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

Practice makes Perfect and social

Practice makes Perfect and social

July 2, 2025    
3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Peer to Peer. practice: rolling, assisting others rescues, strokes forward backwards edging sweeps turns, towing. then chow down at Morses food cart on the pier [...]
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 [...]
Practice makes Perfect and social

Practice makes Perfect and social

July 9, 2025    
3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Peer to Peer. practice: rolling, assisting others rescues, strokes forward backwards edging sweeps turns, towing. then chow down at Morses food cart on the pier [...]
Courtesy Post - 2 Kayakers Needed to Follow 2 Swimmers in Peaks to Portland Swim

Courtesy Post - 2 Kayakers Needed to Follow 2 Swimmers in Peaks to Portland Swim

July 26, 2025    
7:00 am - 10:00 am
Courtesy Post: While at SMSKN's Rolling Practice at SMCC, I met a Portland resident who has 2 family members coming from out of state to [...]
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 [...]
#12 Lobster Buoy Car-Camping weekend, Inter-club (NSPN/SMSKN) #2, Aug 23-25

#12 Lobster Buoy Car-Camping weekend, Inter-club (NSPN/SMSKN) #2, Aug 23-25

August 23, 2025 - August 25, 2025    
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
PLEASE DO NOT RSVP UNTIL YOU HAVE SENT YOUR PAYMENT FOR THE GROUP SITE ONLY. Come join us for this second inter-club kayak camping event [...]
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 [...]