About us
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
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Quinnipiac River and Marsh, North Haven
Quinnipiac River WMA, 379 Sackett Point Road, North Haven, CT, USMeet at 9:30 a.m. to launch by 9:50 a.m. from the Quinnipiac River Wildlife Management Area boat launch, 379 Sackett Point Rd., North Haven, to make best use of the 10:48 a.m. low tide. The launch is accessed by a BUMPY dirt road with NO sign at Sackett Point Rd. Drive SLOWLY down this sorry excuse for a road, no more than 5 mph, otherwise you risk launching your boat from your roof!
This is a moderate-paced 9-mile paddle exploring narrow channels in the tidal marsh, returning along the winding curves of the Quinnipiac River. Lunch may be back at the launch or another place along the river. There is an easy option to shorten the trip to 4 miles by exiting as we pass the launch. For those who do the full trip, we will paddle as far north as the Route 5 bridge. The Audubon Society has designed the tidal portion of the river as an Important Bird Area due to its high concentration of migratory birds. Enjoy views of East Rock and the Sleeping Giant. There is no porta-potty at the launch, so plan accordingly.
Paddlers must provide their own kayak/canoe and other equipment, and should bring lunch, water and snacks. Per group policy, a life jacket must be worn for the trip duration. Rain cancels. Any weather-related changes will be published via email by 7 a.m. the morning of the trip: don’t let advance forecasts scare you away — they are frequently wrong.
Quinnipiac River canoe guide: http://www.qrwa.org/images/customer-files/CanoeNRGuide.pdf
Long Island Sound study: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/2012/10/quinnipiac-river/
GPS overview: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44137387 and
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/15981710872
Directions:
I-91 North, Exit 9: Left on Montowese Ave., then right on Universal Drive North for 1.3 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Left on the dirt road between the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property and the multi-styled fences for the Frankson Fence Company. The launch is a short distance from the road.
I-95 South, Exit 10 to Route 40 North to Exit 1. Right off the ramp, then the next right on Route 5 South for 0.8 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.
Route 15 North, Exit 50: Left on Dixwell Ave. for 0.9 miles. Right on Skiff St. for 1.6 miles. Left on State St. for 0.3 miles. Right on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.
Route 15 South, Exit 53: Left on Hartford Tpke. for 1.5 miles. Left on School St., Next right on State St. for 0.3 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.4 attendees
Enders Island >< Costello's Clam Shack, Noank #2
St. Edmund's Retreat at Enders Island, Enders Island, (Mason's Island Road - Bear left at all forks and follow the signs for Enders Island), Mystic, CT, USMeet at St Edmunds Retreat Center, Enders Is., Mystic, CT
X New Haven: I-95 - Exit 90. Right onto Route 27, passing Mystic Seaport. Turn left at the end of Route 27 onto Route 1. Turn right at the first traffic light on Mason's Is Rd, bear left at all the forks on Mason's Is. Park in dirt lot to left after crossing Enders Is. bridge.
X Providence: I-95 - Exit 90. Left onto Route 27, passing Mystic Seaport. Turn left at the end of Route 27 onto Route 1. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Mason's Is Rd, bear left at all the forks on Mason's Is. Park in dirt lot to left after crossing Enders Is. bridge.
Please arrive by 10:00 am and be in your boat, on the water, by 10:30 am.
Required: PFD on and fastened, whistle, change of clothes, 10 feet of light rope and emergency contact info if your host asks for it.
Stay hydrated. Dress appropriately. Water is still cold.
Bring $$, lots of water, any snacks you require.
Lunching at Costello's Clam Shack, Noank.
We'll decide on our route, t/b/d by tide & wind, just prior to putting in. We'll paddle shoreline and coves of Mason's Island, Mystic River, all possibilities!
This paddle includes open and often choppy water (Fishers Island Sound), passage through marinas and crossing busy boat channels. Kayaks 10' long and up recommended.
Running late/need to cancel day of the trip? Please let us know. We will depart promptly at time noted. Host will check MeetUp before 10:00am.10 attendees
Past events
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