Blazing PaddlesBlazing PaddlesNNNNeeeewwwwssss lllleeeetttt tttteeeerrrr ooooffff LLLLoooonnnngggg IIII ssss llllaaaannnndddd PPPPaaaaddddddddlllleeeerrrrssss

Spring 2009

DisclaimerThe views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors. Informationoffered on any topic should not be assumed to be authoritative or complete. On all paddling issues,it is important to base one’s practices on multiple sources of information.

Connetquott River Clean-up on Sunday, April 5, 2009Photo by Kristin Costa

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President’s MessageBy Steve Berner

The sun has once again crossed the Equator,spring has arrived, and our part of the earth isslowly warming up. It is at this time of the year,three months into the New Year and before thehectic paddling season begins in earnest, that I like to reflect on all that the club has accomplished already.

Peter Stoehl, our new Membership Coordinator,has already renewed 60% of last year’s membersand signed up thirty-four new members. WhenDavid Thaler told me last November that he wanted to resign as membership coordinatorafter eight years, my jaw almost hit the ground. I could not imagine anyone in his right mindstepping forward to do all the work required ofthe most demanding position in the club. But tomy utter amazement, Peter approached mebefore the meeting was over and volunteered togive it his best shot. And with some help fromDavid, he has been doing a great job.

Mike Chachkes, our Program Coordinator fromlast year, also volunteered to be our Trip Coordinator and Public Relations Coordinator. In addition to scheduling almost all the programsfor the entire year, he has coordinated the posting of over fifty club trips on the website,including two out of state, weekend trips. He has also arranged for volunteers to represent ourclub at four events this spring. And he had theclub brochure updated and a poster designed byour own Frank Chillemi which is now displayed inkayak stores around the Island.

Bruce Mulligan, our Vice President and in-houseclothing salesman, also volunteered this year tobe the Safety and Training Coordinator. So, in addition to listening to my rants and raves, selling hats, shirts, and books at our monthlymeetings, he has coordinated two indoor poolsessions at St. Joseph’s College and is planningtwo more skills’ days this summer. He alsoarranged for Frank Chillemi to present a TripLeaders’ Fundamentals’ workshop in February for eighteen club members.

Suzanne Story, our Website Coordinator, hasbeen joined by new member, Frank Durante.Together, they are working on updating ourwebsite. They will be adding several new fea-

tures for members only, like an online store, abulletin board and online chat room. They willalso be taking over some of our webmaster’sduties, thereby saving the club hundreds of dol-lars a year.

Many other people have been hard at work organizing club activities. Liz Marcellus, our Conservation Chair, has organized clean-ups ofthe Connectquot and Upper Nissequoge Riverswhile continuing to represent us at theSportsman’s Advisory Council. Laurie Schaefer,Frank Jackson, and Jan Hayes, our Special EventsCoordinators, have picked the dates and are planning our upcoming picnics. Denise Caparatta,our Newsletter Editor, has already published twogreat issues of Blazing Paddles, including thisone. Ed Goldenberg, our Librarian, is looking topurchase the DVD, Eastern Horizons, a documen-tary detailing kayaking opportunities along theentire east coast of North America to add to ourextensive library. Kristin Costa, our Big BuddyCoordinator, is collecting names and working topair up experienced paddlers with beginners.David Shwide and Judy Cooper have been working hard at our monthly meetings, as our Refreshments Coordinators.

And best of all, fourteen people volunteered tobe trip leaders this year – many for the first time.Leading a trip is the most important role in ourclub. It requires setting a day aside months inadvance, deciding on a put-in, planning a route,determining the skill level required for the paddle, contacting the members who havesigned up, watching the weather, checking thetides, making sure everyone is prepared the dayof the paddle, leading the trip, and gettingeveryone to the take-out safely. Mike Chachkes,Ray Clarkson, Ken Doxsey, Ken Fink, BarbaraFontana, John Giuffre, Fred Hosage, FrankJackson, Liz Marcellus, Alan Mindlin, Ross Moore,Bruce Mulligan, and David Shwide are the heroesof the club for taking on this responsibility.Without them, we would not be a kayak club.

I hope to see everyone at our GeneralMembership Meetings in Brentwood or on thewater real soon. Until then, happy paddling.

Steve

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First Aid and CPR ClassWhen: Thursday, April 16, 7:00 p.m.Program: The presentation will be a basic First Aidand CPR class. This class will touch on what actionyou can take to assist an injured person until qualified help arrives. It is one that will have valuable information when on a paddle and ineveryday life.________________________________________________Kayak SailingWhen: Thursday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. Program: Brad Thayer will be giving a presentationon Kayak Sailing which will include: 1. Demonstration of the equipment needed to

convert a kayak to a sailing kayak.2. Photos and video of unique sailing rigs.3. A Cedar Island Sailing Gathering and Adventure

Racing in these crafts.

Canoeing and Kayaking in New YorkWhen: Thursday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.

Program: Kevin Stiegelmaier, authorof Canoeing and Kayaking NewYork, will be speaking about hisadventures, both good and bad,paddling throughout the state.Come find out all that New York hasto offer and get some ideas for tripsof your own.________________________________________________

Warren Light CraftWhen: Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. Program: Guest speaker will be Ted Warren ofWarren Light Craft who will be talking about theLittle Wing kayak design and construction. Theywill also give an overview of the company andtheir experiences starting a small kayak manufac-turing company. They will also have a demo dayon Friday, July 17th, 2009 at Lake Ronkonkomabeginning at 10:00 am. You can visit their web siteat www.warrenlightcraft.com.________________________________________________We are also planning for our August meeting ainformative talk on Long Island birds and forSeptember a program on Weather for the Mariner.

If there is something you would like us to lookinto for a monthly meeting please E-mail me: programs@llpaddlers.org

There are three events on our schedule revolvingaround Earth Day, April 17th, Earth Stock returnsto Stony Brook University from 9 AM - 3:00 PM.After that is Earth Day at Indian Island CountyPark on April 19th from 10 AM - 4 PM. The finalevent is Earth Day at Brookhaven National Lab on

April 22nd from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM. If you have afew hours to spare on any one or all of those daysand would like to volunteer to spread the wordabout our club, please contact me atpublicity@lipaddlers.org.

EventsMichael Chachkes

We have fifty planned club trips listed on the web-site starting mid April. We have two out of state,weekend trips planned, the Thimble Islands inConnecticut and Assateague NWR in Maryland(last year’s trip to Assateague was the best ever)and two more (out of state) are in the planningstages - one to Rhode Island and one to Maine.

We also have overnight camping trips posted onthe web and are working on several moreIf you have a favorite put in and it’s not listed letme know and we will try and schedule a club paddle there. Great paddling with the Long IslandPaddlers is just around the corner.Legion3@optonline.net

TripsMichael Chachkes

Meeting ProgramsMichael Chachkes

Meetings are usually held the third Thursday of every month at Suffolk County Community College inBrentwood (The Grant Campus) in the Captree Building, Room #114 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

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Skills Day Pool Sessions 2009By Bruce Mulligan • Photos by David Thaler

This February 15th and March 8th saw the first ofour training program for 2009. Close to 40 mem-bers took advantage of the great facilities at St.Joseph’s College pool in Patchogue. After a frigidwinter, it was great to wet exit in 80 degree water.I can say without a doubt those who attendedwent away with a greater knowledge about theirskills and limitations.

Much thanks goes out to Barbara Fontana, KenDoxsey, Ray Clarkson, Ray Smith, John Giuffre,Steve Berner, Ed Luke, Paul Giwoyna, and MikeMatty who volunteered as instructors. ChristenCosta and Pete Stoehr for handling the paperwork, and Dave Thaler for taking photos. Alsothanks to Ken Fink for bringing down extra

boats for those who don’t have theirs yet. A bigpat on the back to those who graciously loaned their boats, paddles, pumps and floats for othersto use. I hope I haven’t left anyone out - I apologize, if I have.

Another pool session is being considered for theend of April. When finalized we’ll get the wordout to everyone. For those who want to sharpentheir skills, or first timers who want to learn to get in and out of their boats, here’s one more opportunity before warm weather finally arrives.

Once again thanks to all those who made the pool session a great event. I hope everyonelearned a lot and enjoyed the day.

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Groundsel Bush(Baccharis halimifolia) also Sea Myrtle

by Liz MarcellusWhere to find: It is a native plant of the East coastand the West Indies. Like Phragmites, it is found indisturbed areas, roadsides (especially along interstate highways that are heavily salted in thewinter) and old fields; freshwater swamps, brackish marshes & edges of beaches. On LongIsland they can be found along many waterways.

Description: It is a many-branched shrub usuallyabout 3' tall (but can reach10'). The leaves are upto 2 1/2" long, thick and fleshy, broader at thebase narrowing to a point. Usually there are somevery coarse teeth... but not always. The plants aredioecious (separate male and female plants). Theflowers themselves are rather inconspicuous... it isthe 'fruit' that attracts the eye. The seeds aretightly clustered together with each one having asmall tuft of whitish hair at the top. The appearance is that of a small brush. A Groundselbush covered with these 'tufts' looks like a bushcovered in snow from a distance.

Uses: They can be used in seaside garden plant-ings (they are difficult to find in nurseries... butcan be ordered). The NYSDEC has plantedGroundsel bush in a recent wetland reclamationproject in the Healy Ave. site in Queens (alongwith salt hay, and various grasses).

Special Note: One plant can produce over one million seeds that are windborne and easilyspread. It has no nutritive value. It is said to betoxic to livestock. Some research shows an effecton people with allergies and/or asthma.

Spring Cleaning?? by Liz MarcellusPlease remember to recycle your household alkaline batteries. When thrown out with yourregular garbage they will leach toxic chemicalsinto the environment... and possibly wind up inthe water we paddle in.

There are many places you can bring them. Drop off locations include: Rite Aid stores, CVS and Walmart stores. You can also go online andsearch the website www.earth911.com for localdrop off sites.

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The Frank Answers ColumnDear Frank,

This is a nice club, with good people and better picnics, but I’ve chosen not to paddle with this clubagain. I simply can’t see why I’m required by some trip leader to wear my PFD. The U.S. CoastGuard only requires me to carry a PFD on my kayak. Long Island Paddlers paperwork specificallystates: “You are the Captain of your own craft.” As Captain of my own craft, I’m happy to complywith U.S. Coast Guard regulations. If something is good enough for the U.S. Coast Guard, it’s goodenough for me and that should be good enough for Long Island Paddlers as well.

Best Wishes, K.H.

Dear Captain K.H.

The U.S. Coast Guard regulation you mention is written for, and targeted at, individual boats operating by themselves. When you are paddling alone, you fit that description. Your actions,judgments and decisions pretty much affect only one boat…yours! When you paddle with otherkayaks, however, everything changes. You’re part of a group that offers you protection and imme-diate response should you get into trouble. Each member of that group is dependent upon everyother member’s efforts in order for this to succeed. Any negative thing you or I do inevitably putsan increased risk on everyone else. This in turn reduces the protection the group affords all of us.

So, why is your refusal to wear your Personal Flotation Device (PFD) a negative thing for everyoneelse? The reasons are actually very simple. PFD’s are like parachutes: if you wait until you need oneto put it on…its already too late! We know how difficult it is to locate, and then put on, a PFDonce you’ve been dumped into the water against your will. Try it. We also understand how hard itis to get a frightened and cold paddler back into a boat without the floatation provided by a PFD.Furthermore, we appreciate how quickly a paddler can become exhausted and lose the ability tokeep afloat without their PFD. It’s for these reasons that Long Island Paddlers requires you to wearyour PFD zipped, clipped and snug when you are part of one of our paddles. Incidentally, thatUSCG regulation you mentioned is the minimum requirement set forth by law. It is followed immediately in their publications by the strong request that all occupants of any pleasure boatwear their PFDs at all times. As a fellow Long Island Paddlers member, I’m genuinely sorry that youhave chosen to step away from one of the key benefits of our organization.

Best Wishes, Frank Chillemi

Hello Frank,

I’ve often heard you describe us paddlers as “mariners first and kayakers second.” Frankly, Frank,I’m not sure what you mean? I jump into my kayak, point it in the direction I want to go, and paddle. No big deal. Please don’t ask me to memorize all those nutty nautical terms.

Regards, T.C.

Dear T.C.

Being a “mariner first” simply means that learning to read the seas and skies, plus learningNature’s laws, as well as the rules of navigation, are vitally important. In fact, they’re moreimportant to us than knowing a multitude of paddle strokes, solo recoveries or Inuit Rolls ever willbe. Yeah…that’s a pretty big statement... let me explain.

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The Frank Answers Column (continued)

Simply jumping into your kayak and paddling off can get you into some very inconvenientsituations. Finding yourself having to deal with too much wind, or not enough daylight, come tomind right off the bat. Running out of water at low tide is very embarrassing. Not knowing howrolling seas behave after they break on submerged shoals is even worse. Fog can turn your tripfrom romantically beautiful to “I’m lost… where are my friends?… what’s that motor noise?” in little more than a heartbeat! Nautical charts and folding road maps are not the same thing! Thelist goes on and on.

Basic mariner skills and a working knowledge of the marine environment are not that hard tocome by. There are books and DVDs on these subjects available from the club library. The CoastGuard Auxiliary Boating Safety Course is given in many locations around Long Island each year. This course will be well worth your time and effort. Please give these suggestions some serious consideration.

Best Wishes, Frank Chillemi

Hi Frank,

How do you use a Greenland kayak paddle? I’ve seen people who are good with these “skinnysticks” go through the water smoothly, quickly, and with what seems to be very little effort. I tried one and got nowhere.

Regards,A.C.

Dear A.C.

The value of the Greenland, or Native Paddle, is probably one of the more intensely discussed subjects among paddlers who have tried them. Most people either swear by ‘em…or swear at‘em! The answer to your question is very complex. More than one book, and a number of

videos, have been published on Native Paddle technique. With that in mind you can see why a comprehensive set of instructions can’t be provided here. However, I can give you three tips thatshould be of value.

The first is that the size and fit of a Greenland Paddle is very critical; much more so than with theEuropean paddles that the majority of us use. That explains why most “skinny sticks” are custommade. A good fit should feel very intuitive and natural to you. If the fit is off, the paddle will mostlikely feel awkward and unstable.

The second thing is that while it may not be obvious at first, the Native Paddle Stroke is actuallyquite different from the stroke you probably use now. This is most likely why you got nowhere thefirst time you tried one.

Lastly, there are a few members of L.I. Paddlers who use Greenland paddles, and who, like me,swear by ‘em. A few of these folks regularly volunteer for our Skills Days. It should be no trouble to track down a member who will give you some time if you want to give this unique paddledesign another try.

Best Wishes,Frank Chillemi

If you have any questions for Frank, please contact him at DearFrank@lipaddlers.org

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Last year members of our club kept watch overswimmers who raised over $560,000 in two eventsrun by Swim Across America. Amazingly, every oneof those dollars was donated directly to cancerresearchers who were screened by a committeefrom the organization. Ken Fink, Ray Smith and Ihave attended meetings where these researchershave reported on the progress of their projects.We were all extremely impressed with what weheard.

Please join us for a great morning of paddling fora worthwhile cause.

The swimmers, who swim either a ten k, five k, ora one mile course, do all the work and raise all themoney.

After the swim we will be served an incrediblebreakfast, including omelets prepared the wayyou like them, by a team of volunteer chefs.

To sign up, go to our club trip paddles on our clubwebsite and/or www.swimacrossamerica.org. clickon Nassau/Suffolk /volunteer.

Any questions e-mail me at:goldblattinvestigations@hotmail.com,or call me (917) 273-6499.

Hoping to see all of you on the water,Barry M. Goldblatt

Reminder - Save the DateSat. Aug.15, 2009 - Morgan State Park, Glen Cove, N.Y.Swim Across America - Kayak Swimmer Escort

LongIslandPaddlers@YahooGroupsWhat is this?

by Barbara Fontana

LongIslandPaddlers@yahoogroups is an emailgroup or listserv that I started last year with theapproval of the Board that makes it easy for members to communicate with each other on paddling related topics. There are currently about130 members on the listserv. When you send anemail to the group email address, your messagegoes to everyone else on the listserv, all 130 of us. People have used it to ask about equipment,places to put-in, and for feedback on kayak models they are considering.

The listserv is only open to members in goodstanding of the club. If you have not specificallyasked to be included in the listserv, you cannot

send an email to the group via the listserv.

You can join the Long Island Paddlers listserv bychecking “yes” on the membership form when youfirst join or renew your membership or by contact-ing me at listservcoordinator@lipaddlers.orgor by speaking to me at the next meeting.

I also want to point out that when you get emailsthat come from the club’s website, these are NOTpart of the club listserv. Steve Berner, as president,can send an e-mail to all members via a programon the website. This is used for club announce-ments and for sending the newsletter.

Any questions, feel free to contact me.

The Southold Indian Museum is hosting a kayakrace in Hallock Bay from Orient Beach State Parkon June 13th. The relay points will be of naturalor native significance. There will be prizes for first,second, and third place in the race. After comple-tion of the course, there will be a catered partyheld in the picnic area of the park, free to all

participants. Food, beverages, raffles, and prizes!This is a fundraiser and participants will be expected to raise a minimum of $300 by the June1 registration deadline. If you are interested, contact Lisa Stevenson at 631-664-1844 or rtifactex@yahoo.com.

Southold Indian Museum Kayak Relay Raceby Lisa Stevenson

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Thimble Island /Connecticut River Tripby Alan Mindlin

The spring trip to the Thimble Islands and CTRiveris set for May 15th through May 17th. I checkedout some hotels and although it was not ratedhigh by some of the travelers on line I think theDays Inn in Branford CT would be Ideal. All therooms have been renovated in the past year andthe breakfast includes waffles. Non-cancelablerooms are $152.00 including tax per weekend andit is about $17.00 more for the same room with acancelation via a group rate. Use kayak.com forreservations. For the cancelable rate call and askfor Cathy. The hotel is located off exit 60 and theThimble Islands are at exit 56 about 6 miles away.

The CT river is located at exit 70. I have paddledthe CT river many times and have maps and boatcharts. On the least windy of the two days we willpaddle the Thimble Islands. A local kayaker gaveme a public launch area with map and directionscloser to the islands than many others.

Because the water is still cold it is a requirementon this trip to have at least a neoprene core toplike an NRS hydroskin top. Do not wear any cotton. These tops should be used here in the

local waters till approximately mid-June. A full wetsuit or dry suit is recommended. I do own an extrawet suit (mens XL, fits large) that someone canborrow. I would recommend kayaks with dualfloatation devices in both bow and stern for safetyand that everyone have a skirt. We are paddlingon the sound about 1 mile off shore. The skirt ismandatory. The Thimble Islands are privatelyowned and one of them is a preserve. They have aunique beauty and are one of two such island for-mations in the world. The other is in Africa and wecould do that trip next year.

The CT river is one of the most beautiful kayakingrivers in the area. It has many creeks, side rivers,bird life and access points. There are many stop-ping points along the shore. I do not know if theeagles are still at Essex, CT. If they are, we shouldsee them as they live on a local island. Please letme know if you want to attend ASAP. There are a few members that have done so already. There are many restaurants on route 1 near the motelso there will be plenty of places to eat.

It should be fun.

631-264-0005334 South Bayview AveAmityville ,New York 11701Dinghy Shop.com

Long Island Paddlers is sponsored by:

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BBBB llll aaaa zzzz iiii nnnn gggg PPPP aaaa dddd dddd llll eeee ssssP.O. Box 115West Sayville, NY 11796

First Class Mail

Tentative 2009 monthly meeting datesAlways check website

3rd Thursday of every month 7-9:30 PM

April 16 • May 21

June 18 • July 16 • August 20

September 17 • October 15

November 19

LOCATION:Suffolk County Community College

Brentwood (Grant Campus)Captree Commons - Room C114

Cafeteria BuildingFrom the east or west take the Long Island

Expressway to Exit 53. Follow signs to Wicks Road.

Go south on Wicks Road to campus entrance on right-hand side.

Long Island Paddler’s Publication DatesApril 15 • July 15 • October 15 • January 15

Deadlines for submission are one month priorto publication date. All copies submittedmust be typewritten. Members are encour-aged to submit articles, letters to the editorNewsworthy Notes, trip reports or future tripinformation, etc. to editors. Editors reservethe right to editorial privileges. Unless other-wise stated, the views and opinions expressedare those of the authors and do not repre-sent official position statements of LongIsland Paddlers Club.

Submit all newsletter articles, letters and advertising to the editor

news@lipaddlers.org

To learn and see more of what Long Island Paddlers is all about, visit our website www.lipaddlers.org