Free paddle boats. Free food. Free reggae.
And the river wins.
That’s the plan for next Saturday evening (June 19). Westport Paddle Club — the great kayak rental/lesson/tour place on Riverside Avenue — invites everyone to grab a kayak or paddleboard. The friendly young staff will help you launch (and provide bags and gloves, if needed).
Scour the Saugatuck River for trash and debris. It starts around 5 p.m. — an hour or so before high tide — so you can paddle up with the tide, then drift back with it too. Bring it back (or hand it off to a support skiff) to the Paddle Club-provided dumpster.
Everyone will be back before 8. It will still be light — and time to party. Jr’s Deli & Grille provides the grub.
Westport Paddle Club’s Taryn and Robbie Guimond organized the event. But they’re not doing it alone.
Longshore Sailing School has hopped on board. They’ll donate kayaks and a support boat to clean the south side of the river (below the bridge), and the harbor area. They’ll head to the Paddle Club when they’re done too.
PS: Neighbors can collect garbage along the shoreline too, then dispose of it in the club’s dumpster. Or just leave it on the curb; the club will haul it the rest of the way. But be sure to stay for the fun!
Launch from the dock. Scour the river. Then have fun!
What a great idea! I look forward to participating. And the 5:00 pm start is perfect for those like me who need to avoid mid-day sun.