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From: skimmer <skimmer_at_enter.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Maine Symposium
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 07:35:37 4
Hi Kirk,
Your review reminds me of the good old days when our sea 
kayakers used to go to the Castine kayak symposium, and then 
paddle the Maine coast for some days after the symposium.
I think of Bass Harbor Light- at night-down the road from our camp 
ground.

Did you notice if there were any canoe sailors on the water? My 
wife, the canoe sailor, wants to know. 

What was the water temperature? Was there anyone 
demonstrating or promoting cold water gear? Any idea how many 
people attended the show? Who was the sponsor/management?

Thanks,
Chuck Sutherland
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From: Kirk Olsen <kork4_at_cluemail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maine Symposium
Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:56:37 -0400
On Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:35:37 +0000, "skimmer" <skimmer_at_enter.net> said:

> Your review reminds me of the good old days when our sea 
> kayakers used to go to the Castine kayak symposium, and then 
> paddle the Maine coast for some days after the symposium.
> I think of Bass Harbor Light- at night-down the road from our camp 
> ground.
> 
> Did you notice if there were any canoe sailors on the water? My 
> wife, the canoe sailor, wants to know. 

There were definitely canoe sailors.  Benson Gray was sailing a closed
gunwale sailing canoe that was his grandfathers boat.  It was rigged
with dual masts.  They had 4 or 5 sailing canoes for the sailing
lessons.

 
> What was the water temperature? 

There were kids in swimming... the water was in the 60s.

> Was there anyone demonstrating or promoting cold water gear? 

Not explicitly.  During the introductory demonstration Ben Meader was
wearing his wetsuit when he intentionally rolled his whitewater boat,
rolled up successfully, then flipped back over and called for a rescue.

> Any idea how many 
> people attended the show? Who was the sponsor/management?

My guess would be 160.  I can get real numbers if you want.

The canoe symposium is put on by the Maine Canoe Symposium...  A group
of paddlers took over managing the symposium after LL Bean decided it
wasn't a profit center.  Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the
event.   http://mainecanoesymposium.org/

For this year's evening presentations they had Reinhard Zollitsch and
the Peake Brothers.  Reinhard had both his Savage River surf rigger (an
open cockpit outrigger canoe) and his Kruger sea wind covered touring
canoe.  The sea wind had a passive radar reflector on the rear deck,
which looked very much like this one:
http://www.sailgb.com/p/trilens_radar_reflectors/

The Peake brothers presentation was more of a history talk, showing lots
of historical video and photos which they have had digitized.

Kirk
-- 
  Kirk Olsen
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maine Symposium
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:31:21 -0400
skimmer wrote:
> Hi Kirk,
> Your review reminds me of the good old days when our sea 
> kayakers used to go to the Castine kayak symposium, and then 
> paddle the Maine coast for some days after the symposium.

Yes, thanks for the reminder.  I attended the Castine kayak symposium in 
1998 and 1999. The first year I took a two hour class with Derek 
Hutchinson where I learned how to brace.  It made a huge impact on my 
skill level.  The next year I took a class with Chris Duff which focused 
on an efficient forward stroke.  Again, my skills improved significantly.

But, the Saturday night lobster dinner was something I'll always remember.

I'm going to be just across the bay (in Owls Head) for a weeks vacation 
at the end of the month.  We may head over to Castine for a day trip.
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From: Kirk Olsen <kork4_at_cluemail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] owls head - was Maine Symposium
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:53:36 -0400
On Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:31:21 -0400, "John Fereira" <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
said:

> I'm going to be just across the bay (in Owls Head) for a weeks vacation 
> at the end of the month.  We may head over to Castine for a day trip.

The islands off Owls head are fascinating.  My father's extended family
summers in owls head.  Many a week have I spent lying on the cobbles, or
paddling to spruce head/rockland and out to the mussel ridge islands. 
This is a great spot to paddle as it's a terrible place to sail ;-)  A
friend on the wooden sailboat racing circuit says he usually sails the
whole coast - except mussel ridge where he needs to motor.

Dix Island used to have the biggest dance floor north of either portland
or Boston.  Wandering around the islands can yield some interesting
remnants of yesteryear.  Underground hallways with rooms off the side, a
marble fireplace in a field...

If you happen to be there during one of the Owls head transportation
museum event weekends it can be fascinating to see what's in the air,
http://www.othm.org.  Floating along, then looking up and seeing a stunt
plane in a death spiral, or lying on the beach having your solitude
interrupted by a WWII japanese zero with a Mustang P50 in pursuit - both
only a 100+ feet above the treeline...  The museum is highly unusual in
that it's in the charter that all vehicles, and planes, in the
collection get used "regularly".  This can result in visitors getting to
see things in use that most museums would only ever have as static
displays.

If you are paddling in South Thomaston or spruce head be sure to stop by
waterman's beach, paddle right up to the dock.  Marvelous pie for
dessert.  It's a lobster shack with a James Beard cooking award.. 
http://www.hollyeats.com/WatermansBeach.htm  Go early.  The restaurant
is run by the wives of a couple of fishermen.  They sell what their
spouses and families catch.  When it runs out it's gone.  They don't
have a fryer or a much of a stove.  If you can't steam it they don't
have it.  Except the pies, which they walk across the street - from
where they live....

-- 
  Kirk Olsen
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Maine Symposium
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:00:38 -0400
William Wetzel wrote:
> Back in the earlier 90's the Castine (Maine Maritime Academy) symposium 
> was sponsored by L.L.Bean.  It was a highlight of the summer season and 
> we always followed it with trips up and down the Maine Coast.  There 
> were many highlights at these symposia.  One was Derek Hutchinson's 
> after-dinner narration of his attempt to cross the North Sea and being 
> rescued by a ferry boat.  He made it on his second attempt.  Another 
> highlight was the food (believe it).  They have a great culinary program 
> at the Academy and the dining room looks out over the bay.  Question.  
> What do you call a cook on a merchant marine vessel?  Not a trick 
> question - I am just having a brain cramp.

The last time I went we stayed a couple nights at a B&B right on the 
water in town just after the symposium and was lucky enough to be there 
when the State of Maine training ship returned to harbor after 4 months 
at sea.  The entire town was down on the docks to welcome them back.

We also had dinner at the Castine Inn one night.  I had a seven course 
meal that had a selected wine for five of the courses.  One of the best 
meals I've ever had.

As spartan as the dorm room accommodations were they were really 
convenient.  It was a great facility and location for a kayak symposium.
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