PFD's (life jackets) must be worn and zipped up on all CT AMC Flatwater/Coastal Paddling trips.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Thimble Islands, Stony Creek. Sea Kayak Level II. We will paddle into the Thimble Islands and explore some of the coves. We will offer a pre-launch safety drill. Anyone who has not paddled in a CT AMC sea kayak trip must attend the safety drill & do a wet exit. Please review skill level and required equipment at http://www.ct-amc.org/flatwater/SeaKayakGuidelines.htm#A. Total length 8-10 miles. Limit 10 boats. Heavy rain or wind cancels. Registration is required for this trip. If you have participated in a CT AMC sea kayak trip, you may e-mail the leader to register. Call leader if this is your first trip. Leader: Robert White. 203-453-3727. robertswhite@comcast.net. Co-leader: Jean Trapani

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Housatonic River, Derby. Flat-water Meet at 11 a.m. at the boat launch at 1 Caroline St., Derby, to take maximum advantage of the 12:24 p.m. high tide. We will paddle upriver to the Ousatonic Dam (yes, it’s spelled that way) with a boost from the tide before heading downriver to the Sunnyside Boat Launch for lunch. The northern part of this trip will have a decidedly urban feel as we view the former mill towns of Shelton and Derby with their silent factories. As the water levels allow, we will tour a bit of the Naugatuck River. When we head south past the launch, the historic buildings are replaced by tree-lined banks populated by a variety of sea birds. Total trip mileage will be about 8 miles or 4 hours. There are no restrooms at the launch, but there are at Sunnyside, so plan your needs according. PFD must be worn for the trip duration, per AMC policy. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. You must provide your own boat. The leader does not have any loaners, nor does he have any information on rentals. If you are looking for a rental, contact a shop that sells kayaks to see if they rent them. Directions: Rt. 8 North or South to Exit 15 (Rt. 34 West). Turn left on Rt. 34 West (Main St.) and then take the second left at the light onto Caroline Street. Drive to the end, bearing slight right at the sewage treatment plant, through the gate, and onto (yes, onto) the Derby greenway for about 200 feet, before descending a short hill to the launch under Rt. 8. Leader: Tom Ebersold, bikehikekayak123@sbcglobal.net

Saturday August 14, 2010

Five Mile River, Danielson. Flat-water novice trip. Peaceful forested small river meanders through oaks, maples, willows & other hardwoods. Slow paddle for 2 - 4 hours, depending on water level & participants. Pack a lunch & water. Local landowner will describe the area's history. Small recreational kayaks are ideal for this trip. We will travel north to avoid the dams. Number of participants/boats is limited. Lifejackets must be worn, paddlers under 18 must be with parents or legal guardian. Heavy rain, t-storms cancel. The Last Green Valley brought this area to our attention and their office is only a few blocks away, at 111 Main St., Danielson, CT. Five Mile Outfitters is selling kayaks close to the put-in. Ice cream social after the trip. Pre-registration is required for this trip. Leader: Jean Trapani. 203-606-9459 (best time to call: Before 9:00p.m.) flatwater@ct-amc.org

August 14-21, 2010 Cancelled

Land of 10,000 Lakes: Canoeing the Minnesota Boudary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Join CT leader Robert White in his first Major Excusions trip for AMC canoe camping in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. We will have 6 days of backcountry paddling and camping in the pristine BWCA of MN. We'll spend our first and last nights at the outfitters bunkhouse in Ely but will be on our own in the wilderness for 5 nights. Our itinerary includes Snowbank Lake, Parent Lake, Disappointment Lake, and a sting of smaller lakes.We'll portage our Kevlar canoes and gear, practicing leave-no-trace camping. Trip price ($996) includes canoe and gear package, all meals but not airfare (estimated at $400-500). You can view the trip brochure here. For more information contact L Sam Jamke at 603-472-2536, samjamke@myfairpoint.net or Bob White at 203-453-3727, robertswhite@comcast.net

September, 2010 (date to be set)

Guilford. Sea Kayak Level III. We will paddle from Guilford Harbor out to Faulkner’s Island open house. This is an open water trip with difficult currents. If high winds or sea, may convert into a coastal trip. You must have paddled previously on an AMC sea kayak trip to participate. 7 miles. Limit 6 boats. Registration is required for this trip. If you have participated in a CT AMC sea kayak trip, you may e-mail the leader to register. Leader: Robert White. 203-453-3727. robertswhite@comcast.net.

Past trips

CT AMC Flatwater Pool Sessions 2010

These sessions are for anyone who wants to learn or practice the basics of kayaking, Eskimo rolling, bracing, self rescue or just keep the rust off their paddling skills. Everyone is welcome! We encourage you to join AMC but membership is not required.

Two kinds of activity will be held in the pool at the same time. One activity is an informal group participation event where we share what we know with other paddlers. This has been our format for the last few years. A second activity, formal lessons with an ACA certified Sea Kayak instructor, is being offered through AMC and the fee structure is more. Michele Sorensen of Kayak-Adventure.net will be offering formal lessons at some sessions which must be arranged with her separately at 203-852-7294, kayak-adventure@earthlink.net ahead of time.

Sunday mornings Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31
Feb. 7, 21, 28 (no meeting on the 14th)
March 7, 14, 21
YWCA of Greenwich, 259 East Putnam Ave.
Greenwich, CT
http://ywcagreenwich.org

Be there at 8:45 am to sign waiver form. Door opens at 9:00 am. In-water time is 9:00 - 11:30 am. Pool deck must be clear by noon of boats & gear. Use of facility includes showers & locker rooms. Per session fee of $20.00 per person for the group participation event charged to cover pool rental. Anyone arriving AFTER 9:00 am will be charged an additional $5.00.

Please contact Jean Trapani 203-221-7439 or 203-606-9459 or flatwater@ct-amc.org if you are interested in attending or for cancellation info due to inclement weather. We are limiting the number of boats in the pool to about 20. First come, first served. You can still WATCH for free on the pool deck. Watching has always been free.

Please bring your own boat, PFD, paddle & gear Everything must be CLEAN! Use parking lot in back of the building.

Driving Directions
From Merritt Parkway South bound
Exit 31 North Street. Turn right onto North Street. Follow to the end, approximately four miles and turn left. Go to traffic light and turn left onto Putnam Avenue, also called US 1 or the Post Road. YWCA is 1/8 mile on the left just beyond the Junior League building on the left side of the road and across from Christ Church on the right.

From Merritt Parkway North bound
Exit 31 North Street. Turn left onto North Street. Follow to the end, approximately two miles and turn left. Go to traffic light and turn left onto Putnam Avenue, also called US 1 or the Post Road, YWCA is 1/8 mile on the left just beyond the Junior League building on the left side of the road and across from Christ Church on the right.

From I-95 North bound
Exit 4, Indian Field Road. Turn left onto Indian Field Road, cross over I-95 and at second light turn left onto Putnam Avenue, also called US 1 or the Post Road. Go straight for three traffic lights, top of hill with Old Church Road on right. Temple Sholom and Christ Church on left. YWCA is the first driveway on your right.

I-95 South bound
Exit 4, Indian Field Road. Turn right onto Indian Field Road, and at first light turn left onto Putnam Avenue, also called US 1 or the Post Road. Go straight for three traffic lights, top of hill with Old Church Road on right. Temple Sholom and Christ Church on left. YWCA is the first driveway on your right.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

East River, Madison. Flatwater. A Connecticut Trails Day Event. We will paddle upriver from Guilford harbor into the salt marsh and return. Families welcome. 6 miles. Lifejackets required. Cancel if heavy rain or wind. Pre-registration required. Leader: Robert White, 203-453-3727, robertswhite@comcast.net. Co-leader: Jean Trapani, jeantrapani@optonline.net. Co-leader: Jean Lange, JLange@fairfield.edu.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Charles E. Wheeler State Wildlife Area, Milford Flatwater. Peaceful 3- to 4-hour paddle through quiet, calm salt marsh totaling 6 to 8 miles of travel. Registration required by Thurs. June 10. Trip size limited. Some paddling experience required. Leader will email all trip details, including starting time (morning) and meeting place, a week in advance of the trip. RSVP sooner, rather than later. RSVPing does not obligate you to come if your plans change, but if you cannot make it, let the leader know, so he can open the trip to someone else. Paddlers must wear life jackets. Participants under 18 must have parents or legal guardians with them. Leader: Tom Ebersold bikehikekayak123@sbcglobal.net

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Mystic River, Mystic. Sea Kayak Level II. Paddle past Mystic Seaport and catch part of their Sea Music Festival and circumnavigate Mason's Island. We will offer a pre-launch safety drill. Anyone who has not paddled a CT AMC sea kayak trip must attend the safety drill & do a wet exit. Please review skill level and required equipment at http://www.ct-amc.org/flatwater/SeakayakGuidelines.htm#A. 10 miles, 5 hours. Sea kayaks only, no rec. boats. Limited to 10 boats. Rain cancels, heavy wind will modify. Registration is required for this trip. Call leader to register by Wed. June 9, 9PM. Leader: Barry Gorfain 860-705-3828, datedford@yahoo.com. Co-leader: Jean Trapani.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Norwalk River, Norwalk. Flat-water novice trip. Urban Discovery tour with Norwalk River Watershed Association. Commentary on local shellfish industry, biodiversity, and Norwalk history. Approximately 2 hours. Bring kayak or rent one from the boat shop on 144 Water Street in South Norwalk. Heavy rain cancels. Life jackets are required. Paddlers under 18 must be with parent or legal guardian. Pre-registration is required for this trip. Leader: Jean Trapani. 203-606-9459 (best time to call: Before 9:00p.m.) flatwater@ct-amc.org

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Ct. River Selden and Whalebone Creeks, Hadlyme. Sea Kayak Level II. Circumnavigate Selden Island and explore Whalebone Creek. We will offer a prelaunch safety drill. Anyone who has not paddled a CT AMC sea kayak trip must attend the safety drill & do a wet exit. Please review skill level and required equipment at http://www.ct-amc.org/flatwater/SeaKayakGuidelines.htm#A. 8 miles, 4 hours. Open water experience necessary, limited to 10 boats. Rain cancels. Registration is required for this trip. Call leader to register by Wed.June 23, 9PM. Leader: Barry Gorfain, 860-705-3828, datedford@yahoo.com. Co-leader: Deb Tedford.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Housatonic River, Milford to Shelton. Flatwater. Explore a less traveled section of the Housatonic River between Milford and Shelton that has little boat traffic and plenty of forested shores on the eastern side. Expect about 12 total miles of paddling for the round-trip, which should take about 4.5 hours at a moderate pace, including the lunch stop. The distance is less daunting than it sounds because the tide does some of the work for you. On a trip this length, figure that the tide will move you for four of the 12 miles, leaving you to paddle only eight miles. In 2009, the return trip took only 2 hours with moderate paddling effort. Registration required by Thurs. June. 23. Trip size limited. Some paddling experience required. Come prepared to paddle the entire distance. Leader will e-mail all trip details, including starting time (morning) and meeting place (Milford). High winds cancel. Paddlers must wear life jackets. Participants under 18 must have parents or legal guardians with them. Leader: Tom Ebersold bikehikekayak123@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lieutenant River, Old Lyme. Sea Kayak Level I. Paddle up and back Lieutenant River and down and back to Great Island. We will offer a pre-launch safety drill. Anyone who has not paddled a CT AMC sea kayak trip must attend the safety drill and do a wet exit. Please review skill level and required equipment at http://www.ct-amc.org/flatwater/ SeaKayakGuidelines.htm#A. 10 miles, 5 hours. Limited to 10 boats. Rain cancels. Registration is required for this trip. Call leader to register by Wed. July 7, 9 PM. Leader: Barry Gorfain 860-705-3828, datedford@yahoo.com. Co-leader: Deb Tedford.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Great Island, Lyme. Sea Kayak Level II. We will paddle out into the sound and east along the coast to end at Four-mile River. We will offer a pre-launch safety drill. Anyone who has not paddled in a CT AMC sea kayak trip must attend the safety drill & do a wet exit. Please review skill level and required equipment at http://www.ct-amc.org/flatwater/SeaKayakGuidelines.htm#A. 6 miles. Limit 10 boats. Heavy rain or wind cancels. Registration is required for this trip. If you have participated in a CT AMC sea kayak trip, you may e-mail the leader to register. Call leader if this is your first trip. Leader: Robert White. 203-453-3727. robertswhite@comcast.net.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Lake Lillinonah, Newtown, and the Shepaug River, Bridgewater. Flatwater Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Pond Brook Boat Launch, 160 Hanover Rd, Newtown. Moderately paced 4 to 5-hour, 10-mile paddle in the quieter end of Lake Lillinonah with an excursion up the Shepaug River to Roxbury Falls and return the same way. Life jacket required. Paddlers under 18 must be with parents or legal guardians. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. You must provide your own boat. The leader does not have any loaners, nor does he have any information on rentals. If you are looking for a rental, contact a shop that sells kayaks to see if they rent them. Directions: I-84 Exit 10 to Route 6 West for 0.6 miles. Right onto The Boulevard (becomes Hanover Rd.) and travel for 3.4 miles. The launch is on the right. Leader: Tom Ebersold bikehikekayak123@sbcglobal.net