Contact the trip initiator before joining a trip.
Only Paid Members can join trips, send messages, or post or comment here.
Before you join a trip, sign the Participant Agreement.
To learn how we conduct trips, read Paddling with NSPN
Upcoming Trips and Events
-
Misery Island, Salem Sound
Planning on paddling on Wednesday Sept 9. Leaving at 10:00 AM from Water Street in Beverly https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLZo8P2yeu31zYxF6 parking off the street. Will paddle along the coast of Beverly, MA to Misery Island, have lunch, hike the path and return or paddle to other islands in Salem Sound, depending on energy and weather. Join me if you wish - sign up here
Time: In the water ready to paddle by 10:00 AM. We should be back by 3 PM
Reminders regarding club posted trips:
1) Participants must be a NSPN club member and have signed the club wavier.
2) The usual kit needed, an ocean kayak with bulkheads and decklines, a PFD, spray skirt, hydration, sunscreen, food and hat, or helmet if you want to play in rocks. If you have a VHF radio, tow belt, extra paddle and kits to repair boats and bodies, bring them along, but not required.
- 9 comments
-
Chebacco Lake practice sessions
Come join us at Chebacco Lake in Hamilton on Thursdays at 5pm until sunset though the summer. Work on fundamentals in a relaxing environment with the support of other paddlers. Practice strokes, rolls, rescues, falling out of your boat, or just watching kingfishers. Dress for immersion. A wetsuit is warm enough in early season, and keeps down the bruises from climbing back into your boat ten times a night.
We meet at the boat ramp at the south end of the lake, and hang out in the cove to the left of the ramp. You can either get off 128 at Pine st (exit 49) and head north, or find Chebacco road off Rt 22 in Essex. No entrance fees. Sign up below if you're coming.
- 0 comments
-
Downeast Paddling Retreat, Bar Harbor, September 24-27, 2026
The Downeast retreat has run for 12 years now, and will be happening again this year, though it hasn't been posted until now since I've been recovering from spinal injuries and uncertain about organizing a gathering that I may not be able to participate in at other than an L2 level.
The event starts on Thursday afternoon with participants gathering at Rose Eden Cottages, our base of operations as in past years. From there we share dinner and plan next days day paddles with options to paddle here and there around MDI, depending on weather, conditions, and group preferences. Our most common paddling venues have been the Porcupine islands off of downtown Bar Harbor, Bartlett Sound on the west side, and the Cranberry islands on the south end of the island. We have often paddled right off of Hadley Point, near Rose Eden, when weather is rough everywhere else.
We generally gather at Rose Eden in the evening for pot luck, take out dining, socializing and discussing the next days activities.
This year will likely be a smaller event due to this late notice ,so participants are encouraged to step up and help organize paddles or activities each day. It will be well suited to those looking for a variety of activities from ,paddling to hiking or biking on MDI's carriage trails, or touring MDIs many gardens.
At this time ,cottages have been reserved at Rose Eden by four of last year's participants. Accommodations are on your own; Mount Desert Island has gotten more crowded and expensive over the years, , so its advised to find accommodations asap. A good option is the Hadley Point Campground, just across the road from Rose Eden. We have great collective knowledge of the area, so planning each days activities will go very well.
If you are interested, please post an RSVP here in the Calendar Posting (Downeast Paddling Retreat, Sept 24-27) or please contact me either by PM here on the message board (Peter B) or by email Pbrady335 at gmail dot com, if you have any questions.
Hope to see you in September, when the weather is fabulous on the main coast!
- 8 comments
-
Advanced Kayaking Skills with Todd Johnstone-Wright
This two-day coastal paddling clinic is designed for experienced paddlers who are comfortable in Paddle UK Moderate Water (wind to 16 kt, current to 2 kt, launch and land through 1 meter surf) or ACA Level 3 conditions and looking to take their skills to the next level.
Over two fun and focused days, we’ll dive into how to move, play, and travel efficiently and safely in dynamic coastal environments. You’ll build confidence in your technical paddling and rescue skills while exploring the judgment and decision-making that keep trips smooth when conditions get busy.
We’ll also look at leadership—how to make good calls, work as a team, and support both safety and fun on the water. The course follows a learner-centered approach, shaped around your goals and experience, ensuring that every paddler leaves more capable, confident, and connected to the sea.
Venue will be local to the North Shore, and will be chosen to take advantage of conditions.
Registration link to follow soon. Follow this event to receive updates.
Cost for this two-day workshop will be $185. Comparable training opportunities typically cost $170/day. This is in addition to our free (to members) peer-led skills sessions throughout the season, and will be a good complement to them.
This clinic is open to 10 participants. We need to determine demand. If you are interested in joining, respond HERE by March 21. We'll open registration later.
Questions? Ask [email protected].
- 6 comments
-
Ogunquit (save the date)
Planning on a paddle from Ogunquit beach November 7, rain/wind date Nov 8. Likely will require cold water gear.
RSVP will be posted in a couple weeks but mark your calendars. Parking should be free by then.
- 2 comments
Upcoming Trips and Events
-
Misery Island, Salem Sound
Planning on paddling on Wednesday Sept 9. Leaving at 10:00 AM from Water Street in Beverly https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLZo8P2yeu31zYxF6 parking off the street. Will paddle along the coast of Beverly, MA to Misery Island, have lunch, hike the path and return or paddle to other islands in Salem Sound, depending on energy and weather. Join me if you wish - sign up here
Time: In the water ready to paddle by 10:00 AM. We should be back by 3 PM
Reminders regarding club posted trips:
1) Participants must be a NSPN club member and have signed the club wavier.
2) The usual kit needed, an ocean kayak with bulkheads and decklines, a PFD, spray skirt, hydration, sunscreen, food and hat, or helmet if you want to play in rocks. If you have a VHF radio, tow belt, extra paddle and kits to repair boats and bodies, bring them along, but not required.
- 9 comments
-
Chebacco Lake practice sessions
Come join us at Chebacco Lake in Hamilton on Thursdays at 5pm until sunset though the summer. Work on fundamentals in a relaxing environment with the support of other paddlers. Practice strokes, rolls, rescues, falling out of your boat, or just watching kingfishers. Dress for immersion. A wetsuit is warm enough in early season, and keeps down the bruises from climbing back into your boat ten times a night.
We meet at the boat ramp at the south end of the lake, and hang out in the cove to the left of the ramp. You can either get off 128 at Pine st (exit 49) and head north, or find Chebacco road off Rt 22 in Essex. No entrance fees. Sign up below if you're coming.
- 0 comments
-
Downeast Paddling Retreat, Bar Harbor, September 24-27, 2026
The Downeast retreat has run for 12 years now, and will be happening again this year, though it hasn't been posted until now since I've been recovering from spinal injuries and uncertain about organizing a gathering that I may not be able to participate in at other than an L2 level.
The event starts on Thursday afternoon with participants gathering at Rose Eden Cottages, our base of operations as in past years. From there we share dinner and plan next days day paddles with options to paddle here and there around MDI, depending on weather, conditions, and group preferences. Our most common paddling venues have been the Porcupine islands off of downtown Bar Harbor, Bartlett Sound on the west side, and the Cranberry islands on the south end of the island. We have often paddled right off of Hadley Point, near Rose Eden, when weather is rough everywhere else.
We generally gather at Rose Eden in the evening for pot luck, take out dining, socializing and discussing the next days activities.
This year will likely be a smaller event due to this late notice ,so participants are encouraged to step up and help organize paddles or activities each day. It will be well suited to those looking for a variety of activities from ,paddling to hiking or biking on MDI's carriage trails, or touring MDIs many gardens.
At this time ,cottages have been reserved at Rose Eden by four of last year's participants. Accommodations are on your own; Mount Desert Island has gotten more crowded and expensive over the years, , so its advised to find accommodations asap. A good option is the Hadley Point Campground, just across the road from Rose Eden. We have great collective knowledge of the area, so planning each days activities will go very well.
If you are interested, please post an RSVP here in the Calendar Posting (Downeast Paddling Retreat, Sept 24-27) or please contact me either by PM here on the message board (Peter B) or by email Pbrady335 at gmail dot com, if you have any questions.
Hope to see you in September, when the weather is fabulous on the main coast!
- 8 comments
-
Advanced Kayaking Skills with Todd Johnstone-Wright
This two-day coastal paddling clinic is designed for experienced paddlers who are comfortable in Paddle UK Moderate Water (wind to 16 kt, current to 2 kt, launch and land through 1 meter surf) or ACA Level 3 conditions and looking to take their skills to the next level.
Over two fun and focused days, we’ll dive into how to move, play, and travel efficiently and safely in dynamic coastal environments. You’ll build confidence in your technical paddling and rescue skills while exploring the judgment and decision-making that keep trips smooth when conditions get busy.
We’ll also look at leadership—how to make good calls, work as a team, and support both safety and fun on the water. The course follows a learner-centered approach, shaped around your goals and experience, ensuring that every paddler leaves more capable, confident, and connected to the sea.
Venue will be local to the North Shore, and will be chosen to take advantage of conditions.
Registration link to follow soon. Follow this event to receive updates.
Cost for this two-day workshop will be $185. Comparable training opportunities typically cost $170/day. This is in addition to our free (to members) peer-led skills sessions throughout the season, and will be a good complement to them.
This clinic is open to 10 participants. We need to determine demand. If you are interested in joining, respond HERE by March 21. We'll open registration later.
Questions? Ask [email protected].
- 6 comments
-
Ogunquit (save the date)
Planning on a paddle from Ogunquit beach November 7, rain/wind date Nov 8. Likely will require cold water gear.
RSVP will be posted in a couple weeks but mark your calendars. Parking should be free by then.
- 2 comments
- With 'NSPN Calendar'
- Download iCalendar export
- Subscribe to iCalendar feed
ALL
DAY
-
Sat, Jul 13, 2013 Sun, Jul 14, 2013
New to Kayak Camping TripThe 2013 New to Kayak Camping Trips
This year we plan to offer three sea kayak camping trips. The trip dates are; May 4&5, June 8&9 and July 13&14. We would like to keep the size of the group to no more than 6 campers on each trip due to group size limitations on some of the islands. That means we are looking for up to four campers to join us on each trip. It is open to both men and women on a first come first served basis via PM or e-mail.
You do need to have paddling skills which would allow you to complete a L3 trip as outlined on the NSPN web site. Therefore, we reserve the right to deny participation if we believe a paddler does not have the basic paddling skills to successfully complete a L3 journey. Each trip will be run as a CAM trip. You will also need to be a member of the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) (www.mita.org). For the May trip, a dry suit is required. A dry suit is optional on the June and July trips.
Although we have titled these trips as new to kayak camping, if you are a novice camper or have not gained much experience camping on islands off the coast of Maine, feel free to sign up for one or more of the trips described below.
May 4 and 5 Trip
Tentatively, we are hoping to explore Muscongus Bay during the May trip. We will probably camp in the inner section of the bay as well as explore as much of the bay as weather and time permits. During the first weekend in May last year, we camped and explored the bay and it was wonderful at that time. We will be camping on a MITA island and maybe visiting several other MITA islands. At the end of the trip, it is our hope that you will come away with a good understanding of launching and camping opportunities in the bay for future trips.
June 8 and 9 Trip
Tentatively, we are hoping to explore the middle section of Casco Bay and camp on a Maine Coast Heritage Trust Island (MCHT) (www.mcht.org). This section of Casco Bay has great MITA islands to explore, seal colonies as well as osprey and eagle nests to view. It is one of my favorite sections along the coast of Maine. I suspect there will be more than enough for us to see and you may be visualizing return trips to this section during the off seasons.
July 13 and 14 Trip
Tentatively we may paddle in the eastern end of Casco Bay in the Sebascodegan Island waters. There is much to see in this section and great camping sites. I sense that these waters tend to be “off the beaten path” and I can’t understand why. Once you gain the knowledge of this area, I suspect you will return often.
So there you go! Once you sign up and we approve, we will guide you with more information to help us all have safe, comfortable and fun trips. We encourage you to see if any or all of these dates work and whether these locations hold any interest for you.
Please PM either of us or you can reach Warren via e-mail (wjosh51 at yahoo dot com)
Warren and Pru
To see older events, click on Monthly view ( above)