I do wonder how and why the coast of Maine has been so conveniently laid out in three mile segments with rocky outcroppings to navigate by. So, three was the theme over the long three day Memorial Weekend. We were three on the water, Sarah, Rick and I.

The launch site was Salisbury beach, MA and the first day was a tri state paddle as we left from Massachusetts and paddled along the tiny shoreline of New Hampshire before setting our paddles into the waters of Maine.

We launched at 11 a.m., much later than we figured on and headed along the coast. The air was warm and heating up and the water surprisingly was over 50 already. So rashguards and wetsuits were the order for the day. Funny, this section of the coast, we never paddle. Mainly because it is just beach, no rocky playspots, no island hopping, just straight coast. We checked off the towns in passing, Seabrook and Hampton with the noisy cruising motorcycles that we could hear roaring a mile off shore. Most of the time, we were off shore so any stops were on rock outcroppings that were pretty quick with a few well timed seal launches.

As Portsmouth Harbor appeared in the distance with the light house on Wood marking the entrance, I realized that we were definitely going to make it up to Brave Boat Harbor by night fall. BUT it was too early to arrive at our secret camping spot so we landed on Whaleback which is a tidal rocky island with nothing growing. We spent a few hours making dinner and lounging in the sun on the warm rocks. Shared Rick’s delicious Dal and our Couscous with olive tappenade spread on hearty rolls.

We hopped in our boats and headed out to make camp just three miles up the coast. Our campsite was a tidal area that gets flooded with the high storm tides but on this night was pretty dry but soft as can be. We quickly set the tents up before the bugs ate us up. First day was about 20 miles so we slept well that night. Early to bed so we could get a good start the next day.

Paddled along Wells Beach area and on up to Kennebunkport where the Bush family have their little cottage which sits out on a point with a few big white nuns off the coast. What might they be we wondered? After checking the chart, we that there seems to be a 2 mile security zone off the point where the Bush compound sits, but we chose to disregard it as it would have really increased our mileage. We were hoping that was for power boats. We gave the house a wide berth but the security cameras remained trained on us the whole time. I suppose the security zone might only be enforced when the family is home.

We were now within a mile of the our campsite for the night and we needed to switch over the chart to the more detailed view and also take a look at the Maine Island Trail write up on Vaughn Island. So, we found another rock covered island to stop on and warm our bodies on the hot rocks.

Vaughn is located in the Cape Porpoise chain of islands which is a very tidal area of small islands just off shore. We pulled up to the beach and had a wonder around the island. Found the three campsites and locals picnicking at the best. We stopped to chat and they said to take their site as they were just packing up. They left us their fire going and a small pile of wood. What a treat having a fire to warm us up. We unloaded the boats and set up camp for the night. As it was only about 5, we had plenty of time to clean up the camp site and prepare our supper. In bed about 9 after a few stories by the fire. About a 21 mile day to get to Vaughn.

Monday morning was early, Rick was antsy to get on the water and get paddling so he brought me tea in my tent to get me moving. We dried the tents a bit in the morning sun as we had a thunderstorm overnight. Ate a quick breakfast and then on the water by 7:00 with the first crossing of the day a 6 miler to Biddeford Pool area and the third light house which is on Wood Island. We were now on the home stretch and headed to the two islands in the middle of Saco Bay, Stratton and Buff. From a distance, we could see what looked like bird watching platforms and loads of birds on Stratton, figuring it must be off limits during nesting season, we headed to Buff instead. As we got closer, we realized that Buff was posted also so no landing there either. We headed over towards Prouts Neck which is the point before Cape Elizabeth and we stopped for an early lunch. Our final destination was in site – the mouth of the Scarborough River and Ferry Beach but it was too early – only just lunch time and we had covered 14 miles. Rick really wanted to continue on to Spring Point in Portland but I wasn’t up to another 14 miles so I called our ride and arrange for our pick up in Scarborough.

We ran throught the new ACA outline for Beginner Surf Kayak last weekend. ‘

New’ meaning the use of S.O.T’s. I believe. Implimented by Ben Lawry, it does makes a lot of sense. Anyway, the Surf Jet proved a great ‘entry level’ craft for what we were doing. . The  Jets work well because they are light weight and very maneuverable, easy to slash the tail around giving students a good feel for turning on a wave….The ladies were completely juiced up by the end of the session and checking out Tybee surf side real estate. Some more pictures….

The much heavier ‘Scambler’ was easy to catch waves on but lacked any other  real ’surf kayak’ characteristics . 

Conditions were  ideal 1-2ft with a 3fter out back every now and then. The Jets were easy on , easy off.

  Small waves, small class, big fun…and about 5000 spectators.

Our 7th visit, and unlike Canopia and Jersey Paddler, it’s not about making a sale but more about making  a friend, a strange odd type friend maybe, but thats o.k. People don’t come to Charleston to be sold anything, they come to paddle, talkup, try out and compare every single frickin boat they can.

So what had their neoprene panties in a twist this year ? Well the hot boat on everybodies arse was our very own CETUS. Top coaches as well as a few bottom ones all agreed that the handling characteristics of this boat were outstanding for such a load carrying expedition boat..

Heeling over at 40′ Karen K effortlessly low brace turned across the pond minus the low brace part and we could only imagine what she could do with a better fitting LV Cetus. Bob F’s head was seen to nod. Nigel F came and checked it out… ” Is there a drain plug for the front deck hatch ?” he asked knowingly. Kevin Black said he would be unable to make a final assessment until he sees Freya H attempt downward dog on the rear deck.

A wide variety of shapes and sizes paddled the Cetus and all were impressed. We were impressed that everyone was impressed.

A final note. We saw a lot of people with high end foam core Werners. We also saw a lot of people using their paddle as a support device for entry and exit. It begs the question…’Who’s teaching the teachers and why can’t I have a foam core paddle?’

Later. Nigel & Kristin Sponsored by each other.

One of my favorite places to paddle is out of Gloucester Harbor to Kettle Island. This past Sunday was clear and cold, a perfect day to paddle.

A small group of five of us headed out from a launch on the Annisquam River and through the canal and out the harbor. We launched at nearly low and the ramp was slippery with ice and frozen algae. No need to carry the boats, just slide them on down the ramp.

We poked around in the rocks but not much swell coming in but the water was clear and you could see to the bottom.

There is a “cave” hidden in the rocks that you can only enter when the conditions are right, just enough water, not much swell…

Hardly a cave though as there isn’t a “roof” until you get way back. This is only the second time that I have been able to get to the back. Not room enough to turn around, just a slot really and in places you need to use your hands to scooch your way through.

Headed to Kettle for a cup of tea and a chance to try out a Christmas present, a little alcohol stove. It’s really sweet – tiny, it’s made from a can and the stove, pot holder and wind screen and a tiny bottle of fuel all fit in a small dry bag that I don’t mind carrying in my day hatch. Inside the bag, I keep tea fixings so that if all the flasks are empty, we can still have a “cupa”.

Even though it was a flat day, Rick managed to find a way to go upside down w/o a hood on. Over he went and up he came… disoriented and went right back down. Tried to roll but ended up sculling and amazing enough, Walter was positioned correctly to handily come in and give him a paddle across both boats – my first to see a eskimo rescue used in earnest.

Silly Dutchman was the second to get wet. After he was a gentleman to help us all off the rocks after tea, he was the last to get in. Decided to seal launch off the kelp covered rocks on to get hung up on the stern and over he went. Those Greenlander sterns really wedge themselves nicely into rock crevices… He rolled up off the bottom and got upright only to be balancing on his stern and over he went again… This time he had to pull his skirt as the boat was rolling nowhere. Could have been nasty, no helmets were on and water temps are below 40, but the Dutch are hearty so all was well.

We paddled hard to warm up our two cold paddlers and were off the water by 4:30 long before sunset.

Days like this remind me that I love paddling in the winter if you can just get past the cold parts of unloading and loading your boat!

Suz

We arrived at the launch and it was snowing so hard, we couldn’t see 20′ in front of us. Decided it isn’t much different that paddling in fog so we decided to launch anyway. We quickly suited up and packed the boats before we got so cold we would change our minds.

The three of us paddled out and around Cushings and over to Ram Island ledge before heading over to Peaks. We were plenty warm while paddling but decided not to stop for tea and instead just shared some yummy chocolate.

We spotted a few seals and even a lone paddler. Just a few short hours on the water made special by the falling snow.

Suz