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To learn how we conduct trips, read Paddling with NSPN
Upcoming Trips and Events
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Kettle Cove (Magnolia Beach) to Bakers Island
Floating Trails link
Approx. 10 NM round-trip to Bakers Island from Magnolia Beach, Gloucester.
Paddle to Bakers Island with the intention of spending an hour or more there after landing. Appox.1.5 hrs each way over mostly open water including crossing the often busy Salem Sound Channel entrance (aka Stinkpot Alley) just off Bakers.
The island is worth more than a cursory lunch stop. There's ten acres to explore and Adirondack chairs on the east bluff.
Parking at Magnolia Beach is Gloucester residents-only but after offloading at the asphalt ramp there's plenty of parking a five-minute walk at the fire station or the variety store.
We'll pass Kettle Island and will likely see local kids jumping off the railings at Magnolia Pier. Kettle is home to hundreds of snowy egrets who fly to the inland marshes to feed and its stony beach is littered with well-worn beachglass.
Keep in mind there are no bailouts coming or going to Bakers other than the Misery Islands off Manchester or the handful of Manchester beaches, both private and public, west of Coolidge Point.
The cobble landing at Bakers is a little steep. If there's surge or waves we'll need to use the pitcher-catcher system to get everyone to land: strongest paddler (catcher) lands first to assist those who need help landing. Upon departing, second-strongest paddler (catcher) launches first to assist paddlers the strongest paddler (pitcher) helps launch from Bakers before finally launching on his or her own. With teamwork we can get this done.
I'd post the Manchester put-in to reduce distances but the Manchester put-in can result in a parking ticket.
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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. 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.
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Saturday "Something" Paddle
A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.
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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. 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.
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Sunday "Something" Paddle
A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.
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Sunday "Something" Paddle
A "Something" is a flexible paddle designed for any and all club members with no prescribed skill level. Our only goal is to have fun together safely! We will determine the route, distance and activities to fit the environment and the interests/comfort level of folks who come. All you need is basic equipment in safe working condition. That means a sea kayak with full deck lines and bulkheads, spray skirt, dress for immersion. Please bring a helmet if you want to play in rocks or surf.
Launch and registration details will be posted here in the week preceding the event.
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#12 Lobster Buoy Car-Camping Weekend, Inter-club event #2 with NSPN and SMSKN
PLEASE DO NOT RSVP UNTIL YOU HAVE SENT YOUR PAYMENT FOR THE GROUP SITE ONLY.
Come join us for this second inter-club kayak camping event with NSPN and SMSKN. Home Base will be Lobster Buoy Campsites in S. Thomaston, Maine, gathered at the Group Site. Arrive early Saturday, depart Monday. Paddling options abound: NE to Owls Head, SE to Muscle Ridge, or SW to Port Clyde. These trips are not appropriate for beginners. Do not overestimate your abilities. Minimal skills to participate include wet exit, self and assisted rescue, and previous experience in ocean paddling with conditions of wind up to 15K, waves to 2 feet, and crossings up to 2.0M. I will set a limit FOR THE GROUP SITE ONLY. Your spot will be secured when I receive payment ([$12.00 per person + $8.50 per car]/NITE) X 1.09 (tax; most will pay $22.35/nite) via paypal (PREFERRED; gyork at tdsdotnet) or check (Email [email protected]).
If you prefer a private site, contact campground directly (280 Waterman Beach Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858 Phone: (207) 594-7546).
You must E-sign the NSPN liability waiver for the current paddling season, found HERE.
When you RSVP, please send me a private E address for group correspondence.
Link to album of our previous outing 10 years ago HERE
PLEASE DO NOT RSVP UNTIL YOU HAVE SENT YOUR PAYMENT FOR GROUP SITE ONLY.
You will receive full refund for your trip only if you cancel before 9 PM. on August 16, OR CHOOSE TO DONATE (ANY AMOUNT) TO ELLIE /LOBSTER BUOY CAMPSITES.
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11th Annual NSPN Paddle Retreat, Bar Harbor, ME
This 4 day event will be in its 11th year and is designed for NSPN folks to gather, socialize, and paddle in the Mount Desert Island area of downeast Maine.
This year’s retreat will be from Thursday afternoon Sept. 11th to Sunday afternoon Sept.14th, with group paddles each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most people travel & arrive on Thursday afternoon or evening, and depart on Sunday afternoon. But some arrive sooner and leave later, and there will be an option for a Thursday paddle or other activity. Some participants also take days off from paddling for bicycling or hiking on the trails of Acadia National Park.
Our base of operations will be at Rose Eden Cottages, a cottage resort with some 12 cabins between the Narrows and the town of Bar Harbor Bar Harbor, near Hadley Point. We can gather at Rose Eden for car caravans to launch sites, and in the evening to socialize and plan next day’s trips.
For those who plan to stay elsewhere, there is a wide variety of accommodations in the area, including nearby campgrounds which have been popular.
Accommodations are on your own. Make your own arrangements (including reservations, cancellations deposits , etc) for your entire stay during this event. You are encouraged to make reservations (at Rose Eden or elsewhere) as far in advance as possible.
Each day’s paddle trips planned the previous day, usually by some sort of meeting at Rose Eden or nearby.
Some favorite destinations are: the Porcupine Islands off of Bar Harbor in Frenchman’s Bay, the Cranberry Islands on the south side of MDI, Bartlett Island and Sound, and the dramatic eastern shore of the island between Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor
This is a rain or shine event, unlikely to be canceled since there’s usually some place to paddle around MDI in all but harshest conditions, and there are many other activities in the area as an alternative. It’s a good event to bring family members who
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP ( check " I’m going") here in the Calendar Posting
A Group PM with all participants will start a few months before the event , for information sharing, planning and communication.
If you have any questions: contact Peter Brady (PeterB on the message board) by PM on the message board, or reply here.
4. Friday Sutton!!.pdfSunday 5!JPG.pdf
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Calendar
12AM
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Thu, Sep 14, 2023 10:00 PM Sun, Sep 17, 2023 10:30 PM
9th Annual NSPN Dpowneast Paddle Retreat, Bar Harbor, ME Sept.14-17
Initiator: Peter Brady
This now-traditional 4 day event is designed for folks to gather, socialize, and paddle in the Mount Desert Island area at a great time of the year. This year’s retreat will be from Thursday afternoon Sept. 14th to Sunday afternoon Sept.17th, with group paddles each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please note that this event will be one week later than
Most people travel & arrive on Thursday afternoon or evening, and depart on Sunday afternoon. But some arrive sooner and leave later, so there can be paddling and other activities in the days before or after the event.
Our base of operations will be at Rose Eden Cottages Rte 3, Bar Harbor,
Rose Eden is a cottage resort with some 12 cabins. We can gather there for car caravans to launch sites, and in the evening to socialize and plan next day’s trips. In 2022 We moved our base of operations to Rose Eden, and it worked well as a gathering spot. A number of yearly attendees will have already reserved at Rose Eden.
For those who plan to stay eleswehere, there is a wide variety of accommodations in the area , including nearby campgrounds which have been popular.
Our base of operations will be at Rose Eden Cottages Rte 3, Bar Harbor,
Rose Eden is a cottage resort with some 12 cabins. We can gather there for car caravans to launch sites, and in the evening to socialize and plan next day’s trips. In 2022 We moved our base of operations to Rose Eden, and it worked well as a gathering spot. A number of yearly attendees will have already reserved at Rose Eden.
For those who plan to stay elsewhere, there is a wide variety of accomodations in the area , including nearby campgrounds which have been popular.
Accommodations are on your own. Make your own arrangements (including reservations, cancellations deposits whatever) for your entire stay during this event. You are encouraged to make reservations (at Rose Eden or elsewhere) as far in advance as possible, as Bar Harbor is becoming more popular as a travel destination, and many hotels are booked many months in advance.
See the posting in the Trips fortum of the message board for ore detailed information
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP ( check " I’m going") here in the calendar posting .
24 users have RSVPed, including:
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