- · Trip Level: L3+
- · Mileage: 8-15 miles/day
- · Maximum Currents: <3 kts typically but stronger currents (3-7 kts) may be encountered in the inlets.
- · Pace: 2.5 – 3 kts
- · Availability: 12 (18 capacity)
- · Sponsors & Trip Leaders: Tony Pascuzzi & Nicole Robinson
- · Assistant Leaders: Dave Nord, Jim Heichelbech, Linda Decker
Participants will need to reserve their own campsites, which will go quickly. Several of us have reservations in the “B” loop – sites B09, B11, B12. I have an extra site (site B09 - full hookup) for 4/19-4/27. Contact me if you would like this site. See link below for camping reservations. Arrive Saturday, 4/19 (or sooner) and depart Saturday or Sunday, 4/26-27. Paddling, hiking, biking, and sightseeing Sunday, 4/20 – Saturday, 4/26.
Leader’s notes
This is a new location for the club so it will basically be a scouting trip. I've received excellent information from the organizer and primary coach of the Kiptopeke Sea Kayaking Symposium.
We will base camp at Kiptopeke State Park campground and do day paddles on Chesapeake Bay and the ocean. Bay side paddles will range from flat calm and protected to windy with 1-2' waves. Ocean side paddling will be more challenging with surf, current, tide races and the wave train. There are also plenty of islands to explore as well on the ocean side with moderate currents and tide to contend with.
If conditions are favorable and participants would like to do some rough water play, we will plan accordingly. Currents through Smith Island Inlet can run from 3 - 7 kts, so the we'll go through the inlet with the currents.
This trip will also offer participants casual opportunities to practice surf launching & landing, paddling in wind, turning in wind, draw strokes, rudder strokes (bow & stern), bracing, edging and boat control, rolling and sculling. We hope to encourage some fun learning opportunities as we explore. Due to the weather and other factors, the itinerary will be determined each day and communicated to participants as far in advance as the forecasts reasonably allow. All day trips are subject to change to maintain kayaker safety. Participants can choose whether or not to join each day’s scheduled trip. Trip Leaders may restrict or redirect individual participants on any given day, if necessary, to maximize individual and group safety. If the weather makes padding unreasonable, there are lots of biking and hiking opportunities nearby.
Required Equipment
- Sea kayaks 15’ or longer with full perimeter deck lines, sealed fore and aft bulkheads and/or floatation in both ends of the kayak·
- USCG approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
- Drysuit or wetsuit with dry top/splash top
- Spray skirt
- Bilge pump with floatation
- Self-rescue paddle float
- Waterproof whistle
- Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally
- Storm cag or poncho
- Extra food and water
- Sunscreen
- Change of clothes
- VHF Radio (recommended), InReach or PLB (if you own one).
- Everything not mentioned above but listed in the following link is good to have: https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/what-are-the-ten-essentials
Participants must be able to:
- Safely exit their kayak while wearing a spray skirt and participate in an assisted rescue.
- Maintain a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph in L3 conditions in any wind or wave direction.
- Paddle for up to 3 hours without landing. (Expect 4-7 hours of paddling each day)
Trip Level Guide 1-2021.docx
Registration is conditional upon final approval by the Trip Leader. The Trip Leader may communicate with you to assess whether your skills & equipment are appropriate for the conditions. Please contact the trip leader with any questions.
Registration: Register here and e-mail Tony Pascuzzi @ izzucsap@yahoo.com
Reference / Reservation links:
· VA State Parks - https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/reservations
· Eastern Shore Virginia Water Trails map - https://virginiawatertrails.org/eastern-shore/
· Deep Zoom for currents and tides - https://www.deepzoom.com/
