About us
Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network (SMSKN) is an organization for ocean-going sea kayakers to meet paddling friends, learn about safe paddling, and plan trips together. We are an all-volunteer nonprofit and have been active since 1992. Our trips are mostly in the open ocean along the wild and beautiful coast of Maine. Except for some training sessions, all trips are on tidal waters.
We are an active group with trips, training sessions, and monthly membership meetings where we socialize (mostly on-line at this point) and hear interesting talks about many aspects of ocean paddling. Additional information, including recordings of past meeting presentations, are on our website, **smskn.net**, so check there for additional paddling resources. Sea kayaks with sealed bulkheads and static deck lines are required for our trips, as is the use of spray skirts, PFDs, and appropriate immersion protection and safety gear.
Most of our activity, including joining, event planning, and paying dues, is handled through our Meetup page, so please browse the upcoming and past events to learn more about us and what we do. If you're a long-boat ocean sea kayaker looking for paddling friends and skill-building opportunities within a fun and active year-round paddling community, you're in the right place. Come join us!
To join, please complete two steps:
- Join using your full name, please, on the Meetup profile. (The full name is for safety purposes.) Membership is $20 annually and helps pay for coaches, speakers, pool sessions, and other paddling resources.
- Please sign our online Participant Agreement, https://www.smskn.net/membership/participant-agreement/. Again, for safety purposes, this is required of all members.
Glen Gordon, President
Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network
Upcoming events
4
Dynamic Water Rescue Clinic with Suzanne Blackburn
Crescent Beach State Park, 109 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME, USIn conjunction with Portland Paddle ,SMSKN is offering this workshop to members only interested in gaining experience paddling in dynamic waters and developing the skills to do so confidently. The group will seek out rough-water conditions in the exposed waters by Crescent Beach and develop skills related to rock gardening, surf landing/launching, reading rough-water environments, risk assessment, and rough-water rescue techniques.
Trip Level: Intermediate. This workshop is NOT designed for novice kayakers, should be comfortable with wet exits and T-rescues before participating.Bring your full kit: Helmet (if you have one; let Suzanne know if you need one), kayak, paddle, apparel appropriate for occasional swims in 60-degree water, pfd, skirt, and secure footwear. If you have towing equipment that you'd like to practice with, please bring that too. And bring lunch!
Start time: Paddles wet by 09.30am at Crescent Beach We'll have some orientation time on the beach before launching.
Register on MeetUp and then follow the link below to register and pay
https://www.portlandpaddle.net/lessons/roughwater-ocean-paddlers/Skills Covered:
- Surf launching and landing
- T-rescue practice in waves and inside rocks
- Self rescue practice in waves and inside rocks
- Towing
If you haven't already, please complete the SMSKN participant agreement online at https://www.smskn.net/club-documents/1116-2/
8 attendees
SMSKN End of Summer 2026 Potluck and Kayak Rodeo
Winslow Memorial Park, 50 Winslow Park Way, Freeport, ME, USRegistration is now open for September 12TH!
Hi Everyone:
The Kayak Rodeo is back! Whether you're competing on the water or cheering from shore, you are sure to have fun! Aaron Kiander will again serve as the Rodeo Master, challenging your skills and bringing out your inner child to play for fun, laughter, and bragging rights!Join fellow paddlers of the Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network for a day of fun, laughter, silliness, and food, while reminiscing about all the fun events you did together this past year: learning a new skill with others in the chilly spring water, day/weekend kayaking through picturesque landscapes and hidden coves, long treks, learning to navigate or repair your kayak, attending SMSKN Socials, sharing good food at meetings. Reconnect with old friends you may have missed and make new friends and build those paddling relationships! And there will be great food! SMSKN Potlucks are always great!
It is also time for the end of season gear swap!Cost:
The park has a $3 entrance fee for non-residents and $2 for Freeport residents; 62 years or older are free; and, of course, camping is also an option at your own expense.Where:
Winslow Memorial Park & Campground, Freeport, ME
See attached map for exact location in the red square.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDtyaHCFcsrsZFsiWUo1Ze-3jrx7k42e/view?usp=sharingWhat to Expect:
Arrival Time 10 am- Gear Swap/Sale
A space will be set up with a tarp on the lawn for any gear/boats you would like to donate, swap, or sell. Please make a sign including your name, item description, and offer terms to display with your item. - Potluck Lunch: Please bring your favorite outdoor dish to share and a beverage of your choice. A grill will be available and SMSKN will provide coals, plates, bowls, cups, napkins, and utensils. See online sign up for potluck coming in August!
- SMSKN President Glen Gordon will say a few words before we hit the water.
- Rodeo: After lunch we'll hit the water for team kayak games. Aaron Kiander will be the Rodeo Master. Let's see what thrills and silliness he has planned for us this year!
** Bring your boat with all your equipment, including helmet if you have one, and plan for immersion as we have no idea what Aaron has planned for us. LOL**
Cancellation: We will keep an eye on the weather. If we need to cancel the event, we will notify everyone by 5pm on Friday the 11th. The event will be cancelled on Meetup and the notice will go to all who signed up.
10 attendees- Gear Swap/Sale
Past events
920
Group links
Members
231
