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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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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.
.
- 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
- 1 comment
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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.
.
- 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
- 1 comment
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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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ALL
DAY
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Wed, May 1, 2019
Wednesday Lunch PaddleThis event began 05/01/2019 and repeats every week until 08/28/2019
This series of paddles takes place on (surprise!) Wednesdays, and provides a midweek opportunity to paddle on a different day from the lake sessions. Most of the launches will be in the Salem Sound area, but can branch out to between Boston and Gloucester.
Here is a description of a typical Wednesday Lunch paddle:
Meet at launch at 10:00. Beach Briefing at 10:20. On the water and paddling at 10:30am. 1-1.5 hours of paddling to lunch location 1 hour of lunch, conversation, and relaxation 1-1.5 hours of paddling to return to launch Return around 3:00. These paddles are most appropriate for independent paddlers with ocean paddling experience. The Wednesday paddles are cooperative adventures, not guided trips. 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.
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 picnicing! Please private message us with any questions you may have.
Your faithful trip organizers,
Joe Berkovitz (profile)
Bob Levine (profile).
12AM
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Tue, May 7, 2019 09:00 PM Wed, May 8, 2019 12:30 AM
Cancelled - Walden Pond at 5PM, Comella's restaurant at 7:30This event has been cancelled. We'll try again on May 21st.
Join us for the season opener of NSPN's "Walden-area Tuesdays". Starting on May 7th, and continuing throughout the summer, we'll get together in the Concord, MA area to paddle, practice, and socialize. For the months of May and June, we'll be alternating each week between Walden Pond sessions and nearby river paddles. Once the water temps warm up, we'll be spending most of our summer at Walden Pond.
For the "season opener", we'll have a pond session at Walden Pond from 5PM-7:30 for anyone who can get there, and then we'll meet up with the rest of the gang at Comella's restaurant at 33 Main St in Concord center for casual Italian food and socializing, and to make plans for the rest of the season. Even if you can't get out of work in time to paddle with us at 5, please join us for dinner!
We will launch from the boat launch area at Walden Pond (approximately 915 Walden St, Concord, MA) at 5PM, and be wrapped up in time to get to Comella's ( 33 Main St, Concord, MA) by 7:30. Hope to see you all there!
Here's some boilerplate that will apply to all of our Tuesday sessions:
All sessions are open to any NSPN member in any watercraft. New members are especially welcome. PFDs and signed NSPN waivers are required. If you want to get on the water before the group launch at 5PM, let us know, bring a signed waiver, and leave it on your windshield for the rest of the group to sign when arriving. For Walden, we'll meet you at our usual spot at 5. For river trips, paddle back at the launch spot so we can all launch together at 5. If you are arriving late, you can arrange to meet us on the river at a mutually-agreeable time and place. You can skip the paddle and just join us for dinner, too! May-June trips will likely be cancelled if the weather is lousy or if less than three people RSVP.
For anyone who hasn't been to Walden Pond before with the group, here's some detailed information that Bill Voss put together for last year's sessions, with addresses, parking fees, and a map of our usual practice area:
https://www.nspn.org/forum/calendar/event/1201-walden-wednesday-plan-b-white-pond/
3 users have RSVPed :
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