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Steve Chard In The Home Stretch
Steve Chard is in the home stretch on his Great Loop. Here is his most recent update:
Yesterday, Friday 26th July, kayaking “The Great Loop” had me paddle 20 mi/32 kms from the Tuna Wharf & Museum at Lower Wedgecroft to Middle East Pubnico and Eko and Aiyu Raharjo. Weather and tidal stream perfect, even visibility was so good I could see 10+ miles to the wind turbines farm on the Pubnico peninsula -my longest open water crossing of the trip!
Making more new friends on my weekend off - including Watson the dog: Bandit’s twin Dona on Emerald Isle, NC !!
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Complete day off today, tomorrow a recreational paddle in Pubnico Bay with the local kayaking community followed by a BBQ -all welcome at the Raharjo’s!
On Monday I shall paddle to Barrington Passage -anyone round there got a spot where I can camp/stay please??
Approximately 300 miles/480 kms to go now...!!
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Coast Guard's Busy Weekend in Long Island Sound
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 2 – After a busy weekend off of Long Island, the Coast Guard is reminding the boating public to be prepared and to practice safe boating during the active summer season.
In total, the Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to more than 20 cases of mariners in distress and 18 persons in the water wearing lifejackets after severe weather swept through western Connecticut and Long Island Sound.
In these cases, the Coast Guard rescued or assisted boaters across Long Island Sound ranging from taking on water, beset by weather, capsized, or disabled. In one case, a Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck boatcrew medically evacuated a female with an injured arm and safely transferred her to awaiting emergency medical services at Town Dock Pier in Huntington Bay.
Assets and partner agencies included:
* 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station New Haven
* 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck
* 29-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck
* 29-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Fire Island
* MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts
* HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts
* MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
* Suffolk County Marine and Aviation
* Suffolk Fire Rescue Emergency Services
* Northport Fire Department
* Norwalk Police Department
* Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
The Coast Guard recommends boaters check the forecasted weather conditions prior to departing shore. In many cases, weather conditions can quickly deteriorate and catch boaters off guard and underprepared.
“The marine environment is complex and ever changing. That’s why prior to getting underway, always check the weather and ensure all required safety equipment is onboard,” said Cmdr. Valerie Boyd, search and rescue coordinator, Sector Long Island Sound. “Many of the individuals are alive today because they were wearing lifejackets.”
For more information about how you can be prepared before heading out onto the water, visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Vessel Safety Check site. |
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Paddle Florida Staff Reach Out to Latin America
Last week Paddle Florida staff along with the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism presented information to representatives of Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Mexico, Chile, and Panama. The meeting at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management was titled Environmental Engagement and the Economy, set up by the World Affairs Council of Central Florida, the local implementer of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. Sergio Alvarez, assistant professor at the School, presented about sustainable global tourism in general, and how climate change is impacting Florida in particular. Alan Fyall, Associate Dean, welcomed the group to UCF and echoed some of the remarks for Prof. Alvarez. Janice Hindson from the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism was next to present about the need for consistent standards for outfitters and purveyors of eco-tourism in Florida, and Paddle Florida presented about how they have been working to create awareness about water conservation, wildlife preservation, restoration of springs and protection of waterways in Florida, and how their mission and paddling trips across the state have expanded over the past 12 years. Heather van Dyk, project manager at WACCF, said that "the meeting and presentations to our Latin American neighbors was in keeping with their mission to promote global understanding and connectedness."
From The Happy Paddler: newsletter of Paddle Florida, August 2019 - Volume 123.
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London Kayak Company Earns ISKGA Status
Jeff Allen, founding director of The International Sea Kayak Guide Association, Expedition Paddler and Sea Kayaking, has been working with the London Kayak Company to see if this commercial Thames-based sea kayaking business had the expertise to qualify as an ISKGA Expedition Center and announced its demonstrating that level of guiding expertise.
The River Thames, is probably one of the most interesting sections of water to paddle. There are the obvious historical sites and interests which adorn the river, but there are also the more contemporary happenings which are taking place every day. The river is a challenging guiding environment, and requires an exceptionally high level of experience and skill. Allen wrote, “I felt that I had to really delve into the intricacies of just what it takes to be able to not only guide others on this dynamic Tideway, but also to be able to represent ISKGA on the nation's capitol waterway. ISKGA is really proud and happy to say, welcome on board London Kayak Company!”
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Top: Kayak class with skinny sticks and "normal boats." Bottom: Few other than a die-hard connoisseur or fanatic fan would paddle this East Greenland-style replica. I just put it in because it's a cool picture. - Ed.
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Maine Greenland Kayak Festival Celebrates Historic Connections
The Maine Greenland Kayak Festival, in its inaugural year, brings Greenland's paddling heritage home to those who love seafaring in small boats with a skinny stick. Kayakers around the world are drawn to the simplicity and grace of the Greenland paddle. It's the perfect tool for rolling, and has been the paddle of choice for many who have journeyed far by sea.
The festival takes place during the time when Maine waters are at their warmest, averaging 15.8°C / 60.4°F or more. September in Maine is a time of clear days, warm water, rocky shorelines, lighthouses, and the full harvest moon. The crowds are gone and participants will have the islands to themselves.
Hosted by Maine Island Kayak Co., the festival has garnished a set of coaches well-known in the sea kayaking and traditional kayaking worlds, including Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson of Kayak Ways, Ginni Callahan - Sea Kayak Baja Mexico, Greg Stamer of Kayak Vagabond, Dan Segal of Qajaq USA, and Tom Bergh of Maine Island Kayak Co. There will be an evening presentation by kayak historian Vernon Doucette.
The Maine Greenland Kayak Festival aims to help Greenland paddlers develop the knowledge, skills and experience for exploring the ocean environment. It has invited coaches and mentors who have extensive experience with beginning to advanced rolling, ocean expeditions, and rough water paddling, all using a Greenland paddle. Together, the coaches aim to help participants broaden their horizons, taking the Greenland style of kayaking out into the sea and along Maine’s unique coastal environment.
WHERE: 8th Maine Regiment, Peaks Island, Maine. WHEN: September 13-15, 2019.
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Northwest Florida's Water Wonderland
Explore Northwest Florida is a team of Northwest Florida counties that have joined together to promote regional tourism, stretching from the Apalachicola River and Bay estuary system in the east to the coastal sand dunes and Choctawhatchee River in the west. In between you’ll find pristine warm gulf waters and crystal clear cool-water natural springs spotted throughout, as well as rivers, lakes, creeks and streams that provide a deep blue-green beauty to bestow.
The water wonderland provides both fresh and salty palates to satisfy any paddler’s appetite. Choose Your Adventure - kayak or canoe down a lazy river scenic blueway where the only sound you will hear is the intriguing songs of wildlife in the midst, jump on a paddle board as you cascade over the salty waves, be amazed as you skim over the pristine waters of the largest concentration of springs in the southeast, or challenge your skill as you venture out to secluded whitewater rapids.
From The Happy Paddler: newsletter of Paddle Florida, August 2019 - Volume 123.
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