By David Cohen
The North Shore Kayak Club begins its 14th season with another open organizational and planning meeting including a club information session for newcomers. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hagedorn Room on the top floor of the Port Washington Public Library. This meeting is open to all kayak enthusiasts and enthusiast wannabes.
The North Shore Kayak Club is a recreational, flat-water (as opposed to white water—but not always so flat), adult kayakers who look forward to the physical, as well as the social side of paddling together as a group. The club is comprised of experienced kayakers who enjoy the beauty and serenity of our local waterways and look forward to trips farther afield as well. Club paddles vary in length from about six miles to 12 miles.
The club began life in July, 2004 as the Twin Pines Kayak Club in Port Washington, with semi-weekly paddles held primarily on Manhasset Bay. As the group evolved, attracting members from Manhasset, Great Neck, Plandome and northern Queens, it was renamed the North Shore Kayak Club. Paddles are held usually twice weekly from June through October, including evening paddles scheduled most Wednesday nights. Full moon paddles are always a treat.
Like professional sports teams, the club has a combination of home and away events. Home paddles typically start out on Manhasset Bay; while away paddles can occur anywhere from Stony Brook Harbor to the Connetquot River to Little Neck Bay to the Hudson River in Westchester County to the Mohawk River upstate. All club members have an input to trip sites. Strict water safety guidelines are adhered to on every outing.
The club also makes a conscious effort to “give back” to the community each year. From volunteering at the annual Port Washington Third Grade Model Boat Regatta, to helping out as spotters at the Community Chest Kayak Run, to participating in an annual beach cleanup organized by the American Littoral Society, the club feels it is important to be good citizens, as well as safe paddlers.
Follow the club on the North Shore Kayak Club’s Facebook page which leads you to Member Planet where anyone can sign up for free (click on the blue “Sign up” button in the bottom right corner of the club’s logo banner). Read about the planned activities and view reports and pictures of past trips. Contact Alan Elton at nskc.info@gmail.com for additional information, if needed.
