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Open invitation
by Outspoken on Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:29 pm
Open invitation
The Pemaquid Paddlers' weekly Tuesday trips survive – even thrive – on a simple premise: That it`d be fun to get out with like-minded outdoorsmen to enjoy the water.
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
WISCASSET — Five years ago, John Will was just looking to organize a little group paddle. It didn't take long for the retired teacher and kayak enthusiast to create a maritime buzz with his "Pemaquid Paddles," which are simply an open invitation every week for a Tuesday-morning kayak rally.
"One man asked how much were the membership dues. There are no dues, there are no expenses," Will said.
Will plans, coordinates and guides the trips. Every Friday, he sends out 145 e-mails to past participants telling them where the next Tuesday morning paddle will be and what to expect.
At the 23 paddle trips so far this year, the Pemaquid Paddlers have averaged paddle parties of 13, with as many as 42 participants.
"Last year, we averaged 22," Will said with no less joy but obvious pride.
While Will is pleased with the enthusiasm and response to his free weekly trips, he's just as happy with two paddlers along as he is with 20.
"Whoever shows up, we go," he said with a shrug.
But clearly he enjoys the public spectacle that the sight of a dozen or more kayaks can create on the rivers of the midcoast region.
"When we kayaked Sherman Lake, there were 20 kayaks of all colors. People got out of their cars at the Route 1 bridge to take photos. Tourists!" Will said with a smile.
Will's own kayak is simple, a short, squat plastic green job with no spray skirt and no rudder. This former high school teacher is not fancy in his gear – just meticulous in his approach.
This past Tuesday at the start, he made sure every kayak was unloaded and ready to launch before he called the group to put in on the Sheepscot River.
After the trip, he helped them take their crafts out of the water. Then he took out a large map of the midcoast region, as if in a history class, and walked around the Wiscasset boat launch parking lot showing each paddler where they had been that day.
"John runs a tight ship," said Joan Fink, who summers in South Bristol. "He plans (the trips) in beautiful areas, and there is still time to get back and have the day."
Paddlers come from Portland, Thomaston and farther.
"I've just made a few this year. But I hope to make more next year," said Jay Gaffney of Lowell, Mass., who took a day off from work to travel to Maine and join the paddle near his summer home.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=214809&ac=Outdoors
Photos By Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
The Pemaquid Paddlers' weekly Tuesday trips survive – even thrive – on a simple premise: That it`d be fun to get out with like-minded outdoorsmen to enjoy the water.
By DEIRDRE FLEMING
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
WISCASSET — Five years ago, John Will was just looking to organize a little group paddle. It didn't take long for the retired teacher and kayak enthusiast to create a maritime buzz with his "Pemaquid Paddles," which are simply an open invitation every week for a Tuesday-morning kayak rally.
"One man asked how much were the membership dues. There are no dues, there are no expenses," Will said.
Will plans, coordinates and guides the trips. Every Friday, he sends out 145 e-mails to past participants telling them where the next Tuesday morning paddle will be and what to expect.
At the 23 paddle trips so far this year, the Pemaquid Paddlers have averaged paddle parties of 13, with as many as 42 participants.
"Last year, we averaged 22," Will said with no less joy but obvious pride.
While Will is pleased with the enthusiasm and response to his free weekly trips, he's just as happy with two paddlers along as he is with 20.
"Whoever shows up, we go," he said with a shrug.
But clearly he enjoys the public spectacle that the sight of a dozen or more kayaks can create on the rivers of the midcoast region.
"When we kayaked Sherman Lake, there were 20 kayaks of all colors. People got out of their cars at the Route 1 bridge to take photos. Tourists!" Will said with a smile.
Will's own kayak is simple, a short, squat plastic green job with no spray skirt and no rudder. This former high school teacher is not fancy in his gear – just meticulous in his approach.
This past Tuesday at the start, he made sure every kayak was unloaded and ready to launch before he called the group to put in on the Sheepscot River.
After the trip, he helped them take their crafts out of the water. Then he took out a large map of the midcoast region, as if in a history class, and walked around the Wiscasset boat launch parking lot showing each paddler where they had been that day.
"John runs a tight ship," said Joan Fink, who summers in South Bristol. "He plans (the trips) in beautiful areas, and there is still time to get back and have the day."
Paddlers come from Portland, Thomaston and farther.
"I've just made a few this year. But I hope to make more next year," said Jay Gaffney of Lowell, Mass., who took a day off from work to travel to Maine and join the paddle near his summer home.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=214809&ac=Outdoors
Photos By Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
