Paddling

General Information:
The kayaking and canoeing committee tries to schedule two trips a week (Saturdays and Wednesdays) from mid-April through October.  The trips start at 10:30 and participants should arrive at the put-in no later than 10:15, 10:00 would be better.  This allows time to unload boats and gear, sign the waiver, and be on the water ready to paddle by 10:30.  The chapter does not have boats or gear for rent or loan so paddlers have to supply all their own equipment.  Trip lengths vary from 6 to 10 miles but are usually 7 to 8 miles and paddlers should be able to maintain a 3 mph average paddling speed.  Bring water and a lunch; we usually eat lunch on a nice beach along our route.  Trips typically end a little after 2:00. Besides listing our trips on this AMC website we used to use the Yahoo Group “Cape Cod Paddling”.  Since Yahoo has ceased to support groups we have moved to “SEM Paddling” on Google Groups.  Instructions for joining a Google Group can be found here.  As a member of the Google Group “SEM Paddling”  you will get trip announcements several days prior to each trip and several days after each trip you’ll get a trip report with a list of participants, a description of the trip and, usually, pictures from the trip. We are always looking for new places to paddle and new leaders/co-leaders: please let us know if you are interested in either.

What to Bring:
In addition to a PFD, a complete change of clothes in a dry bag, water, lunch, and sunscreen. Some trips especially in Spring and Fall may require a wet or dry suit, or wool and pile clothing suitable for cold water immersion. The possibility of strong wind and/or rough water may make some trips unsuitable for open canoes or kayaks without spray skirts. Consider water temperature, not air temperature, and check with the leader.

All trips:
Allow time to park, unload, and be on the water ready to paddle at 10:30 am. Registration is required only for trips specified by the leader. If you haven't paddled with us before, or are concerned about the suitability of the trip to your abilities or equipment, please contact the leader or Paddling Chair.

We have several policies concerning safety:

• US Coast Guard approved life vests (PFDs) must be available and worn at all times by all paddlers. The leader is the sole person who can relieve people of the requirement for wearing a life vest. For all paddling in Massachusestts state law requires PFDs to be worn by all canoeists and kayakers between Sept 15 and May 15. This regulation cannot be altered.
  
• On some paddles spray skirts for kayakers may be required to be available and worn. The leader will make that determination. If you show up without a spray skirt and the leader requires spray skirts you will not be allowed to join the group.
  
• The leader may require wet or dry suits to be worn when water temperatures are low. In that case no one will be allowed to join the group if not properly attired.
  
• All paddlers separating from the group for any reason must inform the leader or sweep and do so in company with at least one and preferably two buddies. All paddlers will stay within a short paddle of others in the group.

All participants in AMC activities are required to sign the AMC waiver form provided by the leader.

Paddlers participate at their own risk.

Activity Participation Policy

"AMC encourages involvement in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies and procedures. Our goal is to be a community that is comfortable, inviting and accessible for people of any age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Some AMC programs are designed for a certain age range of members or for a special activity or topic. However, any person who meets the minimum qualifications (skills, experience, fitness) established by the trip leader(s) for an activity is eligible to attend, if space is available."