This past Saturday, the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club's popular "Paddle-n-Picnic" series got underway with 24 kayakers and canoeists joining a group trip on a section of the Saco River in the Buxton-Hollis area.

On April 22, the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club's popular "Paddle-n-Picnic" series got underway.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

In order to strictly observe an "ethical transparency in blogging" doctrine, let's say right off that I lead the Paddle-n-Picnic trips, and like all MOAC ventures, it's strictly a volunteer position. Like most MOAC activities, Saturday's paddle was free to members and prospective members.

We numbered 21 watercraft: 18 solo kayaks and three tandem canoes. Paddlers converged from as far north as the Augusta area and as far south as Berwick.

Six of Saturday's paddlers didn't own their own boats. But thanks to MOAC's spirit of sharing and camaraderie, they were able to match up with paddling partners or borrow boats from other participants.

We put in at Pleasant Point Park in Buxton on a section of the river that's backed up for a couple of miles above Skelton Dam, the largest hydro-power project on the Saco.

Heading west, we paddled up a flooded brook bed to a handsome cascade, where the water plunges about 15 feet over a rock face into a pool below.

We paddled up to a handsome cascade, where the water plunges about 15 feet over a rock face.

MOAC numbers about 800 members; 24 turned out for last Saturday's canoe and kayak trip.

Some paddlers, like Liza Smith of Portland, don't own their own boats. But Liza was able to borrow this recreational kayak from another MOAC member.

Sue Germano of Portland (center of frame) borrowed this multi-hued sea kayak from another MOAC member.

After the waterfall, we retraced our wake for a mile, then stopped at a large island for a picnic lunch.

After visiting the waterfall, we stopped on a large island for a picnic lunch.

Maureen Griffin of Freeport -- who likes healthy picnics! -- is a mainstay of MOAC's kayaking contingent. Last year Maureen co-led a series of midweek after-work paddles in Freeport.

Al Racine of Freeport is another MOAC paddling leader. He headed up a weekly series of after-work paddles last year and plans to continue in 2006.

The Paddle-n-Picnic series continues May 6 on Gulf Island Pond in the Auburn-Turner area. The club will also particpate in National River Cleanup Week on May 13 and the midweek after-work trips will be starting soon. Click here to visit MOAC's website and get membership info.

The New England Paddlesports Show is THE place for kayakers and canoeists to be this weekend. Whether you're simply seeking info about getting out on the water or you simply want to buy a boat at a big discount, this expo and retail sale at the University of New Hampshire's Durham campus is where it's happening.

The New England Paddlesports Show is THE place to be this weekend.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

It's certainly where I was happening yesterday. I didn't buy anything, but I picked up tons of info on where to paddle my boats this summer. Plus I found a few items that I dream about owning someday.

I also met the owners of a paddlers' website that I'll be checking often from now on: www.paddling.net.

Briefly: This annual event is produced by Kittery Trading Post. A dozen-plus manufacturers of kayaks and canoes are represented, plus makers of paddles and paddling gear such as car-top carriers and clothing for cold-water paddlers. Nearly every item is on sale at show-special pricing.

More than a dozen manufacturers of canoes and kayaks have display areas, and most items are at show-special pricing.

Trying one on for size.

You can also pick up info on the Maine Island Trail and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-mile route between upstate New York and Fort Kent.

Three seminar sessions run simultaneously, including in-water demos in the university's big swimming pool.

Dressing for cold-water paddling is the focus of one seminar.

Fishing from kayaks is the subject of an on-water pool seminar.

April 9 is the final day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $6. The UNH campus is less than 70 miles from Portland; driving directors are on Kittery Trading Post's website.

The show runs through 4 p.m. April 9.

Maine’s coastal waters attract paddlers like a magnet on brilliant sunny spring days -- such as yesterday morning -- but kayakers need to be prepared to survive a capsize in 40-degree water. That was the message yesterday as the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors filmed a paddling safety video in Casco Bay.

Five kayakers paddle along the South Portland shoreline yesterday, part of filming a cold-water safety video.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

Joined by the U.S. Coast Guard, Maine Marine Patrol, medical experts and members of the electronic media, MASKGI president Scott Shea and three guides demonstrated several dumps and rescues off South Portland. WMTW-TV reporter Steve Minich, an avid warm-weather paddler himself, also got into the act. And into the body-numbing cold water.

While we were motoring past Spring Point aboard the Marine Patrol boat, Scott emphasized that dressing for the cold is an absolute first necessity. For frigid spring water temperatures, paddlers need both a wetsuit and a drysuit plus insulated, waterproof protection for hands, feet and head.

“We’re trying to emphasize dressing for the water, not the weather,” Scott explained. “It’s not enough to have just a life jacket. You need to be dressed for the cold water as well.”

Scott Shea is properly dressed for yesterday's 40-degree water.

Several simulated rescues were filmed. First, Tina Madore flipped her boat and was rescued by Scott.

Tina Madore is also dressed for cold-water paddling.

Tina struggles at the stern of her kayak.

Scott Shea arrives to help Tina.

Then Scott himself went over and demonstrated a self-rescue with paddle float and pump. I've known Scott for several years and bought my own kayak from his company, SeaSpray Kayaking. I enormously respect his skills as well as his desire and ability to communicate with the paddling public.

Scott Shea demonstrates a self-rescue.

After getting back in his boat, Scott pumps out the cockpit.

As a final demo, David Lenz swamped his 16-foot open canoe, and (by pre-arranged plan) had to be pulled out of the water by the Maine Marine Patrol.

David Lenz with a swamped canoe.

Following the on-water demos, Chuck Sutherland, a physiologist, paddler and cold-water survival expert, spoke to us about the proper procedures for dealing with hypothermia. He cited several cases where paddlers with severe cases of hypothermia had been saved by careful treatment according to protocols he helped develop. Check out Chuck’s web page. The case studies are particularly interesting.

The safety video is being produced by Eric Kaighin, executive director of Living Reel Productions, of Holbrook, Mass. I'll report on it when ready for release.

The paddling community is modestly represented at the 2006 Maine Sportsman's Show, which runs through today at the Augusta Civic Center. Yesterday I stopped by SeaSpray Kayaking's display area and learned that the West Bath company is sponsoring Maine's first saltwater kayak fishing tournament this summer.

Scott Shea, owner of SeaSpray Kayaking, plans to run Maine's first saltwater kayak fishing tournament this July.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

Owner Scott Shea says that kayak fishing is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and that tournaments are springing up along the east coast. He grabbed the opportunity to run Maine's first, slated for July 15-17.

And SeaSpray Kayaking will sell you a boat that will be perfect for participants -- a Wilderness Systems Pungo outfitted with a suite of fishing accessories.

Other show special include a Radisson canoe from Belgrade Canoe and Kayak, and a Perception Dagger poly kayak from The Great Outdoors of Winthrop. Call 377-9925; their website isn't working.

This Radisson canoe is Belgrade Canoe and Kayak's show special.

The Great Outdoors is offering this Perception Dagger as its show special.

The Maine Sportsman's Show is principally sponsored by the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine.