Looking for an awesome place to paddle or kayak on the east coast? Consider Rhode Island’s Blue Trail – a new 10-mile water trail in Narragansett Bay along the shore of Aquidneck Island.

Last month, signs for the Blue Trail were posted at boat ramps at Cory’s Lane and Weaver’s Cove in Portsmouth, RI. The new trail is OK for newbies and beginner kayakers MOST OF THE TIME…however, Narragansett Bay can become quite choppy and rough, so all paddlers are advised to check weather and water conditions before setting off on the trail.

A Tip: Narragansett Bay is generally calmest in the early morning and in the evening. Trail organizers recommend closed-top kayaks or canoes with spray covers. Wear a life jacket, travel with a partner and listen to weather forecasts.

The Blue Trail starts at a boat ramp near Portsmouth Abbey. From there, head south past a yacht club and marina. The small islands that dot the East Passage of Narragansett Bay are open to the public, so take a moment to go ashore if you like.

Other landmarks and resting points include the park on the southern tip of Prudence Island and Dyer Island which is a bit farther south between Prudence Island and mainland Portsmouth.

The Blue Trail continues south past Coddington Cove, part of Naval Station Newport. The cove is a secure zone, off-limits to paddlers, but from here you can see the fUSS Saratoga and the USS Forrestal.

Beneath the Claiborne Pell Bridge is Rose Island and its lighthouse. It will cost you $5 to go ashore here and explore the lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary and its worth it.

Tip: From April 1 to Aug. 15, Rose Island visitors are not allowed on most of the island beaches in order to protect migratory birds including great and snowy egrets, blue herons, black-crowned night herons and a variety of ducks.

The end of the Blue Trail is in Newport. Paddle into the harbor and buy a snack from one of the local pier restaurants and vendors.

Tip: Starting in 2011 or 2012, paddlers will be able to ride a shuttle train back north to their launch points in Portsmouth.

For more information on this great kayak resource, and the Rhode Island Blueways Alliance, click here to visit the Explore Rhode Island webpage.

To suggest a great place to paddle, canoe or kayak in your neck of the woods, send us a message using our handy contact form.

Happy Paddling!

September is full of Kayaking and Canoeing races and events all over the U.S.! Here are just some of the kayak and canoe races and events that we have listed on our races and events page.

GoZero Kayak Race , Beacon, NY – September 21

The GoZero kayak race is a flatwater kayak race located on the Hudson River waterfront of Beacon, NY. The City of Beacon is located on the east bank of the Hudson River 59 miles north of  New York City and approximately 90 miles south of Albany.

Kayakers have one of three options and can choose to paddle in one of three events:

9-Mile Long Race
Kayakers race from Beacon Harbor to Bannerman’s Castle to I-84 Bridge and back to Beacon Harbor.

2-Mile Short Race
This race is great for first-timers, beginners or those kayakers looking for competitive fun on the water while racing against friends and family.

Paddle Rally
The free Paddle Rally is a new activity for non-racing kayakers who want to enjoy paddling on the Hudson River as a group.

The Mokelumne River Races (also called the Moke races) Jackson,  California.- September 20th & 21st

This is a weekend whitewater kayaking event with a three mile downriver sprint and a 20-25 gate slalom course.
 
These races are open to all boaters from novice to expert. According to their website -
Most boaters use their standard river running or play boats, but you’ll also see people in carbon fiber slalom racing boats, whitewater canoes and wildwater downriver race boats.

The course is set up on a class II stretch of the Mokelumne River known as the Electra run.

Wicomico Kayak Attack Kayak and Canoe River Race, Salisbury, Maryland. – September 27

This 6 mile river race will be on the Wicomico river in downtown Salisbury.

On the same day they will also have The Rambling Raft Race- build a homemade raft race.
The categories for this race are:
Fastest Raft
Most Original Design
I Can’t Believe it Floats
Best Dressed Crew

The 16th Annual Wye Island Regatta, Queenstown, Maryland, September 13

This is a 12.5 mile race that starts at Wye Landing on the Wye East River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and continues around Wye Island.
 
According to their website this race is open to all person-powered boats, including shells (sweep/ scull, racing/ recreational) canoes, outriggers, kayaks, gigs, dories, etc.

Paddle the Shores, Ocean Shores, WA – September 27-28.

This is a weekend event, with what sound like lots of fun events.

Human Powered Boat Race – Class 1 – Duck Lake.. Kayaks, Canoes, Shells and Paddleboats. All divisions invited  Life jackets, whistles, and basic boating skills are required.

Poker Paddle – Duck Lake. Leisurely paddle the interconnecting lakes and canals of Ocean Shores, picking up playing cards at each of the seven stops along the way. The stops are 1 to 2 miles apart. At the end of the 9-mile event, prizes will be awarded for the best poker hands. For those seeking a shorter course, there is an alternate, 6-mile route that results in picking up a five-card poker hand.

Cardboard Boat Race – . Duck Lake. Boat construction begins a noon. Teams have one hour to construct a boat using only cardboard and packaging tape.  One team member will attempt to paddle the newly constructed boat around a buoy. The first team back, or the one that stays afloat the farthest will be declared the winner.

All in all, it looks like September is a great month for paddling around the U.S. You can bet the Born To Paddle crew will be on the water, if you see us, be sure to say Hi!

Click here to find more races and events or to find the websites for the races that we have listed.

Click here to find places to paddle all around the U.S.