What we’re about
Simple MUSTS to participate in our paddles:
- A US Coast Guard approved PFD (Life Jacket) on and fully fastened in accord with manufacture’s specifications. This is required for participation. Inflatable PFD’s are NOT allowed. Bring a whistle and 10 feet of rope.
- Be prepared to give your emergency contact number to the host if he or she asks for it.
- Event start time is in your boat, in the water, and ready to paddle! Don’t count on the group to wait for you.
- Any paddle sport is an assumed risk sport. The risk includes serious injury or death. Paddle Killingly, although safety conscious, cannot guarantee your personal safety. Your safety and comfort is YOUR job. Having proper equipment and experience is YOUR job. Contact the Event Host if you have any questions. Paddle Killingly does NOT rent watercraft.
- Our Event Hosts may set rules specific to their events. Read the event descriptions. Follow instructions given at the launch. Check your email and the Meetup site in the days prior to an event for weather or other updates. In you change your mind about going, cancel in advance to avoid being marked a NO SHOW. If you have ANY questions, contact the host.
- Practice Clean, Drain, Dry to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Clean: Inspect and remove all plants, fish, animals, mud, and debris from boat and anything else that touched the water previously. Rinse everything. Drain: Eliminate all water from boat and all equipment. Remove drain plug, tip and drain. Dry: Let your boat and equipment dry completely before launching in another body of water.
- Paddlers using Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) must be experienced and must demonstrate that they are able to keep up with the group.
This group is governed by a core group of active and diverse members who plan and host events and guide the policies of the group. The energy and ideas of ALL our members are vital to the health of this group. To host an event, volunteer for the committee or to offer your suggestions, click on the word 'Organizers' at the top of the home page and send us a message.
Member dues are $10 per year and are voluntary. They are used to pay the fee charged by Meetup.com to maintain the group and for our popular end-of-season pizza party. Payment will be accepted at any of our events. To pay by mail click on 'Organizers' and let us know. We will send you the mailing address.
OTHER PADDLING OPPORTUNITIES: You may wish to join the Meetup group Southern New England Paddlers/SNEP which offers many more kayaking opportunities. It is the perfect way to find all the great places to paddle in Southern New England and add to your list of wonderful places to paddle. Additional recommendations are RICKA/Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association, BVPC/Blackstone Valley Paddlers Club and Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
We look forward to seeing you on the water!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Paddle, East River, Madison/GuilfordEast River , Madison, CT
This is my favorite paddle to begin the season!
Meet in the water at 12:30 pm Circle Beach Road, Madison, to make the most of the high tide for this 9 mile moderately paced up and back paddle on the East River. Lunch break at the East River Preserve. As we paddle, we will get a boost upriver with the tide and return with the help of the current and outgoing tide. Great bird sightings along the way.
Paddlers must provide their own kayak/canoe and other equipment, and should bring lunch, water and snacks. Per group policy, a zipped life jacket must be worn for the trip duration.
Rain cancels. Any weather-related changes will be published via Meetup by 7 a.m. the morning of the trip: don’t let advance forecasts scare you away — they are frequently wrong. This trip can easily be modified to shorten it, should the weather be uncooperative during the trip.
Trip overview at: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1767562
Launch website: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/gis/coastalaccessmaps/coastalaccesssite464.pdf?la=en
Directions: I-95 North to Exit 59 and right on Soundview Rd. to the traffic light. Left on Rt. 1 East and go 2.2 miles. Right on Neck Road after crossing the Neck River.
I-95 South to Exit 60 and left onto Mungertown Rd. and go 0.6 miles. Left onto Rt. 1 East and go about 0.2 miles. Make the next right onto Neck Rd. after crossing the Neck River.
From both directions: Go about 100 yards and turn right again, continuing on Neck Rd. for 1.3 miles. At the end of Neck Road, turn left on Ridgewood Ave. for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Circle Beach Rd. at the curve for 0.3 miles. The boat launch entrance (a gravel road) is on your right. Drive to the end and park in the paved lot where there is a porta-potty. You will see some directional signs along Neck Road. Some are brown and say “East River.” Others are green and say “Boat Launch.” This parking area is tricky and can flood during high tides and full moon. Park away from the launch ramp. Please let me know if you are not going to make it and have signed up or remove yourself from the attendance list thru MeetUp. 203-415-4578
