Search Results for: flatwater and sea

Flatwater & Coastal Places to Paddle Basic Resource List for Connecticut
Links to other canoe and sea kayak sites

Canoeing and Sea Kayak Clubs

ConnYak, a non-profit club in Connecticut open to all paddlers interested in sea kayaking http://www.connyak.org 

American Canoe Association, dedicated to helping people enjoy the outdoors using kayaks, canoes and rafts since 1880 http://www.acanet.org

Sound Kayakers, an ACA Paddle America Club in western Connecticut and coastal Westchester, NY http://www.kayak-adventure.net

American Canoe Association, New England Division http://canoe-newengland.org

Safe Boating

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Boating Division. Connecticut Boater’s Guide. Hartford, CT.: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.. (print edition and internet site) http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2686&q=322292&depNav_GID=1620 

Connecticut DEEP Boating Education https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2686&Q=322308&depNav_GID=1620&depNav=%7C

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: Boating Courses and Other Safety Informationhttp://cgaux.org

US Power Squadron, sail and power boating http://www.usps.org

American Red Cross – Classes in Swimming and Water Safety, First Aid, CPR and othershttps://www.redcross.org

Boating Safety and Education Connecticut DEP.  http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.aspa=2686&Q=322308&depNav_GID=1620&depNav=| 

Expert Advice on matters of Sea Kayaking http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/pages/expertcenter/main-expert-center.shtm

Places

State Boat Launches
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.aspa=2686&q=381794&deepNav_GID=160

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Connecticut Coastal Access Guide https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/coastalaccess/index.html

Connecticut Coastal Access Guide.  http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Boating Division. 
Connecticut Lakes and Ponds.
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.aspa=2719&q=325530&depNav_GID=1625

ConnYak. Connecticut Sea Kayakers. Launch Site Directions.

http://www.connyak.org/Public%20Affairs/Launch_Sites_HTML.htm

Housatonic Valley Association, Housatonic River Paddling Guides https://hvatoday.org/publications/

Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, Connecticut Water Trails
http://www.ctwatertrails.org/main.php
Connecticut River, Old Lyme trail:
http://ctwatertrails.org/putins/oldlymetrail.pdf
Connecticut River, Deep River trail: 
http://www.ctwatertrails.org/putins/deeprivertrail.pdf

Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail. Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail Guide. June 2007 (second edition).
https://www.conservect.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/01/Mattabesset_Canoe_Guide_07.pdf

Norwalk Islands Canoe/Kayak Trail. Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk, Connecticut.https://westcog.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/09/DocsFinalFinal-Kayak-brochure7-2-2009-revised.pdf

Paddling Down the Willimantic River: From Stafford to Windham, CT. Launching Sites for Canoes & Kayaks. Compiled by the Willimantic River Yacht Club, 1998.
http://www.willimanticriver.org/recreation/paddling.html

Hypothermia and other medical emergencies

Outdoor Action Guide to Hypothermia and Cold Weather Injuries, Princeton University http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml 

Prevention of hypothermia Atlantic Coast Tours in the Hudson River Valley
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/pages/expertcenter/main-expert-center.shtml 

Lightning NOAA LightningFactsSheet.pdf

Tides and Weather

NOAA Tide Tables
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html?gid=1394#listing

Marine weather 
http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/

Books and Pamphlets

Borton, Mark C. et. al.The Complete Boating Guide to the Connecticut River. 2nd edition. Easthampton, MA.: The Connecticut River Watershed Council, Inc. and Embassy Imprint, Inc., 1990 (out of print).

John Sinton, Elizabeth Farnsworth, and Wendy Sinton The Connecticut River Boating Guide, 3rd: Source to Sea (Falcon Guide) (Falcon; 3rd edition, April 1, 2007, CT River Watershed Council)Detels, Pamela and Janet Harris. Canoeing: Trips in Connecticut, the long and short of it…Chester, CT.: Pequot Press, 1977.

Dionne-Dickson, Jeff and Pat Dionne-Dickson. Local Places to Paddle. Avon, CT.: Healing Adventures, LLC and Collinsville, CT., 1999.

Farmington River Watershed Association, Inc. The Farmington River Guide. Simsbury, CT.: The Farmington River Watershed Association, Inc., 1970, rev. 1999.

Hodgins, Richard III and Erika Racz. Connecticut Kayaking. 1st ed. Even Keel Publishing. 2001. (or 2nd ed. 2002)

Jacobs, Robert P., et. Al. A Fisheries Guide to Lakes and Ponds of Connecticut, Including the Connecticut River and Its Coves. Hartford, CT.: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2002.

Levere, Alan M. Paddler’s Guide to Boating in Connecticut: A Car Topper’s Guide to 41 East to Access Put-in Points. Hartford, CT.: Department of Environmental Protection, 2000.

Maloney, Thomas, et. al. Tidewaters of the Connecticut River, An Explorer’s Guide to Hidden Coves and Marshes. Essex, CT.: River’s End Press, 2001.

Tougias, Michael J. River Days: Exploring the Connecticut River from Source to Sea.Boston, Mass.: Appalachian Mountain Club, 2001.

Venn, Tamsin. Sea Kayaking Along the New England Coast. Boston, MA.: Appalachian Mountain Club, 2004.

Weber, Ken.Paddling Southern New England: 30 Canoe Trips in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 2nd edition. Woodstock, Vermont: Backcountry Guides, 2001.

Wilson, Alex and John Hayes. Quiet Water: Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island: Canoe and Kayak Guide. Boston, Mass.: Appalachian Mountain Club, 2004.

DEP Property. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Owned and Managed Property. Compiled by James C. Bogar Jr. 1998.

Quick Waters, Smooth Waters: A Paddlers’ Map of the Farmington River. Text by David Sinish. Drawn by Carrie Sinish. Sinishworks, 1996.

Magazines

AMC Outdoors magazine, Appalachian Mountain Clubhttps://www.outdoors.org/trip-ideas-tips-resources/amc-outdoors-magazine
Atlantic Coastal Kayaker. P.O. Box 520, Ipswich, MA 01938. http://www.atlanticcoastalkayaker.com/

Canoe & Kayak. 10526 NE 68th St., Suite 3, Kirkland, WA 98033.http://www.canoekayak.com/

Sea Kayaker. Sea Kayaker Inc., 7001 Seaview Ave., NW, Suite #135, Seattle, Washington. 98117. http://www.seakayakermag.com/

Guidelines for Participation on CT AMC Sea Kayak Trips (revised 6/18/06)

Trip Levels outline both the expected conditions and the necessary skills for the level of the trip – actual trip conditions will depend on a combination on trip location, trip length, tides and currents, and the weather. Thus, the level of any trip can vary from hour to hour. The leader will post the expected rating of the trip but the actual trip may differ from the rated level. You are ultimately responsible for your safety. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to determine whether your level of expertise and your equipment are sufficient for the trip. The trip leader does have the right to exclude you if he or she determines you do not have the expertise for the conditions of the trip or do not have the proper gear for the trip.

Sea Kayak Level I – Beginner

Most of the trip will be in protected water, significantly sheltered from waves, swell and severe wind.Within half mile of shore

Previous paddling experience in a sea kayak.Maintain boat stability and paddle straight.Capable of paddling 2-3 miles

Able to swim 50 yardsCapable of wet exit with a spray skirt, maintaining contact with boat and paddleBe able to re-enter the boat, either solo or assisted.All paddlers must demonstrate a wet exit and re-entry to a leader before starting a first trip.

Sea Kayak Level II – Advanced beginner

Paddling on less sheltered rivers or harbors with waves of 1 foot or less, winds of 5-10 knots, or open water in flat water conditions with access to protected areas.Can handle following seas and boat wakes.

Able to control and turn boat using forward, reverse, sweep and draw strokes.Starting to use edging turns.More confident control of boat including sculling and bracingCapable of paddling 4 miles with 1-2 knot/hour pace

Capable of self-rescue using a paddle-float or other method.Capable of a 2 person rescue, both victim and rescuer.

Sea Kayak Level III – Intermediate

Paddling on open water, up to 2 foot seas, 2-3 knot currents and 10-15 knot winds. Open water crossings up to 2 miles.Be able to paddle up to 8 miles in open waterBe able to paddle briskly for 1 and ½ hours

Well-defined strokes and edging while turning, sculling for supportComfortable with low bracesWorking on a rollDraw boat sideways

Fully capable of self-rescueCapable of several two-person rescuesExperience with towing

Sea Kayak Level IV – Advanced

Paddling on open water, up to ocean swells and chop and 20 knot windsMay have extended open water crossings with significant exposure to winds, waves, currents and boat traffic

Comfortable with strokes in open water and windAble to launch and land in a variety of conditions

Able to rescue others and do towsFamiliarity with charts, tides, currents and navigationDependable roll or self-rescue in 2 minutesCan set and release in towing

Sea Kayak Level V – Expert

Able to paddle in remote locations in foul weather.Winds up to 25 knots/per hour3 foot surfOpen crossings of 5-10 milesPaddle up to 20 miles

Able to show and teach at all levels

Fully reliable rollRe-enter kayak in rough conditionsCan handle a wide range of mishaps

Required and Optional Equipment

Required for Sea Kayak all Levels

• Sea Kayak with adequate floatation: bulkheads with secure hatch covers or secured floatation bags. The length of the boat should be long enough to maintain stability for the conditions of the trip. A minimum of 14 feet. Generally, the more extreme the conditions, a longer boat is more stable.
• Paddle
• Spray skirt
• PFD-must be worn at all times.
• Whistle
• Pump or bailer
• Paddle float
• Liquids/water
• Flashlight or strobe light
• Footgear – suggest Tevas, watersport shoe or wet suit booties.

Required for leader

• Flotation bags
• Knife
• First Aid Kit
• Duct tape
• Spare paddle (at least 2 on each trip)
• Emergency food
• Matches
• Watch
• Tow system
• Charts and tide tables
• Deck compass
• VHF radio
• leader should carry extra warm clothes, wool hat, hot and cold liquids, extra food

Highly recommended for participants and leaders

• Food
• Wet/dry suit (required for any cold water paddling; may be required by leader)
• Paddle jacket
• Hat – may be useful for thermal protection, or sun protection
• Gloves – neoprene gloves or pogies in cold weather
• Sunblock, sunglasses, glasses strap
• raingear

Recommended for participants and leaders

• Flashlight
• Flotation bags
• Knife
• First Aid Kit
• Duct tape
• Spare paddle (at least 2 on each trip)
• Extra warm clothing, fleece
• Emergency food
• Matches
• Watch
• Tow system
• Charts and tide tables
• Deck compass
• Helmet (if surfing)
• Sponge
• Flares
• VHF radio
• cell phone
• Dry clothing at take out

Trip Leader Responsibilities

All coastal trips require co-leaders

Trip leader responsibilities

• Destination, route selection, rating the trip, an alternate trip if weather bad
• Determine size of trip and ratio of paddlers to leaders. Each trip will have a maximum of paddlers to be set by leader(s), no more than 4 participants to leaders.
• Determine trip leader and assistant-leader
• Written float-plan, one copy to each leader, one copy to a responsible third party, and one copy at launch site (placed on dashboard visible from outside). Sea Kayak Float Plan
• Determine if cold weather protection required, wet/dry suit, gloves, head gear
• Plan a route with knowledge of tides and currents
• All trips must be listed as a scheduled activity in an AMC publication, website or e-mail list which serve as official announcements of AMC trips, and approved by the CT AMC Flatwater/Coastal Paddling Chair
• Pre-departure assessment of participants abilities and equipment with registration by phone. Sea Kayak Sceeening Form

• Sign up with Liability Waiver (required)
• Sign up for mailing/email list (voluntary)
• No drugs or alcohol
• Check for required equipment
• Do a shared safety check; who has spare paddles, tow rigs, first aid kits, exposure gear, etc.

• Introductions
• Take a group skills and rescue inventory
• Outline trip and determine if everyone is capable, how fast to paddle, etc.
• Determine any medical or personal constraints
• Review signals and other safety issues
• Use a buddy system
• Designate leader and sweep, make sure everyone knows

• Know where everyone is
• The leaders should assess who are the strongest paddlers and who potentially may need help
• The leader and sweep need to periodically check in with each other
• Ongoing navigation
• Take charge of any rescues
• Know about beginning paddlers and provide assistance
• Determine need for changes in trip and communicate to group
• No-one paddles alone
• Set pace and determine when to take breaks
• No group division. If one or more persons leaves group without permission, they are no- longer considered part of the trip. They should be notified verbally. Both leader and assistant leader should witness.

• Everyone accounted for. See if anyone needs food or liquids. Contact person not on the trip who was given a copy of the float plan. Let them know status of trip and participants
• Help with loading up
• Publicize AMC and future trips
• The liability waiver must be forwarded to the CT AMC Flatwater/Coastal Paddling Chair
• If there is an accident or incident involving any medical attention, evacuation or outside assistance, an accident report must be written and forwarded to the CT AMC Flatwater/Coastal Paddling Chair as soon as possible. The committee chair should be notified verbally as soon as possible.

Trip leader qualifications

Leader

• Have paddled with and recommended by a member of the sea kayak committee
• Solid self-rescue and group rescue skills demonstrated in a paddle with committee members
• Basic navigation skills – knowledge of how to read a chart, use a compass, understand tides and currents, find a route
• Towing skills
• Comfortable with decision making, communication and ability to work in a group setting. Able to turn down participants who do not qualify for scheduled trip
• Has taken one safety or skills course each year on the water.
• Attends safety workshops organized by the committee
• Required reading – AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership

• Previous paddling experience
• Current paddling skills
• Current safety skills
• Skills and safety courses taken
• Leadership experience, paddling and otherwise
• Agreement to abide by committee rules

Assistant leader

• Solid paddling and safety skills for level of trip
• Be will to take leadership responsibility

General Information

Current Paddling Trips
Trip Levels and Required Equipment
Sea Kayak Screening Form
Sea Kayak Float Plan
Paddling Links
AMC Leader Documents
Join Our Email List
Flatwater Committee

All participants will be required to demonstrate basic safety skills before participating on club trips (Sea Kayak Only). Our leaders have participated in safety skills and leadership training. Please check trip levels and required equipment.

Connecticut Appalachian Trail Day Tenth Anniversary
by Dave Boone, AT Chair and Peg Peterson, Excursions Chair
with contributions from Beth Critton, Steve Braciak, and David Roberts

On a day in April, 1960, eight teams of hikers were assigned by CT-AMC Trails Committee Chairman Seymour Smith to hike a specific section of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. Each team was to note any problems or deficiencies on the section they walked, and report back at the end of the day when the teams reassembled. Using this early season first-hand information, the Trails Committee had a basis for determining and prioritizing what work needed to be completed on the Trail during the upcoming season. This was the birth of an annual Connecticut Chapter event which became known as “AT Marathon Day”. The event proved to be so popular, in addition to collecting useful information, that the Trails Committee decided that an CT Marathon Day should be conducted each spring.

Marathon Day in 1961 proved to be even more challenging. 45 members did the CT section end-to-end, but this time relay fashion. As you might imagine, to complete the entire State within a 24-hour period required some of the teams to do night hiking, which made the day even more exciting to many members!

In 1962, Marathon Day became an Chapter event (as opposed to strictly a Trails Committee effort). It became a “Marathon Weekend” with a delicious Chicken & Dumpling dinner provided to participants at Northwest Camp Saturday night. In 1966, the relay aspect was discontinued and the section assignment hikes returned, although an end of the day dinner still remained an important part of the event.

By the 1980s, Marathon Day included hikes for the entire AT in CT, followed by a social hour, pot luck supper, and then an evening program, during which each leader or someone appointed by the leader would give a short oral report on the condition of the Trail as well as the names of any wildflowers, birds, butterflies, etc. that were observed during the hike. During that time, the potluck suppers were very popular, but over the years, the logistics involving such a large scale event became too much, and in 1997, AT Marathon Day was replaced with the annual Spring work party event known today as “Give A Day to the AT.”

In 2006, Chapter Chair Beth Critton, who in addition to leading the AMC Connecticut Chapter had (and continues to have) a fondness for all things Appalachian Trail, revived the idea of a one-day celebration of the AT in Connecticut in the manner of the old AT Marathon Day, having hikers on every section on our Trail. The hikes would regroup for some food (of course!) and fellowship at the end of the day. With the support and help of then Excursions Chair David Roberts, and then (and still) AT Committee Chair Dave Boone, and past Chapter Chair Dale Geslien, AT Day in its current form was created. David mapped out several hikes to cover the entire length of the trail in CT and found leaders for each of the hikes, many of whom have led the same hike every year since. Since Macedonia Brook State Park included a part of the trail (the trail has since been rerouted), it was chosen for the after-hike celebration. David also gathered a group, now known as the AT Day All-Star BBQ Team, to handle the post-hike picnic at the pavilion. Darcy Witham, our Newsletter editor, has created posters every year since to advertise the event. Since that first CT-AMC AT Day, the celebration continues to grow. Other Chapter Committees including Biking, Mountaineering, Flatwater and Whitewater, Young Members, and Family Activities have hosted events on and near the AT.

The CT-AMC AT Day party and appetites have grown each year, and included over 150 people last year. It is the CT-AMC’s largest outdoor event of the year. This year, our 10th anniversary, we are expecting….who knows? … how many people. Hope to see you there!

Activity Leader Forms and Information

AMC Liability Release Agreement (LRA) PDF	AMC Incident Report Form (47KB)
Completed Liability Release Agreements and Incident Reports may be faxed or emailed to AMC as well as mailed. Scan and email to:   or fax to 1+(617) 523-0722. The mailing address is on the form.
Chapter Activity Financial Policy and Worksheet (June, 2012)Activity leaders who collect money from participants must read this policy and determine if it applies to their trip. Activity Financial Policy Activity Accounting Worksheet (Excel .xlsx)
See the AMC Volunteer Resources  page on Outdoors.org for the latest information on: Outdoor Leader Handbook Outdoor Leadership information Liability Release Agreement Reporting and Communications Chapter Youth Programs Trail Volunteer Information (AMC level or CT Chapter level)North Country Volunteers (Information Volunteers)

Leader Qualifications

Each activity committee has defined requirements to become a qualified leader for their events. Below are links to leader qualifications for each committee.

	Bicycling	Flatwater (inludes Sea Kayak)
	Excursions(Backpacking, Hiking and Skiing)	Mountaineering (Rock and Ice Climbing)
	Trails	Whitewater

Social Media

Join CT-AMC Facebook
Join CT-AMC Twitter
Join CT-AMC Meetup

Chapter Email Lists

Get the news on your favorite activities

CT AMC-sponsored Email lists are a great way to have news and events delivered straight to your email inbox.

Committee	Address to Join (see instructions below)
Bicycling	Receive emails for Bicycling rides
Conservation	Receive emails from the Conservation Committee
East of the River	Receive emails for EOR Mid-week Hikes and Social Events
Hiking Backpacking and Skiing	Receive emails for all CT AMC hiking and skiing events
Western CT Thursday Hikes	Receive emails for Western CT Hikes.
Flatwater & Sea Kayaking	Emails on both inland and coastal padding
Fairfield County Group	Receive emails for Fairfield County Group Social Events
Family Activities	Emails on all types of activites where familes with kids are especially welcome.
Mountaineering	Receive emails on Mountaineering events.
Northwest Camp	Receive emails about Northwest Camp
Whitewater	Receive emails on Whitewater events
Young Members	Receive emails for all YM events

How to join a CT AMC Email List and What to Expect When You Do

We are gradually moving all email lists to Constant Contact where we believe email notices will be more reliable. Some links above take you to a form on Constant Contact. Fill in your name and email and click the button. That’s all there is to it!Other links open your email program. Send a blank email to the address and follow the instructions in the email from Yahoo.All lists are for announcements only so you will receive only a few emails per month. If you reply to a message, the email goes only to the moderator who posted the message..

Activity Leader Forms and Information

AMC Liability Release Agreement (LRA) PDF	AMC Incident Report Form (47KB)
Completed Liability Release Agreements and Incident Reports may be faxed or emailed to AMC as well as mailed. Scan and email to:  or fax to 1+(617) 523-0722. The mailing address is on the form.
Chapter Activity Financial Policy and Worksheet (June, 2012)Activity leaders who collect money from participants must read this policy and determine if it applies to their trip. Activity Financial Policy Activity Accounting Worksheet (Excel .xlsx)
See the AMC Volunteer Resources  page on Outdoors.org for the latest information on: Outdoor Leader Handbook: Outdoor Leadership Information Liability Release Agreement Reporting Communications Chapter Youth Programs Trail Volunteer Information (AMC level or CT Chapter level) North Country Volunteers (Information Volunteers)

Leader Qualifications

Each activity committee has defined requirements to become a qualified leader for their events. Below are links to leader qualifications for each committee.

	Bicycling	Flatwater (inludes Sea Kayak)
	Excursions(Backpacking, Hiking and Skiing)	Mountaineering (Rock and Ice Climbing)
	Trails	Whitewater