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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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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
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Camp at Umbagog Lake
7/06/26 update: This trip is now full, and has 3 people on the waitlist.
We have a remote campsite at the lake in July! If you haven't visited this area before, think of a lake ringed by mountains. During the day we can explore the waterways which enter and exit the lake, do some hiking, and visit a beach. Evening sunsets behind the mountains are amazing, as is the nightly loon chorus, sometimes accompanied by a parade. The site can hold a maximum of 5 tents. Message me (Jody Harris) if you would like more details and are interested in joining the trip.
.
- 9 comments
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Precision Paddling: Master the Tight Spaces
Take your boat-handling skills to the next level by learning to navigate with confidence in technical environments. This outing focuses on precise maneuvering in confined areas such as rocky shorelines, narrow channels, docks, pilings, and other obstacles commonly encountered on the water.
Participants will practice a variety of essential control strokes, including forward and reverse sweeps, draws, pries, sculling draws, edging, and pivot turns, to position their boats accurately and efficiently. Emphasis is placed on smooth, deliberate movements, proper body mechanics, and reading the water to make confident decisions before entering challenging spaces.
Through progressive skill-building exercises and real-world scenarios, paddlers will develop:
Fine motor control for precise boat placement
Efficient maneuvering in confined and technical environments
Improved edging and balance for tighter turns
Greater awareness of currents, wind, and obstacles
Increased confidence navigating around docks, rocks, pilings, and shoreline features
Whether you're preparing for more advanced paddling adventures or simply want greater control in everyday situations, this outing will sharpen your technical skills and make you a more capable, efficient, and confident paddler.
The venue will be on the North Shore but TBD white awaiting weather forecast.
oo
Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/o3njcpcnT6SoB6Kj6
- 2 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].
- 2 comments
Upcoming Trips and Events
-
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
-
Camp at Umbagog Lake
7/06/26 update: This trip is now full, and has 3 people on the waitlist.
We have a remote campsite at the lake in July! If you haven't visited this area before, think of a lake ringed by mountains. During the day we can explore the waterways which enter and exit the lake, do some hiking, and visit a beach. Evening sunsets behind the mountains are amazing, as is the nightly loon chorus, sometimes accompanied by a parade. The site can hold a maximum of 5 tents. Message me (Jody Harris) if you would like more details and are interested in joining the trip.
.
- 9 comments
-
Precision Paddling: Master the Tight Spaces
Take your boat-handling skills to the next level by learning to navigate with confidence in technical environments. This outing focuses on precise maneuvering in confined areas such as rocky shorelines, narrow channels, docks, pilings, and other obstacles commonly encountered on the water.
Participants will practice a variety of essential control strokes, including forward and reverse sweeps, draws, pries, sculling draws, edging, and pivot turns, to position their boats accurately and efficiently. Emphasis is placed on smooth, deliberate movements, proper body mechanics, and reading the water to make confident decisions before entering challenging spaces.
Through progressive skill-building exercises and real-world scenarios, paddlers will develop:
Fine motor control for precise boat placement
Efficient maneuvering in confined and technical environments
Improved edging and balance for tighter turns
Greater awareness of currents, wind, and obstacles
Increased confidence navigating around docks, rocks, pilings, and shoreline features
Whether you're preparing for more advanced paddling adventures or simply want greater control in everyday situations, this outing will sharpen your technical skills and make you a more capable, efficient, and confident paddler.
The venue will be on the North Shore but TBD white awaiting weather forecast.
oo
Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/o3njcpcnT6SoB6Kj6
- 2 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].
- 2 comments
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12AM
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Thu, Apr 5, 2018 10:00 PM Fri, Apr 6, 2018 01:00 AM
Dry Suit Maintenance and Gasket RepairUnfortunately, we have had to change the date for this workshop. It has moved to Thursday evening, April 5th. Still plenty of space and availability to get your gaskets repaired!! Hope you can join us!
Dry Suit Maintenance and Gasket Repair
NEW DATE AND TIME: Thursday April 5 6pm
Sunday March 18 – 9am to ~12pm
Do you wash your dry suit in a top loader or front loader?
What detergent should you use?
Is it okay to use white vinegar?
Can you bring back your dry suit’s DWR?
What is DWR?
Are your dry suit gaskets becoming worn, cracked, or do they have that ‘sticky’ feeling and the rubber sticks to itself?
Where do you get gaskets?
How do you replace them?
NSPN together with Newbury Kayak and Canoe and Suzanne Hutchinson, Kokatat Rep
will hold a dry suit maintenance and repair workshop to answer all of these questions and more!
During the workshop, Suz will explain how to take care of this important and expensive piece of equipment. She’ll answer your questions about maintenance and repairs for the Kokatat dry suits most of us wear.
But wait, there’s more!
During the class, Suz will demonstrate how to replace a wrist and neck gasket and then we’ll break up into groups and 3 lucky NSPN members will get to repair their neck or wrist gaskets during the workshop – just for the cost of buying the gaskets from Newbury (more on this below).
But what if you aren’t interested in buying the repair forms and getting your fingers sticky with Aquaseal? That’s where Newbury Kayak and Canoe comes in! They can quickly repair those gaskets for you! Just drop off your suit, they’ll replace the gaskets and you can pick it up when done! They will repair both Kokatat and Stohlquist. For those that love the do-it-yourself process, they stock Kokatat as well as Stohlquist gaskets.
So, come join us to learn about dry suit repair, maybe get a gasket fixed, shop at Newbury, or just socialize with fellow kayakers.
Space is limited. To attend the event – email [email protected] and let us know you’d like to attend the Dry Suit Maintenance workshop.
The 4 (one by Suz, 3 hands on) onsite gasket repairs will be chosen by lottery. You must be an NSPN member to participate. If you’re interested in participating, let us know that when you RSVP. When you RSVP, we need the following information: Neck or Wrist (one or both) and size of gaskets to be replaced (if you’re not sure, we’ll help you figure it out).
On March 10th, we will randomly choose 4 people to have either a neck or one/two wrists repaired in the workshop. We will notify the ‘winners’ by email that day and post here on the message forum. You will need to bring your dry suit and pay for the gasket(s) when you arrive. Gasket repairs must stay on the forms and cure overnight, so you will leave your suit there and be able to pick it up during their business hours the following week.
Any questions, please email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!
To see older events, click on Monthly view ( above)