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Cross Sound Trips 2008
Pre-requisite: Cross Sound Prep/Navigation clinic - see below, or previous crossing with Kayak Adventure
Saturday, June 7, time tbd, from Stamford, CT to Lloyd Point, NY - 12 nautical miles roundtrip. Fee $50
Thursday, July 10, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm - from Rowayton, CT to Lloyd Point, NY - 16 nautical miles roundtrip. Fee $70
Membership in Sound Kayakers' club, the ACA, or a $10 event fee is required.

Crossing LI Sound is a team activity. We paddle in pods of 4-6 kayakers, staying within visual and auditory communication at all times. We recommend Forward Stroke Training for a powerful, efficient stroke, Wind & Waves class so you're prepared to handle 3-4 foot seas and 15-20 knot winds, and Rescue & Re-entry Methods, usually taught as a private lesson, to make sure you're prepared should a capsize occur. In addition to strong paddling skills, all participants must be properly outfitted, have a kayak with solid secondary stability to handle rough seas, and be able to maintain a speed of 2.8 to 3 knots. It's always possible we'll get a calm day, and novices will wonder what's the big deal. Our 2006 trips had moderate wind, and two to three foot seas - an exhilarating challenge!

The April trip will require about four hours of paddling time, with an hour rest and recovery on the New York shore. Strong mid-day tidal current affects the timing. Drysuits or wetsuits with paddling jacket and pants are required, due to cold sea temperature, about forty five degrees.

The July trip will be sixteen nautical miles, about six hours of paddling, depending on wind speed and direction. We'll land about a mile east of the point, making the journey a bit longer than our 2006 trip. We plan a two hour rest and relaxation period in NY.

There are no facilities at our destination. It is a pristine park, worth the journey. We will practice "leave no trace" principles. With good visibility we'll have a clear view of the Manhattan skyline enroute.

Photo above: Rafting up as we leave New York are Nick, Michael, Rich, Michele (trip leader in red pfd in front), Dave, Joe, Rob and to right, Ed and George. Photo taken by trip co-leader, Claire, on July 9, 2005.

Photo below: Keith rafts up to Bruce, Michele, Tim and Grace in front of Target Rock, Lloyd Neck, NY, July 14, 2007.

Cross Sound/Offshore Prep & Navigation Clinics 2008
Fee $60 members, $90 non-members, $20 repeat
Friday, April 25, 1-5 pm,
Friday, May 9, 1-5 pm or by appointment

To do a round-trip open water crossing of 10-20 miles in a day, you should be paddling 1-3 times weekly, for 2-4 hours at a time, covering 6-10 miles in a seaworthy kayak. Sign on for our April 25 Cross Sound Prep clinic, or our May 9 Offshore Prep clinic designed for solo paddlers navigating colder waters.

In the Cross-Sound clinic you'll do a timed three nautical mile course following a compass heading and aids to navigation. While paddling, we'll check your ability to maintain course, and stay aware of group members. Near-shore, just before take-out you'll each roll or perform your quickest recovery method (partnered bow/side rescue or cowboy/paddle float). We'll review t-rescue and towing procedures. Upon return to KA's home office (bathrooms, changing, BYO snack) you'll complete a navigation worksheet for our planned trip, using tidal current charts for LI Sound, and tidal information available online. We'll discuss the importance of careful trip outfitting, and provide our packing list and preparation outline. At the end of the session we'll help you answer the question: "Am I prepared to cross Long Island Sound?"

In the Offshore Prep clinic, our focus is on properly preparing solo paddlers who venture up to a mile offshore, especially in colder waters (spring & fall here, Maine, Alaska, Greenland and other cold-water destination paddling.) In this clinic we will cover:
1) proper outfitting, preparation and procedures to reduce the risk of adverse events (on water skills such as launching, landing & bracing),
2) having a wide variety of practiced self-rescue options to draw upon if needed (on water practice included),
3) knowing how to use emergency communication and locating devices should rescue become necessary.

When you sign up for either class, let us know what make and model kayak you have, how long you've been paddling, and what formal boating instruction you've had. If you've taken the class before, but haven't been paddling through the winter, you may do a repeat session for the on-water portion ($20) if you plan to join our 2008 Cross-Sound trips. Trip participation is at the discretion of our instructor.

Quotes from participants on our Cross-Sound trips:

• Three foot waves, hail and cold made this trip, for me, the most exciting yet. At no time did I stop enjoying myself or feel apprehensive, knowing that should I overturn, the danger was lessened by the re-entry training we have all had under Michele’s expert guidance and that competent rescue was at hand. - Nick C., CT, April 2006
  
• I have a new respect for what the boats are capable of. My personal "comfort zone" was in a whole different zip code. This trip has broken through to a new level. With my previous experience my call would have been to turn around at the half way point. Now I'm not so sure. I enjoyed the group and once we got through the tough stuff, there was a common experience bond that is different than the typical coastal tour. Thanks for being out on the edge, with the skills to bring every one home safely. - Carl L., CT, April 2006
  
• I feel I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude for teaching me so much and for enabling me to take part in what was one fantastic adventure. Never did I think I'd be crossing Long Island Sound. I never could have done it without your most capable guidance in teaching me the techniques and safe kayaking rules I've learned over the past year. There were several times during the crossing when I wished I could freeze time. I simply can't put into words how much I enjoyed it. - Joe G., CT, July 2005
  
• Thanks so much for organizing this trip. The day was perfect, the company was great and you were the perfect hostess. I had a wonderful time. - Jim G., CT, July 2004
  
  
  From left to right: Howard, Grace and Keith ready to cross LI Sound from Cove Island Park, April 2007.
  
  
  
  Picnic at Caumsett State Park, NY, April 14, 2007.
  
  
  Warming up at Lloyd Neck, April 8, 2006. L to R: Nick, Claire, Howard, Mike, Carl and Rich.