Coastal Rivers Paddlers, formerly the PWA Paddlers, will kick off the 2019 paddling season on Saturday, May 18 with a saltwater paddle to Cabbage Island and Lewis Cove in East Boothbay.

Paddlers should meet at the launch site by 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. launch. The launch site is located off of Murray Hill Road in East Boothbay. Detailed directions may be found at coastalrivers.org/events.

The paddle will last about three hours. There will be an optional lunch at Lobsterman’s Wharf Restaurant following the excursion.

A second saltwater paddle is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, to explore Witch Island and the Gut from Pemaquid Harbor. The group will meet at the Colonial Pemaquid Boat Launch at 9 a.m. This paddle will include time to hike the trails on the island. Paddlers may opt to gather for lunch at the nearby Cupboard Café following the outing.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants are responsible for their own safety and each participant should determine in advance if conditions are suitable for their skill level.

Coastal Rivers paddles are held rain or shine. If weather conditions are extreme, the decision to cancel will be made at the launch site, and paddlers will determine as a group whether to reschedule.

All Coastal Rivers paddles are free and open to the public. Paddlers supply their own kayak and must wear a life jacket and carry their own safety gear, medications, and drinking water. All paddlers are required to bring a completed and signed release form for Coastal Rivers, which may be downloaded at bit.ly/coastal-rivers-paddlers. Copies of the form will also be available from the paddle leader at the time of the paddle.

For more information about scheduled paddles, please contact paddle coordinator Jean Smith at 207-312-3846 or paddlers@coastalrivers.org.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is a non-profit, membership supported, and nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of the greater Pemaquid peninsula and Damariscotta River region.

Coastal Rivers has active programs in the areas of land conservation, stewardship, community education, water quality monitoring, marine conservation and cultural preservation.

Visitors are welcome at the Great Salt Bay Heritage Center in Damariscotta as well as the many other Coastal Rivers properties throughout the region.