Kayak Newsletter – January, 2019

From the deck of the Chair – 1/15/2019

Frostbite Regatta and the John Wright Honorarium:

In Sebago tradition, the New Year was ushered in by the Frostbite Regatta & Pot Luck on the 1st. Drysuits notwithstanding, the paddles and sails were cancelled due to predictions of winds in the 20s with gusts into the 40s. What did this mean to Sebago? More time to eat, drink and be merry.

This year at the Frostbite Sebago honored John Wright (→ more info) by voting him in as Vice Chairman Emeritus. John may now look upon each new dues billing season with glee instead of trepidation. Many of us may know John as a personable and good hearted workaholic. But John has contributed friendship and talent to Sebago over many years in more ways than can be enumerated here, including a five year stint as Commodore. John’s service was acknowledged with a gift card, which I’m guessing will be used for something involving a motor. A special engraved canoe paddle is also being made to facilitate John’s cross bow rudder moves.

Congratulations John, Lucille and family!

Rescue Practice For All Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders:

One of the members of our Steering Committee reminded me about the committee’s recommendation that each Trip Leader (TL) and Assistant Trip Leader (ATL) should be strongly encouraged to practice rescues in one or more pool sessions. But more about rescues in a minute.

ADAGE: Those who don’t have to practice rescues – practice. Those who need to practice rescues – don’t.

Have you practiced rescues in the last 6 months?

We encourage each TL & ATL to use the pool sessions to practice rescues so that you will be prepared for the trips in June. If you cannot make the pool sessions, or if you simply would prefer cooler water to practice in, the we strongly recommend you attend a rescue practice workshop in June. (Hope we can plan one 🙂

What to practice?
  1. When I speak with instructors about rescues the first thing they usually mention will probably surprise you. They note that paddlers need to improve their boat control via proper stokes so they can quickly and efficiently get to the swimmer. This means working on stationary turns; draw strokes; stopping; bow rudders; etc.
  2. T-rescues
  3. Self rescues – yes – with and without paddle floats. (Rolling does not count.)
  4. And, if you are especially conscientious, Scoop rescues. Carlos actually used this technique in 2018.
Upcoming Activities:

The following are in the works: a bird watch/walk or two (Ms. Eyster & Mr. Blacklocks); hikes (Mr. Favia and hopefully others); Mr. Heinzerling’s Tues. night movies (albeit perhaps on Wednesdays); pool sessions (Messrs. Giller & Peterson & Mrs. Peterson); kayak repair day (Mr. Mikenberg & Ms. Rottkamp); a Greenland kayak building session (Mr. Heinzerling); and I forgot the rest 😎

Happy New Year,


Statler & Waldorf

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