Ocean Trip For Aspiring Sea Kayakers - Sunday, Aug. 1

[Jeff Charette]

On Sunday morning six of us met at Odiorne Point boat ramp for this level 2+ trip. Mother Nature was going to cooperate today, providing us with sunny skies and calm seas. Jeff, Jim, Liz, David, Tom, and Vladimir arrived to find the parking lot at Odiorne filling up fast, mostly with sea kayakers. There was a large group of AMC paddlers launching the same time we were to launch. With little effort we managed to keep our groups separated and we launched a few minutes after the AMC group.

Heading out through the breakwater we were greeted with calm seas, a gentle swell, and lots of exposed rocks as the tide was dropping.

 

After poking around some of the exposed rocks on the outside of New Castle we headed out toward Wood Island, the group staying close together and maintaining a watchful eye for traffic, as we crossed the main channel at the entrance to the Piscataqua River. Coming around Wood Island we kept going out to Whaleback Light.

 

On the outside of Whaleback we encountered our first opportunity to play in some small surf. David and Jim made the best of what little surf there was. Taking advantage of the safety net provided by the more experienced paddlers, Tom decided to try out some of the skills learned at the previous days rocks and rescues skills session. Tom showed good form in the rocks and surf and rescues were not necessary.

A short distance beyond Whaleback is White Island and several reefs that become exposed at low tide. We headed out to this area to explore. Wandering through the shallow water, with only a few groundings,  we saw a lot interesting rock features, numerous sea birds, and a few seals. Next we would be return to Wood Island for lunch.

Back in our boats after lunch we proceeded along the planned route through Pepperrell Cove, up the Piscataqua, and under the bridge at Goat Island. With careful planning we were able to paddle up the river pretty close to slack water and encountered only mild currents until we arrived at the bridge by the Wentworth. Here we took advantage of a few eddys, powered under the bridge, and made our way back to the launch.

Thanks to everyone for joining me and making this a wonderful day.

[Jim Snyder]