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, brand new, or just haven’t had the chance to try, this is a supportive, low-pressure introduction with plenty of room to learn at your own pace.

We’ll launch directly from Boulder Beach State Park on Lake Groton. The beach area and nearby shoreline offer relatively calm conditions, especially earlier in the day, making it a great place to learn.

Note: This event will repeat on June 27, 2026. Feel free to come to both events. The instruction is flexible and will shift depending on the abilities of those who attend.

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Boulder Beach State Park sits on the eastern shore of Lake Groton, a 423-acre lake surrounded by forested hills and protected public land. The beach is named for the glacier-smoothed boulders scattered along its sandy shoreline, giving the area a rugged, distinctly Vermont feel.

The park is part of Groton State Forest, which spans over 26,000 acres of lakes, trails, and undeveloped woodland. While the setting feels remote and quiet, Boulder Beach offers excellent amenities, making it an ideal launch point for group paddling. Facilities include restrooms, changing rooms, a picnic pavilion, and a small concession stand.

One of the biggest advantages of this location is on-site rentals, which makes these events accessible even if you don’t own your own gear.

Rentals (begin at 10:00 AM):

• Paddleboards: $20 per hour
• Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats: $10 per hour

Arriving early is strongly recommended, rentals can fill up and waitlists do happen on busy days.

Park Details:

• Open: Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend

• Park entry fee: $5 (cash or card)

• Day use hours: 10:00 AM to official sunset

More Information: https://www.vtstateparks.com/parks/boulder-beach

Directions:

From I-91 (from New Hampshire or southern Vermont):
Take I-91 to Exit 18 (Barnet). Follow VT-18 west toward Groton. Turn right onto VT-232 south, then turn left onto Boulder Beach Road. Follow signs to the state park.

From Montpelier, VT:
Take US-2 east to Marshfield, then turn right onto VT-232 north. Follow VT-232 into Groton and turn right onto Boulder Beach Road. Continue to the park entrance.

From Littleton, NH:
Take NH-18 west into Vermont, where it becomes VT-18. Continue toward Groton, then turn left onto VT-232 south. Turn left onto Boulder Beach Road and follow signs to the park.

Get driving directions from Google Maps