Kayak, Canoe, SUP on Lake Lefferts - and Dim Sum!

Update 06/25/26: Change in Date
Latest weather forecasts for Saturday, June 27, vacillate between 50% to 80% chance of rain. So, this event is being shifted to Sunday, June 28, when no rain is forecast. Hope everyone who has RSVP’d can accommodate this change. If you can't, please update your RSVP accordingly.

O.K., by popular demand, instead of cycling this Saturday, we’ll do another paddling event at, also by popular demand, Lake Lefferts in Matawan. Its popularity is due to the existence of a rental facility right next to the boat launch for anyone needing to rent a kayak or canoe – no paddle boards available. And another reason for its popularity (at least with the event host and some of the other paddlers) is that it’s not far from one of the best places in NJ to get a great Chinese dim sum lunch, the West Lake Plum House! And that’s where we'll be headed when we get out of the water.

Meetup location is the boat launch which is on the south side of Ravine Dr. about 50 ft. from where it intersects with Matawan Ave. (see the meetup Location Map). Note that it looks like you can park your car there at the boat launch BUT you CAN’T so, DON’T! The actual parking lot is located across the road on the corner of Ravine Dr. and Matawan Ave. The rental facility opens at 10:00 AM, but, anyone wanting to rent should figure on arriving at 9:45 AM as the facility is small – less than half the size of either the Griggstown or Princeton rental facilities – so there’s a real risk that it will “sell out” of rentals.

So, anyone renting AND anyone bringing an INFLATABLE kayak or SUP, must arrive early (at least by 10:00 AM) to rent, or fully inflate, your watercraft by 10:30 AM. We want to be in the water and paddling no later than 10:45. If and when you are ready to go, you can launch yourself and your craft into the water BUT, please remember that this is a GROUP EVENT and be courteous and considerate of the others who haven't gotten into the water yet and WAIT for them - don't just take off on your own like an impatient little kid. We'll do one circuit of the lake, a distance of about 3 miles which will take about two hours to do. So, we’ll be heading over to the Plum House at about 1:00 PM.

The max number of participants for this event is 20. As usual, if you end up on the “going” list and change your plans, please be considerate of the people on the “waitlist” and update your RSVP to "not going" ASAP so that the next person in line can get the spot you vacated… thanks.

As always, attendance at this and all other Meetup events, is at the risk of the attendee who waives all rights to hold any and all event hosts, organizers and leaders liable for any injury, loss or damage sustained in the event of any accident or mishap.