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The Paddling Guru: Top 10 Places to Paddle in 2011
Jan 19, 2011
During the winter months it’s more challenging to get out and paddle, especially for those who live in a place where all the waterways freeze solid! But it’s a fact that if you can’t DO IT the next best thing is talking about IT! So…. where are you planning on paddling new in 2011? One of the joys of the sport is dipping a paddle in some new, exciting waterway, be it a local stream or lake you haven’t explored or somewhere exotic that might involve an airplane ticket and a rental boat!
At Perception, our team has the privilege of traveling around the country to paddling events, allowing us plenty of opportunities for discovering great new paddling locations. We're going to give you our top 10 choices, in no specific order. These are locations based on their close proximity to major cities and paddling shops, simple logistics, and pure local paddling beauty and fun.
1) Lake Superior, Grand Island, Munising, Michigan - 28 miles round with all kinds of terrain along the perimeter of this island. Great camping spots along the way too! Can you say “Clear, cold water”?
2) Horseshoe Bay, Sausalito, California – Great advanced paddling opportunities right under the scenic Golden Gate Bridge with tidal currents at Yellow Bluff or a side trip over to Angel Island.
3) Myakka River State Park near Sarasota, Florida - This beautiful day trip almost always guarantees sightings of ‘gators. Enjoy the beautiful, blackwater Florida scenery all within the state park.
4) Columbia River, Astoria, Oregon - With a city waterfront, rich in history and a local population of sea lions this is one of our favorites. Lewis and Clark hit it right when they came here and said “Ocian in view!”
5) Rockport to Camden, Maine – This is quintessential New England coastal paddling. With historic, picturesque harbors, full of boats old and new to rocky coastline and islands to explore, this short daytrip has it all!
6) Lake Jocassee, near Pickens, South Carolina - This beautiful lake high in the Appalachian Mountains has numerous rivers feeding the main lake with scenic waterfalls plunging right into the lake. Side hikes advised!
7) San Luis Pass near Galveston, TX - Warm, salty gulf water flowing in and out of Christmas bay makes for scenic paddling, great fishing and even a decent surf break when the conditions are right!
8) Lake Michigan, Garrett Bay, near Sister Bay, Wisconsin - Famous for their cherries and their paddling, this is Door County’s finest. Garrett bay is just one of many fine paddling choices in the area.
9) Manchester-by-the-Sea to Gloucester, Massachusetts- Follow a rough rocky coastline with many islands and bays to explore. Amazing scenery and architecture along the way!
10) Coronet Bay, Anacortes, Washington- Super easy access to Skagit and Hope islands for mellow paddle or a trip into Deception Pass, where tidal currents can make you feel like you’re in a whitewater rapid. Eagles, seals, and whales…oh my!
So there you have it. 10 paddling spots we would definitely return to anytime we're in the area!
What are your 10 favorites and where’s that “new” location for 2011?
One with the flow,
The Paddling Guru