Welcome to the Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network (SMSKN)!

Who are we? 

We are an organization that enables ocean sea kayakers to meet paddling friends, learn how to paddle safely, and plan trips together. Active since 1990, we are an all-volunteer, non-profit group focused mostly on paddling the beautiful coast and islands of Maine. Network members range from novice to advanced paddlers. Paddling trips are organized by and open to all members.

How SMSKN’s Meetup site works

SMSKN operates primarily through our Meetup page, which is where you can find and post paddling trips and events and join the club for the very reasonable price of $20/year. On this webpage we have more detailed information about the club and have many useful resources for paddlers. For more information about how we work as a club, please check out the ABOUT US page on this website.

Critical guidance for Meetup settings: SMSKN uses the Meetup messaging function for intra-group communications and trip coordination. However, in order to enable these messaging functions, you must configure your Meetup profile to allow certain permissions. See guidance here on how to configure your Meetup Settings to maximize your SMSKN engagement!

How does the group connect?

In addition to paddling trips and events, we also have monthly membership meetings that are typically held during the third week of the month via Zoom, in the non-summer months only. Meeting programs include trip accounts, safety and training lectures, and other fun and relevant topics. We are always interested in meeting ideas, so if you have trip slides or other information to share, please get in touch with the President or any Board member through Meetup. See past meeting presentations here.

Do I have to do anything? 

All club members must complete our Participant Agreement as a condition of membership. This document is on this website under Club Documents and can be signed online, where it will be retained. Note that we do not provide guided trips by trained leaders; rather we simply provide a way for paddlers to meet one another, self-organize trips and go paddling. While trip organizers or other members of the Network may have skills and/or knowledge greater than yours, we are all responsible for our own safety.

The wide and beautiful ocean is our playground. Come join us!

Upcoming Events on Meetup

Peer-to-Peer Skills Series: Towing

Peer-to-Peer Skills Series: Towing

June 11, 2025    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
These sessions are going to be coordinated by various folks from the Skill Building Team at SMSKN. This session, co-hosted by Glen Gordon and Cath [...]
Peer to Peer Skills Series: Rolling Tips

Peer to Peer Skills Series: Rolling Tips

June 12, 2025    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
These sessions are going to be coordinated by various folks from the Skill Building Team at SMSKN. This session will be organized with a focus [...]
Kayaks and Coffee at Kettle Cove!

Kayaks and Coffee at Kettle Cove!

June 14, 2025    
7:00 am - 8:00 am
Join the SMSKN Social Committee for a morning of kayaks and coffee! We're bringing the fun format of "Cars and Coffee" to the paddling world. [...]
Sea Kayak Surfing with Kevin Beckwith

Sea Kayak Surfing with Kevin Beckwith

June 15, 2025    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Ride the waves and elevate your paddling skills with sea kayak surfing, an exciting and challenging course designed for paddlers ready to take their sea [...]
18 Jun

Peer-to-Peer Skills Series: Bracing and Sculling

June 18, 2025    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
For this session of our weekly practice series, we plan to practice the high brace, low brace, and sculling techniques, as well as refine any [...]
Sea Kayaking in Currents

Sea Kayaking in Currents

July 6, 2025    
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Unlock the dynamic power of moving water in sea kayaking in currents, a skills-focused course designed to help paddlers confidently navigate tidal flows, river mouths, [...]
Fee activity "Dark Art of the Skinny Stick" by Kayak Ways LLC

Fee activity "Dark Art of the Skinny Stick" by Kayak Ways LLC

July 8, 2025    
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Paddling, Rolling, Sculling, discover the magic of the skinny stick! Explore the foundation skills of the extensive Greenland rolling repertoire: layback and forward finishing. Experience [...]
Paddling Skills with Nate and Simon: Intermediate to Advanced

Paddling Skills with Nate and Simon: Intermediate to Advanced

July 26, 2025 - July 27, 2025    
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
July 26-27, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. each day. In conjunction with SMSKN, Nate Hanson of Pinniped Kayak will host international coach, Simon of Online Line [...]
Paddling Skills with Nate and Simon: Experienced Beginner to Intermediate

Paddling Skills with Nate and Simon: Experienced Beginner to Intermediate

August 2, 2025 - August 3, 2025    
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
August 2-3, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. each day. In conjunction with SMSKN, Nate Hanson of Pinniped Kayak will host international coach, Simon of Online Line [...]
Fee Event - Portland Paddle: On-the-Water Sea Kayak Navigation

Fee Event - Portland Paddle: On-the-Water Sea Kayak Navigation

August 23, 2025    
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Join SMSKN members for an active on-water navigation course through Portland Paddle, taught by Suzanne Blackburn. This course is appropriate for all skill levels, and [...]