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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
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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
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2PM
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Fri, Apr 24, 2026 02:00 PM
Season Starter Paddle @ West BeachI'm calling this Friday trip a "season starter" since many of us including myself have barely gotten on the water yet, if at all. The goal of this trip is simply to get out on saltwater and enjoy some Cape Ann sights for a few hours ;-) Not much distance or time is going to be involved, and wind/sea state are forecast to be mild.
In some other key respects the season has NOT really started — the water is still in the mid 40s! So one thing that does have to be taken seriously is dressing for immersion in 45º F water.
The forecast for Friday is currently partly sunny, mid 40s. A calm period is predicted for the beginning of the trip, followed by a sea breeze developing in the afternoon. So my current thinking is to paddle out of West Beach and head east towards Manchester beaches while it's calm, then get blown back if easterly winds pick up as expected. I'm thinking only 1-2 hours in each direction depending on how everyone's feeling.
Please join the trip at the following link if you want to go AND 1) you've got a sea kayak with bulkheads, static deck lines, toggles and a spray skirt, AND 2) are dressed to swim in water in the 40s, AND 3) are dressed to be outside in cold, windy conditions. Note that the forecast could change. There's been a lot of that going around lately.
Sign up link (not using RSVP): https://forms.gle/5wbEMXyTXaRFGFt17
Time: 10 am butts in boats. There is a short window of calm predicted for the outbound leg; thank you for being prompt :-)
Location: West Beach
Bring: yourself, a smile, water, snacks, lunch, something to keep you warm on a beach.
Please message me if you have any questions and thank you!
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