CANCELED: Paddle from the New Bodkin Creek Launch at Downs Park

Paddle from the New Bodkin Creek Launch at Downs Park

We tried to do this back in February but a severe storm forced me to cancel the event and damaged the brand new put in to the point it was closed for repairs until recently

This will be the first time any group has launched from the brand spanking new kayak launch pictured above (or not thanks to this god awful new Meetup interface) from Downs Park onto Bodkin Creek. This Anne Arundel County Car Top Boat Launch has actually existed for a number of years but at low tide you might end up in mud up to your knees. Just ask Dennis G. and Denise P. The new launch gives us a beautiful sandy ramp to get to deep water.

CKA club kayaks (including paddle and PFD) are available for this event to those willing to pay the $45.00 fee for transportation, maintenance and cleaning. Just answer YES to the reservation question when you RSVP.

Expect this to be a relatively short 9 mile paddle with a lunch/snack stop somewhere around the mid point. Be sure to pack a lunch for yourself and consider the CKA tradition of bringing a snack to share with the group. Expect the main group to be off the water by 2:30 but you can probably find a sub group that would like to extend the paddle and stay a little longer.

Very few people have had the opportunity to paddle the Bodkin because access has been difficult and extremely muddy in the past. This new launch opens up the Bodkin to everyone (willing to pay the $5.00 park entry fee). The Bodkin enters the Patapsco River right where the Patapsco enters the Chesapeake Bay. Downs Park has beautiful long sandy beaches on the Chesapeake some of which are permissible places to land a kayak.

For those of you 60 or over you can buy a lifetime pass to Downs Park, Quiet Waters Park, Fort Smallwood Park and some other land locked AA County Park for a whopping $40.00. Active and retired military get in for free. Better yet the prices work PER CAR so double up with a friend if you can. Oh and they only take CASH or CHECKS. No credit cards

Bodkin Creek and its two tributary creeks, Main Creek and Back Creek are surrounded by very nice residential neighborhoods that will make a great place to paddle if you're looking for a more protected place on a windy day. With the option to easily get out on the Chesapeake, I suspect the Bodkin will quickly become one of the most popular kayak destinations in the ares.

Our paddle plan will be determined on the day of the paddle based on weather and water conditions. We may end up out on the bay if conditions are appropriate so kayaks that are a minimum of 14 feet in length with two sealed bulkheads are required for this event.

There is a $5.00 admission fee to get in to Downs Park.

Administrative note. The VOLUNTARY $20.00 annual membership dues are now due for the 2018 season. They was an event posted earlier in the year where you could pay online. To avoid submitting those who already paid to multiple emails every week, I will not be posting it again but you can always just had me $20 when you see me