :)

Gorgeous!!

I actually have been hooked on this sport this summer. We've taken three excursions (two small 'training' trips and one bigger multi-day trip) and I am already pushing to plan more for next year!

Here are a few from our trip. These were taken with my husbands older point-&-shoot waterproof camera, so the quality isn't great.

Heading out (I'm on the left)
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu34/GLC1968/kayaking048-1.jpg

The women (by luck, all the women on the trip had red boats!)
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu34/GLC1968/kayaking068.jpg

A shot from the island where we camped
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu34/GLC1968/kayaking140.jpg

Me, attempting a roll (no, I was not successful :mad:)
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/uu34/GLC1968/roll2.jpg

lph
08-22-2011, 11:25 PM
Re rolling, just had to report:

I've managed a fairly consistent roll - indoors in a heated pool, in a junior kayak, wearing a swimsuit, diving mask and nose clip...:rolleyes: - but outdoors I've concentrated on getting good at a wet exit self-rescue, since I paddle a lot alone. Felt I had a pretty good handle on it, until the other day when a friend and were going to practice. Took my dh's kayak thinking I should practice with that one too since it has a very small cockpit, freaked out a little at the thought of a wet exit, failed at an assisted roll (where you grab the other persons kayak to flip up again), did a wet exit and came up with my head completely stuffed with water and uncontrollably gasping for breath... dammit :mad: At the same time my friend who had just bought her first kayak almost completed a roll :rolleyes: But then she's an old river kayaker.

Not sure what went wrong. I can't always practice with a mask and nose clip, because I'm not gonna be paddling with them on. And why on earth do I have this urge to inhale under water!

Argh. Back to practicing a whole lot more.

GLC1968
08-23-2011, 08:06 AM
Re rolling, just had to report:

I've managed a fairly consistent roll - indoors in a heated pool, in a junior kayak, wearing a swimsuit, diving mask and nose clip...:rolleyes: - but outdoors I've concentrated on getting good at a wet exit self-rescue, since I paddle a lot alone. Felt I had a pretty good handle on it, until the other day when a friend and were going to practice. Took my dh's kayak thinking I should practice with that one too since it has a very small cockpit, freaked out a little at the thought of a wet exit, failed at an assisted roll (where you grab the other persons kayak to flip up again), did a wet exit and came up with my head completely stuffed with water and uncontrollably gasping for breath... dammit :mad: At the same time my friend who had just bought her first kayak almost completed a roll :rolleyes: But then she's an old river kayaker.

Not sure what went wrong. I can't always practice with a mask and nose clip, because I'm not gonna be paddling with them on. And why on earth do I have this urge to inhale under water!

Argh. Back to practicing a whole lot more.

Maybe try the roll in a pool without the mask and nose clip first?

What was funny was that I was the only paddler to attempt it! There were three experienced people on our trip (two were the leaders) and 5 novices. I was the only one who would even consider it (presumably because of the water temp, but really, I think a lot of people just have open water issues). I've never been in a kayak in a pool before, but I prefer open water to pools anyway, so I figured it was worth a shot. My problem was that I just couldn't transpose what I was being told above the water into what was happening below the water and I just couldn't get it to work. I didn't have any panic feelings when I was under and while I did get water up my nose and in my sinuses, that's nothing new to me so it wasn't a big deal. It was just too confusing upside down!

I attempted it three times. One time one of the leaders helped me with a rescue, the second time, I *almost* managed to self-rescue but failed. My H decided he would help me rescue and I managed to dump him. Ooops! He doesn't handle cold water well and was quite a bit pissed at me. :o

Oh well - next time! In fact, I'd be interested in trying it in a local lake as the salt water was getting to me after awhile.

Cataboo
08-23-2011, 08:13 AM
I've been playing a lot in the surf this summer and a couple times in whitewater. I was surprised to find my roll pretty bombproof everytime I've inadvertently gone over (if I don't get it the first time, the 2nd works). Yes, it does suck if you don't have your noseplugs in & get a nose douche. I just concentrate on starting to hum or blow out of your nose when you're going in... If you hum, water can't go up your nose. Close your eyes as well.

If I'm playing in the surf, I just keep my nose plugs in - Even paddling into the waves, when they break in your face, you get a ton of salt water in your eyes/nose. They get pulled off & i get enough salt water nose douches like that. I lost a pair of prescription sunglasses in the surf, so now I've started tethering my sunglass tether to the back of my pfd & my hat. I can't tell you how many times I've had to grab my hat while underwater & roll up holding it.


I've never practiced with a mask on, so I'm not use to that.

Oregon looks gorgeous to paddle in, as does Norway. I've been doing a ton of paddling this season, but mostly east coast of the US - midatlantic states & Florida. I got some paddling in over in Scotland back in June.

pics as always are over on picasaweb.google.com/immunogirl (I'd spam you guys if I tried to post pics)

GLC - generally it's easiest to learn a roll in a pool or somewhere where it's about 4 feet deep, with someone helping you or not. But next time you try it - put a paddle float on the end of your paddle, and use that to get the hip snap motion and the sweep motion with your paddle... It's actually pretty easy to roll up with a paddle float on your paddle, so if you do blow the roll, just climb into your kayak upside down, and roll up with the paddle float on your paddle... The paddle float will keep the paddle on the surface and you just have to pull upwards on it.

And given the water temps in Oregon, I wouldn't get myself wet for the fun of it. I roll all the time here, but the water temp is like 80 degrees & the air temp is 90-100 degrees. I'm usually wearing dry gear or neoprene when paddling in water temps like you guys have. I've had the cold water safety & hypothermia safety routines completely drilled into me. Which is somewhat funny, because I know I can do at least 5 self rescue techniques and another god knows how many group rescue techniques.

GLC1968
08-23-2011, 10:12 AM
One of the other experienced folks mentioned using a paddle float. I'll have to try that the next time. As I was working on it, another guy came over to offer tips. His tips were EXCELLENT for helping me get the idea of what it would feel like, so I was thankful for that. I think he might have been an instructor when not on vacation because he was really good at explaining things and helping me do little things while upright to kind of learn. Oh, and I was doing this in a sheltered bay, so the water was very calm and less than 5 ft deep (I could just barely touch with my head above water once I'd exited).

The water was pretty cold, but I swim in water that cold all the time and it doesn't bother me. I was wearing a sleeveless tri wetsuit and a pfd that day, so I was plenty warm enough. I think the water temps were mid 50's in that bay so it wasn't that bad. Honestly, 80F water would probably kill me. I don't even like pools that warm!

Cataboo
08-23-2011, 10:57 AM
There is nothing in life that I hate more than a soggy wetsuit. I avoid it all costs :) Especially if i'm on a multi-day trip, 'cause there's nothing worse than waking up in the morning to put on a cold wet wetsuit & have to paddle around in it all day and to repeat the next day.

My hair is long and takes a couple hours to dry and won't dry if it's braided or in a bun... So if I'm in a drysuit or a dry top, I'll roll if i know I'm getting off the water before the sun goes down or the wind picks up. 'cause it's freezing being out with wet hair in cold water.

80 degree water is quite refreshing when it's 100 degrees outside.

They probably should have started you off with doing hip snaps off the front of someone's boat, and then moving to doing those with a paddle float... let's you get the hip snap motion & the coming up with your head up last motion (that trips up a lot of people)

Cataboo
08-23-2011, 11:05 AM
Re rolling, just had to report:

I've managed a fairly consistent roll - indoors in a heated pool, in a junior kayak, wearing a swimsuit, diving mask and nose clip...:rolleyes: - but outdoors I've concentrated on getting good at a wet exit self-rescue, since I paddle a lot alone. Felt I had a pretty good handle on it, until the other day when a friend and were going to practice. Took my dh's kayak thinking I should practice with that one too since it has a very small cockpit, freaked out a little at the thought of a wet exit, failed at an assisted roll (where you grab the other persons kayak to flip up again), did a wet exit and came up with my head completely stuffed with water and uncontrollably gasping for breath... dammit :mad: At the same time my friend who had just bought her first kayak almost completed a roll :rolleyes: But then she's an old river kayaker.

Not sure what went wrong. I can't always practice with a mask and nose clip, because I'm not gonna be paddling with them on. And why on earth do I have this urge to inhale under water!

Argh. Back to practicing a whole lot more.

the gasping for breath might be a reaction to the cold water - cold water gasp reflex.

Since you paddle alone most - Practice reentering & rolling - with a paddle float at first, and then without. That's a lot easier than a paddle float reentry or a cowboy.

lph
08-23-2011, 12:15 PM
the gasping for breath might be a reaction to the cold water - cold water gasp reflex.

Since you paddle alone most - Practice reentering & rolling - with a paddle float at first, and then without. That's a lot easier than a paddle float reentry or a cowboy.

Will do! I haven't tried rolling with a paddle float yet.

Funny thing about the gasping is that I've spent plenty of time under water in temps just like these, and a lot colder, practicing in spring. I think I may have held my breath or forgotten to take an extra breath before going round, and hanging upside down waiting for her to bump into my kayak I suddenly ran out of air fast. Which is useful to have experienced of course anyway, because there's no certainty I'd have time for an extra breath if I were thrown around by a wave for real.

Cataboo
08-23-2011, 12:22 PM
Yeah, but you generally know you're in a wave and potentially going over and probably are prepared to grab an extra breath... I will say that a few times this summer, I've been reaching to do the next stroke and all the sudden I'm upside down doing the next stroke... But my current kayaks are a lot more "lively" in waves than the one I used to use... It shoots off down one or something and I haven't caught up with what's going on.

I usually take a breath when I fail a roll, go under, get reset up, try the roll again... repeat. repeat.

But I spent most of last summer upside down, till I got to the point that I was comfortable upside down. Not freaking out because you're upside down helps a lot. I know a lot of people who have beautiful rolls, but will freak and wet exit when they accidently end up upside down. I also practiced flipping over, waiting however long, and then rolling back up, since it's easier to do it in all one motion and let your momentum help you carry back up.

sadieme
09-06-2011, 05:38 PM
WooHoo!!! A paddling thread!! Who knew??:)

I just moved back to the midwest after living out west where there were lots of wonderful places to paddle. I havent been out since I got back though. Not sure where there is to paddle here other then muddy lakes. But I couldnt give up the 'yaks,' so they moved with me.

Anyway.. just excited to see this here!

Sorry to interrupt... carry on. :)