Winter 2012

NEWSLETTER OF LONG ISLAND PADDLERS lipaddlers.org

Assateague National Wildlife Refuge Photo by Alan Mindlin Letter from the President By Steve Berner

BRRRRR! It’s January 4th and twenty-five Plastic, or polyethylene, boats should be degrees outside, with a wind chill temperature stored on their sides to prevent denting, or oil of minus three degrees. Winter has most canning. definitely arrived. Few of us are thinking of on a day like this, but it is the perfect Now that you boat is all set, it time to start time to begin thinking of the upcoming thinking about where you want to this paddling season. After all, the warm weather year. Do you want to continue paddling in will be upon us before we know it. protected harbors or do you want to venture out onto our many bays? Perhaps you want Now is the time to do all those little things to to explore other places on the Island. The your that you put off during the East End provides some of the most beautiful paddling season. First, you want to make paddling on the East Coast. If your goal is to sure that your boat is clean inside and out. If one day paddle across the Sound to you own a composite boat (fiberglass or Connecticut, you may need to begin planning Kevlar), you can polish out the smaller that now. Maybe you want to take out the scratches with an auto body cleaner. Apply maps and plan a paddling trip within a day’s 303 Protectant to your kayak to hide scratches drive, whether it’s the lakes in the Adirondacks and prevent sun damage. If your hatch or the waters around Maine’s Acadia National covers have a rubber seal, treat them with Park. If you want to think really big, there’s 303 as well. Check the shock cord deck Washington State, the Florida Everglades, or rigging to make sure they are still tight. the islands off of Greece. Winter is a great Replace the ones that are loose. Make sure time for dreaming, but dreams don’t come the carrying handles are secure. If your seat true without proper planning. has been bothering you, now is the best time to fix it. Add that new back band or replace it If you have never practiced a wet exit or a completely with a custom designed cell foam self/assisted rescue, the best way to insure seat. Does your rudder or skeg work that you are ready to safely paddle this smoothly? If not, find out why and fix it. And season is to sign up for one of our pool calk those leaking bulkheads. Nobody wants a sessions at St. Joseph’s College. These soggy sandwich. Directions to fixing almost sessions, available only to our members, are every kayak problem can be found on the free and represent the most important use of internet. your club dues. Attending one session is worth the Once your boat is in tip-top shape, make sure cost membership. So, to store it for the remainder of the winter before you do anything properly. Ideally, your boat should be stored else, go to our website and indoors. If you must store it outdoors, keep it sign up for one of the pool out of the sunlight and upside down to sessions now. You won’t discourage mice and other critters from calling be disappointed. them home. Hatch covers should be left open or slightly ajar so air can circulate freely throughout the compartments. 2011 Annual Club Awards by Steve Berner Pictures by Alan Mindlin Each year, the president of the Long Island and posting nine walking trips to places as Paddlers gives out several awards in recognition varied as the Statue of Liberty and Greenwood of those individuals whose efforts have helped Cemetery. to make the club a more enjoyable experience for all our members. Those awards are The Third Annual Silver Paddle Award was traditionally presented at out holiday party. presented next and is given to the person who This year, our holiday party was on December has made the greatest overall impact on the 10th at the LaFamiglia Restaurant in Babylon. club that year. This year, the award was given to two people who could win the award every The first award given out that night was the year – our Membership Coordinator, Peter Silver Whistle Award which is presented to the Stoehr, and our Treasurer, Kristin Costa. trip leader who has provided the clubs’ Without their efforts, the club would cease to members the greatest opportunity to get out function. As the person in charge of and enjoy the waters surrounding Long Island. membership, Peter prepares and sends out renewal notices in March. He then must check each application to make sure it has been filled out correctly, enter any changes into the computer, and pass the dues along to the Treasurer. This work continues all year as new members continue to join the club. Kristin then processes the dues, deposits the checks into the club’s account, and pays any outstanding bills. She also takes over for Peter when he goes on vacation and is the website co-coordinator.

The Lifetime Achievement Award The Third Annual Silver Whistle Award went to is not presented Chiara Nuzzo for planning and posting ten every year. It is paddling trips around Long Island. reserved for that person who has been an important contributing member of the club for not just one year but for many years. It carries with it a lifetime membership to the club. This year, it was given to Ken Fink. Ken has held a position on the Executive Council of the club for thirteen The team of Fran Cassidy and Paul Aledort also straight years. He was vice president from received the Silver Whistle Award for planning 1999 – 2005. He then took over as president from 2006 – 2007, during a very turbulent In honor of this service and because it is highly period in our club’s history. From 2008 – 2010, unlikely that anyone will ever come close to he served as past president before being re- matching his service, the Lifetime Achievement elected as president in 2011. This year will Award will forever be known as the Ken Fink mark his fourteenth year on the Executive Award. Council, when he will again hold the position of Past President. In addition, Ken has been a trip The club owes a debt of gratitude to these six leader, a skills’ day instructor, and a club people and to all the other people who representative at public events countless times. volunteer their time to make the Long Island He has never hesitated to step-up whenever the Paddlers the best kayak club on the East Coast. club was in need of someone. By-Laws Amendment

In accordance with our By-Laws, the Executive Council has approved and is posting in the newsletter the following statement to be added to section 2. CLUB ORGANIZATION D. Members 4. Members may invite a non-member on one club trip with the permission of the trip leader. That member assumes a certain degree of responsibility for the non-member. To attend additional trips, the non-member must become a member in good standing. This clause is being added at the request of our new insurance company, the United States Association.

This change will be announced and discussed at the January General Meeting and voted on at the February meeting by paper ballot. Absentee ballots must be received by February 14th. A proposed change must be approved by two-thirds of the members voting in order for the By-Laws to be amended. If approved, the change will become effective immediately.

November Election Results At our November elections we had annual elections, the post of President and both Members at Large were contested. Steve Berner and Fred Hosage both ran for President and, in a hotly contested election, Steve was elected President of the Long Island Paddlers. Frank Durante, Barry Goldblatt, John Giuffre and Paul Giiwoyna ran for Members at Large. The vote was close but Barry and Frank won the election. Kristen Costa ran unopposed for Treasurer, Edith Burian regained her former position as Secretary and Alan Mindlin was re-elected as Vice President. We thank all members who stepped up and ran for office to help make this club better. We also thank Lenora Daniel and Ken Fink our outgoing Secretary and President for their hard work in 2011. Long Island Paddlers’ Year End Report January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011 Submitted by Kristin Costa

Opening Balance Jan 1, 2011 $6,076.87 Membership Dues $7,850.00 Business Sponsorship Dues $733.00 Business Partnership Dues $75.00 TOTAL INCOME $8,658.00

Training and Safety $1,210.00 Pool Rental

Insurance $175.00 Club Insurance 11/1 to 2/1/12 $385.00 Directors and Officers Liability $32.50 US Canoe Association Membership $592.50 TOTAL

Programs $250.00 Speaking Fees paid to Non-Profits $100.00 Speaking Fees paid to Individuals $350.00 TOTAL

Donations $250.00 Bay Shore / Brightwaters Public Library

Conservation $312.40 Net for Clean-up Carmen's River Kiosk Materials

Refreshments $262.70 General Meetings

Picnics / Club Events $300.00 Spring Picnic Permit $167.06 Fall Lobster Picnic Subsidy $596.16 Holiday Party Subsidy $1,063.22 TOTAL

Club Library $29.99 DVD's

Annual Awards $290.93 Presented at Holiday Party

Office Expenses $235.28 Postage, Postal Box Rental, and Photocopies

Website $29.99 Domain and Hosting Fees

Publicity $18.08 Club Brochures

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $4,645.09

Closing Balance Dec 31, 2011 $10,089.78 Assateague NWR: The Wind and the Ponies Text by Steve Berner, Photo’s by Kristin Costa

For the sixth year in a row, Long Island Paddlers Sixteen members made it down, the smallest traveled down to Assateague National Wildlife number of participants since the first year, in Refuge in Maryland to paddle with the ponies. 2006. Six were first timers. One, Helen from This year, we again traveled on the Veteran’s Day Brooklyn, had joined the club only the week holiday weekend so that people would have the before. extra day to travel the 300 miles each way. Most of us drove down early Friday morning with the idea of possibly paddling before the official trip began on Saturday. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we met winds between 35 – 45 mph with gusts as high as 50 from the WNW. Chincoteague Bay had rows of two foot waves crashing on the beach every second. There was only one kite surfer who was literally flying across the water. It was difficult just standing straight up. Paddling would have been impossible. Instead, we spent the afternoon exploring Assateague Island, walking the nature trails, and looking for ponies.

The winds were supposed to ease over the weekend – at least we hoped they would. Predictions were for winds anywhere from 15 to 35 mph from the SW on Saturday and slightly less on Sunday. Luckily, the plans for Saturday were to paddle the Pocomoke River, which we hoped was howling. It was not as bad as Friday, but it was too strong to paddle to the Tingles campsite where we normally stop for lunch. So instead, we did a short two mile circular trip around Old Ferry Landing, our put-in. Protected from the south winds by several smaller islands, we had a smooth paddle and even saw nine ponies. One of those ponies was the newest addition to the herd, a one month old colt. In six years, this was the first time we saw a baby pony since the population of the herd is tightly controlled. Only four were born in 2011.

We were off the water by noon, and most of us would provide some protection from the wind. headed home. Although we did not paddle as And at 10:00 AM the next day, that is what we much as we have in the past, we still had a great did. trip and went home tired but happy.

Snow Hill has a pretty little park right on the Pocomoke River with two concrete boat ramps and one wooden kayak/canoe ramp, which we only found at the end. We paddled two miles south into the mouth of the Nassawango Creek. Then we paddled one mile west looking for a pair of eagles that had been spotted by our advance team of scouts, Ken and Dennis. Not finding any, we returned to the Pocomoke and continued south to Shad Landing, a part of Pocomoke River State Park, where we relaxed and ate lunch. After the tide changed, we paddled leisurely north, with the wind at our backs, thankfully, returning to Snow Hill.

Sunday was the make or break day. Many members had planned to drive home after paddling in Assateague so we wanted to get on the water early – 9:00 AM. Well, early for me Photo by Alan Mindlin anyway. When we got to the put-in, the wind

Photo by Alan Mindlin Towlines by Tom Mulligan For some of us paddlers, the more time we spend on a nylon webbing strap with a plastic quick release the water, the more need we see to be better buckle. If needed, add a float to this end too. equipped. I always considered a towline a luxury So, now equipped with a towline, how do you use it? that I could do without—until I needed one. First, be ready to deploy early, if you hesitate and Sometimes there is a reluctance to potentially offend conditions are deteriorating, or the paddler becomes someone by offering to tow them, or to appear weak less responsive, you will have more work to do. by accepting a tow. But if the intent is to keep a Ideally, the towed paddler can assist with strokes to group together, or to move someone out of a maintain course and lessen towing required. If dangerous situation, or a line is offered to a conditions deteriorate you may lose this assistance, fatigued, sick, or injured paddler, it is best to make or may need someone to help with the towing which or accept the offer. So nowadays I bring one with requires greater coordination and possibly additional me, even if it’s sole utility is to bind together 15 towlines that may increase the task complexity. boats for a shore bound lunch. But if used as The question of how much space between intended, and it helps someone get out of a tough varies by wind and wave orientation. situation, then it’s well worth bringing it along. Towing into the wind/wave is more efficient with a shorter rope, but with enough room for the towed You can spend over $50 for a towline, but they are kayak to move side to side. With the wind/waves so simple to make that I’m saving my $50 for following it is better to have a longer distance, to something else and made my own. It’s easy once allow room for surfing motions, and the towed kayak you know what the components of a good line are. should deploy the rudder/skeg to maintain direction First, you want a line that floats, making it easier to behind the towing kayak. With the wind or waves locate on the water. Both ends of the line should going across the path, a boat length distance helps, have quick releases. The end that will attach to the but frequent course directions may be required. bow of the towed kayak will have a bungee cord and a quick release carabiner on it. The bungee serves If conditions are feisty, the paddler being towed may to absorb jolting as the rope slack is taken up. The have to concentrate on maintaining a low brace to carabiner should be made for marine use; no notch add stability, but at the expense of mobility. on the nose for a rope to catch on and made of In those situations where the towed paddler cannot stainless steel to limit the corrosive effects of sea offer assistance, two paddlers can assist in the tow water. At the other end there is another quick using a V shaped tow line and coordinated stroke release, this time a plastic quick release buckle technique. attached to a nylon webbing 1” wide belt. This goes Whatever the particular technique used clear around the chest, outside of the PFD. It could be communication is essential. Clearly defined roles will set at hip height, but often the line will scrape stern ensure that teamwork is effective and maximized. sections of the kayak and this can be avoided by wearing the strap at chest height. Also, at this height, the padding of the PFD prevents any discomfort when hooked to another boat.

Assembly is easy. Start with fifty feet of twisted polypropylene rope (it floats, is resistant to mildew and can be stored wet). Attach the rope with a bungee cord that is secured by plastic cable ties. Fishing floats can be added to prevent the bungee cord section from sinking, and the line is finished with a carabiner. At the other end of the line is tied Pulling a kayak with a bicycle By Art Leiz

Having just moved to a Condo complex on the Forge River in Moriches, I needed a simple way to bring my kayak to the marina. So I developed and built a hitch that easily bolts to my bike rear carrier; has a universal connection; and a yoke that attaches to the kayak. Put all your gear in the boat at home, and peddle (not paddle) to the water’s edge!

The kayak dolly was made from PVC pipes and has pneumatic tires (northerntool.com, p/n 145126- 2201, $18.00 each). The key is to balance the kayak with NO weight on the bow. The hitch MUST contain a swivel universal connection; and a yoke to attach to the kayak. On my Surge, the bow is long and narrow with a hole through it for the hand carrying strap, so it was easy. Each kayak bow is different so this yoke configuration must be developed to fit your kayak.

A few short 2X4’s, and $4.00 worth of a screw eye and a few bolts. Then paint it black to make it look NOT homemade.

I find pulling it has little effect - if any - on the bike balance or effort. And braking is no problem. Just be careful when making turns (make them wide) since the wheels on the kayak are about 12’ behind your bike. On The Horizon

Freya Hoffmeister’s Circumnaviagation London 2 London Via the World Around South America

Sarah Outen is attempting a solo human powered journey around the world. Back in April 2011 she kayaked across the English Channel and then jumped on a bike to Freya has traveled south from Buenos Aires, and is in what is one of the most unforgiving continue her odessey. She has completed her area’s of her trip, Cape Horn. Just before multi month bike trip across Eurasia crossing New Years she was buffeted by 50 knot winds from China into Russia and has kayaked over and on a rough landing cracked her paddle to Japan, where she is presently awaiting and kayak. The paddle was the one she used springtime. to circumnavigate Australia. Not to worry though, she has a spare paddle and has the The journey will then continue with a 4 to 6 means to repair her kayak. This happened at month row across the Pacific to North America. the southern tip of Argentina, she is now You can catch up and follow along at halfway through phase 1 of her journey. sarahouten.com which combines text with Information will be made available at her short video updates. website: freyahoffmeister.com

Sandy Robson is attempting to recreate the 1930’s journey of Oskar Speck, who mostly kayaked from Germany to Australia. She has completed stage 1, (Germany to Turkey) of a five year plan and is actively seeking sponsorship to continue with the plan, which will resume in Turkey and involve a land crossing into Iran and continue into . Given the recent activity in Iran her plans may need to be modified. She anticipates heading down the west coast of India by early next year. You can learn more at sandy-robson.com P.O. BOX 115 West Sayville, NY 11796

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors. Information offered on any topic should not be assumed to be authoritative or complete. On all paddling issues it’s important to base one’s practices on multiple sources of information.

To learn and see more of what the Long Island Paddlers are about see our website: lipaddlers.org

Meetings Newsletter

Members and nonmembers are always Long Island Paddlers Publication Dates welcome at our monthly meetings. April 15 • July 15 • October 15 • January 15 We meet the third Tuesday of each month. For the latest updates, or for driving Deadlines for submission are one month directions, please see our website. prior to publication date. Members are Tentative meeting dates for 2012 are encouraged to submit articles, pictures, January 17 February 21 March 20 letters to the editor, newsworthy notes, April 17 May 22 June 19 July 17 recipes, trip reports or future trip August 21 September 18 October 16 information etc. to the editor. November 20 Editor reserves the right to editorial privileges. Unless otherwise stated, the We meet from 7 to 9 PM at views expressed are those of the authors Brightwaters Public Library and do not represent official position 1 South Country Road statements of Long Island Paddlers Club. Please submit all newsletter articles, Brightwaters, NY 11718 pictures, letters and advertising by deadline, to the editor at: [email protected]