Staying Safe on a Soggy Winter Paddle
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- čas přidán 17. 08. 2024
- We are in Stonington, Maine, which is usually packed and full of people, but not in the Winter! Options for new and interesting things to explore here are endless. In this episode, I'm spending some time navigating so I don't get lost and time managing lobster boats so I don't get run over. I also spend some time listening to loons and reviewing a few cold-water paddling considerations.
This can be a complex area. If you want to explore it with help, check out Michael and Rebecca at Sea Kayak Stonington. Michael wrote the book on places to sea kayak in New England (literally... he wrote it). Their guiding services are fantastic and a great way to explore this area. upwestanddowne...
The info on cold water safety came directly from the National Center for Cold Water Safety. Thanks to them and their work. Brush up on your cold water skills on their site: www.coldwaters...
00:00 Welcome to Stonington
03:02 Sprout Island
04:00 Navigation Skills
05:17 Overcoming Inertia
06:33 Maine Vibes
07:32 Getting my Bearings
08:48 Staying Out of the Way of Lobster Boats
10:33 Wreck Island
12:13 Cold Water Safety
18:01 Camping in Stonington
19:19 Overcoming Resistance
21:20 Returning to the Launch
I found your video through browse and I’m happy I clicked! Great to see another kayak channel!
Welcome aboard! And thanks for watching.
Beautiful video and excellent commentary. Thank you for sharing this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have truly enjoyed your videos. I’m sure in your Mexico trip you were missing your P&H Aries, lol. It only takes a minute in a plastic kayak after paddling carbon n Kevlar to realize how great the P&H kayak truly are. I paddle the Volan 160, it’s the only new yak I have bought in 40+ years of paddling. I’m still a novice but I’ll always be a novice compared to many. It’s about the feelings of nature, human powered traveling. Theirs nothing more joyous than paddling at night or in fog patches on glassy water under cliffs and I can’t emphasize just how harmonious this is. Again Steve, great work, the work in editing, thank you.
Ps, if you haven’t tried a Greenland Paddle, I highly recommend you do. I use the Gear lab , a real game changer !
Your comments mean so much to me. I am delighted you're enjoying the channel. Luckily in Baja, I was in a P&H Delphin, the plastic version of the Aries. I was glad not to have a composite boat in Mexico, and I definitely was willing to try things I would not have done in my Aries! The Volan is a great, excellent choice! Thanks for your recommendation on a Greenland paddle. I have a one-piece wooden Greenland that I love. I find I use it more for longer-distance cruising. My Greenland will make an appearance on my channel soon. My parter has a new Gearlab, which she loves!
Loved this video. Great content, delivered in an easy to digest manner (you have an enjoyable speaking style), and nice views.
Wow, thank you! I appreciate your feedback, and I'm delighted you enjoyed the episode!
Definitely had to overcome inertia yesterday for our trip to Blue Hill reversing falls. Long drive for a short but thrilling time. It was all worth it because we gained experience that we couldn’t get just anywhere. Balance, bracing, surfing, rescues in current.
Glad you made it out, and disappointed I couldn't be there!
Really nice vid, and I actually watched the entire thing, WHICH I don't typically do, especially with one so long.
This was a really nice combination of beautiful images, thoughtful commentary, and practical advice. Well done Sir.
Wow. Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time, and for your thoughtful feedback. I hope you continue to get value out of these!!!
I am impressed by your respect for the fisherman. When I was younger I was rescued by a passing fisherman when my small sailboat capsized. Kayakers need to give them space and acknowledge they are earning a living while we are playing.
Thanks for sharing that. I think we can easily take things for granted or not fully understand our impact, particularly when the person on the other end might save our life. I appreciate you watching and I hope the episode brought you some joy.
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice trip! In the summer, I liked the dreary days for a couple of reasons: don't need sunglasses or sunscreen, less people on the water, and I feel more in touch with nature in the grand scheme. Those benefits definitely diminish in the winter, but sometimes it is good to just get into the thick of it and recognize that, if you have prepared properly, you can deal with it and maybe even enjoy yourself. There is no denying the sheer elation of warming up after a cold day on the water, and thinking back on what you accomplished.
Well said. Well. Said. Thanks for watching and safe paddling (summer or winter). 😀
Very enjoyable video, Steve. There's a whole crew of Ontario CA based paddlers who post super high quality vids on YT (I'm sure you've seen them, Jon @ Lost Lakes is my fave), but Coastal Maine is equally beautiful and might be a good niche for you! I'm a kayaker and my daughter recently moved to Maine, so I'll be following with interest! Might see you on the water one day! One question - how do you plan for and deal with the tides up there - that's not something I've had much experience with?
Thanks for watching and reaching out. Tides! Yeah, there's some new stuff to put into your toolbox. I'd be happy to connect. Reach out if you want to chat about tides. I don't give my email out here, but it is on my website (seesteveseakayak.com). I have some questions about where you will be and what you hope to do to be best positioned to answer your question. Enjoy your time and Maine, and I hope to see you out there.
What’s the water temperature up there? Right around 40F here in Casco Bay
Offshore buoy is reporting 39F here in March. It's probably closer to 40F closer to shore.