BlazingBlazingNewsletterNewsletter ofof LongLong PaddlesPaddles IslandIsland PaddlersPaddlers Spring 2008 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 is important to base one’s practices on multiple sources of information. Bruce Mulligan in St. Joseph’s Pool March 9th Photo by David Thaler President’s Message: “A Look Back Before Looking Ahead” By Steven Berner April is here and most of us are looking forward advertising space for future sponsors which will to warm weather and putting our kayaks back in help pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the the water. Perhaps some of you have taken Frank website. Two skills’ days have already taken place. Chillemi’s advice and are already paddling before Seventy members practiced everything from wet the power boats have started their engines. exits to rolling at the pool at St. Joseph’s College. Wherever you find yourself, I want to take a Club members Ed Luke, Barbara Fontana, Ken moment to look back at what the club has Doxsey, Justin Freund, Bruce Mulligan, Ken Fink, accomplished in the first three months of 2008. John Giuffre, Ray Smith, Mike Matty, Liz The club’s By-Laws were amended and three major Marcellus, Frank Chillemi, Ray Clarkson, and Dale changes were made. First, the decision making Clarkson volunteered their time to help their fel- process has been concentrated with the elected low paddlers practice these important safety skills. officers – the Executive Committee. Secondly, the More skills’ days are scheduled for this summer - officers’ term was changed to December 1st – one at Sunken Meadow State Park in July and one November 30th which enables the Executive at Stony Brook Harbor in August. Committee, elected in November, to begin plan- In January, seven trip leaders - John Giuffe, Ken ning for the upcoming year in December. The final Fink, Frank Jackson, Fred Hosage, Barbara amendment change insured that no club money is Fontana, Alan Mindlin, and I - got together at spent without the approval of a majority of the Frank’s house and planned twenty-five club Executive Committee. The By-Law amendments paddling trips beginning in May and ending in were passed at the February General Membership November. Ken has been in contact with the Meeting, 33 – 1. Dave Thaler, our Membership Sebago Canoe Club and is trying to arrange a joint Coordinator, has renewed over 100 members and paddle with them at the Jamaica Bay National signed up over twenty new members. Liz Wildlife Refuge in August. And Roberta Samet has Marcellus, the Conservation Coordinator, has led offered to host a potluck barbeque/paddle at her her first trip of the new year - a clean-up of the house in Noyac this summer. If you are interested Upper Nissequoque River through Caleb Smith in becoming a trip leader and want to know what State Park. Denise Caparatta, the Newsletter it takes, a workshop just for you is in the planning Editor, has already published a great winter edi- stages. Conrad Rybicki donated a wooden paddle tion of the newsletter. Mike Chachkes, our a the December holiday party that we raffled it off Programs Coordinator, has already arranged three at the March meeting. It was won by Sal Franco very exciting programs – a slide show of Dennis and raised $117 for the club. Sal Franco, our resi- Riordan’s trip to Alaska, the special Vacation From dent Boy Scout leader, is going to be organizing Hell at the Dinghy Shop, and Frank’s program on activities for our junior paddlers.Bruce Mulligan Cold Water Paddling last month. The next three designed and ordered hats for the club which are programs are already listed on the website. Laurie on sale at our general membership meetings for Schaefer and Jan Hayes arranged a January bowl- $12. Sal Franco and Suzanne Story led a group of ing party in Smithtown, planned our first picnic for L. I. Paddlers, including Fred and Edie Burian, June 1st in Centerport, and are working on anoth- Donald Gorycki, Conrad Rybicki, Ray Smith, and er one for September 21st as our Special Events Margaret Foster, to the First Annual Cold Spring Coordinators. Frank Jackson, our Librarian, has Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium Canoe and purchased two more copies of the book, Sea Kayak Expo on March 29th. Turn-out was light, but Kayaker: Deep Trouble, and two more DVD’s, This they did manage to sign up one new member. is the Sea Two and This is the Sea Three. Exciting things are happening with the Long Island Suzanne Story, our Website Coordinator, has Paddlers. I invite everyone to get involved with supervised the redesign of our website, adding our club. Come to a meeting, offer suggestions, several new pages including a classified page. help out at the next weekend festival, plan a trip, Hopefully, you will find it much easier to navigate or just plan to attend one. I am looking forward to and find what you are looking for. It also provides seeing everyone on the water soon. 2 Lions and Polar Bears, Pack Ice, Oh My! By Jim Koehler from the Dinghy Shop On February 16th and 17th, the Dinghy Shop mile trip will be challenging. Many obstacles was pleased to host the Long Island Paddlers for will present themselves as they undertake the the "Vacation From Hell" presentation. mission. There will be two open water passages First, seventeen of us went out on the bay for a of forty and sixty miles. During these passages, morning paddle. Afterwards, over 100 enjoyed if conditions turn sour, the sea and ice could the presentation by Tim Keen, a member of the present life threatening hazards. There will also Sweetwater Paddling team, as he unraveled be a fifty mile portage across Devon Island! stories of the upcoming expedition. He and Although dangerous, the trip will be truly three other paddlers will kayak in the Canadian breathtaking. Highlands to the fringes of the Arctic Circle. We are please to say that Long Islanders This trip was awarded as an expeditionary grant contributed $200 for the mission. Tim joked from the paddle sports’ industry. with us at the beginning that he would rather Details on the mission can be seen at the walk naked through a shopping mall then speak immersionresearch.com website. The candidates’ in public. Actually, we all enjoyed a warm and resumes were evaluated and the Sweetwater friendly time together. We are pleased that Tim Paddling team, comprised of renowned looks forward to returning here to paddle with international paddlers, won the trip. This 390 us again and to present a post trip report. Meeting Programs By Michael Chachkes When: Additional 2007-08 Meeting Dates: Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 7:00pm The June meeting: Location: We will have Paula Valentine, Public Affairs Suffolk Community College, Grant Campus, Specialist for the Nation Parks Service, who will Wicks Road, just south of the LIE, Brentwood present a program about the current resources Program: and facilities within Fire Island National Our own Alan Mindlin will give a slide /photo Seashore, and the opportunity to help plan for presentation of several of the club sponsored its future through a new General Management paddles that were held in the last two or three Plan. For members who what to see the Fire years. If you have been on these paddles come Island National Sea Shore web site they can visit: and see if you made the photo gallery or come > www.nps.gov/fiis and see the fun that you missed. The July meeting: We are also working on getting the USCG When: Auxiliary to do a presentation on GPS and VHF Thursday, May 15th, 7:00 p.m. radio use and operation and general boating Location: safety. Suffolk Community College, Grant Campus, Looking for your help and suggestions Wicks Road, just south of the LIE, Brentwood All club members who have an interesting trip Program: that is related to kayaking and would like to Mike Bottini, our guest speaker, will be talking share it with our club or anyone who has a about the results of his Otter survey, future idea on what would be an interesting presen- research on the species and how paddlers can tation for one of our meetings please contact get involved. He will also talk about his book, me via E-Mail [email protected] so we Exploring East End Waters, written in 2005. The can see if we can schedule. book lists more than 35 places to paddle on the Thanks, Michael Chachkes East End of Long Island. 3 Skills’ Days at St. Joseph’s College On January 13th and March 9th several LI Paddlers Thank you, Steve Berner, for organizing these practiced wet exits, self-rescues, assisted rescues successfull and valuable skills days. and more in the warm, clean waters of the pool at Also thanks to the volunteers that assisted the St. Joseph’s College (in Patchogue). We all enjoyed members in the water. a fun-filled morning of learning! Photos taken by David Thaler 4 Kayaks At War Operation Frankton Today, “name” kayakers make extended crossings, waterline of the merchant ships at anchor. A then go on to write books of their adventures, German sentry spotted the two craft but the com- give lessons and lecturing at kayaking events. mandos hunkered down and remained motionless, You’ve probably never heard of Major “Blondie” the sentry mistaking the craft for floating debris. Hasler or Marine Bill Sparks as neither became an The plan was for them to then flee Bordeaux, author, instructor or lecturer.