Hi All,
It is time again to think about the "Paddle the Border" event coming soon to a "Big" River near you. Instead of me going on about it see the following by Mike Thomas of the Newbury Conservation Committee:-
Paddle the Border Spring Sunday May 17th
PADDLE THE BORDER
Paddle the Border: A canoe and kayak paddle on the Connecticut River held in May and October. This event’s sponsors include Newbury Conservation Commission, Bradford Conservation Commission, Haverhill Recreation Commission, & Lower Cohase Chamber of Commerce. The Paddle is followed by a cookout provided by the Wells River/Woodsville Rotary Club, live musical entertainment, by the Strawberry Farm Band and displays set up by Community groups to promote historical, cultural, educational, and environmental information about the Connecticut River Valley.
PTB SPRING 2015 SUNDAY MAY 17TH : The Spring Paddle goes from Woodsville Community Field in Woodsville, to the Bedell Bridge State Park Boat Launch off Route 10, Haverhill Corner, NH
There is a shuttle service from the take out, to the launch sight. This Shuttle Service is provide by Butler Bus Company (we thank them): The Shuttle Service is available from 10am to 11am; This gives us a suggested launch time of 10:30 to 11:30am. The approximate paddle time for the spring and fall paddle is 3-1/2 hours.
All events are weather permitting, and all participants must abide by safe boating rules and regulations. So come, meet new friends and fellow paddlers, whatever the reason join the fun for Paddle the Border.
A few things to know about Paddle the Border
1. When: Twice a year [weather permitting]
SPRING Sunday before Memorial Day Weekend FALL 1st Sunday in October.
2. Where:
SPRING Launch at the Community field off Rt. 135 Woodsville, N.H.
Take out at the Bedell Bridge State Park off Rt. 10 Haverhill Corner N.H.
Fall Launch Newbury Boat Landing Newbury-Haverhill Crossing [between Rt. 5 Vt. Rt. 10 N.H.]
Take out Bugbee Landing Bradford Community Field [behind Bradford town office /beside the Bradford Golf Club]
3. Estimated time of paddle: Spring & Fall 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours [ can be longer on sunny days / Well Ya! ]
4. Shuttle: FREE From take out to launch site. 10-11:00 am [ Spring & Fall] Drop boat, gear, and passengers off at launch site, drive to take out, a bus will bring you back to launch site. Travel time +- 1/2 hour with drop off and traffic. Volunteers will be at launch site to help unload boats and watch gear for you.
5. River Rating: The Connecticut River is Rated Class 1, in the area covered by PTB Rivers are rated Class I - VI, Class I: Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. As river difficulty increases, the danger to swimming paddlers becomes more severe. As rapids become longer and more continuous, the challenge increases. We will not hold the event when the water is extremely high or we deem the River to be unsafe for any reason.
6. Gear: Life Vest - They do Work! Canoes, Kayaks, [Paddles are helpful] [ Tubes, Floats, Inexpensive blow-up boats are not safe for an event like PTB and will not be allowed, ] Yes Safety First Suggestions: Dry Bag, a water proof storage bag [ check your local sporting goods store] for carrying - Snack & Drink- it is a 3 hour trip, Sunscreen [ Oh yes we hope ] Camera - Binoculars, Change of Clothing the water is still cold, What if? Helpful Hint: change of socks & foot ware in your car at take out. Warm Feet Good!
7. Experience: ??? know yourself. It is a 3+/- hour trip, Are you a beginner? Do you have confidence to handle yourself and your boat? Great, go for it! Never been in a boat? Think about it? warm summer day a lake, we want you to learn the sport and have fun with it. All boaters at some point should go to a lake [ on a warm day] and tip your boat over, and learn what to do to get to shore!
Helpful Hints: Stay in groups, this is a great events for meeting new friends and fellow paddlers. If you do tip, hold on to your paddle, stay calm, [ Of course your life vest is on] roll your boat over [to create an air pocket ] and slide up- part way on it and swim to shore. Don't grab on to someone's boat and try to pull yourself in. If someone near you tips over, talk to them help them stay calm, help collect their gear, and if need be let them "Gentle" hold on to the side of your boat and ferry them to shore. More boats flip trying to help someone else. Wind, a strong wind in the face can make for a long day on the water. To help beat the wind paddle close to shore. It's good to stretch out and limber up before you paddle, and to stop a few times to stretch the limbs.
Feb 11, 2025, 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Introduction to the BibleFeb 12, 2025, 6 to 8 PM
Community Conversation: Vermont's Civic Health IndexFeb 13, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 PM