The First Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 Season

In spite of a forecast of possible thunderstorms, eight paddlers enjoyed a calm Jamaica Bay under a spectacular super moon Friday evening, May 4, 2012.

Paddlers started arriving at the Brooklyn Club House a little after 7 PM.  I built a fire in the wood stove to take the chill off the Club House and to provide for a warmer space to return to.  With an announced "on the water" time of 8:00 PM, all paddlers were finally on the water before 8:15 PM. I was the last one to leave the dock.

The evening was one of firsts. Not only was it the first Moonlight Paddle of the 2012 season, it was also the first I led and my wife Vicki assisted.  It was also the first time I paddled my Necky Chatham 17, a demo boat I bought in January.  For Laurie G., it was her first Moonlight Paddle ever but will certainly not be her last.  Walter and Dottie each paddled with their new Greenland paddles for the first time. For Tony, it was the first time he used his new deck light.

Embarking at high tide under a nearly full moon, we easily paddled  over the mirror smooth water, under the Belt Parkway Bridge, and out into a beautiful moonlit Jamaica Bay.  After crossing the channel to Canarsie Pol, we circumnavigated the island counterclockwise.  On the back side of the Pol we encountered a large flock of birds which darkened the moonlit sky and created a "thumping"sound across the water.  A few jets, landing lights blazing, were also descending into JFK.

Crossing back from the Pol toward the home, we waited for a party boat to move up channel before crossing.  Other than the small fishing boat we passed by near the bridge, we encountered no other traffic.

Back at the Club House, gear rinsed and stowed, the eight of us enjoyed assorted snacks and beverages while also watching the recently released and colorized  1902 Le Voyage Dans La Lune with soundtrack by Air.

Another version of this post is available on the Sebago Canoe Club Blog.