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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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Nahant paddle and tall ships viewing
This trip is organized by Beth S. For details and sign-up, please see the posting on the trip planning forum LINK HERE.
- 0 comments
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Skills Practice Paddle
Announcing a Skills Practice Paddle! This is exactly what those three words imply: we will practice some skills by going on a paddle somewhere.
This paddle is open to members at all skill levels. Everyone benefits from practicing, and we'll work in pairs or small groups to help each other:
If you are just getting started on a skill, you'll get to spend some time learning the basics from someone first.
If you know how to do something but would like to do it better, you'll benefit by practicing it with others.
If you've mastered a skill, you can learn even more by helping someone acquire it.
We will determine where to launch and what skills to work on shortly before the date, since this depends so much on the weather and sea state. However, we'll try our best to do this somewhere in northeastern MA that doesn't cost too much.
Please indicate your interest by signing up for the form here. To make the most of the experience, this trip will be capped at 8-10 paddlers. However I'm going to leave the signup open so that there is a waitlist in case of cancellations. I'll confirm attendance and post reminders as we get closer to the date.
(Note: I will not be monitoring those "I'm interested!" comments. If you're interested, please sign up using the form!)
The rain date for this paddle is Sunday, July 12.
Here are some things we might practice... but we'll select no more than a few on the actual date!
safety/rescue:
wet exits
assisted rescues
self-rescues with assistance on hand
towing
strokes:
efficient, powerful and comfortable forward and backward strokes
sweep strokes for turning the boat while moving
draw and pry strokes to move the boat sideways
rudders to hold the boat in place along some direction
boat handling:
edging the boat
bracing for stability or turning
stopping the boat
stern and bow weighting
adapting to wind
adapting to waves
trip planning / navigation:
chart and compass usage
route selection
wayfinding based on landforms and markers
Hope to see you there.
- 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.
.
- 7 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].
- 1 comment
Upcoming Trips and Events
-
Nahant paddle and tall ships viewing
This trip is organized by Beth S. For details and sign-up, please see the posting on the trip planning forum LINK HERE.
- 0 comments
-
Skills Practice Paddle
Announcing a Skills Practice Paddle! This is exactly what those three words imply: we will practice some skills by going on a paddle somewhere.
This paddle is open to members at all skill levels. Everyone benefits from practicing, and we'll work in pairs or small groups to help each other:
If you are just getting started on a skill, you'll get to spend some time learning the basics from someone first.
If you know how to do something but would like to do it better, you'll benefit by practicing it with others.
If you've mastered a skill, you can learn even more by helping someone acquire it.
We will determine where to launch and what skills to work on shortly before the date, since this depends so much on the weather and sea state. However, we'll try our best to do this somewhere in northeastern MA that doesn't cost too much.
Please indicate your interest by signing up for the form here. To make the most of the experience, this trip will be capped at 8-10 paddlers. However I'm going to leave the signup open so that there is a waitlist in case of cancellations. I'll confirm attendance and post reminders as we get closer to the date.
(Note: I will not be monitoring those "I'm interested!" comments. If you're interested, please sign up using the form!)
The rain date for this paddle is Sunday, July 12.
Here are some things we might practice... but we'll select no more than a few on the actual date!
safety/rescue:
wet exits
assisted rescues
self-rescues with assistance on hand
towing
strokes:
efficient, powerful and comfortable forward and backward strokes
sweep strokes for turning the boat while moving
draw and pry strokes to move the boat sideways
rudders to hold the boat in place along some direction
boat handling:
edging the boat
bracing for stability or turning
stopping the boat
stern and bow weighting
adapting to wind
adapting to waves
trip planning / navigation:
chart and compass usage
route selection
wayfinding based on landforms and markers
Hope to see you there.
- 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.
.
- 7 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].
- 1 comment
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ALL
DAY
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Wed, May 4, 2022
Wednesday Lunch Paddle SeriesThis event began 05/04/2022 and repeats every week on Wednesday until 09/29/2022
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).
To see older events, click on Monthly view ( above)