Wompanoag Paddle '13

This years Wompanoag Paddle was a great turnout! Founded by the Tyak's, this water stride is a non-competitive, breathtakingly scenic event that begins at the Herring River off of Lady's Way in Scituate and ends - for most people - around 10 miles up the North River at the Tyak's very hospitable and beautiful residence. For those who can handle a more strenuous distance, like Peter Kelly-Detwiler and Nick Tyak - the founder of this paddle in fact - the entire paddle would continue for 3-4 more days!

Executive director of the NSRWA, Sam Woods, and I canoed along side kayaker Dorie Stolley, a representative of her business Three Birds Consulting as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Services at which she served as a wildlife biologist. 

The paddle itself was one of remarkable landscape and serene nature. The wind was endless but the surrounding beauty served enough of a distraction. Along the bank of the North River about 5 miles into the paddle there was a camping site that participants were allowed to make a pit stop at to grab a bite or take a dip. Sam, Dorie, fellow intern Sara Head, and I tested the water out after working our upper bodies to the brink. The temperature of the river was quickly adaptable and the current was strong enough that when we swam against it we wouldn't move foward at all. Like natures own resistance pool! 

The Wompanoag Paddle was a great experience that I and many others were fortunate enough to share together. I look forward to participating in it again next year!