Site Information
By · CommentsWelcome to the latest addition to the web presence of North Atlantic Canoe and Kayak. This site is organized as a Web Log or “blog” for short. It enables us to post information as soon as it becomes available and allows you to interact by posting comments. You can even subscribe by email to keep up with the latest posts and comments. And if you’re looking for something specific the postings and other materials are now fully searchable in several ways. Check out the Site Information link for details. Enjoy your visit.
The members’ only area requires a password to enter. If you are a current NACK member and need a password please contact the webmaster@get-the-nack.org
Seafood Shack Paddle Trip Scheduled for August 27
By · Comments”It’s here– the long awaited paddling trip of the summer to the Seafood Shack at Tobay Beach. This is an ACA Level 2 trip covering about 5 miles. We are planning on meeting at Field 10 Jones Beach at 4:30. There is no entrance fee at this hour. We will drop off our boats and then drive our cars to the Seafood Shack. One or two people will drive everyone back to the launch. One person will stay at the launch to keep an eye on the kayaks while we are driving our cars to Tobay.
When we are done kayaking someone will drive the people whose cars are still at field 10 to get their cars and then return to the Seafood Shack for dinner.
Please let Ann know (call or email) by Tuesday the 24th if you can make it. Even if you can’t make the paddle you can still meet us for dinner.
NACK Greenland Paddling Skills Day with Alison Sigethy
By · CommentsAlison was the first international woman to compete in all nine events at the 2006 Greenland National Kayak Championship and she medaled in eight of them. You can check out her rolling video on YouTube.
Alison in not only a talented competitor, she is a patient and insightful instructor.
Working directly with each individual, she spent several hours in the water guiding paddles along the surface and correcting blade orientation. All the time emphasizing that it’s body movement, not the paddle, that rights the kayak.
Offering encouragement every step of the way, by the end of the morning sessions she had most folks rolling using their skinny Greenland paddles.
Following the rolling classes the group worked on paddling skills and discovered that while the skinny paddle is easy on the shoulders it can still get your kayak really moving and turning. Look for a full report on the class in the next issue of the NACK Newsletter.
Earlier this summer three NACK members, Ann, Dara and Colin traveled to the west coast to participate in the first American Canoe Association Pacific Northwest Expedition to the San Juan Islands area of Washington State.
The San Juans are a vast collection of islands right on the U.S. Canadian border. During their week long expedition they covered more than 50 miles and enjoyed good weather, great paddling conditions and breathtaking scenery.
NACK Summer Newsletter and New Contact Lists
By · CommentsThe Summer Newsletter has been added to the Library section and revised contact lists have been added to the Members Only Area. The lists are available in convenient .pdf format and also as a spreadsheet. Hal again has done a great job on the newsletter and Colin has a very interesting article on how he became a paddler. Check it out.
OPEN PADDLE
July 24th at 10:30 AM
at Captain Kayak
23 River Road
Sayville, NY 11782
Everyone Is Invited to Attend
We are looking for anyone who is interested in paddling to join us. You must bring you own boat, paddle, some drinking water, & PFD (Personal Flotation Device, also known as a “Lifejacket”) and pay a $5 insurance fee to the ACA (American Canoe Association) unless you are an ACA member. Captain Kayak will also have boats to rent for $20 per hour (mostly sit on tops). Everyone must make a reservation and supply the required information by Thursday July 23th. Any persons under 18 years must have a parent present to sign the appropriate ACA waivers. Bring a bag lunch or snack for after the paddle.
North Atlantic Canoe & Kayak will also have our monthly meeting following the paddle. Probably around noon.
Plan to paddle with us or just come to the meeting to learn all about what we feel is the best kayak club on Long Island.
Open Paddle Registration Complete this form and use the “Submit by E-mail” tab on the upper right portion of the form.
Bluek@weickert.com b.718-706-0707 c.917-681-0749
FRAN SCHNARR MEMORIAL OPEN WATER SWIM CHAMPIONSHIPS
By · Comments
Kayakers lead swimmers at start of the race
Several NACK paddlers volunteered Sunday July 11 as individual escort craft safely guiding swimmers around the waters of Huntington Bay NY for the Annual Fran Schnarr Metropolitan Swimming Open Water Championship. Events included distances of 5K and 10K (3.1 and 6.2 miles) along with youth and masters events.
Paddlers carried flotation to give to a swimmer in the event they were in need of assistance but their main function was to act as a guide to the swimmer. Because of the great distances involved and rough water the buoys marking the course aren’t always visible to a swimmer. It’s up to the guide kayaker to keep them on course.
The Championship is an annual event and there is always a need for kayaks to help guide swimmers. For more information and Race Results check out the Huntington Bay Swim Website.
NACK Summer Kayak Schedule
By · CommentsThe NACK Summer Schedule is now available. Trips, practice sessions, training opportunities, ACA assessments and the Founders Day Outreach/Paddle are included.
Hudson River Greenland Festival
By · CommentsThree NACK paddlers took the plunge 
and participated at the Hudson River festival last weekend. They were joined by paddlers from several northeastern states and some from as far away as Virginia, Portland Oregon and Canada. At least 50 paddlers turned out to learn Greenland rolling technique and work on their paddling skills.
It seems that more and more paddlers are trying the greenland paddle and learning new (and often easier ways) to roll their kayaks. This festival was no exception and provided expert instruction from an outstanding group of mentors.
Many thanks to the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club for sponsoring the event and to all the mentors like Peter Gengler and McKinley Rodriguez pictured above with Ann Kaiser. McKinley was the 2009 Womens Champion at the Greenland National Kayaking Championship. They patiently spent hours in the water helping kayakers learn and refine their rolling and paddling skills.
More photos on the gallery page.