More than 50 paddle routes on protected bodies of water- An easy-to-use, informative guide for trips primarily within an hour’s drive of Portland
- Day trips for weekend warriors, families and anyone looking for a great day of fun on the water
Maine is one of the premier paddling destinations in North America. And across the Greater Portland–Southern Maine region, paddlers can find plenty of protected, flat water to play in, whether canoeing, kayaking, floating, or coasting along on an SUP.
Paddling Southern Maine includes maps, photographs and suggested routes, with a strong focus on safe and responsible paddling and environmental awareness. There is an “At a Glance” chart to help you find just the outing you’re looking for, and none of the trips require shuttling or portaging. The authors note the skill level and endurance needed for each trip, and there are fun outings for novices and strong, experienced paddlers, alike.
Co-authors Sandy Moore and Kimberlee Bennett are long-time Maine paddlers.
Sandy Moore
Sandy Moore is a former Registered Maine Guide and ACA (American Canoe-Kayak-SUP-Raft-Rescue Association) Kayak Instructor. Passionate about introducing people to the world of paddling, she believes that kayaking, SUPing, and canoeing are the perfect methods for people with a wide range of abilities to explore nature from a unique and intimate perspective.
Sandy grew up on a lake in Southern New England. That, along with early experiences camping with her family across the United States, led to a lifelong love of outdoor activities, especially on the water. Researching this book was the perfect excuse to recruit her husband, as well as her four sons (all pursuing careers out of state) to load up the boats, turning many family visits into scouting trips. Sharing the joy of spending days on the water with family and friends is the reason for this book.
Kimberlee Bennett
Kimberlee Bennett is an educator, blogger, amateur photographer, and kayaker. With a demanding career as an assistant principal in one of southern Maine’s largest high schools, Kimberlee treasures kayaking as a way to find balance, peace, and tranquility away from life’s stressors.
Because of her parents’ love of the Maine outdoors, Kimberlee began paddling a canoe at a very young age, honing her skills in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. After her mother introduced her to kayaking, they spent hours paddling together appreciating nature’s beauty. After her mother’s death in 2009, Kimberlee’s father gave her a wonderful gift–her mom’s beloved red kayak. Kimberlee then began exploring waterways around Portland and documenting her adventures on her blog, www.kayakinginmaine.blogspot.com, which is where she and Sandy connected and developed the idea of writing this book.
The more time Kimberlee has spent in her kayak, the deeper her respect and affection for the sport have grown. She enjoys sharing her passion with friends and family, especially her nephews. She loves that kayaking is something people can do independently or enjoy with other people. she hopes this book will help other people to enjoy some pristine Maine waterways.
