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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.
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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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ALL
DAY
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Fri, Aug 26, 2022 Mon, Aug 29, 2022
Bold Coast and Cobscook BayVisiting Down East Maine's Bold Coast and Cobscook Bay, this trip visits one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world, along with one of the most dynamic and unique tidal estuaries. It takes place over a long weekend from Friday August 26 to Monday August 29, 2022. Bob Levine (rylevine) and Joe Berkovitz are the trip organizers. Daily paddles are organized, using the Sunset Point campground in Lubec as a home base.
Ranging from Machias Bay to Lubec and beyond to Canada's Campobello Island, the Bold Coast is a largely undeveloped and wild region with lots of dramatic cliffs and rocks, 25+ foot tidal ranges, strong currents and amazing wildlife. Take a look at the 2020 trip report for a sense of what it can be like. (We skipped 2021 due to the pandemic.)
This is considered an L3+ trip. Paddlers joining this trip should be prepared for:
- Daily trips of 12-15 miles, with limited bailout options. Much of the Bold Coast is roadless wilderness with high cliffs rising out of the ocean.
- Strong currents (> 4 kt in some places) and turbulent eddy lines.
- Cold water, often in the low 50s even in high summer, with air temps in the 60s. A drysuit is essential some days.
- Rough water conditions on a very exposed coastline where waves interact with rocks, weather, and current.
- The need to stay in a cohesive pod and maintain strong situational awareness.
- An international border crossing (Covid-19 rules permitting) requiring a passport.
Please see the associated trips forum post for more information and for a description of how to join the trip. This event does not use RSVPs.
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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).
8PM
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Mon, Aug 29, 2022 08:00 PM
skills practiceDoes anyone want to meet at Chebacco lake to practice self and partner rescue?
I listed an arbitrary date and time; Cann arrange any mutually convenient time.
New member--please advise if I am posting incorrectly
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