independence day 2007

http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/IndependenceDayAtTheBeach
On Tuesday we celebrated Israels independence day, lots of traditional outdoor BBQ`s but first we had a kayak race of 10 km at the Terra Santa kayak club in Herzlia.If you want to read about it , go to their website http://seakayak.co.il/ After going all out for 10 km you feel that you have earned the right to EAT MEAT straight off the grill and drink as much wine as you want. Just a few of us got together at our Optimist kayak club for a BBQ, see the pictures in the top link to picasa. We all had a great time together and the food was fantastic. Thanks too all who participated.

independence day at the beach

a day in the dead sea waters

400 M below sea level the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth, something happens to the suns rays down there and they become therapeutic for a large number of skin problems. People come from all over the world to spend time here and heal themselves.Part of the healing process must be the enforced peace and quiet that occurs when you spend time here reducing stress levels and promoting well being.Last Saturday we spent a day at the Lot Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea enjoying the bouancy of the very salty water and basking in the sun, just lazing around and relaxing, good for the soul and the body enjoys it too.

http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/ADayAtTheDeadSeaLotHotel go here for photos

after the holidays

Back to the normal routine after the pesach holidays, what a week it was , great to be on vacation. The weather was not very helpful and the sea was a bit untidy over the holidays , but we did manage to go out a few times.Mostly it was very windy making paddling difficult and also the seas were very high for a few days.Actually I love the action of large waves and the challenge of the sea when conditions are more like the real seas, our med can be like a big flat lake, good for a quiet paddle but much more fun when there are waves to surf. Today we went out to the coal ship waiting to unload at the Hadera Power station, its about 3 km out to sea, sometimes the distance can be decieving.Look here for the photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/ToTheShipAndBack

changing direction

Well it`s now official, I have joined the staff at my Kayak club "optimist"
www.optimist.co.il .
Today was my first time out with the group, conditions were just about as easy as can be for a first timer, flat seas, minimum wind and a smallish group.Now instead of carefree paddling the emphasis is different,there is a certain responsiblity , making sure that everyone gets out and back safely and in one piece. Now decisions have to be made, to forge ahead and wait for the others to catch up or lag behind to keep an eye on the slower paddlers, always checking that everyone is visible and not in any trouble, changes your perspective.
I guess that my main aim is to share my love of kayaking with anyone who is interested and to offer help and support to all who ask.
Keep paddling.
By the way, last Saturday was the tail end of a storm that left us with some very nice rough seas to play in. We had a great time in the waves . Here is a link to pictures from today and saturday
http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/TuesdayAndSaturday21March07

stormy tuesday

Actually tuesday was just a prelude to wednesdays high seas, with forecasted waves of two to five m. The wind was southerly and the sea was choppy making going out a nice bumpy ride, but comming back in with the wind behind us causing some interesting navigational challenges.This is where experience counts, how to go where you want, not where the sea takes you.The biggest challenge to a sea kayaker is the wind which affects your handeling and steering in many ways. Here all your skills come into play,and are the keys to staying on track. Steering with all the strokes that you know and boat lean are the ways to keep your direction, but they need to be practiced in mild conditions first, otherwise its easy to capsize and then your rescue techniques are tested.
Playing in the waves after comming back was a lot of fun and should also be seen as a learning experience. See pictures here
http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/StormyWeather
Keep paddling.

paddeling the dead sea

Friday morning a group of us went down[400m below sea level] to the Dead Sea.This is the lowest place on earth created during the Great Rift of Africa. The water has such a high mineral content that its impossible to sink, you just float around on the surface of the water. So who actually needs a kayak there?? Well we started out in perfect weather, went north for about 10 Km, entered one of the channels that lead to the sinkholes, but due to the strong current didnt make it to the end, and then came back. The weather stayed calm all day and it was like kayaking on a glass mirror, flat shiny water reflecting the yellow kayaks perfectly. No rolls or braces, the water tastes terrible and has a very oily feel on your skin. It is supposed to have medicinal properties though, so we all feel a lot better now. Here is a link to some photos

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c212/stevegor/dead%20sea%209%20feb%202007/?action=view&current=paddlinginthesaltsea.jpg

big tuesday

Tuesday morning, up at 6 look at phone for sms from Ehud to see if we are going out, so far no message so all systems go.Load the kayak on the car and set out for the beach, just before arrival my phone bleeps, oops, theres Ehuds message, no kayaking today the sea is too rough. Well seeing as though i`m almost there I may as well just go and take a look myself. Right , the sea does look a bit high but not too daunting, I think that we can go out, and then Mickey arrives, he didnt get the message. So the three of us went out, Yossele Mickey and me, there were largish waves, a northern wind and large swells, but nothing that we couldnt handle. After going to Cesearea and back we went to play in the waves for a while. Yes, not a day for beginners, , but then we`ve been there for a couple of years already. Here are some pictures and a video too http://picasaweb.google.com/nseligster/BigTuesday/photo#5039188434264104962