Wed. Lunch Paddle 9/1/2021 @ Rockport Granite Pier

[Joseph Berkovitz]

This week's Wednesday Lunch Paddle is on Wed, Sept. 1 launching at 10:00 am at Granite Pier, Rockport MA. Our goal will be to have lunch on Thacher Island and climb one of the lighthouse towers if they are open, and most likely go around the island. We may also visit Straitsmouth Island conditions/time/group permitting.

 https://goo.gl/maps/c5DTCwDPDotnnfW78

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

https://forms.gle/ocxhhK55sbWt1BzVA

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

Parking and Fees (please read carefully, it's more than just parking $ this time):

1. There will be a launch fee assessed by the Town of Rockport for the use of Granite Pier. Prices are as follows. Please bring exact change.
Non-Resident park and kayak launch $12
Rockport Resident kayak launch $6 (no parking fee)

2. The Thacher Island Association charges a landing fee of $5 per kayak for visitors, which we will each need to bring with us.

We will be launching from the main Granite Pier boat ramp. Drop off boats/gear next to (not on) the ramp and park on the upper level of the pier.

Predictions:  The day is forecast to have mild winds around 5 kt, starting NNW and becoming SE in the afternoon: favorable in both directions, if that actually happens. Air temps around 70 F, water 65-68 F. Increasing clouds and overcast throughout the day. Waves around 1 foot @ 9-10 seconds. Current forecast says that TS Ida is not due to affect the area until late Wednesday evening; if the forecast changes to bring Ida in sooner then we will cancel the paddle.

Rockport Harbor tides:

2021/09/01    Wed    07:33 AM    7.17    H
2021/09/01    Wed    1:23 PM    2.12    L
2021/09/01    Wed    7:46 PM    8.24    H

Covid-19 paddling: this trip requires paddlers to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and to bring a mask for use in indoor spaces on Thacher Island. The vaccination requirement is per request of the trip organizers, as rescues or first aid may require close physical contact. Indoor and public-space mask use is a Thacher Island Association requirement for all visitors.

When/what: Please arrive no later than 9:30; our goal is to have a beach briefing and launch at 10:00 am sharp.

Trip level: Most WLPs do not have a specific level, but note that this trip incorporates an open-water crossing of about 0.5 nautical miles. Conditions are expected to be mild except on the outside of Thacher and Straitsmouth Islands. All properly equipped members are welcome: please bring boats with rigged deck lines, bulkheads, spray skirts, and dress for immersion.

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!