What we’re about
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+)
See all- Post Coffee Paddle around Richmond Island from Kettle CoveKettle Cove State Park, Cape Elizabeth, ME
Come down to Kettle Cove and paddle with us after the Kayaks and Coffee gathering on Saturday morning. Better yet, join us for coffee at 7:00 AM before we launch!
It will be a relaxed paddle around Richmond Island from Kettle Cove with no set agenda other than to get our paddles wet and enjoy the ocean. Total distance should be 5-7 nm and pace will be casual.
Butts in Boats by 8:15 AM should get us back before noon and leaves the rest of the day for those weekend chores!
Bring a fully equipped 14+ foot sea kayak with plenty of flotation, PFD, safety gear and dress for immersion. Helmet required if you plan to play near the rocks.
There’s some possibility of light rain but nothing that will keep us off the water as long as we dress accordingly.
Low Tide at 7:30 AM. Weather says: “Variable winds 5 kt or less. Scattered showers, mainly before 3pm. Seas around 2 ft.”
