with Chuck Conley of Stellar
Looking to explore the world of surfskis a little more?  These two clinics are aimed at experienced kayakers or novice surf-skiers.  They will cover all the fundamentals and offer an extended opportunity to paddle surfskis.  They will be lead by top level surfski instructor Chuck Conley of Virginia Beach Paddlesports and Stellar.  Space is limited and preregistration required, but there is no cost for the clinics.  Paddlers can sign up for one or both.  Call the shop to reserve a spot - 978-465-0312.

9:00 -12:00:  Surf-ski fundamentals.  This clinic will cover all the basics that you need to safely and enjoyably experience a surfski: boat fit, posture, hand placement, and forward stroke.  If time and circumstances allow we'll touch on edging, bracing, and reverse strokes.

1:00 -4:00:  Strokes and active water basics:  Building off the morning's class or for paddlers already with some experience, we'll work more on strokes, edging and bracing.  Then we'll get into the basics of swells, breaks, waves and hazards.  As conditions permit, we can try a bit of surfing.  If time allows, we will also touch on self and assisted rescues.

Class location will be determined closer to the date

Come test out kayaks and surfskis from the P&H, Venture or Stellar lines and get expert advice from professional paddlers. 

Paddle-a-thon 2018 includes a variety of activities for families, kids and other adventurers.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the river experience and to celebrate at the Party from 12-4.  There will be food, music by the Orville Giddings Trio, refreshments from Ipswich Ale, and a variety of local groups including NK&C and Coast to Coast Paddle.  Party admission for non-paddlers is $25 per person (lunch, ice cream and 1 drink ticket).

EVENTS:

Social Paddle - 4 mile group paddle from the party and back

Grand Wenham Canal Race - A fun, 2-mile competition for all types of watercraft

Paddle to the Party - Put in anywhere on the 40 mile long river and meet in Topsfield

Registration opens March 16

More information and to register:   https://www.ipswichriver.org/paddle-thon-2018/

NEW DATE!

North Shore Paddle Network,  Newbury Kayak and Canoe and Suzanne Hutchinson from Kokatat will hold a dry suit maintenance and repair workshop. 

During the workshop, Suz will explain how to take care of this important and expensive piece of equipment.  She’ll answer your questions about maintenance and repairs for the Kokatat dry suits most of us wear.

But wait, there’s more!

During the class, Suz will demonstrate how to replace a wrist and neck gasket and then we’ll break up into groups and 3 lucky NSPN members will get to repair their neck or wrist gaskets during the workshop – just for the cost of buying the gaskets from Newbury (more on this below). 

The class is open to everyone, but you must be a member of NSPN to enter to get your gasket replaced in the demo.  Not a member?  This is the perfect time to join!  And it only costs $15 a year.   Sign up by March 10th to enter the gasket 'raffle' (see below).  NSPN: ww.nspn.org.

What if you aren’t interested in buying the repair forms and getting your fingers sticky with Aquaseal?  That’s where Newbury Kayak and Canoe comes in!  They can quickly repair those gaskets for you!  Just drop off your suit, they’ll replace the gaskets and you can pick it up when done!  They will repair both Kokatat and Stohlquist.  For those that love the do-it-yourself process, they stock Kokatat as well as Stohlquist gaskets.

So, come join us to learn about dry suit repair, maybe get a gasket fixed, shop at Newbury, or just socialize with fellow kayakers.

Space is limited.  To attend the event – email info@nspn.org and let us know you’d like to attend the Dry Suit Maintenance workshop. 

The 4 (one by Suz, 3 hands on) onsite gasket repairs will be chosen by lottery.  You must be an NSPN member to participate.  If you’re interested in participating, let us know that when you RSVP.  When you RSVP, we need the following information:  Neck or Wrist (one or both) and size of gaskets to be replaced (if you’re not sure, we’ll help you figure it out). 

On March 10th, we will randomly choose 4 people to have either a neck or one/two wrists repaired in the workshop.  We will notify the ‘winners’ by email that day and post here on the message forum.  You will need to bring your dry suit and pay for the gasket(s) when you arrive.  Gasket repairs must stay on the forms and cure overnight, so you will leave your suit there and be able to pick it up during their business hours the following week.

Any questions, please email info@nspn.org.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Learn to roll a kayak in the comfort of a pool!  Or if you've already got it, make it bomb-proof!