So, what are you planning on trying to learn/attempt during the fair weather paddling season?

On the racing front, aiming for a couple of ocean races which means more butt time in the ski out in the ocean leading up to said races, and wanna cut another five minutes off the weekly 5 milers over in Newton. http://www.paddleboston.com/racing/racing.php. Also want to look for a smaller/lighter PFD for racing.

On the fun front, want to grab a spray skirt, learn how to roll my Manitou 13 and maybe do some Class I/II whitewater with her.

How about yourself? Anybody aiming for a new/new to them gear this year? Attempting a new style of paddling? How about new type of water?

I'm looking to install a solar powered refrigerator in the cavernous space behind my foot pedals. Need the ballast as much as the beer.

Seriously, I'm just hoping to step away from the professional traveling circus enough to get myself a sleeker 16.5 -17 foot kayak and gain the spare time to learn a few good things -- most importantly a decent roll.

I'm also really looking forward to getting back on those damn cantankerous bagpipes...but I'm not sure what that will do for my paddling.

Here's something else to try this year...be the first to try this in a long boat...that would be really impressive!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp ... 3#35776383

The only way I'm leaving a plane is if it's on Fire!

work more - paddle less?

Balance work with more paddling

Mark Stephens might have a picture that will show you how paddling and bagpipes work together.

A more serious answer to your original question in this post...

1. I'm already working on the roll but still coming up short...

2. Not too interested in going anywhere fast (except when driving), so racing is of little or no interest to me...

3. Planning to try a little more whitewater this year - got a second WW boat so I can get my son to join me on some RVing trips and paddle some tame sections of WW rivers.

4. Still want to paddle lots of flatwater rivers, coastal and inland.

5. I was thinking about coastal kayaking goals while driving home from work today and got the idea that it would be interesting to try to paddle a chunk of the South Shore coastline a few miles at a time and fill in all the gaps I have not already covered. Something like from Castle Island in Southy down to the Mayflower in Plymouth. Probably a few miles at a time on nice weeknights when the tide and weather are favorable. Maybe leave the Easky 15 on the truck roof (not as worried about that boat getting stolen) and get out as often as possible.

6. Might want to try island camping for a night or two.

I've been recording my paddling trip locations and distances for the past three years and I always feel like I missed spots I enjoyed previous years. Your topic here makes me think of jotting down a list of "want to do" trips so I can just pull one out at a moment's notice when the weather and free time situations coincide. It would be nice to have multiple plans ready to go, so as not to miss out on nice weather. We had so little nice weather last summer, I want to be ready to enjoy it when it arrives this year.

Thanks for bringing up the discussion

my goal is to escape the world of striving for goal achievement and just go out and paddle. Slow. Fast. Upside down.

[cgr - you want to work more? it's come to this?]

NK

I won't be disappointed if I don't meet my goals.

I'm shooting for five months of expedition paddling this year. (Although, it might not be all fair weather paddling.) I'm working with a good buddy on two courses this year, who has over 300 weeks in the field. I've got some learning and catching up to do.

I would like to put more effort into rolling this season. Also, get more comfortable in bigger water. Camping is always on the list. Not quite 5 months, maybe 5 days.

Chip! Nova Scotia, September or bust!

Who's organizing?

I'll gladly add some camping days for that trip. I'll bring the Bushmills.

I'm in for that already!

I would like to see more sunshine this season...

Nelson, I have a group of paddling buddies headed up but, we could work it so that we could paddle in conjunction with others. i.e. start from the same put in and camp at different locations but, close by. I would happy to be a resource both before and during the trip. Let's talk.

Could be a plan. I'll talk with the gang and let you know.

Well, that settles it then. I'll practice the pipes until I get the roll right. Actually, those have to be plastic pipes; one dip in the water and traditional wood pipes are essentially fireplace kindling.

Thanks Mark, I knew you'd come through.

Does the bagpipe also work as a bilge pump?

Depends on the listener.

That's my friend, Charlie Rafferty, the "Paddling Piper", who actually has posted on the Wild Turkey site a couple of times. One of several times I have heard him play on the water while in our kayaks. On this occasion, we were in Woods Hole, and Charlie almost got run over by a sailboat while piping.

Everybody's a critic!

How much faster do you go when tootin' on the pipes?

I would just like to make the thursday night gatherings. Last season I always had to work.

I would also like to see some flatwater rides down the cape. It is so beautiful there.

One word: Wellfleet. Come to the next Wellfleet trip.

NK

Plum Island 2010?

Is that George Clooney?