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To learn how we conduct trips, read Paddling with NSPN
Upcoming Trips and Events
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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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Precision Paddling: Master the Tight Spaces
Take your boat-handling skills to the next level by learning to navigate with confidence in technical environments. This outing focuses on precise maneuvering in confined areas such as rocky shorelines, narrow channels, docks, pilings, and other obstacles commonly encountered on the water.
Participants will practice a variety of essential control strokes, including forward and reverse sweeps, draws, pries, sculling draws, edging, and pivot turns, to position their boats accurately and efficiently. Emphasis is placed on smooth, deliberate movements, proper body mechanics, and reading the water to make confident decisions before entering challenging spaces.
Through progressive skill-building exercises and real-world scenarios, paddlers will develop:
Fine motor control for precise boat placement
Efficient maneuvering in confined and technical environments
Improved edging and balance for tighter turns
Greater awareness of currents, wind, and obstacles
Increased confidence navigating around docks, rocks, pilings, and shoreline features
Whether you're preparing for more advanced paddling adventures or simply want greater control in everyday situations, this outing will sharpen your technical skills and make you a more capable, efficient, and confident paddler.
The venue will be on the North Shore but TBD white awaiting weather forecast.
oo
Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/o3njcpcnT6SoB6Kj6
- 2 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
-
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.
.
- 9 comments
-
Precision Paddling: Master the Tight Spaces
Take your boat-handling skills to the next level by learning to navigate with confidence in technical environments. This outing focuses on precise maneuvering in confined areas such as rocky shorelines, narrow channels, docks, pilings, and other obstacles commonly encountered on the water.
Participants will practice a variety of essential control strokes, including forward and reverse sweeps, draws, pries, sculling draws, edging, and pivot turns, to position their boats accurately and efficiently. Emphasis is placed on smooth, deliberate movements, proper body mechanics, and reading the water to make confident decisions before entering challenging spaces.
Through progressive skill-building exercises and real-world scenarios, paddlers will develop:
Fine motor control for precise boat placement
Efficient maneuvering in confined and technical environments
Improved edging and balance for tighter turns
Greater awareness of currents, wind, and obstacles
Increased confidence navigating around docks, rocks, pilings, and shoreline features
Whether you're preparing for more advanced paddling adventures or simply want greater control in everyday situations, this outing will sharpen your technical skills and make you a more capable, efficient, and confident paddler.
The venue will be on the North Shore but TBD white awaiting weather forecast.
oo
Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/o3njcpcnT6SoB6Kj6
- 2 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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ALL
DAY
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Sun, Jun 26, 2016
Solstice PaddleNSPN Solstice Paddle
A yearly club paddle held on or near the solstice and always followed by a Post Paddle Potluck across the street at Devereux Beach.
Launch site: Riverhead Beach in Marblehead
There will be different trip levels offered as separate postings on the Trips Forum.
More details to come soon!
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Sun, Jun 26, 2016
Solstice Paddle L3 TripSolstice Paddle Level 3Trip
Sunday June 26th - Riverhead Beach Marblehead, MA
Beach Briefing at 9:30am
Launch at 10:00am
This is the L3 part of the NSPN Solstice Paddle. Traditionally this paddle heads out into Salem Sound to the area of Bakers Island and back, but float plan can be determined on group and conditions that day More information to follow as we get closer to the date. There will also be L2 and L2+ pods from the same put-in (please see separate posts for those trips). The trip departs from Riverhead Beach at 10:00 AM and is timed to return to the beach by @ 3 Pm for the potluck under the picnic pavilion across the road at Devereaux Beach.
Please RSVP right here("I'm going') in the L3 Calendar Posting if you are interested in joining the L3 trip .
12 users have RSVPed :
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Sun, Jun 26, 2016
Solstice Paddle L2/ L2+ TripSolstice Paddle Level 2 and Level 2+ Trips
Sunday , June 26th. Riverhead Beach, Marblehead, MA
Peter Brady: initiator
The Solstice L2 and L2+ trips are part of the NSPN Solstice Paddle on June 26th .
The L2 trip stays in the protected areas around Marblehead Harbor, and Dolliber Cove & Brwns Island , at the head of Marblehead Harbor, with the option to venture a bit further along Marblehead neck or up towards Salem sound, depending on conditions and the preferences of the group. Total mileage will be @ 6 miles.
The L2+ Trip is for people who would like a bit more exposure and longer mileage than the L2 trip, but prefer something more mellow and shorter mileage than the L3 paddle, which usually goes over to Bakers Island. Total mileage will be @ 7-8 nautical miles.
If you are interested in the L2 or the L2+ Meet at Riverhead Beach in Marblehead, 10:00am for beach briefing, and a 10:30am launch: The L2 and L+ groups will have a beach briefing together and probably launch together.
We will proceed to the mouth of Marblehead Harbor where we may part ways with the L2 group and, depending on the weather, group size and preferences, either cross Salem Harbor to the Willows, where we’ll stop for lunch, and return by the same route, or cross to Children's Island and stop there for lunch, and return by the same route.
The total mileage will be about 7-8 Naut. miles.
Depending on group size, we have a number of options: if group size is small and everyone is game for the L2+ float plan, we can combine with the L2 paddle, if group size is large we can stick to the separate L2 and L2+ float plan. We'll return to Riverhead Beach by @ 3pm, to get our boats squared away and get changed for the grand potluck under the pavilion at Devereaux Beach, just across the road from Riverhead Beach.|
Please RSVP (I’m going”) right here for other the L2 or the L2+ trips in the June 26th in the calendar posting
If you have any questions, please send a personal message to PeterB on the message board
3 users have RSVPed :
1PM
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Sun, Jun 26, 2016 01:30 PM 07:00 PM
L3+ Solstice "ROCKS & LEDGES" Marblehead NeckSolstice Paddle L3+ "ROCKS & LEDGES" Circumnavigate Marblehead Neck
Low 10:17 am & High 4:34 pm (at Salem Harbor)
Co-Leaders Bob Levine & Doug Mogill
Helmets are mandatory and tow systems should be worn if you own one. Radios should be monitored on ch72 and within reach.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Bob or I via PM or phone.
Beach briefing "PROMPTLY" at 9:30am. We will return via Devereaux Beach.
SeaYa
Doug
5 users have RSVPed :
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