Meeting Time: 10:00 AM

Max # People: 12

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Easy

We’ll cover:

• Paddleboarding basics including gear, stance, and safety
• How to fall off and how to get back on with ease (falling off is the easiest skill to master)
• Progressions from sitting to kneeling to standing
• Tips for balance, paddling technique, and staying relaxed on the board

Whether you’re nervous or have simply never had the chance to try, this is your invitation to experience paddleboarding in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

We will launch directly from Umbagog Lake State Park in Errol, New Hampshire. Umbagog Lake is large and open, but the launch area and nearby shoreline offer calm conditions that work well for beginners, especially in the morning when winds are light and boat traffic is minimal.

The lake is known for its wild feel and undeveloped shoreline, with broad views, quiet coves, and clear northern water. Wildlife sightings are common, including loons, mergansers, bald eagles, and osprey overhead. Moose and deer are often seen along the shoreline, and the surrounding landscape feels remote and spacious compared to more developed lakes.

Umbagog Lake State Park sits along the New Hampshire–Maine border and borders the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, offering a paddle experience that feels expansive, natural, and deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness.

More Information:

• https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/umbagog-lake-state-park
• Umbagog Lake Distinct Landmarks Flyer

Directions:

From I-93 northbound (from southern New Hampshire or Massachusetts):
Take I-93 north to Exit 35 in Littleton, NH. Follow signs for US Route 302 east toward Berlin. Continue on Route 302 through Carroll and Twin Mountain to the junction with Route 16 north. Take Route 16 north through Gorham and Errol. In Errol, turn left onto Route 26 west briefly, then turn right onto Diamond Road. Follow Diamond Road to Umbagog Lake State Park.

From I-95 northbound (from Maine):
Take I-95 north to Exit 102 in Augusta, ME. Follow Route 3 west toward Bethel. In Bethel, turn right onto Route 5 north, then continue to Andover, ME. Pick up Route 120 west to Route 26 west. Follow Route 26 into Errol, NH. Turn right onto Diamond Road and continue to the park entrance.

From Gorham, NH:
Take Route 16 north approximately 25 miles to Errol. In Errol, turn left onto Route 26 west, then make an immediate right onto Diamond Road. Follow Diamond Road directly to Umbagog Lake State Park.

Get driving directions from Google Maps