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Table of Contents

Northeast US - New England Surfski

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

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Noank Downwinder

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Main USA Surfski Page

New England Downwinding:

One commenter on surfski.info:

“ Consistency is definitely the problem in New England - both in terms of wind velocity and direction. Especially during the summer. Although we sometimes do have scheduled downwind races, it's really a crap-shoot as to getting what you hoped for.”

This of course is an exceedingly broad generalization for such a large area. There may very well be locales within New England with more consistent downwind conditions than this one commenter is aware of. There is a pretty strong core of racers and downwind paddlers in New England which would seem to indicate that the downwinding is good enough to draw serious attention and participation. Becoming familiar with local tide races and when they have good waves and conditions that are suitable for your skill level can greatly expand your repertoire of surfable days and locations. Tide races often do not require much wind at all to provide good surfing.

Clubs and Groups

Connecticut

Downwind

Tidal Races

About Safety (and watch out for boat traffic and lobster pots (harder to spot when the tide is racing))

Races

Main US Race List

Maine

Downwind/Paddles

  • Penobscott Bay video
  • Casco Bay From StandupZone: “Casco Bay seems like another option with a lot of fetch and some protection from side swells. It lines up for NE winds, which should be good in the nor'easters we get in New England. Falmouth to South Portland is a good six mile run, and it could be extended to 9 miles by launching from Cousins Island.”
  • Kittery, ME to York, ME
  • …

Resources

Massachusetts

Downwind

  • Gloucester, MA to Beverly, MA. 12 miles
  • Green Harbor to Plymouth Beach 7.5 miles NNE - easy launch behind the jetty and a nice near shore run
  • Woods Hole
    • Woods Hole, MA to Megansett Harbor, MA 10 miles (has been used in both directions for Cape Cod Downwind race)
    • Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs 6.5 miles
  • Tinkers Run (MA) Devereux Beach-Nahant Beach 10 km See Downwindable.com
  • Stage Fort to Lynch Park (MA) 11 miles One Trip Description
  • Buzzards Bay (MA) Stony Beach at Woods Hole to Megansett Beach 10 miles

Flatwater

  • Charles River
  • Concord River

Resources

Races

Main US Race List

New Hampshire

Downwinds/Paddles

  • Little Bay - Great Bay
    • From StandupZone: “ …Little Bay/Great Bay in southern New Hampshire quite a few times. It can work in winds from any direction, but the most common and best run is with wind from the west, which can give a 5-6 mile run if we start in the Lamprey River, with usually 2-3 miles of really good runners on knee to thigh high bumps. The Piscataqua river, from Dover to Portsmouth Harbor is another option for NW winds”
  • …

Rhode Island

Downwinds/Paddles

Comments:

Wesley Echols: “ Narragansett Bay East or West Passage, Newport RI. (East and West Passage refer to east or west side of Conanicut Island) We have clocked our fastest times ever from North end Jamestown to Newport Bridge with Northerly wind and current or Sakonnet River (really a small bay) in Portsmouth, RI on a good day! Newport is one of the sailing capitals for a reason! ”

Little Narragansett Bay

  • Napatree Point Kayakers catch waves here. They may be doing downwind laps and maybe there is tide race action that contributes to waves? (video)

Narragansett Bay

  • Wesley Echols (SurfskiRacing.com) Launch Recommendations:
  • McCorrie Point, Portsmouth, RI, Small Bay conditions, perfect for training, rarely overwhelming for intermediate paddlers. My home. Safe most of the time. Use most often.
  • Bay Voyage Inn, Jamestown, RI, Just South of Newport Bridge, This is Jamestown Harbor. Many options. Can be rough, always jobbly. You will have to pay attention. summer - we use all the time. winter on the calm days.
  • Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, RI, Ride the Bull Race Course, Paddle out 100 yards and you're in the fray. Gets rough immediately for intermediate paddlers. On rougher days we use our intermediate skis now. When we were younger advanced skis on these days. Never use in the winter.
  • South Ferry, West Passage, summer only.
  • North KIngston Town Beach (Town of Wickford). Protected, use anytime almost.
  • Third Beach, Middletown, RI on Sakonnet and within half mile in true ocean conditions or head North for Bay conditions. Use in summer/fall mainly.
  • Weavers Cove, Portsmouth, RI, East Passage. summer only
  • video

Narragansett Bay/Atlantic Ocean

  • Point Judith to Jamestown - approx. 10 - 11 miles
    • Wesley Echols - “we NEVER paddle this course in the Winter Time. NEVER! Low Water Temps, Air Temps, and messy conditions. We stick to East or West Passage, Jamestown Harbor (on calmer days), always stay close to shore and in the lee or we paddle on the Sakonnet where I live or on Narrow River as last option. In fact even in the Summer we pick our days carefully, and drop down to our intermediate skis.”

Tidal Races

About Safety (and watch out for boat traffic and lobster pots (harder to spot when the tide is racing))

Races

Main US Race List

Dealers/Shops

Coaching/Lessons

Vermont

Downwind/Paddles

  • Lake Champlain (New York/Vermont)

Video

Lake Champlain Downwinding at Split Rock Point

Resources

  • Bay Kayaking Epic surfskis, Summer - Woodbridge Vermont, Winter - Florida, lessons, demos

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