Paddle Dippings

Many of those who have been to our shop during the past six or seven years may remember “Bean”, our official Greeter and Dock Master pictured above. It is with great sadness, yet mixed with love and appreciation, to bring the news that Bean has gone to a now better life after sharing all of his seventeen years with Pat and the last seven with me.

He was never much of a kayaker and only recently seemed to enjoy being in the Whitehall while we rowed around Billington Sea. He was, however, a great hiker having bagged some impressive peaks with Pat through the years. I do recall that he helped pull me up Old Spec Mountain in Maine not too many years ago.

Always ready for a hike whether the trail was dry or buried in snow, always ready to “car camp” at Sunday River, always ready to go for a ride whether five minutes or five hours, and certainly always ready for a “treat”, especially from our very good neighbors. Bean always had a lot of heart. At the end, he still had a lot of heart even though everything else was failing.

So run the trails again like a young pup, Bean, and know that you are loved and missed dearly. We are fortunate to have enjoyed life with you.

We are offering this new activity at our shop this season. Available from late Spring through mid Fall, these guided evening paddle trips on Billington Sea will feature information on the wildlife and history of Plymouth’s second largest pond. The trips can be scheduled on weekday evenings at 5:30 pm and will last about 2-2 1/2 hours. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and the trips will be limited to no more than six people. The cost is $35 per person and includes the kayak or canoe, PFD, paddle, brief instruction and guide. We have single or tandem kayaks, or canoes available. The kayaks we use are stable and very user-friendly. Please read more info below.

EVENING PADDLES ON BILLINGTON SEA

Come and enjoy the peacefulness of kayaking or canoeing on Plymouth’s second largest (269 acres) pond. Feel the cares and stress of the day fade as late afternoon and evening’s magic enhances the beauty of the pond and surrounding shoreline. Learn about the history of Billington Sea and the wildlife that inhabits the area.

Since each season has it’s own beauty and uniqueness. we offer these guided tours beginning in late Spring and are available through mid Fall.

Bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages and join us around the boathouse after the paddle for interesting conversation.

Billington Sea Kayak is offering evening paddles for up to six people.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable clothing & watershoes
Snacks and drinks
Eyeglass cords
Insect repellent
And… A sense of adventure

WHERE
Billington Sea Kayak
Plymouth, MA 02360

WHEN
5:30 pm, Weekday evenings (weather permitting) from late Spring through mid Fall.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

COST
$35 person. Trips are limited to no more than 6 people.

DIRECTIOS
Please see our “Location” page on this web site for accurate directions or call our shop at 508-746-5644.

Please call BILLINGTON SEA KAYAK
for scheduling and reservations

800-286-0083 or 508-746-5644
www.billingtonseakayak.com
email dgray@billingtonseakayak.com

Time again to start thing about this great event! Start training now by giving up those after work naps, the two jelly donuts in the mornings and the “Maybe I’ll get out paddling next week.” procrastination. Check your gear over, wash and polish? the kayak and get out there paddling! It’s a good time for a good cause!! The North and South Rivers Watershed Association is a very worthwhile proactive group that has and continues to monitor and improve that watershed system. Please support them and do something for yourself at the same time.

NSRWA’s 18th Annual River Challenge

The Great River Race

North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Inc.
.Norwell, MA • 781-659-8168 • www.nsrwa.org

IMPORTANT RACE INFORMATION
All skill levels are invited to participate in the NSRWA’s 18th Annual Great River Race – from novice to racer. Non-motorized vessels including canoes, kayaks and rowboats participate in the race, piloted by people of all ages. (Participants 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.) The race is fun, challenging and a great way for an individual or the whole family to get out and enjoy and help us promote the rivers!
We also will have the “Best Decorated Boat or Boater” award for the less serious, but creative paddler.
STARTING LINE
Registration begins at 11:30 AM. The race begins at 1:00 PM. The starting line is at the Union Street Bridge (USB) on the Marshfield/Norwell line. Take out is at the Hanover Canoe Launch, approximately one mile up river from the Washington Street Bridge “finish line” on the Hanover/Pembroke Line. The race course is about 6.5 miles.
TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS
No official shuttling service will by offered by the NSRWA, so please make sure your transportation is taken care of. Those racing, and arriving early, can pre-stage shuttle vehicles at the Hanover Canoe Launch take out, or catch a ride with a friend back to Union Street after the race.
AWARDS CELEBRATION
After the race, join us as the fun continues at the Awards Celebration that will be held at McGreal’s Tavern, 690 Main Street (entrance in rear, on West Street) in Norwell Center (near the start of the race) from 3:30- 5 pm. Trophies and ribbons will given to the top three winners in each category. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

REGISTRATION FORM
MNSRWA’s 18th Annual River Challenge –The Great River Race
Saturday, August 2, 2008

Please complete this form (both sides) and mail to:
:NSRWA/GRR, PO Box 43, NORWELL, MA 02061

Participant Information
Name #1: ______________________ Age: _____ M or F (circle one)
Name #2:______________________ Age: _____ M or F (circle one)
Name #3: ______________________ Age: _____ M or F (circle one)
Telephone: ________________________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ___________________________________________ City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip _____________
NOTE: ALL RACERS MUST WEAR PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Division
❒ Rowing (Sliding Seat Single)
❒ Canoe double (men)
❒ Rowing (Fixed Seat Double)
❒ Canoe double (women)
❒ Rowing (Fixed Seat Single)
❒ Canoe double (mixed: M/F)
❒ Racing Kayak
❒ Canoe family (at least 1 child under age 16)
❒ Kayak single (men)
❒ *Senior Division (65+ Specify
❒ Kayak single (women)
vessel type) ________________
❒ Kayak double (all)
❒ Best Decorated Boat (or Boater)
* Best Senior time in each category will be recognized.
Pre-Registration Donation– Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Donation is per craft and includes one T-shirt (Additional T-shirts are available at $10 each). $25 donation per craft for NSRWA members • $30 donation per craft for non-members
Registration on Race Day
Registration on the race day will be $30 donation per craft, regardless of member status. The race begins at 1:00 PM. If not pre-registered, please arrive by noon to ensure participation in the race.
Registration Donation
Member per Craft @ $25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .= ______ Non-Member per Craft @ $30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .= ______ One T- shirt (included) Medium ____ Large___ X-Large ____ Additional T-shirts:#_____ in size Medium@ $10 each . . . .= $______
#_____ in size Large @ $10 each . . . . = $______
#_____ in size X-Large @ $10 each . . = $______ Total amount enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .= $______
Make checks payable to: NSRWA, P.O. Box 43 Norwell, MA 02061

ABOUT THE NSRWA
The North & South Rivers Watershed Association, incorporated in 1970, aims to make the North & South Rivers and their tributaries accessable to all the people in our watershed, in addition to protecting and preserving these beautiful resources. For more information about the NSRWA, contact our office at 781-659-8168, e-mail us at paula@nsrwa.org, or visit www.nsrwa.org

DIRECTIONS

Union Street Bridge Starting Line

• From Route 3, exit 12: Follow Route 139 East to Mobil Gas Station. Turn left onto Union Street, and follow Union Street to the North River

• From Route 3, Exit 13: Follow Route 53 North to Route 123. Follow Route 123 East through Norwell Center, turn right onto Bridge Street and follow to the North River.
Hanover Canoe Launch Take-out

• From the Union Street Bridge, follow Bridge Street (Norwell) to Route 123. Turn left onto Route 123. Follow Route 123 for less than 1 mile. Bear left onto Dover Street, which leads onto River Street. Follow River Street through Hanover Four Corners to Route 53. Cross Route 53 onto Broadway. At the fork, bear left onto Elm Street. Follow Elm Street and take a left just before crossing stone bridge onto Indian Head Drive, then follow to the end.
Washington Street Bridge To view the finish line

• From the Union Street Bridge, follow Bridge Street (Norwell) to Route 123. Turn left onto Route 123. Follow Route 123 for less than 1 mile. Bear left onto Dover Street, which leads onto River Street. Follow River Street to Hanover Four Corners. Take a left onto Washington Street and follow to the North River.

McGreal’s Tavern Awards Celebration
• From the Washington Street Bridge, follow Washington Street to Hanover Four Corners. Take a right onto River Street, and follow River Street toward Norwell Center. Bear right onto Dover Street, then take the next left onto West Street. McGreal’s Tavern is on the right.

On Sunday, June 8, we will be hosting the Little Wing Kayaks from Warren Light Craft at our demos here at our shop on Billington Sea. Ted and Zack Warren and others from their staff will be on hand to explain the revolutionary design of the Little Wing series and answer any questions regarding these great handling, well-built, lightweight kayaks. Please come by to try out these remarkably stabile, fast and so, so light kayaks. Read more about them on our Kayaks 2008 page or go to www.warrenlightcraft.com for more information. Demos are from 11to 4 on Sunday.

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this info, but here we are in a new year and no matter what the economy, the presidential primaries or world issues are… the water is still out there for us!

I think that paddlesports for all of us this season will offer more of a chance for us to step out of the ever-increasing compexities, pressures and sometimes insanities of life today, if only for a brief but calming time.

The Plymouth Harbor Paddles have started for the season. They will be held on alternate Wednesday late afternoons, meeting at Stephen’s Field (a recreation area on the harbor in Plymouth) at 5 pm. The proposed dates for these paddles are April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20. After that we will have to readjust the Wednesday schedule because we will be out of sequence with the tides. The trips are actually run by Eileen Kelliher, or myself when she is unavailable. These trips are designed for folks who have perferably 12′ or longer kayaks and have some experience in paddling sometimes windy and/or choppy water conditions. These trips tend to be of a laid-back nature and there are always very experienced paddlers present that can offer suggestions on paddling technique to novice paddlers. Most often, we paddle for 2-2 1/2 hours and then go somewhere afterward for pizza and conversation. A great mid-week respite. When there is a question of weather, we usually still meet at Stephen’s Field, make a decision and, if not to paddle, then we go to pizza earlier. We always try to err on the side of safety. If you are interested in these outings and want to be on the emailing list, please forward your email addresses to me and I’ll ask Eileen to add them to her broadcast list. Hope to see you on some of these paddles.