AMC Sea Kayak trip to Westport

Please reply to this message to confirm receipt. Please include your 1)Town, 2)Home or cell phone #, and 3)type/make BOAT your are bringing. Also, please let me know of any medical conditions or medications that I should know. Please  REPLY right now.
Contact Info: If you have a question or problem, please CALL me at home (617-964-1246) or cell phone (617-710-5205). 

General Information and Itinerary :
This is a Level 1.5 trip. We will be paddling 10-12 miles of mostly protected water with limited currents, except near the mouth. We are likely to encounter wind and some power boat traffic near the marina. This is a group activity and all participants are expected to stay together, which means paddling at the slowest person's pace. You are expected to have a basic set of kayak skills to participate on this trip, such as getting into and out-of your boat, turning and maneuvering your boat, and wet exits and rescues. The AMC web page describes different skill levels. You know your skill level best, so please don't over-extend your abilities. This can affect the trip experience for yourself and the entire group. Contact leader if you have questions or concerns.

We will meet 9:00 Sat morning at the Head of Westport (see directions). Rental boats are available at the launch site from Osprey Kayak. We will shuttle cars ~10 miles down the road. I strongly encourage car pools to make this shuttle easier. You are responsible for finding/arranging your own car pool; I've listed names and contact info for trip participants. The launch is located behind the Osprey kayak shop. A bathroom is available at the put-in for changing clothes. After the shuttle and pack-up, we will paddle down the Westport river, which begins as a narrow tidal stream, and widens into a large bay with numerous mud flats. We will stop occasionally for nature breaks and lunch. We'll paddle past the town of Westport (our take-out) onto the mouth of Westport and stroll onto Horeseneck beach. The car shuttle will allow us more time to explore this area without a long slog back up to the put-in. There is a great restaurant nearby for apres-paddle beverages and dinner.

Cancellations and Weather :
Please let me know ASAP if your plans change and you cannot make this trip. We really don't want to wait around for you at the put-in, so try to be early or on-time because we are running a car shuttle. This trip will go rain or shine. It may cancel because of high winds. This is why I need your phone #. I will contact everyone via phone Thur - Fri night IF the trip cancels, so if weather is marginal, check your voice-mail Fri night or Sat morning before you leave.

Directions :
Head of Westport is about 1 hour south of Boston near Fall River. A map is available from Mapquest.

• Go south on I93 or I95, depending on your starting point. Take Rt.24 South toward BROCKTON.
• Rt.24 splits just above Fall River - take LEFT split to I-195 East via exit number 41E- toward NEW BEDFORD.
• Take the RT-88 exit (#10) - toward WESTPORT/HORSENECK BEACH (2-3 exits after split).
• ~3 miles down Rt.88, turn LEFT onto OLD COUNTY RD.
• ~1 mile, look for bridge and small village. Osprey kayak is just over bridge on right side. Parking lot BEHIND the kayak shop.

What to Bring? :
Kayak, paddle, spray skirt.
If it were only that simple. Kayaks come in many lengths, sizes, and colors. Most AMC trips (including this one) require kayaks >14 feet and do NOT allow sit-on kayaks or kayaks without spray skirts. This is because these boats travel at very different speeds and its difficult to keep the group together. I need to know make/model of boat each person is bringing so there are no surprises at the launch. (Some of you already have sent me this info, but some have not). Rentals are available at the launch, so if your boat is inadequate for this trip, please be willing to rent a boat for the day.
CLOTHING
Weather will dictate what clothing to wear. Watch the weather forecast for next weekend. Water temps are around 56F, so you might want a layer under your paddle jacket, depending on air temps. You might want a hat for sun and gloves if it rains. You should always bring spare top & bottom in case you swim or get cold. You can carry these items in your hatches in dry bags or double-bagged in plastic bags. Wet Suits can be hot when paddling, but life saving if you swim. This is your decision and I encourage you to think and decide. Wet suits might be available from the Osprey kayak shop - call for sizes and cost. Also, leave towel and dry clothes in one of the shuttle cars.
GEAR
There is a comprehensive Checklist of gear and clothing available at AMC Gear Checklist website. Print this list and use when packing for this trip.

Car Pool :
I've provided the list of participants and contact info to contact a car pool nearby. I will send out another email with town info once I receive replies back. [Table redacted to remove participant names/emails/etc.]