It is fitting that this being the last post of the year 2011 is about beginnings and endings. The end of a year that brought both joy and heart ache, many adventures and new experiences, growth in skills and character, as well as failings and set backs. I found myself paddling more and improving dramatically in skills and in confidence over the year. A large part of that was taking skills classes, participating in pool sessions as well as challenging myself when I knew it was safe to push my limits. Along the way the year also brought to me a new kayak, my P&H Capella 161. I attribute part of my skills improvement and a large part of my growth in confidence to this boat. It preforms so much more agilely as well as predictably than my previous kayak that I find myself accomplishing more than I ever imagined with a smile on my face from ear to ear on a weekly basis. I ended the year with a smile like that yesterday on my last paddle of the year on an abnormally warm winter day off the coast of Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Pushing the low fifties with a warm bright sun illuminating a crisp landscape I headed out Little Sheepshead Creek out into Little Egg Inlet and around the point to land on the Southern most point of Long Beach Island. This section of the island is part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
From the web:
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, where more than 47,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats are actively protected and managed for migratory birds. Forsythe Refuge’s Brigantine and Barnegat Sections were originally two distinct refuges, established in 1939 and 1967 respectively, to protect tidal wetland and shallow bay habitat for migratory water birds. In 1984 they were combined under the Edwin B. Forsythe name, in honor of the late conservationist Congressman from New Jersey. The Refuge’s location in one of the Atlantic Flyway’s most active flight paths makes it an important link in the vast network of national wildlife refuges administered nationwide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its value for the protection of water birds and their habitat continues to increase as people develop the New Jersey shore for our own use. Forsythe Refuge is a part of the Hudson River/New York Bight Ecosystem and The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. In 1986 it was designated a Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance–otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention.
The tide was in flood and water temperatures were in the upper 40′s. I spent the day exploring the backside of the island paddling up into Little Egg Harbor. I only saw one other person the entire day. Peace. Solitude. A wonderful day to end a year of paddling with.
This day of lasts was also a a day of firsts for me as well. Santa was good to me this year and I found myself in the possession of a wonderful new Greenland paddle that was made by Christopher Raab of Tuktu Paddles in New Jersey. Yesterday was it’s maiden voyage and the first time I spent any significant time paddling with a Greenland paddle. It took about 30 minutes of adjustment and experimenting with hand positions and use before I started to become comfortable with the paddle, then I found myself enjoying it immensely. It is light, really light. My Euro bade paddles are light, made of carbon, but not this light. I was paddling in 10 to 15 mph winds and the narrow width of the blade made quite a difference on the upswing. No more pushing through the wind with a larger blade. I also found myself edging and turning the kayak more dramatically and aggressively as I could slide my hand down the entire shaft of the blade giving myself more paddle to work with in the water as well as a more buoyant paddle to rely on. I found the “flutter” and the slight bend of the blade in the water uncomfortable at first but began to minimize it as well as understand it as I adjusted my hand positions as well as technique. I have so much to look forward to this coming year in learning how to take full advantage of the paddle and enjoy the new lessons it will teach me as I progress.
The quality of construction of the paddle is very high. I opted for a seven strip laminate of woods along with a gloss urethane coating. I wanted to go with an unfinished paddle but felt that the extra strength of the urethane may help to protect the paddle and extend it’s life. Following the measurement guides on the Tuktu website I sent in my specifications and my paddle arrived sized perfectly for me. A very nice paddle indeed.
A good end to a good year and I look forward to 2012 with hope and high expectations.
Happy New Year and Best Wishes to all for a prosperous, safe and enjoyable year to come.
More pictures in the gallery.
