After the pre-meeting and some necessary business matters including nominating NACK’S future Executive Board Members, we got down to some educational fun watching highlights of various DVD’s:

John’s film showed Derek Hutchinson’s grace in a kayak.  He literally had it dancing on edge.  It shows how far one can go with this sport.

Buddy brought a Gordon Brown Volume 2 Sea Kayak DVD.  We watched the section on “Contact Tows,” which is used when you have to tow another kayak with or without a paddler alongside your own, for a short distance.  I found it so interesting; that I went to the marina store yesterday morning to make a six foot long tow line myself.  At the store, the merchant actually braided the rope onto the clips; I would have attached it with knot after knot after knot.

Steve and Bob both brought their own copies of This is the Sea 3.  Pure excitement from beginning to end.  You really can’t just pick out a few special parts, as the whole DVD is so electrifying.

We also watched Cheri Perry and Freya Hoffmeister performing effortless rolls.  This was a natural progression for Freya from her sky-diving past.

See you at the March 7th meeting featuring trips.  Steve will be speaking on how to plan one, and Colin will have his calendar ready for us to fill up the dates.

Bob Horchler

Colin contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and requested the phone numbers for the stations responsible for search and rescue on Long Island and Connecticut waters. It might be a good idea to place the ones for the area you paddle in your cell phones contact file. Below is their response to his request.

Mr. Mullen,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Below are a list of our stations and their contact numbers:
New London (860) 442-4471
New Haven (203) 988-4323
Kings Point (516) 466-7135
Eaton’s Neck (631) 261-6959
Jones Beach (516) 785-2995
Fire Island (631) 661-9101
Shinnecock (631) 728-0343
Montauk (631) 668-2773

Please advise your club members that cell phone service is very unreliable on the water.  A VHF radio is an essential piece of paddler emergency equipment that could save one’s life.

Best Regards,
Petty Officer Erik Swanson, PA2
U.S. Coast Guard/DHS
Public Affairs Detachment New York
1 South St. New York, NY 10004

The next meeting of North Atlantic Canoe and Kayak will feature a presentation by the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island.  At 7:30 CRESLI will present a photographic tour of the marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds of New York waters. Everyone is welcome. The meeting will be held at the Connetquot Public Library 760 Ocean Ave Bohemia, NY 11716

Our regular meeting will begin at 7PM with the usual pre-meeting gathering at 6.

There has been quite a bit of interest lately in a court case regarding a fatal kayak accident on Lake George N.Y.  last summer. It all stems from an incident where a power boat was involved in a collision with a kayak resulting in the death of the kayaker. The incident has drawn considerable attention because,  according to news reports , Town Justice Robert McNally found that the kayak was not considered a “sailing” vessel under state law, so the operator of the power boat was not required to yield the right of way to it.

For discussion of the situation and what it means see the NACK Long Island Sea Kayak Message Board

The American Canoe Association has produced several excellent videos for kayakers. As an ACA Paddle America Club, North Atlantic Canoe & Kayak is proud to make “A Guide to Paddling – Coastal/Sea Kayaking” available on our site. Of course you must keep in mind that paddling techniques cannot be learned solely by observation; they require comprehensive training and on-water practice supervised by qualified instructors.

While originally intended for paddlesport businesses and their staff, the video still provides some great introductory material to those new to the sport of kayaking. It also demonstrates why proper training and practice is so important to safe and enjoyable paddling.

Here’s the ACA Video.

A Guide to Paddling – Coastal / Sea Kayaking from American Canoe Association on Vimeo.

Well, not a real ‘Seal Hunt’ but NACK members intend to venture out for some seal watching. Seals have become a fairly reliable winter wildlife presence. They can often be found along the shoreline or on rocks sunning themselves. Being protected wildlife, you need to keep an appropriate distance. Sometimes they are a bit nervous and will quickly take to the water. At other times they will be curious and cautiously approach to check you out. Kayak seal watching can be a great way to spend a couple of hours on the water.

Weather permitting, we intend to paddle around noon on Saturday, February 19. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Appropriate skill levels and cold water gear a must! Contact John if you’re interested.

The latest edition of the North Atlantic Canoe and Kayak newsletter is now available on line.  As usual Hal has done a great job but this one may be just the best yet.  It’s got info on the Awards Dinner and the Winter Pool Kayak Sessions.  There is also some timely information on cold water paddling and an article on Maine Watertrails.  Look towards spring for some important local watertrail developments

NACK Newsletter Winter 2011