The (Re)Gathering at Chincoteague

Location: Chincoteague Island, VA

Instructors: Ashley Brown, Jeff Atkins, Rick Wiebush

We had to cancel the originally-planned “Gathering at Chincoteague” due to the Coronavirus. The 60 people that were supposed to come were extremely disappointed!  But we aren’t giving up, because this paddling destination is just too good to miss. The big difference this time is that instead of 60 people, we are limiting attendance to 15.

The paddling plan is fabulous! The paddling will be suitable for people at the intermediate and more advanced skill levels. The exact courses and trips will depend in part on who goes but this is what we envision:

• A circumnavigation of Chincoteague Island on the Friday. We’ll have to time the currents carefully so that we get a strong boost to cover the 14 nm easily. It will be near a full moon so the current will be cranking!

• Friday night will see the opportunity for a full-moon paddle for those who didn’t get enough during the day.

• On Saturday, people who want to surf will head down to Metompkin Inlet. Those who want a great paddle will head over to the Bay and paddle out to Great Fox Island, where the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has a facility. This is a 14 nm round trip in open water.

• On Sunday, you can choose between a class focused on learning and refining intermediate skills, or take another trip, or head out to the Chincoteague Inlet to play in current, then paddle along the oceanside of Assateague Island and play in surf.

We have rented one really nice house that can hold eight people. Depending on what everyone wants to do for housing, we can get another house or people can stay in one of the local motels, where off-season prices will be in effect