Paddle-a-thon at Ipswich River Watershed Association

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/
Boston North Paddle Symposium
Why did we decide to offer a symposium on the north shore of Boston? To put it simply, it's one of the most beautiful and versatile areas to paddle and we want everyone to know it! We have gathered some of the best paddlesport coaches in the country to come out and share what they know, from intro tidbits to advanced techniques.
BNP stems from the notion that everyone can be involved in paddlesports. Whether it be the occasional paddle dipper, the nature watcher, or the extreme paddler, there is something for everyone. Age, gender, physical ability, etc., do not matter. What does matter is an open mind and a desire to redefine your limits, however you see fit. So come join us and discover the amazing world of paddlesports!
Here is a glimpse of the great weekend events!
Friday
Half day and full day classes in paddlesports!
Evening presentation by Marc Bourgoin of Lincoln Canoe and Kayak!
Saturday
Half day and full day classes in paddlesports!
Communal barbecue at Newbury Kayak!
Optional night paddle!
Sunday
Half day and full day classes in paddlesports!
For details and to register, visit: http://www.salemkayak.com/bnps/
Dry Suit Maintenance and Gasket Repair - NEW DATE!
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!
SOLO Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is an introductory course designed to develop both decision making and management skills that address common backcountry injuries. The WFA course focuses on ‘hands on’ learning, where students are engaged in managing authentic scenarios; scenario based learning is supported by brief classroom discussions and reinforced with intensive practical work.
The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, students, and outdoor groups. It also meets American Canoe Association, British Canoeing and International Mountain Bicycling Associations first aid requirements.
The WFA is 16 hours long (two days), and focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies.
Course fee is $180 per person, plus $40 if you also want CPR Certification.
Pool Session
Learn to roll a kayak in the comfort of a pool! Or if you've already got it, make it bomb-proof!