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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.
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- 9 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.
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- 9 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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6PM
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Sat, Mar 13, 2021 06:00 PM 08:30 PM
Online Trip Planning WorkshopThis event began 03/13/2021 and repeats every week on Saturday until 03/27/2021
THIS EVENT IS:
A set of 3 sessions over Zoom, aimed at improving paddlers’ ability to research, plan and execute paddling trips in typical local areas used by the club, up to NSPN Level 3. No prior experience is needed. Joe Berkovitz and Bob Levine will co-teach this class.
The class is built around an online workbook of exercises created by the instructors and others. Lecture and presentation will be kept to a minimum. Wherever possible, material will be introduced in the context of solving real-world problems. Some exercises will be done online with the instructors, some in student breakout sessions or “pods”, and some offline.
As a culminating exercise, small groups students will plan one or more “fantasy” paddles given a set of expected weather conditions, and present their plans to the class for critique.
Registration is not limited. If there are over 12 students, we will ask more experienced paddlers to limit their interaction with us (i.e. audit the course), so that we can give less experienced folks the individual attention they need.
REGISTRATION:
You can register using this form:
https://forms.gle/rCfFMrKGeXHfHE4W8
WHEN IT’S HAPPENING:
On three Saturdays in 2021: March 13, 20 and 27 from 1-3:30 pm.
March 13: Navigation
March 20: The Coastal Environment
March 27: Planning a Trip
In the week preceding the first session, a package of information including a Zoom meeting link will be sent to registrants via private email.
WHAT IT COVERS:
3/13 - Part 1: Navigation
Essentials of map and compass use:
Scale and distance
The coordinate grid
Magnetic variation
True and magnetic bearings on the map and in the world
Reading and interpreting nautical charts
Depth
Buoyage and Channels
Coastal topography
Suitability for landing and launching
Parsing the visual environment
Sources for nautical charts
3/20 - Part 2: The Coastal Environment
Understanding and predicting weather and sea conditions
Understanding and predicting tides: water level, volume, currents
Interactions between weather, tides and geography:
Weather and geography
Tides and geography
Weather and tides
Online information resources
3/27 - Part 3: Planning
Balancing the environment, the group’s desires and the group’s capabilities
Determining an ability level for the trip
Estimating duration and effort
Anticipating and adjusting for tides, weather and visibility
Handrails, crossings
Shipping and boating
Identifying and using ranges
Places to rest, eat, refresh
Anticipating decision points and escape options on the water
Documenting the planned route
Appendix: Logistics
Parking and access
Organizing an NSPN club trip
WHAT IT ISN’T:
This workshop is not a full-blown Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning course, nor does it substitute for trip leader training. Some materials are specific to areas frequently paddled by the club. All NSPN members are encouraged to develop their skills through professional instruction from accredited sources.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
A color printer or other way to print the maps
A handheld plastic compass (preferably with string attached)
Pencils
Paper or other note-taking device
EXTRA BENEFITS:
You'll get acquainted with other NSPN members at approximately your own level, who can become paddling partners!
To see older events, click on Monthly view ( above)