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TSCKA 2001 FALL NEWSLETTER
Fall 2001 Club
Newsletter
Note from the Editor:
I would like to apologize to all TCSKA members
for my tardiness distributing the Fall Newsletter. The original plan had been to produce and mail it during the
week of September 11. Following the
attacks in New York and Washington, the newsletter and paddling, in general,
were relegated to the back burner for a while. Our world is undeniably different now. It will take some time to adjust and return to a semblance of
routine. Longer still to fully enjoy
diversions like kayaking.
The other day I went paddling for the first time
since September 11. As I hauled my boat
down to the water, my heart was not really in it. Drained by day-upon-day of
the apocalypse now playing itself out on my TV, my energy level was tapped out.
Instinctively though, I suspected that getting out in the sun would do me some
good. As soon as I pushed away from
shore, my mood began to lift. I planted
my paddle in the water and welcomed the feel of my boat gliding past it. Each stroke put some distance between me
and the all the uncertainty on shore. I
was newly energized and felt better each time I pulled my paddle through the
water. By the time I slid back up on
shore my spiritual batteries were recharged and I was more prepared to face our
new reality. For me, kayaking has
always been, in part, about escaping the stresses of daily life. Now that daily life has reached a whole new
level of stress, that escape hatch has never been more important or
welcome. Get out on the water, people.
As always, I welcome feedback, articles, poems
and anything else related to sea kayaking or the outdoors. Don’t hesitate to call me at (612) 823-6529
or e-mail me at brock.hunter@justice.com with
any ideas, questions, or concerns.
Brock Hunter
Club
News:
TCSKA has had another great paddling season. Our members took part in a number of trips
on Lake Superior. Check out our website
for trip reports.
The Club’s annual Fall Ball was held on September 8 and
9. Despite the rain and cold this
year’s Ball was the biggest yet (no thanks to me). Members congregated at Little Sand Bay on Friday night and then
paddled through fog and drizzle out to Sand Island the next morning. The rain continued all day, but a large tarp
provided by a generous club-member provided a dry gathering spot at the Sand
Island campsite, and kept spirits high.
Board
News:
The Board met on September 11 for its quarterly
meeting. Despite the shocking news of
the day, we were able to get some work done:
- Based on the continued success of the Club’s annual Fall Ball,
the Board has decided to increase the number of shorter, more social Club
trips. We recognize that not everyone
in the Club has the time or interest to take part in the larger extended trips
TCSKA often sponsors. Consequently,
next season we will put more focus on less demanding and more socially oriented
trips. We have found these trips
provide Club members valuable opportunities to meet other paddlers with similar
interests/skill levels, then together plan future adventures.
- Showing that we can walk our talk, the Board is planning a
“Spring Fling” to compliment the Fall Ball.
We have not set a date, but it will be in mid to late May. Like the Fall Ball, it will involve base
camping at an easily accessible location with day trips of varying ambition from
there. We figure that an early season
social trip will give us all a chance to hook up with old friends and make new
ones, then to hatch plans for the summer.
Bill Newman and I (Brock Hunter) are the tentative trip leaders for this
first annual Spring Fling. More info to
follow in the Winter and Spring Newsletters.
- Please note on your calendar that we have planned a Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner on November 10 at Sarah Ohmann’s house. All the pizza and beer will be provided free
and everyone is encouraged to bring a potluck dish if they like. This dinner will serve as an info session
for those interested planning/organizing Club trips next year. Trip planners perform a vital role in our
Club. Without the impetus of an
inspired soul to dream up and organize Club trips, we would all be paddling
alone. TCSKA has always benefited from
a strong core of involved, active paddlers willing to lead us on innumerable
adventures. We want to continue and expand on that tradition by encouraging our
ever-growing number of experienced members to consider organizing their own
Club trips. A trip organizer must jump
through a couple hoops to get TCSKA trip sponsorship (translate: insurance coverage) for their trip. You will get the low-down at the
dinner. See you there!
- Finally, Board Elections are not too far off. Three of our Board members (Al Kansakis,
Bill Newman, and Sarah Ohmann) are reaching the terminus of their tenure. Though Bill and Al are planning to run for
re-election, Sarah has announced she will not seek, nor will she accept
re-election to her position on the Board.
Apparently the overwhelming obligations of her life as a professional
kayak bum/writer are just TOO MUCH!
Seriously, Sarah deserves all of our appreciation for playing such an
integral part in building TCSKA up into the most active paddling club in the
region. We will miss her leadership,
but hope to still see her on the water.
Club-Sponsored
Skills Workshops:
Don’t let the off-season dull your skills. Sharpen them instead. TCSKA sponsors pool sessions through the
winter, allowing members to work on their bracing, self-rescue and rolling
skills. Never rolled? A clean, clear, heated pool is the best
place to learn! The first pool session
is on November 4 at the Brooklyn Center pool.
Bill Newman will lead those interested in practicing bracing and self
rescue skills in preparation for a rolling class in early December. We have jus t learned that the Brooklyn
Center pool will be closed for renovations starting in mid-December and running
through the rest of the winter. We are
currently exploring alternative sites and will provide more information in the
Winter Newsletter.
Gear
for Sale:
Well, I sold the boat I listed last time. Now lets move this drysuit!
- Kokatat Gore-Dura Drysuit, size XL,
great condition (used one season), relief zipper, reinforced seat and knees,
Colors - Mango/Cobalt, $350 (purchased new for
$725, and listed in the last newsletter for $399). Contact Brock Hunter at (612) 823-6529.
(C’mon you KNOW you want to keep paddling when it gets cold. Hell, this is Minnesota. It’s almost always cold. Extend your paddling season.)
TCSKA 2001 Fall Calendar
How
to sign up for a trip:
v
Remember to check the trip distances to see if
they are within your range. If you are
unsure about a Check the trip rating system at the end of the newsletter to see
what skills are required for a trip.
Please requirement, please talk to the organizer about it.
v Contact
the trip organizer to sign up for the trip and get more specific information
about meeting time and place.
v Official
club trips have “TCSKA” next to the date and generally require participants to
be members of TCSKA and are covered by ACA and club guidelines. Non-official trips and events are not sanctioned
by the ACA or TCSKA, and membership is not required.
Oct 6
Superior Hiking Trail overnight: Meet at Split Rock on Friday night and
hike Saturday morning. Camp out on
the trail. FMI: Sarah Ohmann 612.789.2338
TCSKA
Oct 6
Annual Fall Color Cruise:
Interstate Park to Wm. O’Brien State
Park. Come on out and enjoy the
beautiful scenery along the St. Croix River.
Meet at 9:15 at the Interstate Park boat ramp just before
Taylor’s Falls. We will run a shuttle
and be ready to be on the water by 10:00.
Bring a bag lunch for our noon break at Osceola Landing. After lunch, we’ll paddle on down to Wm.
O’Brien State Park. For more
information call Bill Newman at 763.585.6191.
TCSKA
Oct. 13
Evening paddle and campfire
at John and Janice Rupert’s White Bear Lake home. Meet at 2:00 to paddle around the shoreline and enjoy the fall
colors. Potluck dinner around a warm
fire. John has offered to cook
hamburgers and brats. Just RSVP him
so he knows what to plan for.
Possibly some night paddling. Bring a flashlight or glow stick for
your boat. For more information,
contact the Rupert’s at 651.426.7631.
TCSKA
Oct. 14
Mississippi River Paddle:
Enjoy the fall colors. Paddle from
Hwy. 694 to Hidden Falls. Meet at the
boat ramp on the east bank. SE corner of the river and 694. For put-in time and more information,
contact Jim Prieur at 651.490.9784.
Nov. 4
Fall Pool Session: Meet to practice bracing and self-rescue. Rolling session to follow in
December. Location: Brooklyn Center
Pool. Contact Bill Newman at
763.585.6191 to sign up.
Nov. 10
Pizza and Beer Night:
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Sarah’s house. The club will provide lots of pizza and beer. Potluck as well. FMI, call Sarah at 612.789.2338
Nov. 17 & 18
Gel coat and Boat Repair Party: Meet at Bill Newman’s garage on
Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Cure overnight
and finish on Sunday. Please bring
resin. Contact Sarah for a list of
supplies. Contact Bill at
763.585.6191 and/or Sarah at 612.789.2338.
Dec. 2
Pool Session: This
session will focus on rolling skills.
The location is yet to be determined.
Contact Bill Newman at 763.585.6191 for more information.
Jan. 1
New Year’s Day Paddle: Meet at noon at Hidden Falls. We will demonstrate what hardy souls we
are by paddling up to the just below the Ford dam. Potluck lunch. Chili
and/or hot soup and/or hot chocolate especially welcome. Cookies are fine
too. Actually any food item is
fine. Anyone having firewood, please
bring a bag full to contribute to the fire.
For more information, call Adrienne Madson at 952.955.1897.
Jan. 26
Annual Party: This
year we will all get together at Julie Neubauer’s house for our annual
potluck party and slide show. You are
encouraged to bring pictures and/or slides of all the great paddling you did
this past season. For directions and
more information, call Julie at 651.784.1154.
Club Guidelines for Official Club
Trips and Activities:
Individual
Equipment Required for Club Trips Rated Level II or higher and Great Lakes or
Ocean Paddling:
- worthy Sea Kayak with floatation bags or
watertight bulkheads – preferably 16 feet or greater in length
- Spray Skirt
- Personal Floatation Device (PFD) with
whistle – PFD’s must be worn at all times on club trips
- Paddle Float
- Bilge Pump
- Map/Chart and Compass – required on Great
Lakes and Ocean Trips
li> Wet Suit or Dry Suit for all Superior trips
- Waterproof Flashlight or Headlamp for night
paddling
Recommended Group
and Individual Equipment for Club Trips Rated Level II or Higher and Great
Lakes or Ocean Paddling:
- Water bottle and food within reach of the
cockpit (energy gel, power bars, etc.)
- Tow line for towing tired or injured
paddlers
- First Aid kit
- VHF Radio
- Repair Kit for Kayak and other important
equipment
-
Sunscreen
-
Sun Glasses
-
Extra food to allow for waiting out bad
weather
- Extra clothes, sleeping bag, tent or bivy sack even for day trips; in case of bad weather
- Paddle leash and/or spare paddle
- Strobe light and/or reflective tape on PFD
- Flares and signal mirror required on Great Lakes and Ocean Trips
- Way-cool dork-hat for shade or warmth
- Helmet for surfing
Skill
Requirements for Club Trips:
Each
club trip differs in the kayak skills that will be required for participants to
have a safe and enjoyable experience.
The trip organizer determines skills required for a club trip and/or the
TCSKA Board using the following lists as a general guide only. Participants are expected to self-assess
their abilities and take responsibility for themselves on club trips. Trip organizers help organize trip logistics
and coordinate club activities – do not expect them to act as guides on
trips! Note also that the focus on the
rating systems requirements is on skills rather than on the number of years of
experience in kayaking. A paddler with
ten years of experience would still be qualified only for SK I trips if they
had not developed, for example, reliable self-rescue skills.
Level I: No
previous paddling experience is required for club trips with a level I
rating. Examples would include
club-sponsored skill sessions on inland lakes and winter pool sessions. Level I trips or skill sessions will be used
to help new paddlers develop the necessary skills to participate in more
advanced trips. Level I trips will be
limited to sheltered waters and short distances with few significant hazards.
Level II:
Level II trips may include less sheltered open water paddles and longer
distances. Participants are expected to
have a working knowledge of kayak paddle strokes and braces. They also must be able to demonstrate a
self-rescue technique such as a paddle-float rescue and have experience using
at least one assisted rescue such as a T-rescue or rafting-up. A trip organizer may require a demonstration
of both a self-rescue and assisted-rescue before allowing a paddler to come on
a Level II or higher rated trip.
Participants are also expected to have a working knowledge of basic
navigational skills such as using a chart and compass, and basic knowledge of
the effects of weather on paddling conditions and how to obtain marine
forecasts prior to starting a trip. It
is assumed that participants can maintain a reasonable pace for trips of up to
ten miles per day in good weather.
Level III: Level III trips may include open water
paddling in challenging conditions and longer trip distances. On Level III trips, participants should have
well developed paddle stroke and bracing skills. Participants should not only have good high and low bracing
skills, but should be working on a strong sculling brace and learning to Eskimo
roll. Paddlers should be comfortable
paddling in higher winds (over 15 knots) and traveling in waves of 2-3 feet. They should be comfortable launching and
landing in moderate surf when breaking waves are 3 feet or less. Participants in Level III trips should have
a good working knowledge of navigation including strong piloting and dead
reckoning skills. On Level III trips
participants should have the endurance to paddle up to 20 miles per day in good
weather with a fast, efficient forward paddle stroke.
Level IV: Level
IV trips may include open water paddling in very challenging conditions over
long distances. Participants should
have very strong paddling and bracing skills, be comfortable paddling in rough
conditions (waves 4 feet or greater and winds up to 30 knots), have mastered
group and self-rescue techniques, developed a reliable Eskimo roll (preferably
on both sides). Participants should
also be comfortable with landing in larger surf with 3-6 foot waves. As a rule, trip organizers would avoid
setting out to paddle in the above conditions, but, for example, a late-Fall
trip on Lake Superior might be rated a Level III-Level IV rather than a Level
III in recognition of the greater chance of running into sudden fall storms.
© 2001 TCSKA
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