Trip/Event Location: Worcester, MAUS
Trip Leader(s): Mr. Magoo
Max # People: 15
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Easy
Join the party for a fun half day of paddling on Worcester's renowned Lake Quinsigammond! Known to have one of the finest competitive rowing courses in the world, "Quinsig" has been a popular spot for
The address for Regatta Point is:
10 N Lake Avenue Worcester, Ma 01604
If you're familiar with the area, the park is located directly across Lake Ave. from UMass Memorial Medical Center. The easiest way to get there is from I-290.
From the East take Exit 25 toward Worcester. Stay to the right at the fork in the ramp. In half a mile, turn left on Plantation St. Go 0.6 mile and turn left onto Natural History Rd. Continue for 0.9 mile and Regatta Point will be on the left.
From the West take Exit 24 Plantation Street. Turn right at the end of the ramp and then left in 0.2 mile onto Natural History Rd. Continue for 0.9 mile and the park will be on the left.
We will meet at the rental dock at 10:00 AM for a 3- hour paddle. The boat rental area is clearly marked. See you there!
"Paddling Poo in the Dirty Woo"
Mostly sunny skies and temps right around 80°F greeted our group of seven as we assembled on the shore of Lake Quinsigammond in Worcester. We were to set out on a 3-hour tour and did just that despite the tale of the ill-fated S.S. Minnow, and the signs warning of high coliform bacteria levels. Three of our group had schlepped their own kayaks, with representation in the folding, inflatable and standard rigid-hull categories. The remaining four, including myself, rented our craft rom the fine folks at Regatta Point Sailing Community. "2 singles and a tandem." The order was filled quickly, we donned our PFDs and were ready to go! The proud boat owners launched from the sands of Goose Shit Beach while the renters took a more hygienic route via the comparatively clean rental dock. Once on the open water, our fears of contracting cholera quickly dissolved into laughter and friendly conversation, and we set to the task at hand...a 3- mile paddle to the southern end of the lake to enjoy a peaceful marshy area just south of route 20. The lake was almost devoid of motorcraft, a pleasant surprise on a beautiful summer Saturday! We enjoyed a relaxed pace throughout the day, allowing for plenty of good-humored chat and a few daring paddle splashes of poo-water. We were even given the opportunity to bear witness to an African baptism, an interesting treat that none of us could have expected. After returning/deflating/folding/car-topping our trusty vessels we headed to nearby Shrewsbury Street for a bite. Unfortunately, this newbie trip leader (more accurately "instigator") had chosen a spot that would not be open for another 2 hours...DOH! But no harm, no foul. The area is known as restaurant row, and we found an alternative literally 2 doors away. After breaking bread, we parted ways with friendly salutations and wishes to get together on a future outing soon. Overall a win provided there's a little extra bleach in the next load of laundry!
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
