When is the Water Considered Cold? It’s spring and the days are getting longer and warmer. For some, the paddling season has already started. There are a few things we need to remember. First, the air is warming but the water temperatures are still low. Especially if you have had…
I first started sea kayaking on the west coast in the San Francisco Bay area. I took my first class, did my first wet exit, and bought my first boat… a Current Designs Andromeda, not exactly a beginner’s boat. I was all in to the sport. I joined Bay Area…
Spring also brings the potential for thunderstorms, and these storms present an additional hazard when paddling. Our group was paddling at Janes Island, near Crisfield, Maryland and practicing navigation skills. The day had started stormy with thunder and lightning, but the storm was moving quickly and the weather radar apps…
Paddling in Cold Water Cold Water Paddling is here. It can be beautiful, peaceful, and dangerous. With certain precautions, is can also be done safely. There are many resources that provide information on cold water paddling. One of the leading sites is National Center for Cold Water Safety. The center…
There is nothing I would rather do on a cold January day than teach a class about kayaking, especially kayak navigation. We limited attendance due to Covid, but the class went on as scheduled. I could not have asked for a better group. Everyone was engaged, participated, and asked…
Covid-19 is not gone, it will be around us for a long time. We have been through the lock-down where paddling solo or with one or two others, separated by at least 6 feet was an acceptable. We are making progress though. Vaccinations are available and have been a great…
Sometimes I wonder why I’m so close when a paddler in our group capsizes. I think it’s because I see signs before it happens. When paddling in a group, I try to be aware of how others are doing. Most kayaks want to stay upright, it’s the actions of the…
Chesapeake Paddlers Association sponsored a free cold water workshop featuring Moulton Avery Director of the National Center for Cold Water Safety (http://www.coldwatersafety.org/). Several other CPA members also presented topics including dressing for cold water and care and maintenance of your dry suit. The day was highlighted by a brave group…
On Water Navigation class, had perfect conditions for real navigation. We were paddling in the fog, in some places with almost zero visibility. There was a real exercise where the class calculated a course across part of Annapolis Harbor where we were out of sight of shore for about 20…
What makes a class great is great participants. Yesterday’s Navigation classroom was a lot of fun. Everyone seemed engaged, asked lots of questions and I learned something new. That’s why I teach. The presentations are available here: • Charts • Tides and Currents • Weather…
