Visiting Down East Maine's Bold Coast and Cobscook Bay, this trip visits one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world, along with one of the most dynamic and unique tidal estuaries. It takes place over a long weekend from Friday August 26 to Monday August 29, 2022. Bob Levine (rylevine) and Joe Berkovitz are the trip organizers. Daily paddles are organized, using the Sunset Point campground in Lubec as a home base.
Ranging from Machias Bay to Lubec and beyond to Canada's Campobello Island, the Bold Coast is a largely undeveloped and wild region with lots of dramatic cliffs and rocks, 25+ foot tidal ranges, strong currents and amazing wildlife. Take a look at the 2020 trip report for a sense of what it can be like. (We skipped 2021 due to the pandemic.)
This is considered an L3+ trip. Paddlers joining this trip should be prepared for:
- Daily trips of 12-15 miles, with limited bailout options. Much of the Bold Coast is roadless wilderness with high cliffs rising out of the ocean.
- Strong currents (> 4 kt in some places) and turbulent eddy lines.
- Cold water, often in the low 50s even in high summer, with air temps in the 60s. A drysuit is essential some days.
- Rough water conditions on a very exposed coastline where waves interact with rocks, weather, and current.
- The need to stay in a cohesive pod and maintain strong situational awareness.
- An international border crossing (Covid-19 rules permitting) requiring a passport.
Please see the associated trips forum post for more information and for a description of how to join the trip. This event does not use RSVPs.

Event details

NOTE: This is a general description for all 2022 Wednesday Lunch Paddles. Information/registration for each week’s paddle is posted on the Trips Forum, usually on the preceding Monday.
This series of paddles takes place on Wednesdays, and provides a regular midweek opportunity to get on the water. Most of the launches will be in the Salem Sound area, but we'll occasionally branch out to other spots in the vicinity. (Note: We have considered moving the paddle to other days of the week, but then the name "Wednesday Lunch Paddle" wouldn't make sense.)
Here is a description of a typical Wednesday Lunch paddle, mildly redacted:
Meet at launch location at 9:30. On the water and paddling at 10:00am. 1.5-2 hours of paddling to some location 1 hour of food, conversation, and relaxation 1.5-2 hours of paddling to return to launch Return around 3:00. These paddles are appropriate for independent paddlers with some ocean experience.  The Wednesday paddles are cooperative adventures, not guided trips—however, we strive to share useful knowledge and tips as we go, and we try to adjust each trip to the desires and abilities of the group. Each participant is responsible for her/his own safety. Don’t assume the trip initiators are smarter, stronger, better at rough water, more attractive, or more skilled paddlers than you are. For more information, see this description of our trip philosophy from the NSPN web site.
Typically on the Monday before the trip, we will post specific information about the trip on the Trips Forum.  The post's message thread can be used for RSVPs and other questions concerning the specific trip.
If you haven’t paddled with one of us before, please get in touch with one us via private message before signing up. Before departing for the launch location, please consult your favorite sources to determine wind, tide, and sea conditions, so you are aware of the trip environment for that day. All paddlers should have kayaks with deck lines and bulkheads, PFDs and spray skirts. Some paddles may also require cold water gear, especially in the shoulder seasons: always dress for immersion.
Each week's venue will be selected taking expected conditions into account. In general, the trip will only be canceled for extreme conditions and thunderstorms.
We look forward to you joining us for an enjoyable day of paddling and noshing! Please private message us with any questions you may have.
Your faithful trip organizers,
Joe  Berkovitz
Bob Levine (@rylevine).

Event details