Kayaking Day - NEMA Networking Event

32 Shore Drive,Somerville MA 02145

10 July, 2021

Description

Let’s have some fun on the water kayaking with Outdoor Afro! *Please note - there are several Paddle Boston locations, so be sure to choose the Blessing Bay address above* This location is a short walk from the Assembly Row T station. There is a small parking lot, with 2 hour street parking across from the lot, and more parking options on the website. What will we do? We’ll meet at the boathouse at 10a for an opening circle that includes getting to know each other and some basics about kayaking. Then, we’ll paddle around and practice some maneuvering in our boats. Chaya, our Outdoor Afro Leader, is a certified kayaking instructor, so you can choose to enhance your skills or just kick back and relax - whatever floats your boat. We will stay together as group, meaning we can all see each other, and this is a family friendly, all experience-levels event. We’ll plan to head about 3 miles up to one of the parks for snack/lunch break, and then turn around with current to head back to the boathouse. Please be flexible with wind, current and our group paddling effort. Any youth less than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. It is your choice if you choose a double (two-person) kayak, or if the young person is able to paddle their own single kayak. Please reserve your own boat for 10:30a: https://paddleboston.com/rentals/our-locations/blessing-of-the-bay-somerville/ If 10:30a is full, choose 10:10a, 10:50a or as close to 10:00 as you can. You won’t be charged any additional cost. Single, sit on kayak for the day: $38 Single, sit kayak (more advanced): $45 Double kayak: $49 Kid kayak: $20 We recommend single kayaks for most people; (double) kayaks are available if you are coming with a youth, have experience paddling with someone else, or are unable to paddle on your own due to physical limitations. What should I wear and bring? - At least 1 liter of water in a reusable container - Clothes and shoes that can get wet - no flip flops - An athletic t shirt or bathing suit top - Athletic, quick dry shorts or bathing suit bottoms - Closed toes sandals with a strap, water shoes or sneakers that can get wet - Hat/sunglasses/sunscreen - Snacks and/or picnic lunch - there are also lots of food options nearby at Assembly Row - Dry bag and dry pouch for keys and phone (optional - Chaya has a few extras) - Life vest (optional if you have one; they are included with your rental) - Be prepared to leave any valuables in your car or better yet, at home. Some of the History behind: Nipmuc and Mass-adchusett referred to the river as the MissiTuk, which led to colonizers naming it the Mystic River. It was full of young herrings as a food source for seasonal migrations for indigenous people. In the 1700s and 1800s, the area around Somerville, Medford and Winchester became a hub for shipbuilding and trade, primarily molasses and rum, with the Carribbean. There was a large group of Black men who worked in this trade, especially in New Bedford (Frederick Souglass!) and Gloucester. Often, women in their families would be able to be teachers, seamstresses, and even merchants or run small businesses, such as Black Joe and Lucretia in Gloucester. Due to our various relationships and connections to the sea, Black New Englanders were a large part of the journey for liberation during this time period in Nova Scotia, Liberia, some parts of Europe and in small communities in the Carribean. With the end of legal slavery and the industrial era, we fought to enter a wider variety of careers and began to settle in different parts of Massachusetts. We can talk more about our connections to the Mystic River and how we’ve always been water and land conservationists during our experience. If you have questions or there are any ways Chaya can help accommodate you: [email protected] ahead of time