2023 Courses and Trips

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The following section presents an overview of all the 2023 Cross Currents courses and trips. If you'd like to register for one or more courses/trips - or have questions about any of them -  just email us at  CrossCurrentsSeaKayaking@gmail.com.

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Navigation for Paddlers: An On-Line Multi-Session Course

Mar. 15, 22, 29, Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26, 29 (Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 PM)

Location: your house and Jonas Green Park, Annapolis (Apr. 23 only)

Instructors: Rick Wiebush and Paula Hubbard

Cost: $295 for all eight sessions ($200 if you can’t do the on water session)

 

This navigation series will cover just about everything you need to know (and nothing you don’t need) for safe and effective navigational practices while paddling. The series will include seven on-line sessions followed by an all-day session on the water to pull everything together and apply your new (or refreshed) skills in a practical way. We are breaking this down into manageable bites – instead of a day-long marathon - to help people better retain the information.

 

The sessions will be on consecutive Wednesdays starting on March 15 and ending on April 26. Each session will last approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. The on-water day will be on Saturday, Apr 29 and last about seven hours.

 

The sessions will be interactive, with exercises, small group activities, and plenty of time for questions. We will be using a formal curriculum. There will be homework for most sessions, and there will be a culminating, trip planning project at the end. Here are the topics, by week:

 

March 15: understanding charts: symbols, latitude and longitude, measuring distance, understanding scale

March 22: using chart and compass together to plot courses, and to figure out where you are (i.e. triangulation)

March 29: understanding tides; accessing and reading tide tables; tidal causes and variations; rule of 12ths

April 5: understanding current; interpreting current tables; accounting for current in crossings; 50/90 rule.

April 12: dealing with wind: types of wind, Beaufort scale, effects of wind on paddlers; strategies for dealing with wind

April 19: trip planning – bringing it all together: factors to take into account; details of the trip planning exercise

April 26: trip planning presentations: selected participants will present their trip plan including rationales for the decisions

April 29 (Saturday): on water – identifying aids to navigation; determining location; using ranges; dealing with current (ferrying); comparing the chart and land features; dead reckoning, inter alia.

 

Registration: this course is limited to 15 participants. Register by contacting Rick at crosscurrentseakayaking@gmail.com

 

The First Coast: Jacksonville Journeys

March 5 – 11, 2023 (Sun – Sat) 

Location:  Jacksonville FL and St. Mary's GA area    

Instructors/Guides: Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, Rick Wiebush

Cost: $695 + housing

 

Join Jeff, Ashley and Rick for this fun-filled adventure that will involve a week of day trips exploring the rivers and ocean of north Florida. These will be special trips because we’ll be paddling in so many different environments. The paddling will be mostly flat water, about 8 - 10 nm each day, and will include places like Little Talbot Island, Cumberland Island, the St Mary's River, the Okefenokee swamp, St. Augustine area and more!

 

Cross Currents has rented a big group house in historic St. Mary's that has an expansive view of the marsh and wide expanses of the St. Mary's River near Cumberland Island.  The cost of housing is not included in the fee, but you can figure approximately $55 - $60 per night per person. 

 

The $695 course cost includes lunches each day, two group dinners, pick up/drop off at the airport (if flying), and guiding. Trip cost does not include transportation to/from south Florida, other meals, any park entrance fees, your beer/wine/liquor, and other miscellaneous expenses.

 

On-Water Navigation

April 29, 2023 (Sat.)

Location: Kent Narrows, MD

Instructor: Paula Hubbard

Cost: $125  (Free for those who took the online course)

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You may have taken the one-day classroom navigation course or the multi-part online series, and now it’s time to apply that learning to the real world of sea kayaking. This class will cover all the basics of on-water navigation. Learn how to read a nautical chart and compare it to what you are seeing while you’re on the water. The class will include understanding aids to navigation, how to measure distance, the basics of the “rules of the road”, and how to safely cross busy boat channels. Learn how to use a chart and compass together to plot a course and then follow that course to a specific location.   We will also work with some visual navigation tools such as finding and using a range to hold a straight course. 

Paula is an expert in sea kayak navigation and has helped teach the online series in addition to running  one-day classroom navigation course for several years. This course will meet at Kent Narrows and run from 9:30 AM to about 4 PM. The class is limited to 10 students. 

 

Pine Barrens  Exploration

May 5 - 7, 2023 (Fri. evening - Sun) 

Location:  Bodine Field Campground, Bass River Twp., NJ

Instructors:  Rick Wiebush

Cost: $175 

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We’ve been doing this trip since 2015 and almost everyone agrees it is one of the best trips of the summer! The Pine Barrens is a wilderness in the midst of one of the most urbanized areas in the country. Covering almost one-quarter of NJ, it has scrub pines, sandy soil, twisting, narrow rivers that flow eventually to the Atlantic, and almost no people! It is a special paddling destination that is suitable for all skill levels. Our journey through this magical place will be on the Wading River, a tannin-colored waterway that starts out just 20 ft. wide (where we put in) and gradually widens as it courses toward the junction with the broad Mullica River (the take out). 

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The total trip will be about 25 miles, but we will be assisted by the current the whole way. We will be camping at a secluded pine-studded campground on Friday and Saturday nights. The campground is about halfway through the trip, so we’ll drive to the put in on Saturday morning and paddle back to the campground for Saturday night. Since we’ll be setting shuttles, everyone will have their car at the campground both nights. 

The Sunday leg will be slightly shorter (and we’ll have the tides with us) so expect to get off the water and on your way home around 3-4 PM.

 

The cost includes camping fees for both nights, one dinner, and guiding/instruction. It does not include all other meals. The drive from the Baltimore/Washington area is about three hours and is WAY worth it.

 

​Intensive Intermediate Skills Workshop

May 20 - 21, 2023 (Sat - Sun) 

Location:  Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Laurel, MD and Kent Island, MD

Instructors:  Denise Parisi,  Shelly Wiechelt

Cost: $225 

 

This is a two-day intensive skills development course that will focus on learning or refining a whole range of core skills including strokes and maneuvers, edging, bracing and rescues. It is designed for rising intermediate paddlers. We hope to get you on the road to paddling with grace and style.

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The course will include refinement of all the basic strokes (forward, reverse, sweeps, draws, stern rudder) and rescues (e.g. T-rescue, paddle float) as well as a range of intermediate strokes (e.g., bow rudder, low brace turn) and rescues. We will place a major emphasis on edging to facilitate turns (or going straight!), bracing, and using the wind to your advantage. The course is geared toward developing ACA Level 2 (and some Level 3) personal skills proficiencies.

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Introduction to Kayaking

June 3, 2023   (Sat.)  This course is repeated on July 8 and Aug 5

Instructors: Denise Parisi, Shelly Wiechelt

Location: Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD

Cost: $125

 

This course is designed for people who have just started out (or are about to). The whole point of it is to get you feeling comfortable and confident in your boat and to become aware of the safety issues associated with kayaking. And to have fun doing it!

 

We will intersperse discussions, skills practice, and short trips throughout the day. Spa Creek is both a very protected and very scenic waterway.  We’ll cover boat control skills including forward, reverse, sweep and draw strokes. There will be games and drills to help master the various movements. We’ll introduce you to the basic rescues and give you plenty of time to practice them. For those with a spray skirt, we can cover the procedures for a wet exit (getting out of the boat while upside down).

 

Note: you need to have your own boat for this course. We may be able to make one or two rental boats available at $45 for the day.

 

Rescues and Rolling in Rough Water

Dates: June 17 - 18, 2023

Location: Metompkin Inlet, Onanacock, VA

Instructors: Mike Hamilton, Greg Hollingsworth

Cost: $225 (+ housing)

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Got your pool roll pretty well nailed down? Good.

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Now is the time to move it to a more dynamic environment like bumpy water and the surf zone. This course will definitely challenge you, but it’s not like we are going to take you out and tell you to start rolling in waves. Instead, a lot of time will be spent preparing you for that step. These activities will include: ensuring proper boat fit; bracing, rolling and recues in flat water; reading the water and understanding the surf zone, what to do if you come out of your boat in the surf, and finally, bracing and rolling in the surf. This will include bracing and rolling into on-coming waves, while paddling parallel to the waves, while surfing, and while back surfing!

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There of course will be plenty of time for surfing and we may do a mini-expedition that might, just might, involve some “incidents.”

Which location Mike and Greg decide to use will be dependent upon the conditions, but both Metompkin and Smith Inlets always have bouncy water.

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Housing will likely be at the Wachapreague Inn, where we will have our choice of motel rooms or apartments. Expect to spend about $55-$60 per night for shared housing.

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Paddle Smarter, Not Harder: Women’s Skills Workshop

Dates: June 17 - 18, 2023 (Sat - Sun)

Location: Sassafrass River, Chestertown, MD

Instructor: Paula Hubbard

Cost: $225  (+ housing, if needed)

 

This course is all about helping grow the women who have recently started in our sport and for those who may have been paddling for a while but have never had outstanding formal instruction. The women who did this course last year absolutely loved it! The class emphasizes the ways in which women can use proper technique, better balance, and a supportive learning environment to develop and enhance skill development. Learn how small women can keep up with the big boys, or even leave them in the dust.  Explore ways of using your body to facilitate assisted and self-rescues, and see how a lower center of gravity can be a huge advantage in some aspects of paddling.  This is all about paddling smarter, not harder.

 

The classes on both days will be on flat, calm water on the Sassafrass River.

 

On Saturday, the focus will be on strokes.  It will start with a review of the basics, and emphasize effective use of the body to get the maximum performance with minimum effort.  Don’t worry about being the slowest paddler in a group, we will spend a lot of time on the forward stroke making keeping up easier.  Then we will work on boat control with grace and finesse.  This will include standard sweep strokes, draw strokes, and blending strokes for efficient, elegant, and precise maneuvers.  We will finish with support strokes, bracing and sculling.  These strokes can increase your confidence in rougher water by giving you more stability.  While it sounds very serious, be prepared for fun, games and lots of laughs, no pressure.

 

Sunday will be all about Recovery, Reentry and Rescues. The focus is on different ways to perform self and assisted rescues.  The class will start with a review of the basics, then we will work on different aspects of a rescue starting with boat maneuvering, using your body to effectively perform an assisted rescue, climbing back into a kayak using a variety of techniques, plus a few more scenarios.  There will be more fun, more games and more laughs. 

 

There will be housing options. If people want to, we can rent a charming house in historic Chestertown. If you feel more comfortable getting a motel or renting your own Airbnb, that’s fine too. We will have some way of socializing on Saturday night. We can do a potluck in the back yard of the house, or at a local park, or go to a restaurant and sit outside.

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Introduction to Kayaking

July 8, 2023   (Sat.)  This course also takes place on June 3 and Aug. 5

Instructor: Paula Hubbard

Location: Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD

Cost: $125

 

This is the second of three Intro courses. It is designed for people who have just started out (or are about to). The whole point of it is to get you feeling comfortable and confident in your boat and to become aware of the safety issues associated with kayaking. And to have fun doing it!

 

We will intersperse discussions, skills practice, and short trips throughout the day. Spa Creek is both a very protected and very scenic waterway.  We’ll cover boat control skills including forward, reverse, sweep and draw strokes. There will be games and drills to help master the various movements. We’ll introduce you to the basic rescues and give you plenty of time to practice them. For those with a spray skirt, we can cover the procedures for a wet exit (getting out of the boat while upside down).

 

Note: you need to have your own boat for this course. We may be able to make one or two rental boats available.

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Southeast Alaska: Understanding a Stunning “Place”

July 9 – July 15, 2023 (Sun – Sat)

Location: Haines, Alaska  

Instructors: Scott Ramsey, Rick Wiebush   

Cost: $1,395 (+ housing)

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Now for something completely different! The purpose of this course is to gain a deep understanding of one place: the spectacular wilderness environment around Haines, Alaska and the Tlingit (First Nations) people of nearby Klukwan.

 

Here, glacial capped mountains fall into the sea, there is an abundance of wildlife, and major natural forces are at work. Using a combination of classroom work, daily kayaking field trips, and a three-day, two-night paddling expedition, this course will develop awareness of the complex ecological relationships that exist throughout the natural world and the implications of those forces for people’s economic, cultural, and philosophical experience. An important component will be exposure to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Tlingit people.

 

We will examine, both theoretically and experientially, the climate, geology, glaciation, hydrology, and flora and fauna of the area, and how they have influenced the cultural understandings and practices of the Tlingit people. For example, we will learn about the five different species of salmon in the area, how each thrives in different rivers, and how salmon have been the backbone of the Tlingit economy for centuries. Another example: we’ll examine the erosive powers and the workings of glaciers by kayaking near them, traversing past their deltas, and paddling in water emanating from these frozen rivers of ice. This area is a living classroom and we will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to examine in detail how it works and what it means for people.

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Introduction to Surf and Open Water Skills, Part I (Part II is on July 30 - 31)

July 15 - 16 (Sat - Sun)

Location: Kent Narrows, MD

Instructor: TBD

Cost: $225

 

This is a two-part course that will introduce paddlers to open water skills on the Chesapeake Bay (Sat - Sun., 7/15 - 16), and then have people apply those skills in open water conditions during a weekend session at the shore (Sat – Sun, 7/30 – 7/31).

 

Thinking about venturing into more challenging kayaking conditions or just want to be better prepared should weather conditions unexpectedly change? This course will provide you with a set of foundation skills that will help advance your paddling abilities and become comfortable and more confident in bouncier water. We will be focusing on the development of ACA Level 3 personal skills.

 

While Part I will be taught in flat water conditions, we will work on a variety of skills that are directly applicable to open water. And for each skill, we will describe how it will assist you in waves, winds and currents.  We will work to refine the strokes and rescues you’ll need and will go through some fun drills to reinforce the learning. Our intent for this course is to make sure you grasp each skill, can apply it when needed, and understand its relationship to your paddling in rougher conditions.

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Risk Assessment and Incident Management

Date: July 23, 2023 (Sun.)

Location: Chestertown, MD (Sassafras River)

Instructor: Paula Hubbard, Marilyn Cooper

Cost: $125

 

This course will introduce paddlers to the concept and practice of risk assessment for sea kayakers. It will also train participants in how to deal with situations in which – in spite of the assessed risks – things have gone very wrong.

 

The risk assessment portion of the course will present and discuss the factors that need to be taken into account by all paddlers at all times before getting on the water and what issues require constant monitoring once on the water, to avoid chaos and possible tragedy. Wind, weather, waves, current, the group’s skill level, available equipment, and other considerations will all be reviewed. In addition, Paula will present the formal risk assessment models used by the Tsunami Rangers (discussed in the November 2019 issue of Coastbusters) and by Body, Boat, Blade (discussed in the January 2020 issue of Coastbusters).

 

Sometimes, in spite of careful planning and risk assessment, bad stuff happens. The situations that arise – and responding appropriately to them – will form the main part of this course. During a journey on the water, various and multiple manufactured “incidents” will confront the group and will need to be dealt with by them. These may include relatively mild incidents like the paddler who wants to go off on her own, or a blown/lost hatch cover. They will also likely include more serious incidents like a capsized paddler who is unable to get back in his boat, a lost paddler, or a situation in which everyone in the group has capsized.

 

This course is on flat water, but it will challenge you both physically and mentally. It will also deepen your understanding of how to prevent “incidents” and how to respond safely and creatively to them when they do happen.

 

Both because and in spite of the above, this course is also an incredible amount of fun!

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Intro to Surf and Open Water Skills, Part II  (Part I is Sat.- Sun, July 15 - 16)

July 30 - 31  (Sat – Sun)

Location: Metompkin Inlet, VA Eastern Shore

Instructors: TBD

Cost: $225 + housing

 

Looking to try out surf and rougher water paddling? Metompkin Inlet provides the best possible venue along the DelMarVa Atlantic coastline for learning.  It provides a variety of conditions allowing for a safe and exciting learning environment that can easily be adapted for paddlers at many skill levels.

 

This course is designed for those who took Part I of Intro to Surf and Open Water Skills (on July 15) OR those who have taken some intermediate skills training and are looking to apply their skills in somewhat rougher water conditions.  This two-day course will expose you to paddling in surf, current and open water under the watchful supervision of qualified ACA instructors. 

 

We’ll get acclimated to rougher water by practicing skills in smaller waves, including those skills that will keep you upright in waves and surf.  You will learn a variety of techniques to launch and land through surf and to play safely in the surf zone.   We’ll gradually increase the challenges by venturing into more challenging conditions. Rescue drills will be intermixed and, if conditions permit, we will try our hand at surfing our kayaks.

 

This is always a fun and exciting weekend.  You will come away with a new skill set and greater confidence. Part of what makes this a fun weekend is that we will be staying in a group house on the Virginia Eastern shore (near Onancock and the put in for Metompkin).  Housing is not included in the course fee, but is usually only about $55/night.

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Introduction to Kayaking

Aug. 5, 2023   (Sat.)

Instructor: Denise Parisi, Shelly Wiechelt

Location: Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD

Cost: $125

 

This is the third of three Intro courses for 2022. It is designed for people who have just started out (or are about to). The whole point of it is to get you feeling comfortable and confident in your boat and to become aware of the safety issues associated with kayaking. And to have fun doing it!

 

We will intersperse discussions, skills practice, and short trips throughout the day. Spa Creek is both a very protected and very scenic waterway.  We’ll cover boat control skills including forward, reverse, sweep and draw strokes. There will be games and drills to help master the various movements. We’ll introduce you to the basic rescues and give you plenty of time to practice them. For those with a spray skirt, we can cover the procedures for a wet exit (getting out of the boat while upside down).

 

Note: you need to have your own boat for this course. We may be able to make one or two rental boats available.

 

Introduction to Rocks and Ledges

August 18 - 20, 2023 (Fri – Sun)

Location: Narragansett Bay, Newport, Rhode Island area

Instructors: Ken Fandetti, Rick Wiebush

Cost: $325 (+ housing)

 

Join us on this very exciting and challenging course during which we will learn all the basic strategies for dealing with swell as it meets dramatic rocky shorelines and islands. It is just too much fun!

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This is a three-day course. The first day (Fri) will focus on practicing the strokes and maneuvers that are used most frequently when playing in rocks and ledges. These include forward and reverse “sprints”, sculling draws and draws on the move, advanced stern rudders, bow rudders and low brace turns.  We’ll also review the safest strategies for dealing with the unexpected capsize near swell and rocks.  To see how these strokes and maneuvers work around rocks – and to develop confidence - we’ll practice in small play spots for most of the day.

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Over the next two days, we’ll try some runs through narrow slots in the rocks, ride swell up to get as close to the rock face as possible and try some pour-overs. You'll learn how to use risk assessment to select appropriate play spots. We'll start with small features to develop water-reading skills and work our way up to bigger features.  In all play spots, what you do will be “challenge by choice” i.e. if you don’t feel comfortable trying something, that is totally fine. You can just watch or maybe try a smaller feature. This is about expanding your skills and challenging yourself; not about being stupid or unsafe.  This is not a testosterone challenge!

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If you want to do this course you should be a pretty solid intermediate-level sea kayaker with good boat control and bracing skills.  A roll would be helpful but isn’t required. You do not need previous experience in rock gardens, although you are welcome to join us if you have had some exposure to this aspect of paddling. You definitely need a helmet.  

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Intensive Intermediate Skills Workshop

Dates: Aug. 19 - 20, 2023 (Sat -Sun)

Location:  Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Laurel, MD and Kent Island, MD

Instructors:  Laurie Collins, Luci Hollingsworth

Cost: $225

 

This is a repeat of the two-day intensive skills development course (see May 21 - 22) that will focus on learning or refining a whole range of core skills including strokes and maneuvers, edging, bracing and rescues. It is designed for rising intermediate paddlers. We hope to get you on the road to paddling with grace and style.

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The course will include refinement of all the basic strokes (forward, reverse, sweeps, draws, stern rudder) and rescues (e.g. T-rescue, paddle float) as well as a range of intermediate strokes (e.g., bow rudder, low brace turn) and rescues. We will place a major emphasis on edging to facilitate turns (or going straight!), bracing, and using the wind to your advantage. There will be a LOT of drills, games, getting wet, and fun!

 

 

Surf Camps!

Weds - Thurs, (Sept. 20-21)

Instructors: Dale Williams, Tom Noffsinger, Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown

Location: Cape Charles, VA

Cost: $295 (+ housing)

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These two-day, pre-symposium surf camps are geared to paddlers who want some intensive instruction to improve their surfing skills. There will be two tracks: advanced and intermediate. The venues will include Metompkin Inlet and/or Smith Inlet. There is an additional fee of $295 for this training and registration is separate from the symposium registration.  Group housing will be available. If you are interested, please contact Rick Wiebush (rwiebush@gmail.com; 410.788.1241).

 

Advanced Surfing Track

This course will be run by Dale Williams (ACA L5  ITE) and Tom Noffsinger (ACA L5).  It is for people who have a lot of surf experience, a reliable roll in conditions, strong self-rescue skills, a strong forward stroke and plenty of stamina. You need a helmet. In addition to refining several aspects of surfing technique, both days will include an extensive (e.g., 1.5 hour) debrief session to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, where you want to go next, and any “incidents” that may have occurred. These debriefs will take place at one of the group houses after people have had a chance to shower and change. This course is limited to eight participants.

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Intermediate Surfing Track

This course will be led by Jeff Atkins (ACA L4 IT). It is geared toward people who have paddled in surf multiple times, have taken at least one formal surf class, but have surfed primarily in a shore break. You should feel comfortable in 2 - 3 ft surf. A roll is a definite plus but not required. However, you should be adept at one or more self - rescues and totally competent with assisted rescues. The skills will include understanding the surf zone, identifying safe areas, the set-up and take-off, timing, power strokes, holding position on the wave, surf zone etiquette, and launching and landing, among others. There will be lots of drills to increase your confidence in a dynamic environment. You need a helmet. This course is limited to eight participants.

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11th Annual Kiptopeke Sea Kayaking Symposium 

Sept 22 – 24, 2023 (Fri – Sun) 

Location: Cape Charles, VA

Instructors:  Dale Williams, Tom Noffsinger, Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, James Kesterson, Rick Wiebush,  Ken Fandetti, Brian Blankinship, Paula Hubbard, Greg Hollingsworth, Kathryn Lapolla, Bev Coslett

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Cost: $535 (includes three days of classes + three nights lodging +Sat. dinner)

         $375 (if you are arranging your own housing or camping)

 

The Kiptopeke Symposium routinely is a fabulous event - people love it! There are several reasons for all the positive reviews including:

 

• the range of courses, with everything from novice to advanced level courses; and the number of courses, with about 10 to choose from each day

 

• the quality of the coaches, who are the best in the mid-Atlantic area and include some who are considered to be the best in the country

 

• the mix of participants, who come from 10 -12 different states, some as far away as Tennessee, Texas, California, Florida and Canada!

 

• the fact that the vast majority of participants stay together in the beautiful state park lodges, which helps create a wonderful sense of community

 

• the venue itself, next to the Virginia barrier islands, and with immediate access to the calmer waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the rougher conditions that can be had in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

The full description of the 2023 courses and the registration form will be available around May 15.  See the "Symposium" tab above.

 

We will be offering the most popular courses from past years, plus some new ones. The range of courses will  provide great opportunities for paddlers of all skill levels. The courses include:

 

• Beginning and Advanced Rolling

• ACA L5 Skills

• Greenland Skills

• Intermediate skills

• Life on the Edge and Open Water Skills

• Intro to Surf; Advanced Surfing

• Intro to Rougher Water

• Basic and Advanced Rescues

• Towing

• Barrier Island touring trips

• and more!

 

Also, don’t forget to check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA6ls-AsWl0

 

Housing

 

Most people will be staying in one of the five Kiptopeke State Park lodges that we’ve rented for this year. The lodges all have six bedrooms and three baths with a full kitchen and plenty of room to spread out and relax. The cost for a two-person lodge room is just $160 for all three nights (Thurs., Fri., Sat.)

 

There are several other housing options available for those who don’t want to be with a group. Kiptopeke State Park has a really nice campground and there are several motels in the area.

 

Kayak Camping on the Chesapeake

Oct 13 – 15 (Fri – Sun)

Location: Onancock, VA

Instructor/Guide: Rick Wiebush

Cost: $295

 

Always wanted to kayak camp but weren’t sure how to do it?  Have done it, know how to do it, but want a new experience? Either way, this will be a great opportunity to learn or practice your kayak camping skills. This isn’t your uncle’s car camping. We will be packing everything we need – clothes, stoves, supplies, safety gear, food and water for three days, etc.- and taking off for a remote, sandy island in the southern part of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

On Day 1 (Friday), we’ll make sure everyone has what they need, then spend time learning how to pack our boats so that we can fit everything in and do it in an efficient way. We’ll review the weather forecast and the nautical charts before heading out to our destination, about six miles away. Then we’ll learn about setting up tents, using stoves, preparing food and proper disposal of human waste. As we sit around the campfire that evening (assuming we can find enough wood), we’ll review what we learned this first day, answer additional questions, and talk about the plans for Day 2. Since it will be the middle of October, we shouldn’t have to worry about biting insects, but we’ll be prepared just in case. The last thing that night will involve pulling our boats high enough up on the beach so that the tide doesn’t take them away overnight.

 

Day 2 will be a journey. The plan is to do a fairly long crossing to another island in the middle of the bay, but that will be weather contingent. Before taking off we’ll again review the weather, talk about the implications and, if need be, develop alternate paddling plans that will keep us in more protected areas. That will be about an 8 – 10 mile day and we’ll return to our (still set up) camp.

 

Day 3 will involve taking down the camp and re-packing everything, hoping it will all still fit. If we do it right, there shouldn’t be any problems. Then we’ll take off on another mini-journey. Everyone will be involved n planning this journey. Roughly mid-afternoon, we’ll head back to the put in and go about unpacking everything once again (hey, that’s what it’s like!)

 

To facilitate this, I will be sending out an equipment and packing list several weeks in advance so that people have time to make sure they have what they need. If some people don’t have certain pieces of equipment, I can make recommendations for things like tents, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, water contains, and the right kinds of food to bring.  It will be a blast!

 

The Georgia Barrier Islands

Oct. 22 – 28 (Sun – Sat)

Location: Savannah, GA

Instructors/Guides: Kathryn Lapolla, Rick Wiebush

Cost: $695 (+ housing)

 

One word to describe the Georgia Barrier Islands: Spectacular! A couple of words to describe Kathryn Lapolla: she lives there and knows the area inside and out!

 

This week-long, rental house-based, trip will involve a wide range of venues and water conditions, ranging from surf and strong current to water so calm, everything is perfectly reflected in it. Places like Tybee Island and Jack’s Cut, Wassaw Island and “The Boneyard”, the Savannah River with Fort Scriven and an abandoned light house, and the incredible Ebenezer Creek with it’s flooded, 100-year-old magnificent trees.

 

There will be paddling options on most of the trips. We would like to use a “teach and trek” model on some of the days so that we are combining skill development with touring. On a couple of days there will be the option to surf for those who want to. Of course, on other days it will be pure touring, especially as we head out to some of the more remote barrier islands, riding the strong ebbing current out and the equally strong flood back to the put in. Those currents make longer mileage trips a piece of cake. Throughout all of this we will have the benefit of Kathryn’s wide-ranging and in-depth knowledge of all the trees, plants, history, and wildlife. She adds a whole other dimension to the paddling.

 

There are two options that we will work out with the participants. One is to take a day off to explore Savannah and some of the historical/cultural sited in the area (like the Gullah Geechee communities). The other is to set up an optional dayof sea kayak surfing instruction with the master, Dale Williams.

 

This trip is not to be missed. The 10 people who did it in 2020 still talk about it!

 

 

 

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