Wed. Lunch Paddle: 8/19/2020 @ Pavilion Beach, Gloucester

[Joseph Berkovitz]

This week's Wednesday Lunch Paddle is on August 19, 2020. We will meet at 9.00 am at Pavilion Beach, Gloucester for a 9.30 am launch time.

Covid-19 paddling: on this trip we will strictly observe social distancing and MA state recreational boating guidelines for the pandemic. Please research and respect all regulations that apply at the time of the paddle. In particular, we will stay at least 6 feet apart, minimize sharing docks and ramps with others, and wear face masks while off the water in public use areas.

We also employ an online waiver to avoid passing around a physical piece of paper. You must register using the form link below to be sure that you're actually on the paddle.

Location: Pavilion Beach in Gloucester (not Ipswich!): https://goo.gl/maps/YJyzx7w3uiZNYPdJ8

Parking: There is a small free lot on Western Ave (MA route 127) directly on the beach, but for a group of our typical size it will be necessary to drop boats at or near this lot, and then find a parking spot nearby on Western Ave. On a Wednesday morning spots should be easy to find. Beware that there are one or more spots adjacent to the little lot casually marked "Vendors only" and you will receive a hefty ticket if you park there.

Registration: To attend, please register using this form which will also add your information to the float plan:

https://forms.gle/iP9EwbRtNebMJHAi7

You must be a paid-up NSPN member to join this trip. Your signup information will only be shared with other participants.

Predictions:  Wind 5-8 kt NW changing to SE, sunny 65-70 F, seas 2 ft swell @ 8 sec.

Gloucester Harbor tides:

2020/08/19	Wed	05:54 AM	-0.63	L
2020/08/19	Wed	12:08 PM	9.31	H
2020/08/19	Wed	6:06 PM	-0.06	L

When/what: We will meet at 9.00 am and launch at 9.30 am sharp.  One possible plan would be to head south out of the harbor along the west shore, hang a right and hug the coast towards a lunch landing on Magnolia's Gray Beach or Kettle Island. We did a variation of this trip in February and it visits a lovely stretch of coastline — about 10 nm. But there are other options.

This trip doesn't have a specific level: we'll determine the route based on who shows up, what people want to do, and what the environment wants to do. All properly equipped members are welcome: please bring boats with rigged deck lines, bulkheads, spray skirts, and dress for immersion. If you're not sure you have a safe vessel, please get in touch with us and ask.

NOTE: The Wednesday Lunch 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. 

We encourage paddlers to make their own independent decision about their comfort level with conditions at the time of the paddle. Please PM me if you have questions or if you haven’t paddled with me or Bob before.

Hope to see you there!

Edited August 16, 2020 by Joseph Berkovitz
fix date in post title