RE: [Paddlewise] My first trip in the Harbor

Woody,

>I find a half hour to get ready is pretty typical for me. Seems like it
>takes longer and longer though.

         I can understand that, seems nowadays, that there is so much to do 
prior...<g>

>It'll take a while to get back into it. My first trip I managed 5 miles and
>felt like I had gone 50. I could barely lift my boat back onto my truck.

         Thank God I am not alone in that regard!

>My last trip my polartec jacket, polartec farmer john, and poly shorts all
>bunched up around my waist to make a very painful few minutes on the water
>until I managed to get it all flattened out. Is there a trick to getting
>your clothes back into the right position after tugging the dry suit on? An
>extra set of hands might be a big help.

         Too true, and with this stuff turning out to be almost "new" in 
some ways it was almost scary...<g> <shrug>

         The biggest help I found, was to pull down and tuck in my poly 
top, into the bottom drawers...  That could be done with arms poking 
through the arms of the suit or not I think...

>Nylon is what I recommend to folks who may have difficulty with spray skirts
>as that type seems easier to remove. It doesn't stay on as well, but you can
>sometimes fall out without even releasing the skirt when inverted, which is
>more important for you at this point I would imagine.

         I have a [ta-daa I just remembered the manufacturer!] Snap Dragon 
neoprene/nylon-tunnel skirt I purchased before the 100% neoprene one.  It 
was for my old Necky... but I can see you may be right-perhaps that is what 
might be called for at least for now...?

>I really admire your determination to get back on the water Tom. Hopefully
>you have found someone to paddle with you as your descriptions of "brain
>hikes" on your web site worries me greatly if you are paddling alone.

         I have to drive [oh boy-in the dark] to Gig Harbor Kayak Club 
tonite and maybe I can befriend someone there...?  I can understand your 
concerns as I REALLY have them myself.  It's one of the reasons I would 
only allow myself into the harbor only.

         Thank you for the supportive words "even if it means slowing down 
your progress onto the water."  Sunday was in some ways, sort of humbling...<g>

         Take good care,

                 TomW...

	
<gadfly_at_tscnet.com>

homepage:
http://www2.tscnet.com/~gadfly/
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