We noticed that there was quite a swell coming in and waves were breaking over the breakwater. We found a calm spot in the pond and we paired up to practice some skills. Paynal Ward was practicing his bracing with a paddlefloat on the paddle for support. He was getting all of the way over and getting his head into the water. Not bad for a paddler who just started paddling this year. He's certainly doing better than Mike Brown and I did when we had been paddling for about the same time.

Mike Condit practiced a few rolls plus some other skills. Mike Brown spotted for me while I was practicing rolls. I'm definitely improving my success rate. I was up to 4 out of 6 being successfully completed today. I did do one mistake that was probably the dumbest I've ever done. I attempted to roll and missed. As I started to set up to try again, I exhaled forcibly so I'd be able to get a good full breath of air---only thing wrong was that I was underwater at the time. I quickly wet exited and Mike asked why I didn't give him any time to do a bow rescue. I explained I was completely out of air and needed to breathe now!

We all then went to where the surf was coming in and played in the surf. Paynal thought he would go to the beach and watch the rest of us but we convinced him to try his skills in the calmer areas and work up to the nasty stuff which he did.

Then it was time to paddle around the breakwater into the rough stuff. Paynal was a little nervous and twice he was going to turn back. I suggested that he just poke his head outside of the breakwater and he could see what conditions were like. He did and then paddled completely around the breakwater. I kept him talking (easy for me to do), and he didn't give the waves a second thought and just paddled like he had been doing it for years.

We then rounded the breakwater on the east side and stayed in the swell while we watched Patrick and Mike Brown try to surf aver the rocks at the end of the breakwater. Peter and I watched Patrick on a particularly large one that looked like it was about to smash him against some rocks---but the wave died at the last minute and Patrick was able to just miss it.

Then it was back to the beach and over to Daddio's for lunch.

Those of you who have put your boats away because summer is over are missing some great paddling days. The water was clear and warm today and all of us kept commenting about what a wonderful day it was to be out on the water.

    Steve Holtzman

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Paynal Ward adds...

What a group! It's not often I can get out with paddlers with so many years of experience behind them! Through careful instruction from Peter I learned how to brace myself with a paddle float, a great exercise for those learning how to roll. It really helps you get your hip snap down, and I could never have learned this alone!

The ocean forecast called for 4-6 foot swells, and I admit it looked pretty rough watching the waves wash over the breakwater. I was concerned that the swells bouncing off the rocks mixing with large wakes from the fishing boats passing might be more than I wanted to handle.

Steve encouraged me to paddle out and get a better look. As we moved out, things looked o.k., and we paddled on. I learned through Steve to stay loose, and let the boat do what it was designed for. That's a good lesson for anyone.

We watched the others play in the surf around the breakwater and everyone came in after it was decided that their boats were too new to tear up on the rocks.

All together it was a great day on the water. I would encourage any paddler who wants to sharpen their skills to get out with these guys. They will teach you as much as you would learn in any good class, and it's a lot more fun. Thanks again guys for a great paddle!

    Paynal Ward