Kayak for a Cause IX

1. Kayak for a Cause IX July 24th 2009 Created by: Kim Beaumont Pete Rollins Cap’n Dave (aka: Dave Haddox)

2. Our Plan To get to the other side with all our pod members. STICK TOGETHER – This is not optional; you leave the pod, we send a chase boat to get you and take you home. Formation – in this packet is our ‘secret’ success tool – a pod formation plan. We paddle in a diamond with assigned roles. Read on and know your role. We certainly can switch positions during the paddle, makes for more interesting conversation – just make sure the sweeps know / approve (there is definite reasoning behind our thinking). In an emergency we should revert to our positions so I know where you all are – so if you hear that instruction, drop into place. Make changes: every hour we stop for a 5 minute break – this is a great time to make changes – check in with me. STICK TOGETHER –understand?

3. Proposed Positions Foreward: sets the pace and navigates, turns and checks on pod to make sure we’re altogether. Take direction/instructions from the sweeps.   Middle: Lighter paddlers/skills not known. These paddlers will follow the leads, and draft off them, helping them to keep up speed. Sweeps (“sheepdogs”): The main sweeps are on the outer sides of the group. Their job is to keep the pod together, look for issues, follow the direction of the pod leader and communicate. Inner sweeps take over when the outer sweeps leave position. Rear: Stronger paddlers. These paddlers have lots of experience and are probably fast, but also happy to chill – they can fill in wherever needed. Aft: Pod Leader at the back, keeping an eye on the big picture and directing the show.

4. A Typical Pod Formation Larisa Mark P. Leon Kim Mark Raewyn Liane Heather Direction of Travel Tamara Nora Elissa Louisa

5. KFAC-IX Schedule Meet at Calf Pasture Beach no later than 0600 Sign waivers Regarding coffee, know your bladder – it is over an hour ride to Huntington, NY on Long Island. If you are paddling your own boat and it didn’t go on the caravan yesterday, load it onto the trailer. Help others do the same. Grab your gear (double check your gear list – gear in your car in CT won’t be of much use to you) Bathroom stop Check on your podmates – count noses If anyone is missing, notify the KFAC staff. When the last yellow bus leaves, it’s gone. Speak to Pod Leader privately if you have any concerns, medical issues etc. Take photos, say goodbye to loved ones Get on the buses. Last one leaves at 0700

6. Crab Meadow Beach Check in to get Champion Chip – find out where to start it Apply Pod numbers to all PFDs, and find your boats on the beach Locate your boat, get in and adjust seat & foot pedals, check rudder – ensure others do the same Load your gear, double check your gear list – ensure others do so Bathroom stop Warm up and stretch Check your pod – If anyone is missing, try to reach them or notify the Beach Captain that they are MIA. Take photographs Listen for your Pod # for launching Launch quickly and efficiently Head North

7. On Water Lead: We have spent considerable time setting coordinates, considering the weather, tides, moon, (horoscopes). And we bought a gps  Mark will communicate with Larisa, rest of us, follow Larisa. • Stay in formation unless told to do otherwise. • Notify ‘sweeps’ if you need any assistance. • Chase Boats are only to be contacted by the Pod Leader/Co-leader. • Paddle consistently forward for an hour. • STOP FOR 5 minutes every hour – ensure everyone gets a rest • Feel free to go for a swim during your break. • Check on your podmates. • Scrubbing of Event: 3 horn blasts from chase boats. Raft up and await further instruction.

8. What if and How to… • Signals: if you hear a whistle – turn and look, then follow direction. • Paddle straight up (vertical) means “on me!” Go to that person and raft up. • Paddle horizontal on head = STOP. • Paddle vertical and moving side to side = danger, look around you for immediate issues, then move into the middle for a raft. • Paddle pointing in a direction – look that way. If this follows the ‘danger’ signal, then really pay attention and be careful, eg, if there’s a barge, or large boat (read: large wake) coming your way. If it’s moving in that direction, then go that way. • Commercial traffic (eg, barges, ferries) have the right of way. • How to get attention: If you need attention – talk/call/yell to your buddy or anyone near you. If that doesn’t work, blow a whistle/horn. Understand that the chase boats may come racing over if you do the latter. • How to get help: Notify the sweeps who will send a message up to the front to stop the group as well as back to the Pod Leader.

9. What if and How to…(2) What to do if you capsize: grab hold of your boat and then your paddle. If your boat didn’t fill up with water, and you want to try getting back in unassisted, secure your paddle and go right ahead. If there is water in your boat, put your paddle under one arm, holding onto the deck lines swim along the boat to the bow and swim your boat to the nearest paddler, who will perform a T-Rescue. What to do if your buddy capsizes: Check to see if there is any imminent danger. Why did they capsize, could you make it worse for yourself or them. If they swim to you for help, perform a T-Rescue. If they attempt a self rescue, paddle along the opposite side, and be ready to assist them in if they need it (reach over and grasp the shoulder strap of their lifejacket, pull them across both kayaks, instruct to ROLL YOUR BUTT IN, vociferously tell them NOT TO CLIMB ON OR USE THEIR LEGS. “Put your legs down, put your legs down, put your bloody legs down and listen to me.” If the conditions are less than optimal the Co-leader or nearest experienced paddler should take over. Pod Leader should always be the last to help as they are responsible for the rest of the pod. Towing: Pod members with the most stamina.

10. What if and How to…(3) What everyone else should do during a rescue: Make sure the rest of the group knows and stops. Raft up and keep out of the way (outside rafters can maneuver the entire raft) until everyone is ready to move on.  Observe. Post-Rescue: Paddler should pump their own water out – it helps them regain composure and warm up if needed. You could take turns if it’s a lot, or try to use 2 pumps at once. Make sure all the water is out of their boat and that they are stabilized, before you move on – and UNTIL they ask for their paddle don’t move on. This is a clear sign that they have recovered sufficiently to continue. They will be embarrassed and possibly in shock, giving them their paddle is undue pressure. Keep them very close and do all you can to prevent another capsize. 

11. Physical Signs of Emergency Heat exhaustion and dehydration: flushed skin, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, tiredness, disorientation, less communicative.  Hypothermia – loss of feeling in fingers, fumbling, mumbling, irritability. It may be 80 degrees out, but if you’re wet, wearing cotton, it’s windy, and cloudy – you could get hypothermic. If you are not feeling great: don’t let it become an emergency – let your buddy/sweeps know. The pod is happy to stop while you address whatever it is. Seriously, it gives the slower/weaker paddlers a chance to catch up and rest. What to do: Heat/dehydration: cool down by wetting head, take off layers, add a hat. If the situation is not serious the paddler may go in for a swim (assisted exit and re-entry). Hydrate. If dehydrated drink slowly and regularly, rest, take Advil. In both situations consider towing.  Hypothermia: too cold – add layers, hat, gloves, keep them moving. Worst case – put on a chase boat.

12. Niggly Things Niggly Things: ok so blisters aren’t an emergency, but they can seriously slow you down and make your paddle miserable - don’t let them get worse, use some tape, borrow some gloves. Carpal tunnel, strained muscles, pinched nerves – accept some help. Being towed for awhile could be all it takes. If you don’t address it, and it becomes a real issue, then we’ll have to tow you the rest of the way… and you may find out just how much your pod mates love you Or we’ll put you on a chase boat, and everyone will be jealous and it could get ugly.

13. Water Temperature in LIS 71°F = 3 – 4 hours until loss of consciousness Western LI Sound (off Greenwich)

14. Equipment Leaders and Co-leaders should each have: Paddle floats – for rescues, displacing water Tow belts Bilge pump Compass with tether, or permanently affixed to kayak Emergency contact list & medical info for all paddlers in the pod Boat repair kit (duct or waterproof tape and zip/cable ties)  1st aid kit: Visine, Benadryl tabs, sting spray, Advil, Tylenol, tape for blisters, Bonine tablets, chapstick, sling/bandage, extra sunscreen and beverages, energy bars/gel packets Dry bags for the extra gear Spare paddle Cell phones in easily accessible dry bags/phone packs Light and Strobe Light Noisemaker - whistle or horn Spare emergency clothing: windbreaker, polar fleece sweater, woolen hat Marine GPS – programmed with launch site and destination VHF radio Paddle leash Emergency flares

15. Everyone Should Have • Extra drinks – more beverages than you could imagine drinking – you don’t need to drink them, a little goes a long way, just be sure to drink consistently. The trick here is not to run out, and have some to share. • Snacks – fruit, chocolate, energy bars • Gloves • Hat – if it rains, you can’t see. Wear a hat. • Water shoes • Wicking clothing • Extra clothing – windjacket, polar fleece • Sunglasses and strap • Suntan lotion (pre-applied) • Personal Floatation Device (PFD or Life Jacket) • properly fitted, completely buckled/zipped at all times on water • Sprayskirt • Paddle • Mobile telephone in an easily accessible, waterproof pack • Pre-programmed pod member numbers • ID and money in easily accessible, waterproof pack • Dry bag for all the stuff you don’t necessarily need, can get out of the hatch if needed. IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU’LL NEED IT WHILE PADDLING, STORE IN HATCH

16. Everyone Should Consider • Camel back / hydration pack • Noisemaker - whistle or horn • Light and Strobe • Watch • Bilge pump • Tow rope • Spare paddle • Compass, secured to boat or PFD. • Paddle leash • 1st aid kit in pocket or day storage - headaches pills, band aids, eye drops, chapstick, waterproof tape • Camera (waterproof if its going on the boat)

17. Pod Phone Numbers It is important to know how to reach one another, and it’s really important that the Pod Leader have your emergency contact – noted in red below: Kim Beaumont – captain (203) 247-4579 Mark Hawkins (203) 257-5805 Larisa Chavenello – co-captain (203) 219-2715 Liane Roseman (203) 832-2371 Rich Roseman (203)940-3099 Elissa Englehardt (203) 964-7383 Mark Pinzon (203) 952-3070 Nora King (203) 952-8413 Louisa Lima (630) 750-7948 Leon Faloon (203) 247-6343 Mark Hawkins (203) 257-5805 Raewyn Faloon (203) 247-0578 Mark Hawkins (203) 257-5805 Heather Bernatchez (203) 969-4278 Dan Bernatchez (917) 842-4808 Tamara Cox (203) 912-4546 John Cox (203) 856-1104

18. Fun Facts About The Tripby Pete Rollins Total Distance Paddled, if we stay exactly on course, will be 10.2 Nautical Miles or 11.7 “land” miles (Nautical Mile = 6080 ft; Land (Statutory) Mile = 5280 ft). This is approximately 7,344 paddle strokes, but if you don’t believe me, try to count them as we cross. (Okay, it also depends on wind, current, and paddle speed. 2lbs of force per stroke times 7344 = 7.3 tons of work…) Assuming we paddle at 3 knots, and rest for 5 minutes each hour, we will average 2.8 knots/hr. Given 10.2 nautical miles divided by 2.8 avg. speed, it will take us 3 hours and 36 minutes to paddle across. Wind speed and direction can have a big effect on our speed. Basically, a 15 knot wind coming head on will slow a 3 knot paddler into a 1 knot paddler…. We don’t like wind in our faces.. (see Burch,1987, p. 102 for more).

19. Tides and CurrentsKFAC IX by Pete Rollins(this gives you a feeling for how technical you can get!) Reference is Eldridge Tide And Pilot Book 2009. Low tide is 0839 at South Norwalk. Given the 0930 or so start time, the tide will be rising or flooding during our trip, More importantly, Westerly flood at THE RACE starts at 0837. So, for the time we are in the sound we will be experiencing a current that is setting us in a Westerly direction (the force of this current will range from 0.5 to 1.4 knots, with strongest current occurring around 1137 in the middle, p .89, p.96) For ease of calculation, assume one knot acts on us for 3.6 hours, if we didn’t compensate we would end up 3.6 miles to the West of our desired location. Therefore, although the compass course we want is 002°, we may need to steer (or head) 012-015 ° at times to compensate… Note: Chase boats and some pods have GPS so we will attempt to navigate the straight line (i.e., shortest distance). For more detail check out pages 89, 96 and 97 of Eldridge.

20. Navigation We start at Crab Meadow Beach in Huntington, NY (Long Island) Coordinates to follow on subsequent slides Half-way point: N41 00.8’ W073 21.1’ Pecks Ledge Light (almost there!): N41 04.7’ W073 22.0’ Then 310° (magnetic) to Calf Pasture Beach

21. Approximate course!

22. Crab Meadow Beach Northport Stacks

23. Crab Meadow Beach Launch Site

24. FINISH LINE ! Active Channels Norwalk Power Plant Blue Building with a Single Smokestack

25. = Landing Site 1 Peck Ledge Light – Chase Boats Leave Us Here