Do as I say, not as I do

Last week at the board meeting we discussed paddling within your abilities during the covid situation since you don't want to force someone to have to get close to rescue you nor do you want to have to end up in a possibly overtaxed local ER. So when the Lehigh got dumped on I convinced …

Bike Shuttling and locking equipment

In this new normal many of us our self-isolating enough that we don't want to get in a car with others even for a head hanging out the window shuttle...so the obvious solution is a bike (or hike) shuttle. I've also seemed way too many Facebook posts about missing gear - more during this special …

What I learned the hard way about paddling

Or beginning whitewater paddling... As far as safety, I don’t need to tell any of you that strainers and cold water are your big enemy, not rocks, flipping or swimming. Part of pulling off a combat roll is being comfortable under water….and a big part of being comfortable underwater is not freaking out when you're not …

Paddling Resources

This is mainly geared toward new paddlers, but I thought it might be useful to others... KCCNY, you already know about. Use the forum to organize trips, buy/sell gear, ask questions, post anything paddling related. If you haven't already, please become a member so we can keep having beginner weekends, pool sessions in the winter, …

It’s fun and easy to be a KCCNY Trip Coordinator

Have you looked at the KCCNY trip schedule and wondered why there were so few trips posted? That’s because we rely on volunteers to post trips. So many of you paddle the rivers and look for KCCNY trips to join, but few of you volunteer to be the Trip Coordinator. Without those volunteers there would …

Tips & tricks for finding used boats

Used boats are awesome, but finding the one you're looking for can be a bit tricky, especially if you're looking for a boat that has been out of production for some time, or so new that there are few people selling yet. Here are a few methods I use: The no-brainer choice for our area …

Worthwhile Article on Dry Drowning

I came across this really good article on Dry Drowning including tips on what to do if it occurs. Definitely worth reading. NRS Duct Tape Diaries - Dry Drowning

River Reading

From the seat of your boat, it can be difficult to make a distinction between a downstream wave, hole, or barely-submerged rock. Here's a tip: It's often easier to figure out what you're facing by looking just below the feature. For example, you see a hump of water and, just beyond it, a patch of …

Learning to Roll, or maybe not

We've all gone through it, or are at least in the process of it. Learning to roll a Kayak can be extremely frustrating. Of course some people seem to pick it up right away. I hate them just a little. After my debacle in the Ken Lockwood Gorge I decided that I just might need …

Some Thoughts on Teaching the Roll

H2O Dreams makes some interesting points on rolling in a video on their blog. Check it out here. I'm thinking about fighting the old pulling-the-head-up issue when teaching the roll. I think next time I'm working with someone who's having trouble, I might try saying, "Ok, as you finish your roll, throw yourself right back …

3 Ways to Coil Tie-Down Straps

Any other ideas? http://youtu.be/9cxTfWYTUbs Editor's note. Skip coiling. Buy a 6 pack of wine from Whole Foods and use the wine bottle storer. Stuff and go, just like a thrown bag. Coiling is old school (slow).

What will we yell at rafters now?

"Don't put your feet down!!!" may be off this list. Check this out: Leg Flotation Device

Nightfall is hurling itself at us from sunrise

Winter paddling forces us to adapt to new rules on the water. Seasons change and so must we. Listen to mother nature and play by her rules. In December its easy to start late when the warmer hours come for the Crack Of Noon Club.  But from the moment your eyes open in the morning, …

Grading of Rapids – from kayaksnthings.com

Came across a good article on what defines a rapid's class on the kayaksnthings blog. Here's an excerpt: Grade I: Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. Grade II: Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which …

Creating great river photographs

It seems that everyone has a digital camera these days and I see people snapping pictures on the rivers all the time. Are you happy with the results or disappointed in what you get? Ever wonder how to make the photos better? Here are some quick tips to creating better photos and getting compliments from …

Ready to level up?

One of the most common questions newer paddlers ask is: How do I get ready for the next class of river? And the most common answer they get is: Practice more difficult moves on an easier river (or, as one of my more cerebral paddling buddies says: Make class n+1 moves on a class n …