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
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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
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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
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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
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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
-
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
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ALL
DAY
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Sat, Aug 27, 2016
CAM Continuing EducationAs a continuation of the spring Common Adventure Model classroom and on-water sessions, I am proposing three single-day on-water-classroom paddling trips over the summer. These will be a mix of CAM theory discussions combined with hands-on paddling, and will be designed as a refresher course for those who have already taken the CAM workshops in the past as well as a teaser/introduction for those who have not. The focus will be on effective group paddling and individual responsibilities within the group, as well as discussions about other CAM concepts and philosophies as the group sees fit.
An example of what a trip might look like:
On the beach discussing launch preparation, beach briefing, gathering on the water, and group formations On-water working on different group formations and communication, handling crossings, evaluating conditions Long lunch stop to review morning topics and develop afternoon agenda On-water review of changes in conditions, incident management, navigation Post-paddle review and Q&A back at the launch The trips will be operated as CAM trips with all participants expected to provide input, along with overall guidance and education from myself and/or other leaders. Each trip will be held in a different location to provide a diversity of environments and to increase access to our geographically diverse membership.
The proposed locations are:
Marblehead Boston Portsmouth The proposed dates are:
Sunday, June 12th Saturday, July 16th Saturday, August 27th All attendees must be current NSPN members, and all skill levels are encouraged to sign up. Considerations for weather and overall group interests will dictate the design of the trips, and may justify multiple groups if enough people sign up, however there is the possibility that the conditions may not accommodate all skill levels. In that event, all efforts will be made to provide an alternate date or venue for those paddlers.
Those that wish to participate should post to the thread on the Trips forum which dates they are available along with which location(s) they would prefer for each date. More than one location can be listed for each date, and we will decide which location for each date based upon the majority of preferences. Anyone wishing to help with the instructional portion of each trip should PM me so that we can work on logistics as the trips develop.
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