Post
by Eric Esche » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:16 pm
First roll session of 2009 for the NW chapter is this Saturday, so I thought I might remind folks to rinse out their boats today or tomorrow while it is still warm outside, and while they are at it, to rinse off/out their wetsuit booties if they were like mine and maybe a tad muddy or sandy from their last river trip's takeout. Should be warmer than Saturday morning, and could get you in the building faster if your boat is already clean.
Another thing I encourage both participants and assistants to do is TRIM YOUR NAILS. I got scratched maybe 6 times last year in 9 sessions. No one ever means to do it, but things happen when you have folks upside down and disoriented for their first times. Just not one of those things you normally do before you run a river. If you want to wear your neoprene gloves or mittens, this works too.
At this point I still don't know whether or not I will be able to come. Having some problem with a "dipped" disc (C6) and I have been on meds since Monday's visit to see my doctor. Have stuff loaded, or staged to go, but I may be a no show, or just there for moral support. Bad enough for now that I told folks on the Buffalo trip there was no way for me to go and campout on river this weekend. Doctor and Susan agreed on that choice.
More than once last year, folks showed up minus some gear that they sort of wanted to use. If I had it with me, and in most cases I did) I loaned it freely, but some things like sprayskirts are not always interchangable so here's a checklist to let those who are new or (forgetful like I am) get in the swing of things. Even with a checklist I STILL forget stuff, like Susan's sprayskirt for the Kings river trip.
Roll Session Checklist:
Shortie wetsuit -yes, the pool is heated, BUT if you spend enough time in the water you may be more comfortable in one, and if you normally wear one on the river, your boat might fit better with one on. I get chilled easily, so I wear mine in the pool.
Swimsuit - You would thing folks would remember this, but I loaned out a spare pair of my trunks 4 times last year.
Nose plugs - not required, but most beginners learn faster when not stressed out by having water go up their nose, and are more comfortable learning how to hang in there with nose plugs on. I started out last year with 6 pair of Smiley's, and am down to three pair. At $7 a pop this gets expensive.
Goggles - No, you don't normally wear them on the river, but they sometimes help beginners be more comfortable while learning so I usually bring a set ot two.
Boat
Sprayskirt
Paddle
Sponges (also rinsed out)
Helmet (not required in the pool, but a good idea)
Lifejacket (not required in the pool, but you paddle with one on in the river, and they do affect your floatation and how you move, so it is better to wear one when practicing)
Crockies - Only if you wear your glasses in the water
Rubberbands - My hair isn't long enough to need them anymore, but some folks like to tie their hair back when in a pool, and I gave away some about half the sessions.
Wetsuit booties (not required in the pool, but you wear them on the river and you might be surprised at how sharp your foot pegs or someone else's are if you borrow a boat and you aren't wearing them. Also less likely to slip and fall on the tile around the pool if you wear them)
DRY TOWELS - NOT required, but I brought two with me last year, and loaned out one or both almost every session.
My checklist also includes dry clothes, DRY TOWELS, markers, whistle, gloves, first aid kit (it got used for bandaids, tylenol, and aspirin more than a few times last year) and this time my new camera, charged up and with a memory card. Susan got me a Pentax Optio W-30 for christmas.
If I show up and am not needed in the water, I might take photos and/or movies. I could upload them to webshots if you want to see them or tell your family and friends where to see them. Hard to take a picture of your self.
We sometimes go out to eat after a roll session. Great way to extend time being with friends, and you may find you've worked up an appetite.
Hope to see you there.
Eric Esche
Besides the folks who have volunteered to assist (2 so far), it wouldn't hurt if we also had those who are planning on showing up to learn post a note here so we have an idea of how many would like some help. We had 6 assistants at one of our last sessions last year and they were all busy at the same time. We counted 30 people in the pool at that session.
. Untill I get a couple of commitments from people to teach I can't garuntee their will be instructors there. If you can teach even for just one saturday let me know. 
