Guess it's time I make my presence known. I am a 60 year old male (that no doubt qualifies me as an "old fart". I live Southwest of Albany in upstate NY. This summer will be my third season of paddling in an Eddyline, Merlin XT so I'm relatively new to this sport. We (My wife and I) own a summer cottage on Sodus Bay. Sodus bay is off Lake Ontario between Rochester and Oswego. My summer paddling is split between these two areas in NY. I have taken BCU Star 1 through Star 3 Training (so far no assessment) and do not have a solid roll so I have some definite goals for this summer. This brings up a question. Where are the pool sessions offered in the Albany, NY area? I'm relatively new to this area and have not been able to find one. Paddling experiences include BCU Training and some regular paddling in the Hudson River. At our other Home, have made several acquaintances and have thoroughly explored Sodus Bay including its marshes and feeder streams. On one occasion we made some interesting surfing attempts on a day when seven foot waves were rolling down the channel from Lake Ontario into the bay. We would head into the channel until fear would overcome then make a turn and try to ride back. These waves had a fairly nice shape and were not breaking except for a small section where the depth was reduced to about three feet due to a sand bar on one side of the channel. Because of the rough conditions, there was very little boat traffic into the lake. On a few occasions we have done 12 to 15 mile trips along the shoreline of Lake Ontario sometimes venturing a mile or so from shore in order to experience the four to five foot waves depending on wind conditions. Wind conditions have usually been calm for the lake trips. On one relatively short trip the wind was at the high end of the 10-20 kt reported by NOAA. Getting out and in through the channel was interesting on this trip. The waves are amplified by the channel with an even larger standing wave at the lake end of the channel. A Coast Guard boat followed us out. Don't know if he was watching us or just going out at the same time we were. Managed to keep the open side up. So much for the introduction, now for the rest of the story. We are planning a trip to Florida to visit family in Ormond Beach and Leesburg. We will be at one or the other of these locations between April 17-26. On past trips, I have looked longingly at the Halifax River every time I have crossed the Granada Avenue bridge on the way to my daughter's house in Ormond Beach. After a rather weird ski season this winter and since we are driving this trip, I am having a great deal of difficulty resisting the temptation to take the old yak along. I have charts and tide tables of the Halifax River from St. Augustine to Ponce Inlet. I could not find information on currents any place on the www. I have read the trip reports on Clyde Sissler's web page with a great deal of interest. The ramp at the Granada Bridge or a ramp at Flagler Beach look like good launch sites even if I have to take short solo trips. Tomoka Basin and State Park also look interesting. Any suggestions regarding events or groups that I could join, other possible locations that I could explore, advice on currents, wind, how to behave around alligators, sources of other information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Arden Dockter *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/28/00 8:20:24 PM, adockter_at_earthlink.net writes: >We are >planning a trip to Florida to visit family in Ormond Beach and Leesburg. > when in Leesburg (grew up playing around there in summers, grandparents lived there) you might want to consider paddling the Dora Canal. A beautiful, if only 1/2 mile or so long, canal, home to much wildlife, it makes a neat little trip. Haines canal cool also, and you can "lock" your yak if you go far enough up it! If you have the time, you can launch in Little Lake Harris, paddle throught Dead River (Dead River Vics. Cold beer, hot soup!) and then to the Dora Canal. Or, just launch _at_ Vics, and paddle over. I was there last weekend, must have been at least 50 Osprey's flying / nesting, spotted an Otter sunning, lots of turtles etc. Some of the side canals are also really pretty. Have fun! Scott *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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