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
-
Portsmouth LMP Mon 9/7 Launch Ft Stark 10:30am
Meet at Ft. Stark at 10am for a 10:30 launch. High tide at 8:30am Low at 2:30, so may be a bit of a carry out. Planning 8-10nm, plan on 4-5 hrs. We will either go up the coast towards Rye, or down to Braveboat depending on preference. Winds offshore at 8-10, waves 1-2 ft at 10s. Looks like a beautiful day.
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.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/gCMrifA6X7QZkFNE7
- 0 comments
-
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.
- 7 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
- With 'NSPN Calendar'
- Download iCalendar export
- Subscribe to iCalendar feed
6PM
-
Sat, Jan 6, 2018 06:00 PM 08:00 PM
Haverhill Pool SessionThis pool session is at Haverhill High School, located at 137 Monument Street (the pool is located in a separate building at the back right corner) from 1:00pm-3:00pm, but arrive early to unload boats and change. These pool sessions are "open practice" and do not include any official coaching or training, however there are often members who may be willing to help others with almost any skill. Pool sessions are offered as a benefit to being a paid member of NSPN, and therefore are only available to active members. If you are experiencing any issues with your membership, please email [email protected] and we will work as quickly as possible to resolve it.
As in years past, we are required to have club insurance in order to use the pool facilities, so we are using the ACA club insurance program again. You will need to download the ACA Adult Liability Waiver form here, or in the Downloads section of the message board and print one for EACH pool session you will attend. You will not be allowed to participate in a pool session if you do not complete a Liability Waiver form for that session.
On a final note, due to a number of factors, pool sessions can only be purchased using PayPal, not by check as has been done in past years. For those of you that do not have a PayPal account, you can do a one-time transaction through PayPal using a credit card without creating a PayPal account if you don't want to, or create an account instantly if you so choose. It is very easy to do, but if you have trouble, email [email protected] or Private Message me and I will help you out.
Please follow these instructions for pool session purchases:
Click on this link to go to the list of pool session dates (or access them through the Store link under the blue top banner on the message board) Choose the pool session date that you want to attend and click Add To Cart If you are not an ACA member, you must Add To Cart the $5 event fee, otherwise Add To Cart the ACA Active Member In the next window, don't worry about the Associate This Package option and just click Add To Cart again If you would like to add another pool session, click on Continue Shopping, otherwise skip to Step #8 Select Pool Sessions from the Product Categories list on the left Repeat steps #2-#4 for each pool session you want to add (you must add the $5 event fee to each session if not an ACA member) When you are ready to pay for your selections, click Checkout and then Confirm My Order. You will be taken to PayPal to pay for your order. If you are unable to attend a pool session after purchase, we cannot issue any refunds unless the pool facility closes due to inclement weather or other reasons. If you would like to let someone else purchase the session from you, you must make those arrangements on your own. They must bring their own ACA Liability Release form, and pay the $5 Event Fee if required.
All pool sessions are offered in partnership with the ACA and are ACA sanctioned events.
To see older events, click on Monthly view ( above)