2/28/08 I was supposed to meet Barb and Chuck Freedman for the Thursday Afternoon Paddle, but I was surprised when Ken showed up for the first test paddle of his crash ravaged shoulder. Of course Ken is never know to push things, so I figured he must be ready. In the mood for a new boat, I was checking out Chuck's Nordkapp as we waited for the tardy K n' B. Haven't had a chance to look one over much before. It wasn't the ideal shoulder testing weather; there was a strong head wind that would steal and progress if you stopped your paddling. Ken felt pretty good, but felt a little pain in his ribs. Chuck convinced him to try his paddle, a narrow bladed affair and he seemed to do alright. It was looking pretty choppy outside with some swells making their way into the harbor, so KnB decided to hang out in the harbor. That left Chuck and I to make a run to Crystal Cove. That was my fall back position when Chuck suggested Abalone Point. I told him, I'm not used to real paddling! I've heard Chuck likes to chew up the miles and he set a pretty fast pace. It was fun though, plowing through the wind and the head seas. We seemed to slack of a bit now and then to where I could find enough air to converse a bit. I quizzed him on his opinion of other boats and our pace soon had us closing in on the first cottage of CC. I was ready for a corn-nut break which gave the wind a chance to start us on our home journey. We followed a more inshore route on the way home and Chuck gave me a heads up on a couple waves sneaking in. A choppy rear quartering sea also kept us alert. I was happy for a slower pace on the way home. Ken and Barb were still hanging out at the launch site when we landed and we all headed to a little know coffee place for more kayak gabbing. Mark Sanders www.SandMarks.net Only 6 days on the month so far, but I'm lucky, it's a leap year so I have one more chance to add a paddle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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