Unlock new adventures with a few foundational paddling skills
“A splash breaks the quiet. A head surfaces… then another. Suddenly, we’re surrounded by curious sentries from the nearby seal colony.”
A Stunning Day on Salem Sound
This past weekend we had an amazing paddle out to some offshore islands in Salem Sound. Temps reached well into the seventies for the first time in a long time, and the wind, though threatening to be a bit stronger, stayed relatively light (though we were prepared for and not a little excited about the idea of some rugged conditions too).
After hugging the top of Salem Neck and paddling under the new pier at the Willows, we decided the winds were holding off enough to make a trip out to the islands pretty easy. Coney Island sits in relatively shallow water,—20 ft max at low tide— and about two miles off the coast of Independence Park. From above, its rocky outcrop loosely resembles a miniature version of the African Continent. Behind the island —about two football fields SE of it— lies a group of submerged rocks known as Coney Ledge. Awash at mid tide or lower, the ledge is a popular hangout for a healthy population of harbor seals. Especially on a warmer day like this, the seals haul out to take advantage of the heat and protection the sun-warmed rocks provide. We approach the ledge cautiously, knowing this was their territory, and not wanting to disturb their rest.
Despite the forecast, winds were relatively light on our paddle out toward Coney Ledge, with just some small chop and a cool head wind as we paddled southeast through Salem Sound.
Entering Seal Territory
Still, just a few dozen paddle strokes past Coney Island, we looked behind us to see several of them periscoping out of the water, surely watching to make sure our bright yellow and orange kayaks didn’t move too close to where the other members of the colony were resting on the rocks. We continued to paddle, leaving plenty of room between ourselves and the ledge, and watched as some of the seals swam playfully nearby, while others made a show of splashing in the water, perhaps excitedly, or more likely as a warning that we were “close enough”. We lingered for around ten minutes, watching the seals watch us, mostly drifting and following their lead of where we should—and shouldn’t— go. (Harbor seals aren’t particularly aggressive, but we had no desire to push our luck. They’re also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act—see below for Paddling Respectfully).
Reunited, and it feels so good. A seal pup climbs from the water to join her mama.
Keeping track of how many we saw was impossible, but a conservative count would suggest at least 20, though it could have been significantly more. When we had lingered long enough, we turned our boats westward and started the paddle home. Sure enough, an entourage of five or six seals were happy to escort us back the way we came, staying 100 yards or so behind us until we well well past Coney Island.
We covered about 5.5 miles on our trip. Paddling leisurely and with time spent drifting, it took us about two hours. It was spectacular, and relatively easy, but not something we would consider a beginner trip.
“Just a few essential paddling skills can open up a world of unexpected magic.”
So with this kind of adventure so close, you might be asking:
What skills does it take to complete a paddle like this?
Well, that really depends on the conditions. Distance-wise, the 5 mile round trip is pretty doable for an intermediate paddler, and even a novice with a base level of fitness could make the journey. (A beginner paddler might expect to paddle around 2 mph, so if you're willing to spend a couple of hours on the water, you can cover some solid ground). Yet as you move further off-shore, having the skills listed below will help you complete your adventure safely and confidently.
Efficient Forward Paddling: Coney Ledge and the surrounding islands lie beyond the sheltered embrace of Salem and Marblehead. That means more wind, more swell, and more challenge. As the wind comes up, knowing how to paddle efficiently, using your whole body instead of just your arms, to propel and compel your craft forward, is crucial to being able to make the journey out, and more importantly, back.
Interpreting the Wind Forecast: Reading a wind forecast—and understanding what it really means for your paddle—is key. What direction is it blowing from? Is it building or dropping off? Where will it be choppy? Where can you tuck into shelter if you need a break? You might get lucky with calm seas and gentle breezes, but relying on luck alone can carry a pretty high cost.
Deepwater Rescue Skills: If you capsize your kayak or fall off your paddleboard in deepwater, where swimming to shore isn’t an option, do you know how to get back in or on? A few basic rescue strategies can go along way toward making your paddle safer and leave you feeling more confident and in control.
Basic Navigation and Boat Control: Understanding a few basic navigation tricks— using two fixed points as a range to identify lateral drift caused by tide or wind—will help you maintain a straight course. Knowing how to edge your boat or trim your board while performing effective sweep strokes will allow you to maintain course and stay in control, even when conditions aren’t perfect.
The confidence you gain when you’re able to re-enter your kayak in deep water is next level. And it’s not brute strength, but subtle, coachable technique that get’s you there.
A little knowledge goes a long way. With just a few foundational skills, you’ll not only boost your confidence—you’ll unlock a whole new world of paddling adventures. Our Foundations Courses for both kayak and paddleboard are designed to do just that: teach you the essentials, challenge you to grow, and help you discover just how far you can go. No matter your starting point, we’ll meet you where you are and help you find that next-level comfort zone.
