Resources

Waiver Forms & Important Documents

NOAA Marine Weather — Weather specifically for the ocean, including wind, wave, fog, and storm information. Never sea kayak without an up-to-date marine forecast!
New England Digital Forecast Maps — Wind, weather, and wave forecast maps in three-hour increments — the best forecast tool we’ve seen!
Buoy Data from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute — Real-time weather buoy data (wind, wave height, water temperature, etc.) for the Northern New England Coast.
Boston Buoy — NOAA weather buoy 44013 located 16nm east of Boston (wind, wave height, water temp., etc.).
Off-Season Paddling & Cold Water — Cold water kills. Learn more about the dangers and how to protect yourself.

NOAA Tide Predictions — Times and heights of high and low tides along the coast.
USCG Light List — Current list of all aids to navigation in U.S. waters, including visual description and characteristics.
Navigational Rules of the Road — International rules for navigation of all vessels.
NOAA BookletCharts (Printable) — Free nautical charts in a handy PDF format for printing. Use the Chart Viewer below for viewing charts online.
NOAA Online Chart Viewer — A useful viewer that shows all NOAA charts. Use the BookletCharts above for printing charts.

MagicSeaweed.com Surf Report — Forecasts and conditions at surf spots around New England and the world.
NESurfSki — Local race information and results, plus helpful information.
SurfSkiRacing.com — Surfski information, boat reviews, and race schedules.

North Shore Paddler’s Network — A dedicated group with trips, instructional sessions, and social events.
Maine Island Trail Association — A membership organization dedicated to stewardship and recreation along a stunningly beautiful 325-mile waterway. Maine’s islands are perfect for kayak-camping!
Boston Outrigger Racing Association — Dedicated to expanding the sport of Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe racing along the East Coast.
North Shore Outrigger Canoe Club — Dedicated to promoting the sport of Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing in the Boston area.

Charles River Guide — An online paddler’s guide to canoe and kayak access along the Charles River in Massachusetts. If you’re looking for a paper map, we recommend this one.
Charles River Watershed Association — Protecting the Charles with science, outreach, and recreational opportunities.
Charles River Flow — River flow below the Moody Street Dam in Waltham (data from USGS Streamgauge network).
Historical Photos of Canoeing on the Charles River — Images from an era when the Charles was Newton’s playground.
Norumbega Park History — Auburndale amusement park and ballroom, 1897-1963.
DCR Charles River Restoration Project — Massachusetts DCR Charles River Reservation: a riverside greenway on the Charles in Newton, Weston, Waltham, and Watertown.
Charles River Clean-Up Boat — Non-profit organization whose objective is to remove floating trash from the Charles River.
Walking Trails in Newton’s Park and Conservation Lands — Information and maps of all Newton’s parks, including Nahanton Park.

Massachusetts Coastal Access Guide — Online guide to oceanfront public open space from the Coastal Zone Management Office. Also available as a book.
Massachusetts Riverways Program — Promoting restoration, protection and ecological integrity of the Commonwealth’s rivers, streams and adjacent lands.
List of Launch Sites by Paddling.net — User-contributed list of launch sites throughout the United States.

Wooden Canoe Heritage Association — Non-profit membership organization devoted to preserving, studying, building, restoring, and using wood canoes.

Community Rowing — Non-competitive and competitive rowing teams, plus learn-to-row.
Head of the Charles Regatta — Your online source to find hotels near Boston University, Boston, MA.
Community Boating — Sailboat rentals and instruction on the Charles River Basin.