1998
by Chuck Holst
On Memorial Day weekend, Linda and I will lead a sea kayak trip to Sand Island in the Apostle Islands. Paddling distances are relatively short (three miles from Little Sand Bay to the Sand Island campground), yet, given good weather, there are several interesting places to paddle for day trips, including the sea caves at Swallow Point.
We will meet at the campground at Little Sand Bay on Friday night, May 22. On Saturday we will start packing the kayaks at 8:00 a.m. with the intention of putting in by 9:30 a.m. The crossing should take about an hour. We will camp on Little Sand Island Saturday and Sunday nights and return to the put-in by mid afternoon on Monday. If the weather is uncertain, we will camp on the mainland instead of Sand Island, and hike or paddle as conditions permit.
You will be responsible for your own food and cooking. On Sunday evening we will have a potluck supper, so bring food to share for that meal. Be prepared to spend an extra night on the island if the weather requires it. Bring extra food and think twice about going if you can't afford to return a day late. Weather is not usually a big problem at this time of year, but I was once windbound on Sand Island for two days. If you haven't packed your kayak for a camping trip before, please practice beforehand, not at the put-in. There is a $30 camping permit fee that will be divided equally among the participants, so bring some cash. The campsite is limited to 10 people, so sign up early.
Because the lake is still very cold at this time of year, we will take special safety precautions. Following the TCSKA safety guidelines, we will require everyone to wear a wetsuit or dry suit while on the water and to demonstrate that he or she can do a wet exit and solo and group rescues, both as a rescuer and a rescuee. The best place to demonstrate your skills is before the trip at the weekly Wednesday Rendezvous on Lake Calhoun; otherwise, we might require you to demonstrate your skills in Lake Superior! Also, we will paddle as a group, so that in the event of a capsize, no one will be more than half a minute away from rescue.
As usual, the following safety equipment will be required. Anyone who shows up at the put-in without the required gear will not be allowed to paddle with the group: PFD, sprayskirt, flotation in both ends of the kayak (bags or bulkheads), bilge pump, compass, paddle float, whistle, drinking water, flashlight, snacks or other food, extra clothes in a dry bag, and rain gear or a paddle jacket. The PFD and sprayskirt should be worn, not just carried in the kayak.
In addition, we recommend but do not require that you have a personal first aid kit, a spare paddle, a tow line, a Thermos filled with a hot drink, a survival bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, a waterproof watch, and waterproof matches or lighter. To sign up, call Chuck Holst or Linda Campbell at 612/647-9492.
