Wednesday Lunch Paddle 11/4/2020: Niles Beach, Gloucester

[Joseph Berkovitz]

Well, the weather last week was kind of a bust, but this week looks more solid despite a windy start. In fact, Wednesday looks like the best day this week, at least until the weekend rolls around (which currently looks glorious).

So, without further ado: this week's Wednesday Lunch Paddle is on November 4, 2020. We will meet at 9.00 am at Niles Beach in East Gloucester for a 9.30 am launch time.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/2dJC3etT4tUBFLeM6 in Avalonia

Parking: There should be plenty of marked spaces right along the beach front. Do not worry about the "residents only" signs as these do not apply off-season (there is another sign explaining this, it's just in an obscure location).

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

https://forms.gle/wLhreDzwKuBKCR9u8

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

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. 

Predictions:  Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming S 10-12 kt in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, air temps hitting 50 F, water temps mid 50s. Seas around 2 ft @ 10 seconds.

Gloucester Harbor tides:

Date	Day of the Week	Time (LST/LDT)	Predicted (ft)	High/Low
2020/11/04	Wed	07:06 AM	1.47	L
2020/11/04	Wed	1:17 PM	9.14	H
2020/11/04	Wed	7:39 PM	0.60	L

When/what: We will meet at 9.00 am and launch at 9.30 am sharp. 

One suggestion is to head west out of the harbor past Normans Woe and Rafes Chasm to an eventual lunch landing on Black Beach or Kettle Island. 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!