Sea Kayak Trip Announcement - South Bass Island Rendezvous
Thursday – Sunday, June 7-10, 2016
Trip Sponsor: Jim Sprandel
Note: Sandusky is only 4-hours away so that you could come and just paddle for part of this trip if that is better for your schedule.
We will go to the Sandusky, Ohio area for the South Bass Rendezvous. The South Bass Rendezvous is a gathering of paddlers at the campground on South Bass Island. This is not an organized symposium with organized classes and tours - people get together and set up informal paddles to nearby island.
We will join the rendezvous paddlers for social activities such as the Friday potluck dinner and a full day of paddling on Friday and Saturday. After Sunday morning breakfast, we’ll break camp, cross to the mainland (by kayak or ferry as appropriate), and drive home.
We can have at least two full days of paddling, weather permitting (Friday and Saturday). Paddling opportunities are numerous and include a circumnavigation of the Bass islands (trips to nearby Kelley’s, Middle Bass and North Bass Islands and several small islands in close vicinity).
Trip schedule
· Thursday, June 7, Arrive at South Bass Island. We can meet and paddle out or take the ferry out to the island. The ferry is located at 5174 East Water Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452, https://www.millerferry.com/ ) and is available to get out to the island with our cars/kayaks ($17/car). Call me if you are interested in paddling out to the island. The crossing is a 3-mile open water crossing to South Bass Island State Park (our camp ground).
Note: People can come out on Friday if they prefer.
· Friday/Saturday – We will paddle in and around the islands at South Bass Island. The group will design their trip.
· Sunday, June 10 morning – Return to the mainland either by kayak or ferry. Some people paddle up to Put-In Bay for breakfast before returning.
Camping - We will camp in the South Bass Island State Park (http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/southbassisland ) and make day trips from there.
The club has reserved two camp site that will accommodate up to 8 persons for Thursday through Saturday nights. Please contact me if you plan on joining this trip and I will fill spots on a first come-first served basis. I know some other campsites may be available if we get too full.
Weather Contingencies - If conditions make it unsafe to paddle from the mainland to South Bass Island or back, you can take your kayak and gear out to the island with your car on Miller’s Ferry. We have room for 2 cars in the campsite.
Requirements
This is a sea kayak camping trip that requires experience with open water paddling in 2-3 foot waves. A 16-foot or longer sea kayak with waterproof bulkheads is required. All participants should be able to paddle 10 miles on a day trip under normal conditions. All participants should be proficient with self- and assisted rescues and carry appropriate personal safety gear. Kayak camping experience is recommended. All participants provide their own meals, and please bring something to share for the rendezvous potluck events on Friday night.
Contact information - Please RSVP by e-mailing me at merlin-3d@sbcglobal.net by June 1, 2018. Camping sites slots are limited and I will assign tent spots on a first-come, first served basis.
