Got it!

I got the Maine Island Trail Association 2008 Guide last week. It's one of the more useful books a kayaker can have.

The bulk of the book is dedicated to descriptions of islands - location, rules for visiting and camping, where to land, etc. - but there are boat launch descriptions, and articles on safety and conservation.

This year, they returned to a coil binding that allows you to open the guide and lay it flat.

I've only had a chance to leaf through it but it feels more useful than ever before. The chartlets are easier to read. Don't get this book thinking you won't need NOAA charts. The chartlets are good for reference but you need the real thing for navigation.

This guide is well worth the price of MITA membership. But your money also goes toward supporting Maine's beautiful islands and coast.

Where's the PFD?

A couple Sundays ago, Deirdre Fleming had a feature about outrigger canoes. The story include photos.

Staff photo by Doug Jones

As the above photo shows, one paddler went without a lifejacket. Another left his mostly unzipped. Safety-minded readers noticed.

The paddlers didn't feel they needed PFDs. The weather was dead calm. They were close to shore. There other people who could help them out.

Those are good reasons. But everything's a risk. We need to choose those risks carefully. But this part bothers me:

Veteran canoe paddlers Eric and Cindy McNett argue that because of their experience and skills, they know their ability and how to handle an emergency; therefore, they do not need to wear life jackets all the time.

I know a guy who has been paddling for more than 40 years. At one time he was a world-class paddler. No exaggeration. He has earned the confidence to take off his lifejacket. The McNetts aren't that experienced.

It doesn't sound like they consider it a risk. Again, it's a personal decision. But recognize it as a risk.

Yes, I wear my PFD religiously. I am a decent swimmer. But I don't want to take that risk. A lot can go wrong when you fall out of a boat. The damn thing can hit you on the head. And why would you fall out of a boat in the first place? There may be a medical problem that causes you to lose balance. That problem is not going away in the cold water. It's going to hinder your self rescue. The PFD increases my chance of survival and takes a lot of problems out of the mix.

And my PFD is easy to wear. I don't feel hindered by it. And it doesn't cramp my ego. There are too many reasons to wear it.

It's the same as a seat belt. Let's pretend its use isn't mandated by law. How many of you put on your seat belt when you are just driving to the corner store? How many times do you drive without getting into an accident? That seat belt seems pretty unnecessary. Or does it?

While I'm at it, how about this part?

''We know our limitations. We know all about cold weather. Conditions don't take us by surprise. We watch the weather first, so we are not surprised by some kind of front.''

In July 2004, Cindy McNett was stuck on Bangs Island in Casco Bay after fog rolled in, and she was unable to find her way in a canoe from Jewell Island to the mainland. She and other paddlers camped on the island that night before finding their way off in the morning.

McNett said she learned from that experience, and now travels with a GPS.

I'm not going to rant about the unreliability of GPS units. Because I'm sure the McNetts have learned how to use a compass and chart. Plus I'm sure they have learned how to use emergency communication devices - flares or VHF radio. And I'm sure they have some sort of emergency supplies so they don't have to huddle under a lifejacket in the cold night.

Licensing kayakers

Maj. John Fetterman is a deputy chief with the Maine Marine Patrol and president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. And he thinks that kayakers need to be required to take safety classes.

Search and rescue missions have become a huge drain on resources. So we need to qualify for kayaking licenses.

I agree that safety education is key to saving lives on the water. The only more effective measure is wearing a PFD. There' are a lot of risks on the water but they can be mitigated with knowledge and preparation.

But I'm going to pick apart Fetterman's argument very carefully. If I ever need help on the water, he's probably going to be one of the people there for me. So I have a great deal of respect for him. But I don't think the problem is as big as he makes it.

There aren't many stats to back him up. The U.S. Coast Guard says in 2006 there were 27 kayaking fatalities and 72 canoeing fatalities out of 710 total. Most were motorboat accidents involving speed. I wonder how many were also alcohol related. But no other stats were available.

If you have any numbers, pass them along. I'm willing to bet kayaking rescues and casualties are not frequent. Yes, I remember last year's fatality off Wood Island. And I agree that a little more education and preparation could have saved a life. But I suspect more people drown in inland waters while fishing and snowmobiling than kayaking anywhere. Again, let me know if this is wrong.

The USAToday story seems to focus on salt-water accidents. Which is why a member of Maine's Marine Patrol is involved. But concentrating on licensing sea kayakers is only addressing a small part of the problem. There are way more people putting themselves in danger.

And I have to wonder about enforcement. Marine patrol and Coast Guard resources are stretched thin now. Can they afford to conduct kayak license checks?

What about guided trips? If somebody wants to hire a guide to take a kayaking trip, do they need to get a license for a once in a lifetime trip? Or is there an exception for groups with a registered guide? Guides tend to give their clients safety training. Maybe they feel that's good enough for a day.

I understand people need to paddle smarter. They need to wear lifejackets. They need to understand how deadly the ocean temperatures can be. They need to have a method of calling for help that does not rhyme with cell phone. But making us get licenses is not going to make the rescue business much easier. There are more knuckleheads who need to get with the program.

Sate of Maine Boating Laws & Rules

No matter what kind of boat you use, you need to know the rules of the "road." DIFW has it's boating booklet online.

Not a good time to be on the river

The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife just put out a request for us not to be knuckleheads. Actually, the press release said that many of their rescue resources are being deployed in northern Maine to help people endangered by the flooding.

Those victims didn't have a choice. Nature did this to them. But recreational canoers and kayakers do have a choice. They can choose not to go on rain-swollen rivers and put themselves at risk. Because resources are stretched thin, their rescue could endanger someone else who needs help.

I'm going agree. Spring is a tricky time. The water is moving faster and some rivers become much more fun. But that also means more risk - even for experienced paddlers. So assume no one is going to be able to rescue you. Do you still want to make that run?

Ready for the weekend

I've been a bad blogger this week. Work and life have gotten in the way of writing updates. Let me try to make amends by catching up:

The BDN reports that the water is just fine for the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. It's not too strong, and it's not too bony. It's just right. Although the spectators can expect warm temperatures and sun, paddlers need to be prepared for frigid water. BTW, it's not too late to enter.

Over on the Kennebec River, they're still raising funds to build a whitewater park in Skowhegan. Yes, in Skowhegan. It's one of the coolest ideas I've heard for recreation. Create a bunch of rapids in the river and let people run that short stretch of river over and over. Sure it can't compete with the real thing but it offers a quick outing for people who don't want to dedicate a day to a river and portage.

In Colorado, They're a bit concerned with deaths on the ski slopes. Considering the millions of people who ski, the casualty rate is minimal - unless you know someone who died in a ski accident. The interesting thing to me was that there was no commonality. Experienced and novice skiers died. Helmets didn't seem to make a difference. I would be interested in hearing from skiers if the sport needs to be made safer. The risk is part of the draw for some people. Will education improve safety without watering down the sport?

Speaking of safety, there is a free sea kayak rescue seminar Saturday night in Cape Elizabeth. This is the best way to improve water safety. Sea kayaking is a wonderful activity with risks. But you can mitigate those risks. The seminar is a great way to find out how.

It's time to start the weekend. And let's be careful out there.

Taking the Cathance

There may not be enough open water for widespread fishing but some rivers are clear enough to kayak. Case in point: The Cathance River.

Ron Chase has a great story and photos about a day on the river. My favorite part:

"The Cathance is a challenging potentially hazardous river at virtually any runnable water level and should not be attempted without a strong paddling group with advanced whitewater skills. The whitewater section is steep, congested and notorious for collecting logs, branches and debris."

I don't have enough neoprene nor skills to attempt this. But Ron's story makes me wish I did.

For those of you wishing to do some tamer waters, the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is coming April 19.

A great day for kayaking

OK, my day is wasted. Don't expect anything productive out of me. I just found the Sea Kayaking Dot Net, and it's full of great posts. Adam Bolonsky has a great writing style - informative but not condescending.

There's a huge emphasis on safety. So this is a great read for less-experienced paddlers. I'm going to be spending the rest of the day reading it.

Maybe not. I'm also going to get ready for the New England Paddlesports Expo in Durham, N.H. If you go, grab some coupons for $2 off admission.

It's a good way to get into a paddling mood. There is tons of gear. You're sure to see a sexy new boat or paddle that costs more than you're willing to spend. The presentations are usually good. I recommend anything with a slide show - especially having to do with the Maine coast. The scenery is beautiful and you probably will get a trip idea or two.

The pool sessions could be useful. Beginners usually gain the most out of those demonstrations. But the paddlers know their stuff and have a lot of experience. It's worth asking a couple good questions.

The weather may be cold and wet but my mind already is on the water.

It's paddling season

The sap may be flowing, but so are the rivers. It's whitewater season for those of you who have the gear and skills.

John Holyoke previews the canoe and kayak racing season in the Bangor Daily News. Cold-water paddlers get competitive Saturday:

March 29, St. George River Race, Searsmont, 11 a.m.
April 5, Passagassawakeag Stream Race, Waldo, 11 a.m.
April 12, Souadabscook Sprint and Souadabscook Stream Race, Hampden, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
April 13, Marsh Stream Sprint and Marsh Stream Race, Winterport, 9 a.m. and noon.
April 19, Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, Kenduskeag, 8 a.m.

I'm not a whitewater guy but some of my best friends are. I'm waiting for the ocean to warm up a few degrees. In the meantime, I have to make do with pool sessions and paddle shows. Jeff Strout gives the heads up on several shows in the BDN:

The Jersey Paddler's Paddlesports Show will be held March 28-30 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, N.J.
The Kittery Trading Post’s Paddle Sports Show at the University of New Hampshire in Durham is April 4-5.
The eighth annual Paddle Smart Safety Symposium at the Y on Second Street in Bangor is April 12.
The Sea Kayak Safety Symposium at Cape Elizabeth is April 19 (details to come)

The show in Durham is usually worth the trip. There's nothing like standing in the middle of a room full of kayaking gear. And I usually find someone who hasn't heard all my stories. Plus I usually hear a few good ones.

The pool demos are a mixed bag. Most are geared toward the absolute beginner. But I find a couple good tips out of the trip. It's good to see how other people play.

And for the rest of you

Ken Allen previews the State of Maine Sportsman's Show this weekend. If you love the outdoors and staying dry, you're bound to have fun.