At first glance it looks like an accident waiting to happen. You see something in the water that appears to be a slab or perhaps an overturned kayak and then you see someone standing on top of it with one long paddle, moving forward with deliberate strokes.

You wonder if he's in trouble until you see that he looks perfectly happy and balanced. Then you ask the inevitable question: "What is that?"

Craig Richardson, assistant manager of Umiak Outdoor Outfitters in Stowe, is an enthusiastic ambassador of Stand Up Paddling or SUP.

About three years ago, Richardson began to hear about this new sport. Last season, a kayak representative had a board with him and Richardson tried it out on the pond behind Umiak's store.

"I loved it right away," Richardson said. "Standing up brings a whole new perspective on the water. It is clean and simple — not a lot of other stuff. It's yourself, your board and your paddle."

The sport begins with the board. Stand up paddleboards come in a variety of lengths, shapes and buoyancies designed for the type of paddling to be done: flatwater, surf, racing, white water or a combination of them all. (Read whole article)

 photo by mikebaird

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This morning at the gas pump, the guy opposite me noticed my boat and asked if I was going paddling.  We talked some about the cold water temperatures and wet suits and then he asked me if I'd tried Wolcott Pond -- his favorite spot.  It's a little pond with a boat access ramp and is pretty much undeveloped.  I decided to give it a try.

 It was easy to find and no one was there as I launched.  Immediately, I saw a couple of Canada Geese with their little ones (photo).  The black flies are starting to show up but keeping moving in the kayak kept them at bay.

I try to combine a workout with some birding and carry my binoculars stuffed into my life vest.  There was no one on the pond and a variety of bird calls floated across the water as I cruised along.  It's a trick to find a little warbler from a coasting boat but a few times, I paused with the bow up against the shore and watched a Common Yellowthroat, several song sparrows, and several other types.  Then, from around the corner, I heard the wild sound of a loon.

Sure enough, up at the far reaches was a pair of loons, in summer plumage, cruising around.  I got quite close to them - too close since they must be nesting.  The male surfaced with a splash right beside the kayak.  I carefully left the area, not wanting to disturb them more.

After another half hour of higher intensity paddling, I slowed to watch a Great Blue Heron fish along the shoreline.  I didn't need binoculars for that -- or as I silently glided up to a pair of kingbirds cavorting in a overhanging tree.

It's a good combination -- the exercise of paddling and the peacefulness of watching birds in a quiet remote location.  Good for the body and the spirit.

It's snowing outside but the forecast three days from now is for the mid-70's.  I've been out once in the kayak, having finally got the truck set up to carry the boats, and plan to get serious this year.

About five years ago, we bought a pair of Eddyline touring kayaks -- real high-end boats that we've never used that much.  Part was the pull of other warm weather activities, another was not having the right racks for new vehicles, and the other was the fact that kayaking made my back ache.

Yesterday, I went up to the great place that we bought the boats: Umiak Outdoor Outfitters in Stowe.  I wanted to talk about seat padding and perhaps buy something to solve the problem.

Joe, one of the experts there, talked to me about boat setup, posture, and technique -- leading me to think that perhaps I need to learn better how to paddle.  He told me that this time of year, getting ready to paddle, he stretches his back by sitting on the floor, with his back up against the wall, while he watches TV.  

 We also discussed preparatory warm-up and stretching and paddling technique, suggesting that I might want to take a class this summer.

So, I'm psyched to get going.  I'm reading more books on paddling technique and boat setup.  I've gotten out my wet suit, shaken out the sunflower seeds which the mice left, and waiting for the snow to stop and the air to warm up.  It will be a challenge to combine performance kayaking for a workout with the calmness of birding by kayak.  It's a nice problem to have.  See you on the water.

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We are starting to get some warm days in Vermont and many paddlers are getting out on the water but it’s important to remember that in the northern U.S.,  the water is still cold and you need to dress for the water temperature.

The first thing you need to know about cold water paddling clothing is this: NO COTTON.  Cotton clothing has no place in outdoor cold weather activities: it retains absolutely no insulating qualities whatsoever when wet and if it becomes so, will actually serve to disperse your body heat outward away from your body.  Remember, just because it is cold does not mean you won’t work up a sweat during active boating. You don’t have to fall in to get wet.

Instead, wear layers of synthetic materials. Some examples of these are polypropylene, pile, and fleece. Layers help trap heat and fend off water. Remember "wick, warmth, and weather" as you arrange your layers ­ light wicking fabrics first, then warm insulating sweaters or fleeces, and finally an waterproof outer layer to protect you from the elements.  Synthetic materials retain a large percentage of their insulating qualities even when soaked. And if they become so, you can actually whip them around over your head and shake the water out of them. Synthetic material also “wicks” moisture away from your skin.

Here’s what Peter Heed recommends in Canoe Racing:

"A good bet for most paddlers in cold weather is to layer with polypropylene and wool. (Wool retains a large proportion of its insulating value after getting wet.) Wool hiking pants and a wool hiking shirt over polypro provide you with a small but significant margin of safety after taking a dunk in cold water. This clothing also enables you to retain some heat once on shore.
Often in a training run in early spring, you’ll start shedding your hat, gloves, and outerwear as you heat up. Make sure that you have some sort of dry bag with you so that you can stow the gear and have it ready as soon as you finish the session.
Gloves are needed in cold weather but since you’re going to get your hands wet, many fine skiing and hiking gloves are useless. One of the best solutions is a pair of thin wool gloves — they will tend to stay warm even when they are wet.
In real winter-type weather, I take a complete change of clothes  — wool pants and shirt, gloves, and hat — and put them in a watertight tote bag which I lock on a thwart. I leave the bag in the van so that it’s ready the next trip. It’s saved me several times  — I get to the bank, strip and get on the dry clothes fast. When it was 35°, it felt great! Besides, you may give some poor startled onlooker a good thrill!"

There are a couple of numbers that can provide some guidance: 100 and 125.   If the combination of the water temperature and the air temperature is greater that one of these, depending on what your are wearing for clothes. If you are dressed in non cotton; in other words you are wearing no cotton including your underwear, you may use the 100 rule. If you are wearing any cotton at all you need to adhere to the 125 rule.

Right now, the  Lake Champlain Water Temperature  at the King Street Ferry Dock in Burlington is 42 degrees and the air temperature is about 68 and dropping.  So the combination of 110 is too cold for any cotton but inside the range for synthetics.  It still may be wet suit time for a week or so.

What happens in cold water?
Cold water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air. About 50% of that heat loss occurs through the head. Physical activity such as swimming, or other struggling in the water increases heat loss. Survival time can be reduced to minutes. Strong swimmers have died before swimming 100 yards in cold water. In water under 40 degrees F, victims have died before swimming 100 feet.

Five Tips For Spring Paddling

1. Always wear your PFD.
2. Cold weather paddling can be dangerous, particularly for a novice.  Stay no more than 20-25 feet from shore when paddling in early season.  Go out with a group.  There’s safety in numbers.
3. Let someone know where you are going (that doesn’t mean “Hey dear, I’m going paddling.”)
4.  Dress for the water temperature (No one ever goes out boating saying “I’m going to tip over today”)
5. Remember, there are only two types of paddlers -- those who have swum and those who will swim!

top photo by phillie casablanca     lower photo by Still Bill 2

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This is the time of year when most paddlers in the northern U.S. transition to another sport -- often cross country skiing -- but some diehards paddle when they can find open water.  It can be a dangerous activity and all paddling organizations have tips for cold weather paddling.  Here's what Tom Warner, an experience marathon canoe racer, recently said on the PaddlersConnection email group:

Be aware that the cold water and cold air temperatures (not to mention wind chill) greatly reduce the survival time in the water or even out of the water after a dump. Please follow these precautions:
 
1. take a dry bag...not a plastic garbage bag... but a real dry bag with folding and sealed opening..have a complete set of clothes..socks, gloves and ski hat. Strip down and replace all wet clothes.
 
2. Do not paddle alone or too close to another boat... if you both go over...there's not one to help.
 
3. Do not wander far from shore...or from a path to your car. If you must paddle in the winter in NE, do loops around a safe retreat.   
4. Forget the boat and paddles..get to shore.  Let others get your boat and gear.
 
If you look at the few boating deaths in canoeing, they are all due to people not getting immediately out of the water upon flipping.

The first thing you need to know about cold water paddling clothing is this: NO COTTON.  Cotton clothing has no place in outdoor cold weather activities: it retains absolutely no insulating qualities whatsoever when wet and if it becomes so, will actually serve to disperse your body heat outward away from your body.  Remember, just because it is cold does not mean you won’t work up a sweat during active boating. You don’t have to fall in to get wet.

Instead, wear layers of synthetic materials. Some examples of these are polypropylene, pile, and fleece. Layers help trap heat and fend off water. Remember "wick, warmth, and weather" as you arrange your layers ­ light wicking fabrics first, then warm insulating sweaters or fleeces, and finally an waterproof outer layer to protect you from the elements.  Synthetic materials retain a large percentage of their insulating qualities even when soaked. And if they become so, you can actually whip them around over your head and shake the water out of them. Synthetic material also “wicks” moisture away from your skin. 

Here’s what Peter Heed recommends in Canoe Racing:

"A good bet for most paddlers in cold weather is to layer with polypropylene and wool. (Wool retains a large proportion of its insulating value after getting wet.) Wool hiking pants and a wool hiking shirt over polypro provide you with a small but significant margin of safety after taking a dunk in cold water. This clothing also enables you to retain some heat once on shore.
Often in a training run in early spring, you’ll start shedding your hat, gloves, and outerwear as you heat up. Make sure that you have some sort of dry bag with you so that you can stow the gear and have it ready as soon as you finish the session.
Gloves are needed in cold weather but since you’re going to get your hands wet, many fine skiing and hiking gloves are useless. One of the best solutions is a pair of thin wool gloves — they will tend to stay warm even when they are wet.
In real winter-type weather, I take a complete change of clothes  — wool pants and shirt, gloves, and hat — and put them in a watertight tote bag which I lock on a thwart. I leave the bag in the van so that it’s ready the next trip. It’s saved me several times  — I get to the bank, strip and get on the dry clothes fast. When it was 35°, it felt great! Besides, you may give some poor startled onlooker a good thrill!"

There are a couple of numbers that can provide some guidance: 100 and 125.   If the combination of the water temperature and the air temperature is greater that one of these, depending on what your are wearing for clothes. If you are dressed in non cotton; in other words you are wearing no cotton including your underwear, you may use the 100 rule. If you are wearing any cotton at all you need to adhere to the 125 rule.


What happens in cold water?
Cold water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air. About 50% of that heat loss occurs through the head. Physical activity such as swimming, or other struggling in the water increases heat loss. Survival time can be reduced to minutes. Strong swimmers have died before swimming 100 yards in cold water. In water under 40 degrees F, victims have died before swimming 100 feet.

Five Tips For Winter Paddling

1. Always wear your PFD.
2. Cold weather paddling can be dangerous, particularly for a novice.  Stay no more than 20-25 feet from shore when paddling in early season.  Go out with a group.  There’s safety in numbers.
3. Let someone know where you are going (that doesn’t mean “Hey dear, I’m going paddling.”)
4.  Dress for the water temperature (No one ever goes out boating saying “I’m going to tip over today”)
5. Remember, there are only two types of paddlers -- those who have swum and those who will swim!

 

photos from Wavelength Magazine  

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Last Sunday, many of you paddled the last race of the season - the wonderful Potato Race. Many of you have also trained on the great sections of the Conn. River just upstream, at Sunderland and Barton's Cove ( which is right behind the huge dam at Turners Falls). Down in the dramatic gorge below Turners Falls dam and in the area now buried by the huge impoundment above the dam was long ago the scene of bloodshed and tragedy now all but forgotten. Most of you have paddled there; now you will know the story.

Spring had come early to the Conn. River valley and the weather was unusually warm that May of 1676. Unrest and distrust between the early settlers (most of whom still lived south in the valley near Northampton and Hadley) and the Native American tribes was at a peak. Months of war with the English had exhausted much of the Native American food supply. The early settlers in nearby Deerfield had temporarily abandoned the settlement after numerous raids and attacks by local warriors.

The best hope for the Native Americans to replenish their food stores was the Spring run of fish at "Peskeompscut" - the Amerindian tribe name for the great falls on the Conn. River at present day Turners Falls.  Here the river narroowed and plunged over a 40-50 foot drop into the gorge below. The river then surged a mile or so south through the gorge and pulsed over a 10 foot high rock ledge. (This ledge still exists and can be paddled to today!! - more on that later) The river then continued south and joined with the Deerfield River on its way to present day Sunderland. The fishing at these ledges and rapids was bountiful. The Native American tribes encamped in the fields just above the falls - an area which is now under water in the area off RT. 2 known as Barton's Cove.

Although the fishing was good, the lure of beef in the form of cattle belonging to settlers proved too strong. On May 13, 1676, a war party left the encampment at Peskeompscut, heading south along the Conn. River. That night the warriors attacked Hatfield. After a brief clash, the raiding party made off with most of the settler's cattle and drove them north, back to their encampment (at present day Barton's Cove). The Native Americans ate well - but these were meals that were to come at a terrible price in human lives.

The settlers were outraged - determined to secure the return of their cattle and perhaps revenge for the continuing raids. Captain William Turner of Hatfield sent out the call for volunteers; nearly 150 men and boys responded. They gathered in Hatfield and marched north along the river. They passed the site at "Bloody Brook" in S. Deerfield, where a year before more than 70 settlers had been killed in an ambush by Amerindian warriors and were buried in a mass grave. They passed the abandoned village of Deerfield and the sheer ledges at what we today call Sugarloaf Mtn (across from the canoe launch at Sunderland). They were angry and spoiling for blood.

By the morning of May 19, the colonials had crossed the Green River (near present day Greenfield) and moved to within a mile of the Native American encampment. They left their horses behind and moved in for an ambush of their own.The tribes and their familes stood no chance. Upon their return with the cattle, the warriors had celebrated too much. They ate their fill and then failed to send out scouts or post sentinels. What followed was a massacre - the kind that does not distinguish anyone's history but was all too common during this era - with men, women , and children being killed by the colonials under Captain Turner. Many Amerindians tried to escape by plunging into the Conn. River, only to be swept over the falls, which now forms the rock base of the present day dam.  (The next time you train at Barton's Cove, remember the violence that happened there long ago beneath the waters upon which we now paddle so peacefully).

Ah, but the bloodshed was not over, and the Native Americans were about to work to try to even the bloody score. The attack left the colonials in disarray - and in disagreement on how to get back south. Word of the attack quickly spread through the various tribes and encampments in the side valleys, and warriors gathered for the counterattack.

Time to retreat!! - except that Capt. Turner had not given much thought to this important subject. The colonials split up, trying to get home as best they could. The warriors began to fall upon the small groups of settlers - time for a massacre of their own. Panic was the order of the day. It was every man for himself - with many never returning to Hatfield. Over 40 settlers were killed.

And what of Capt. Turner? He didn't make it back. Capt. Turner was killed as he tried to get back across the Green River. His body was not recovered for nearly a month, and was eventually buried on a bluff just west of where he fell. A tablet marks the spot and you can still see it today.

So keep this in mind the next time you are training at Sunderland or Barton's Cove. Historians will always debate the whys and what ifs of all of this - there is certainly enough blame and blood to go around. But as paddlers we get to see and experience these important areas of history in a unique way most people cannot. The important thing is not to forget the people - all the people - who lived, paddled, and died here long ago. Now you know how Turners Falls got its name. And while you can no longer paddle where the old falls existed (now under the dam at Turners), here's a little known fact - you can still paddle right up to, climb on, and experience the last naturally existing rock ledge drop on the Conn. River!!

Yes, all the others have been long since buried beneath impoundments behind dams, but in Turners Falls gorge, about a mile below the dam, is the 10 foot high rock ledge drop, just as it existed in 1676!! To get there just paddle upstream from Sunderland, continuing up the Conn. River past the junction of the Deerfield River - then when the water level is right (usually early summer) continue upstream beyond where the Turners canal dumps back into the river, around a sharp right-hand bend, and there it will be. You won't miss it. A giant 10 foot rock ledge completely across the river with a gorgeous waterfall in one section - just like it always was!! Take a moment and imagine in your mind's eye the Native Americans fishing there or the early settlers scrambling over the falls - the people that lived and died here. I think you will agree that being a paddler gives you a very special perspective of our world and the history that has gone before. Enjoy.

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 So. Deerfield photo from Wikimedia Commons

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