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- Courtesy Post-NSPN New to Sea Kayaking WorkshopNeeds location
NSPN will be holding its annual New to Sea Kayaking Workshop at Camp Paradise, 44 Cole St, Beverly, MA 01915. This event is designed for a wide audience, from those who have never paddled any kind of boat, to others who may have paddled their own boat or rentals in calm locations, or white water paddlers. Regardless of your experience, if you are interested in knowing more about sea kayaking, this is a great opportunity. At the workshop, we will give a general overview of sea kayaking, look at boat options, paddles, other essential gear, clothing, and more. It is free and open to the general public, NSPN membership is not required, but for those who want to join the club, cost is $15 for 12 months. Workshop details:
- Please register at this link: NSPN New to Sea Kayaking Workshop
- Date - May 31, 2025
- Please arrive at 9:30 so you can be in the building and seated by 10:00.
- Presentations will begin promptly at 10:00 am.
- A free lunch will be provided if you register online in advance or arrive at 9:30 to register in person the morning of the event.
- The event will end around 2:30-3:00 pm.
- Location - Camp Paradise, 44 Cole St, Beverly, MA 01915
NTSKW Topics of Discussion
- What is sea kayaking & making the transition from ponds, small lakes & other calm water locations.
- Choosing a kayak that fits the type of paddling you plan to do most of the time.
- Like kayaks, paddles come in different styles and have related functions.
- Other essential gear, PFDs, spray skirts & communication devices.
- Kayak specific clothing and why you’ll want to wear it.
- Before you get on-the-water: weather considerations, chart use, general route & paddling capacities. (Info in a handout).
- NSPN club membership & benefits (Info in a handout).
- Methods of carrying, lifting and transporting kayaks demonstrated by NSPN volunteers.
- Although we won't be getting on-the-water for this workshop, we'll follow-up with paddling opportunities for attendees
