2019 DelMarVa Paddlers Retreat
Here is a quick update of all that will be happening at the 31st Annual Delmarva Paddlers Retreat, Oct 10-13, 2019. It’s looking to be another great year with excellent guests. Details are on delmarvapaddlersretreat.org.

The Retreat is loaded up with Guests this year. This is the year of strong women paddlers.
o Susan Conrad is the guest speaker. She is a “Women Who Paddle Ambassador” and among many other paddling achievements she has paddled the Inside Passage and written a book about it.
o Helen Wilson is joining in. When she’s not being installed as the new Qajaq USA President here at its annual board meeting she’ll be instructing on the beach.
o Kevin and Nicky Mansell from Sea Paddler in the UK will be participating and have offered a very generous and intriguing donation to the auction. Details will be posted soon on the website.
o Jannie Heegaard’s back this year helping Anders with the kayak build and then instruction. Come join her in kayak ballet!
o Yoga, lead by Jaqueline and Christopher Crowhurst. Bring your mats.

Historically, Inuit communities made mostly everything that they used. The Retreat continues this year with maker workshops to support and honor these "handcrafted" traditions.
o Anders’ Skin on Frame building class is full.
o Chuck Smith will be leading a Harpoon Making class. You know you’ve always wanted one!
o Don Beale of Beale Paddles is leading a paddle making workshop.
o Jane and Kathy are doing an aquillisaq making workshop. Sign up at the website.
o Look for a floating class on making float bags. If you have ever swamped your SOF then you know how important either a seasock or a float bag can be.
o There will be a steam bending workshop and a skinning demonstration.

Mike Hamilton is again heading up the mentors at this very mentor rich event. The retreat is the last of the yearly Qajaq USA events and all mentors are encouraged to attend. There are generally about twice as many as needed, so they also get to learn from each other. Rolling classes are often 1:1
Some of the classes that are being planned; the final schedule will be posted on the website closer to the event.

o Forward and Advanced Stroke
o Kayak Ballet or Fun with Greenland Paddle w/ Jannie Heegaard
o Rescues without wet exiting 
o Rescues and towing
o Kayak Repair and Maintenance
o Edging and Bracing
o Getting into Skin on Frame Qajaqs
o Combat Rolling
o Hunting Strokes and other variations
o And of course Rolling in 30+ flavors

· Tentative schedules will be posted on the website; they are being regularly updated as things change or get added.
Look for the Sides Bros, Dubside and Dave, on the ropes.
Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats is expecting early arrivers for dinner Wednesday. 7:00 pm sharp at the brew pub.
Peter Gengler’ “Getting into Peter’s Shorts” returns. He’s always looking for videos, contact us or bring them with you.


Delmarva Paddlers Retreat- October, Rehoboth Beach, DE. The original QUSA event, you will find all of the best here. Beautiful paddling, a high energy event. The skilled staff has an incredible knowledge base for all things Inuit. Pick your area of interest, there will be someone there who knows!

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Steve Chard Has Finished!
On Friday, August 16, 2019, Steve Chard completed his epic voyage, kayaking more than 5000 miles to finish his “Great Loop” adventure. The final leg was a short, 5.9 nm trip up Halifax Harbor, N.S. We have followed Steve's adventures since even before he started in June, 2018. Steve asks us to remember he is doing this for charity and to please donate:
Steve's Charities HMCS Sackville Memorial Trust (CAN)
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance (UK)
Weldmar Hotopspicecare Trust, Dorchester, Dorset (UK)
Kidney Research UK
Walking With The Wounded (UK)
Disabled American Veterans (USA)
American Kidney Fund (USA)
USN Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, Conn.

We here at Atlantic Coastal Kayaker congratulate Steve on his amazing achievement.


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Explore Florida’s Scenic Waterways

Paddle Florida is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting water and wildlife conservation, spring restor ation, and waterways protection across Florida. It offers several paddling trips every year on Florida’s wild and scenic rivers and coastlines. Many fill early so be sure to register far ahead of the deadline. Here are the 2019-20 trips starting in October.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail October 18-23, 2019: Celebrate Florida's version of autumn on its most famous river. The trip spans 65 miles of the scenic Suwannee and a portion of the (northern) Withlacoochee, from Madison Blue Spring to Branford. This section features dozens of clear blue springs perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Register by: October 4

Flagler Coastal Wildlife Festival November 1-3, 2019: Paddle with dolphins, meet rescued sea turtles, and float by historic forts as you immerse yourself in the rich cultural history and natural beauty of Florida's northeast coast. Register by: October 18 

Wekiva/St. John's River Ramble December 5-8, 2019: Join us for a paddle down the iconic Rock Springs Run, back to Wekiva Springs State Park, and on to Wilson's Landing in Seminole County as we camp in rustic cabins for the first two nights and at Wilson's Landing on the way to the finish at Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County. At a total of less than 30 miles, this trip is perfect for beginners to paddle camping. Register by: November 21

Florida Keys Challenge January 15-22, 2020: Paddle the azure coastal waters of the Middle Florida Keys, including the length of the famed 7-Mile Bridge, explore mangrove tunnels, and watch sea turtle surface beside your kayak, and enjoy a snorkeling trip out to Looe Key. Register by: January 1

Wild, Wonderful Withlacoochee February 13-18, 2020 : Beginning at Lake Panasoffkee, paddlers will thread their way through hardwood swamps and tannic streams on a 60-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The adventure includes a side trip to the colorful Rainbow River and its world class first magnitude spring. Register by: February 1

Choctawhatchee Challenge March 13-19, 2020: Get away from it all into the heart of the Panhandle as we paddle 86 miles of the mighty Choctawhatchee. This is a journey into Wild Florida where wildlife far outnumber humans, and paddlers can stumble upon spectacular springs.   Register by: February 28

Suwannee River Paddling Festival April 3-5, 2020: With camping atop the bluff overlooking two beautiful rivers, our season-capping festival takes place at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak. The weekend will offer supported 8-12 mile paddling options on both the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a concert featuring Paddle Florida's favorite musicians, and educational presentations from regional waterway experts.  Register by: March 20

Earth Day Celebration: Flori-Bama Expedition on the Perdido River April 11-16, 2020 : Paddling the Florida/Alabama border, enjoy beach camping along a cozy meandering river to the more open waters of Perdido Bay as we explore the most diverse set of ecosystems of the season. Register by: March 28

Earth Day Celebration: Springtime on the Ochlockonee April 18-22, 2020: From wild Tupelo honey to fresh Gulf oysters, experience the Panhandle's Ochlockonee River which winds through state and national forest lands on 76 miles of Florida's most remote wilderness river trail. Register by: April 2

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Photo courtesy of Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Delaware River Sojourn Plans for 2020

The Delaware River Sojourn combines guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie. Participants may sign up for the entire trip or for the days of their choice; all skill levels welcome. It takes place over an eight-day time frame every June and has been offered for 25 years. Planning has already started for the 2020 season and signing up partners. One such partner is the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, which helps plan the Upper Delaware days. The Conservancy is an accredited land trust working in Upper Delaware River region of Pennsylvania and New York. Since the organization was founded in 1994, it has protected more than 15,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters, and wildlife habitat. The Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the natural heritage and quality of life in the Upper Delaware River region in partnership with the region’s landowners and communities, and offers year-round quality educational programs to connect people of all ages to the land and support a sustainable local economy. For more information, delawareriversojourn.com.

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Dad's Bay, Everglades National Park. Photo by Tamsin Venn.

Entrance Fee for the Everglades

The fee changes at Everglades National Park are part of a broad National Park Service initiative to standardize fee rates across the country. As part of ongoing efforts to address aging park infrastructure and improve the visitor experience, entrance fee changes will be phased in over the next two years. In response to public comments on a national fee proposal released in October 2017, there will be a modest increase for all entrance fee-charging parks, rather than the higher peak-season fees initially proposed in 2018 for 17 highly-visited national parks. Starting Jan. 1, the fees are as follows: vehicle $35 (7-day pass); human-powered paddlecraft $20 (7-day pass); Everglades Annual Pass $70 (12 months); backcountry permit $15/permit plus $2 per person a night. Boat launch fees have been eliminated. Entrance is free for persons 15 and under and those who hold the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

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MITA cleanup. Photo by Tamsin Venn.

MITA Fall Cleanups

The Maine Island Trail has scheduled a fall clean-up for Saturday, Sept. 21 – Muscongus Bay.Visit mita.org/cleanups  to sign up. There is also a work day at Petit Manan Point on Sept. 14 with a weather date Sept. 28. Check status and sign up directly with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (207) 546-2124 x 10 or teressa_cultrera@fws.gov

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Enjoy Fall Colors on the Mystic River

Charles River Canoe and Kayak in the Boston area opened a new venue this past summer in Medford to explore the Mystic River. You can paddle the full seven miles of the river, including skyline views and access to scenic lakes and the Shannon Beach swimming and picnic area or head in the opposite direction toward the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse. The Mystic River has long had pollution issues, but in an urban renewal miracle story, it recently received an A plus rating. In the fall, the boathouse is open on weekends and last boat goes out at 5:30 pm. For more information, paddleboston.com.