Release Date 8/16/2008

I released this msg in the Buttermilk channel in Brooklyn.

We spent the day up in Dumbo in what will be the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Running a demonstration program for free kayaking. The program was very popular with over 100 waivers signed in 3.5 hours.

We paddled up from Red Hook, and we missed the current. Most of the group had to climb out just before the Brooklyn Bridge, and walk the last little bit. The ebb is very strong right under the bridge, and the public art waterfall means we have to paddle well out into the river to get around it. Using the big SOT boats most of the group couldn't make it.

I managed to tow an empty double around it, and I came very very close to giving up. It took forever paddling as hard as I could. On the way back we stopped in at Governor's Island and lent our boats to their program. I was happy to see it was going well, and fairly busy.

Truth: The sun can tire you out.

Release Date 8/10/2008

I released this message on 8/10/2008 in the Hudson River.

I was doing the morning trip for the Downtown Boathouse. We were going to paddle to Governor's Island, but the weather forecast was very bad, so we just did a short trip over to Hoboken.

I released the bottle on the way back the wind was picking up from the South, and going against an ebbing current so it started to get a bit choppy, and the skies turned gray, but it never actually rained. It didn't start raining until 4:00 PM. So we could have made it there and back, but I was too nervous because of all the public people, and the long distance.


Truth: Sometimes the forecast is wrong.

Release Date 7/28/08

Paddled out from Plum Beach to Breezy Point for surfing.

We got up, and going as early as we could, but we still missed most the waves. The ebb was pretty much over, and the waves quickly getting smaller by the time we got out to the sandbar.

It was very very foggy when we paddled out, and for a short time we couldn't see land in any direction, just the occasional channel marker, but the fog lifted as the day got warmer.

We did a bit of fishing, but didn't catch anything.

Release Date 7/22/2008

I released this message in the Buttermilk Channel, off of Governor's Island.

We took radio host Soterios Johnson, out for a ride to promote the City of Water day.

See www.wnyc.org for a web story. The radio story is supposed to be broadcast on 7/25/2008 between 7:00 and 8:00.

Truth: The shade is cool

Release Date 7/13/2008

I released this message in the Gulf Stream half way between Bimini and Ft. Lauderdale.

We were coming back from Bimni after spending a week there diving and hanging out.

It was a great vacation spot. A little funky because of it's destination as a yacht landing point close to the US. There were lots of people there in small boats.

The diving is nice, great visibility, and interesting reefs.

The picture of my fin is from near the surface, but I am at 50ft looking in a crevice for a rather shy grouper.

Some fish, but not a whole lot. The spearfishing regulations don't allow spearing with scuba, or the use of real spearguns, so the only thing I caught was a little squid, which I ate sushi style on the boat.

Release Date 7/7/2008

I released this message off of Breezy Pt. I came out to do some kayak surfing on the tide-race/sandbar. Low water at the Battery was 18:45.

We were on the water by 16:00. There was very little swell, but there was a bit of surf because of the tide against the swell and the sandbar. It was difficult to get good rides because the sweet spot of the surf breaks moved around a lot, depending on the size of the waves, and they didn't break for very long. I played in the waves for an hour or so, then went off to do a bit of fishing.

I got a few strikes, and caught a small fluke and sea robin. I had one bluefish up near the boat, but it got off. We saw a great sunset.

Truth: Sometimes the fish aren't biting.

Release Date 6/30/08

I released this message off of Breezy point while kayak surfing and fishing.

Low tide at the Battery was 12:30. We launched around 11:00 and the current was still running out fairly well.

Air was about 80 degrees light breeze from the south, water was 72 degrees when we started surfing, but got colder as the tide turned.

The surf was pretty good. The waves didn't always break in the same spot, the big ones further out, the smaller ones closer in. This made it tricky to get good rides, and not get destroyed by the breaking waves. We got some good rides, and some good thrashings. I hit the bottom with my head at least once. Best surfing seemed to be to catch the waves on the edge where they didn't break so steeply and violently.

I got tired and cold after about an hour, and did a bit of fishing. I had 3 bluefish up to the boat, but each one slipped away. One of them got away while I was holding him, trying to get him on the contact-tow/stringer. I also broke my pliers, he bit it right in half!!!

I caught a small fluke as well, but way too small to keep. The minimum size is 20.5 inches!! Yikes that's one big fish.

I have been using the handline, and I am now officially a fan. It is so much easier than messing around with a pole.

I forgot to photograph the Truth, so I am afraid it is lost...