Sea Kayaking Resources

Sea Kayaking History & Culture

• “The Art of Grenlandic Kayaking“: An article describing the role of  the “qajaq” in the lives of Inuit peoples.
• Qajaq USA: An organization that supports efforts to preserve, study and promote the traditions and techniques of Greenland kayaking.
• Profile of Maligiaq Padilla: An article featuring Greenland’s longest-reigning kayak champion.

Nautical Charts

• NOAA Chart Viewer: Access any U.S. nautical chart using this webpage from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Use the navigation tabs at the top of the map to select the file format.
• Casco Bay Chart (PDF): The main nautical chart we use when paddling on Casco Bay. 
• Monhegan to Cape Elizabeth Nautical Chart: This chart covers a large swath of the southern Maine coast. 

• Coast Guard Guide to Aids to Navigation: A detailed guide to the various aids to navigation that are used to mark boat channels and aid boaters in other ways.
• Nautical Chart No. 1: A guide to all of the symbols and abbreviations that are found on nautical charts.
• Floating Trails: This website was created to help kayaks and other small boaters plan trips. You can use it to plot out your route on nautical charts and then print as a PDF or share with others.

Weather and Wind

• Live Global Wind Map: A live map showing the current direction that winds are flowing throughout the world.
• Marine Forecast: The marine forecast for our local region, broken down into specific sections of the coast and offshore waters.
• Data from Buoy 44007 in Casco Bay: This is a link to the data page of just one of many observation buoys that are scattered throughout the Gulf of Maine.
• Windy App: A very useful app focused on wind conditions, both current and forecasted.
• Beaufort Wind Scale: A system used to categorize the strength of wind conditions.
• Portland Head Light webcam: One of many webcams throughout the coast that can be used to gauge current sea conditions.

Tides, Waves, and Currents

• Portland, Maine Tide Chart: A chart of this months high and low tides, with additional information included.
• NOAA Tides & Currents: Tidal information for all locations in the U.S. can be found on this site.
• A Guide to Waves for Sea Kayakers: A detailed guide to waves found on the ocean from Kayarchy.

Sea Kayaking Skills and Instruction

• Paddling Skills Checklist: An overview of sea kayaking techniques.
• Paddling Forwards and Backwards: A detailed guide to forward and backward strokes from Kayarchy, a terrific website for all things sea kayaking.
• Turning a Sea Kayak: A guide to sweep strokes and other dynamics of turning from Kayarchy.
• Draw Strokes: A guide to another essential stroke from Kayarchy.
• Rescue Steps: A basic overview of the most commonly used capsize recovery techniques.
• Portland Paddle’s Paddle & Safety Talk Outline: Sea kayak guides typically start guided trips with a brief discussion of safety concerns and instruction on key paddling skills. This document outlines some main points that might be covered. 
• American Canoe Association: The primary paddlesports association in the U.S. has a certification system for kayaking instructors that is internationally recognized. One of the best ways to develop your skills and grow as a guide is to take an ACA instructor certification workshop. Use the website to find upcoming courses.
• Paddle TV playlist of instructional videos on kayak touring
• Kayarchy.com: Educational website covering all aspects of sea kayaking.

Safety & Communications

• Float Plan: An example of a float plan that can be left behind when you head out on a trip.
• Coast Guard Boat ID Stickers: All kayaks should be identified with the owner’s name and contact info. These stickers offer an easy way to do that.
• Navigating Boat Traffic: An online guide to dealing with boat traffic and following the “rules of the road.”
• Presentation on Common Boats and Rules of the Road
• VHF Radio Cheat Sheet: A guide to making security, pan-pan and mayday calls.

Laws & Regulations

• Maine Watercraft Laws: Guide candidates are expected to be familiar with the laws that apply to sea kayakers.
• Maine’s Law on Licensed Guides: The full text of the legislation governing the Maine Guide system.

Gear

• Reccommended Gear List for Sea Kayakers in Maine: This is a list of the gear Portland Paddle guides bring with them, and offers a good overview of what other paddlers should consider bringing. 
• “Thoughts on Fitting, Demoing and Choosing a Sea Kayak”: A great article by Tom Bergh of Maine Island Kayak that details some of the most important considerations when choosing a sea kayak.
• A Guide to Sea Kayak Design: An overview of the various factors related to the shape and size of sea kayaks.

Coastline Access & Camping

• Maine Coastal Public Access Guide:  Thorough information on ALL public access points on the Maine coast. Download PDFs for specific sections of the coast to see all boat launches, public beaches, etc.
• Casco Bay Public Access by Boat Map: A map (almost fully up to date) showing all shorelines on Casco Bay that are open to the public. (Source: Maine Coast Heritage Trust).
• Maine Island Trail Association: The awesome non-profit organization that created a water trail linking publicly accessible islands along the entire Maine coast.
• Maine Coast Heritage Trust Preserves: A conservation non-profit that protects and ensures public access to many gorgeous islands on the Maine coast. Reservations can be made for a few campsites on these islands.
• “Public Shoreline Access in Maine: A Citizen’s Guide to Ocean and Coastal Law”: A booklet produced by the state of Maine and other organizations detailing the legal issues surrounding coastal access.
• Leave No Trace principles: Sea kayakers in Maine apply these principles in ways that are specific to our unique environment.

Sea Kayaking Incidents & Related Readings

• “Kayakers Voyage to Florida Starts with Rescue off Maine Coast”
• “Deadly Portland Kayaking Trip in Casco Bay”
• “Sea Kayaking Guide and One of His Clients Die During Down East Excursion”
• More Deep Trouble: More True Stories and Their Lessons from Sea Kayaker Magazine: This book offers detailed accounts of real sea kayaking incidents and the lessons that can be learned from them.
• Casco Bay Sea Kayak Rescue Video & Analysis (Youtube Video): This video documents a sea kayaking accident that occurred along the shore of Cushing Island in Portland and the subsequent rescue.
  
• Cold Water Risks Video: This video provides an overview of the risks of cold water immersion and hypothermia.

Wildlife & Naturalist Skills 

• “Seabirds to Spot While Paddling the Maine Coast”: An article written by Portland Paddle guide Shannon Bryan on some of the most common seabirds.
• “Seabird Conservation on the Maine Coast”: An article covering the importance of Maine’s seabird nesting islands
• “A Paddler’s Guide to Seals of Maine“: An article written by Portland Paddle guide Eric Nathanson on differentiating seals.
• Overview of Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Maine: Meet our local marine mammals.
• What to Do if You Find a Marine Mammal in Maine: A guide from the state on how to deal with stranded marine mammals.
• “Think You Spotted a Great White? Here’s What You Probably Saw“: An article by former Portland Paddle staff member Ethan Williams on species commonly mistaken for White Sharks
• “Causes & Impacts of Rapid Warming in the Gulf of Maine”
• “Are there Sea Turtles in Maine?”

Connecting with the Sea Kayaking Community

• Southern Maine Sea Kayak Network: A very active paddling club that offers many ways to get on the water with others.
• Portland Paddle Community Paddles: We host weekly group paddles once a week during the summer (free with your own boat)
• East End Race Series: We host weekly kayak and SUP races off of the East End Beach! Come join us!