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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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Misery Island, Salem Sound
Planning on paddling on Wednesday Sept 9. Leaving at 9:30 AM from Water Street in Beverly https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLZo8P2yeu31zYxF6 parking off the street. Will paddle along the coast of Beverly, MA to Misery Island, have lunch, hike the path and return or paddle to other islands in Salem Sound, depending on energy and weather. Join me if you wish - sign up here
Time: In the water ready to paddle by 10:00 AM. We should be back by 3 PM
Reminders regarding club posted trips:
1) Participants must be a NSPN club member and have signed the club wavier.
2) The usual kit needed, an ocean kayak with bulkheads and decklines, a PFD, spray skirt, hydration, sunscreen, food and hat, or helmet if you want to play in rocks. If you have a VHF radio, tow belt, extra paddle and kits to repair boats and bodies, bring them along, but not required.
- 5 comments
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Downeast Paddling Retreat, Bar Harbor, September 24-27, 2026
The Downeast retreat has run for 12 years now, and will be happening again this year, though it hasn't been posted until now since I've been recovering from spinal injuries and uncertain about organizing a gathering that I may not be able to participate in at other than an L2 level.
The event starts on Thursday afternoon with participants gathering at Rose Eden Cottages, our base of operations as in past years. From there we share dinner and plan next days day paddles with options to paddle here and there around MDI, depending on weather, conditions, and group preferences. Our most common paddling venues have been the Porcupine islands off of downtown Bar Harbor, Bartlett Sound on the west side, and the Cranberry islands on the south end of the island. We have often paddled right off of Hadley Point, near Rose Eden, when weather is rough everywhere else.
We generally gather at Rose Eden in the evening for pot luck, take out dining, socializing and discussing the next days activities.
This year will likely be a smaller event due to this late notice ,so participants are encouraged to step up and help organize paddles or activities each day. It will be well suited to those looking for a variety of activities from ,paddling to hiking or biking on MDI's carriage trails, or touring MDIs many gardens.
At this time ,cottages have been reserved at Rose Eden by four of last year's participants. Accommodations are on your own; Mount Desert Island has gotten more crowded and expensive over the years, , so its advised to find accommodations asap. A good option is the Hadley Point Campground, just across the road from Rose Eden. We have great collective knowledge of the area, so planning each days activities will go very well.
If you are interested, please post an RSVP here in the Calendar Posting (Downeast Paddling Retreat, Sept 24-27) or please contact me either by PM here on the message board (Peter B) or by email Pbrady335 at gmail dot com, if you have any questions.
Hope to see you in September, when the weather is fabulous on the main coast!
- 6 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].
- 6 comments
Upcoming Trips and Events
-
Misery Island, Salem Sound
Planning on paddling on Wednesday Sept 9. Leaving at 9:30 AM from Water Street in Beverly https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLZo8P2yeu31zYxF6 parking off the street. Will paddle along the coast of Beverly, MA to Misery Island, have lunch, hike the path and return or paddle to other islands in Salem Sound, depending on energy and weather. Join me if you wish - sign up here
Time: In the water ready to paddle by 10:00 AM. We should be back by 3 PM
Reminders regarding club posted trips:
1) Participants must be a NSPN club member and have signed the club wavier.
2) The usual kit needed, an ocean kayak with bulkheads and decklines, a PFD, spray skirt, hydration, sunscreen, food and hat, or helmet if you want to play in rocks. If you have a VHF radio, tow belt, extra paddle and kits to repair boats and bodies, bring them along, but not required.
- 5 comments
-
Downeast Paddling Retreat, Bar Harbor, September 24-27, 2026
The Downeast retreat has run for 12 years now, and will be happening again this year, though it hasn't been posted until now since I've been recovering from spinal injuries and uncertain about organizing a gathering that I may not be able to participate in at other than an L2 level.
The event starts on Thursday afternoon with participants gathering at Rose Eden Cottages, our base of operations as in past years. From there we share dinner and plan next days day paddles with options to paddle here and there around MDI, depending on weather, conditions, and group preferences. Our most common paddling venues have been the Porcupine islands off of downtown Bar Harbor, Bartlett Sound on the west side, and the Cranberry islands on the south end of the island. We have often paddled right off of Hadley Point, near Rose Eden, when weather is rough everywhere else.
We generally gather at Rose Eden in the evening for pot luck, take out dining, socializing and discussing the next days activities.
This year will likely be a smaller event due to this late notice ,so participants are encouraged to step up and help organize paddles or activities each day. It will be well suited to those looking for a variety of activities from ,paddling to hiking or biking on MDI's carriage trails, or touring MDIs many gardens.
At this time ,cottages have been reserved at Rose Eden by four of last year's participants. Accommodations are on your own; Mount Desert Island has gotten more crowded and expensive over the years, , so its advised to find accommodations asap. A good option is the Hadley Point Campground, just across the road from Rose Eden. We have great collective knowledge of the area, so planning each days activities will go very well.
If you are interested, please post an RSVP here in the Calendar Posting (Downeast Paddling Retreat, Sept 24-27) or please contact me either by PM here on the message board (Peter B) or by email Pbrady335 at gmail dot com, if you have any questions.
Hope to see you in September, when the weather is fabulous on the main coast!
- 6 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].
- 6 comments
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ALL
DAY
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Sat, Oct 21, 2023
Fall Club Paddle & PartyHi Folks,
Save this date for a Fall Club Paddle and Post Paddle Party ! We will launch from Winter Island Park (50 Island Road, Salem, MA 01970), accommodating all paddler levels. There will be no parking fee at the time of this event. Paddling pods will be organized by paddling experience and interests. Arrival time set for 10:30 am, with a launch by 11:00 am. If the weather is too inclement for one's taste, or if you don't have a cold weather/cold water kit (for example a dry suit), please come by for the party portion of the event! It's always fun to talk about paddling, share stories about our adventures and generate ideas for future trips, both local and afar ! The Board of Directors have rented the Function Hall for the after-paddle party, which will likely start around 4-4:30 and end by 7:30 pm.
Food provided by the club as follows: lasagna, eggplant parmesan (these 2 main dishes are meatless to include the sauce), salad, artisan rolls, tea and sparkling water. Participants are requested to bring one of the following: a bag of chips, 6 ounce container of either blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, a small batch of grapes (all fruits pre-washed at home) or cookies and the like, (no cakes please). Participants are allowed to bring adult beverages of choice into the Function Hall.
Remember to have your settings indicate you are "following" this event in order to get automatic updates directly to your email.
You must register by Thursday evening 10/12/23, as I need to place the food order the following morning.
Registration link here: https://forms.gle/e7Fx2GYbT1ssRSKh7
I hope to see you there!
Cheers, Sue
Traffic considerations provided by Ricardo Caivano, Salem resident:
Downtown Salem can be difficult in October, in particular during the last two weeks. We get a lot of visitors. An email from the Salem Police says in part: " Visitors to Salem in October should not plan to drive into downtown Salem, especially on weekends...there is a high likelihood that some closures will be made on Saturday October 28 and/or Sunday October 29...For real-time traffic and road closure notices, visit www.twitter.com/SalemMAPolice (@SalemMAPolice on Twitter), and www.twitter.com/CityofSalemMA (@CityofSalemMA on Twitter)."
Well, that was the warning. The good news is that you don't need to drive through downtown Salem to get to Winter Island Park.
An easy way to get to Winter Island from all points north is via Beverly, taking the beautiful Beverly-Salem Bridge, continuing on Bridge Street, left on Web St., continuing on Fort Ave, left on Winter Island Road and on to the park.
If coming from the south, perhaps it is better to avoid taking Route 114E (or the prior Lowell Street exit). Instead follow I-95 N and MA-128 N to MA-62 E/Elliott St in Danvers. Take exit 43 from MA-128 N, head towards Salem via the Beverly-Salem bridge and follow the directions above to Winter Island.
If coming from Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, etc. you could just paddle over ?, but if you insist on driving, take 114W, Lafayette Street, turn right on Leavitt St, left on Congress St, right on Derby St. and continue to Winter Island via Fort Ave. The corner of Congress and Derby will be busy.
"On October 21, the Devil’s Chase road race starts at 8 a.m. at the Salem Willows soccer field on Fort Avenue. No road closures are planned, however, expect traffic impacts until 10:30 a.m. along the route."
Attached is an2022+Devils+Chase+Athlete+Guide.pdf additional wrinkle just learned about, add this info to your approach plan for our Winter Island Event.
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