Well! As some of you may know, I sold my booster at the end of August and have been borrowing/breaking your gear for the Month of September. Last time I have been in the water was when the Brittania gauge read 58.7 and Bill/Paul Potvin were nice enough to lend me some gear So I could paddle Sewer Wave.. water was frisky at the time but no need for a drytop just yet..Semi Dry was fine IMO.
I have been working for about 30 some days in a row now. Working weekend side jobs so I could afford the set up I really wanted this time! I bought a Jackson Superstar 08 in yellow with a Snap Dragon skirt. I also bought the level six duke drytop and some level six dry pants, gloves, and skull cap (the short one). After contemplating and sitting in my boat on the hardwood floors pretending I was getting beat up in Phils Hole, just like a 3 year old pretends to drive a truck, I finally got me the last piece (or so I thought) so I could paddle. An Adventure Tech AT4 Play . I was gonna go for the AT2 Flexi but got a good price for a fellow paddler on this new one!
I rushed home from work So I could dress up(Stuff was tight..I need to lose a few pounds in the next weeks and go back to my old weight) and head out to Champlain to Practice my rolls and run a little something before I run the Lower Mad and Possibly the Hogsback Falls this week! I hadnt paddled in over a Month!! Neck gasket on the drytop is still a little tight BTW, (Any Tips??). I got myself all ready to go and put the boat in the water just under the bridge so i could run the little rapid next to the wall.
My first impression once my feet hit the water was..."Darn.. I need higher boots or socks cause skin is showing a little and this is cold!".
So I sat down (already had set up the seat/feet/backband in the comfort of my living room) and snapped on the skirt just right (or so I thought). I ran the rapid and I think that the SS is way more stable then my Booster! High Bracing with it is awesome! (already found that out in Paul potvin's SS at Sewer) and I didnt have to roll!
Now off to the head under water part! 2 words came in mind: "HOLY F***" this is cold! haha After 6+ seconds, i got a brain freeze! I was happy that my roll was fine! Needless to say, I didnt try much to cartwheel the boat.! Ill keep that for Pool Sessions! I tried to Back deck but my skirt was badly put on and came off, filling the boat with water (im buying floats tomorrow!!). Swam/Walked from about 40 yards from shore.. It was just fine and lower body was dry! overall happy with the DryTop/Pants Combo!
Overall.. A great experience! Its different for sure! ill have to be on top of things when I run the Lower Mad this Thursday but I am Really Happy to be back in the game! Now saving up for a Creeker and for either the W.A.V.E or W.I.L.D Programm with Esprit! Looking forward to paddle with you guys again and Paul, I will see you at Hoggsback! ill get in touch with you When I get back from the Mad thursday Night to talk about safety and all.
Sorry for the long story! I havent paddled in a month and I am really excited to be back! Im sure some of you know just how I feel right now! Like a little kid at Xmas!
Cheers!
John Cyr
Happy Camper!
