2024 Bayfield Gathering - Inaugural Event!
Dates: August 11-15, 2024
Miles: Variable each day, typically between six and fourteen
Challenges: Wind, wave and sun conditions; inclement weather; possible long paddle days. Daily paddle distances may range from 8 to 12 miles.
Fee: NO participation fee will be charged for this Gathering. Group launch and parking fees will be covered by NEWP.
Register: You MUST be a current member of NEWP and ACA to participate in this gathering. To join, see the membership page.
Tentative Daily Paddle
Agenda Below
Registration and payment options will be coming soon. Please check back later.
Pay for the event (if you have not already).
SAFETY FIRST
- All participants must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) at all times while on the water.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the paddle or during lunch stops.
Current Participant List:
(Please confirm your club membership status and complete the trip forms above.)
Gathering: Sunday 8/11 – Thursday 8/15
- Jeff Mazanec (T-1: #48)
- Sandy Oliver (T-2: #48)
- Michael Barry (RV)
- Richard Grenell (T-3: #48)
- Joshua Taylor (T-4: #46)
- Tana Taylor (T-4: #46)
- Ken Braband (RV)
- Mary Braband (RV)
- Robert Thomas (off-site)
- Diane Christel (T-5: #48)
- Scott Schreiber (T-6: #46)
- Joanne Gorski (T-8: #48)
- Greg Beck (RV)
- Keith Crist (T-9: #45)
- Dennis Janda (T-11: #48)
- Dick Steinle (T-12: #45)
- Bill Rattunde (T-12: #45)
- Jack Barry (RV)
NEWP is coordinating its first ever Bayfield Gathering from Sunday August 11 through Thursday August 15. It will be based at the Little Sand Bay Campground in the Town of Russell, as a land-based event with daily paddle outings selected to best match a paddle route or venue with wind and wave conditions and participant interests. As a “gathering,” participants are welcome to participate whichever days and activities best fit their schedule and interests. Prospective day trips are listed below, as examples.
Tent and RV camping is available at the Little Sand Bay Campground and can be reserved now. NEWP has reserved one group campsite and two individual campsites (tent only) with capacity limited to ten individuals, on a first-come, first-served basis. Other camping or lodging accommodations will be on your own or to be coordinated by participants in small groups.
Although participants must meet the stated experience, boat and equipment criteria outlined on this page, our goal is to mix experienced paddlers with “first-timers” for each day’s outing. We anticipate all paddle venues will be on Lake Superior, or in Chequamegon Bay.
NEWP club trips provide an opportunity for experienced paddlers together with newer paddlers to safely enjoy a few days of great paddling and camping in the beautiful Apostle Islands. For many participants over the years, our club trip has been a “first” experience paddling extensively in the Great Lakes, and often also for camping with only the equipment and supplies that can be packed into a kayak.
We select destinations and campsite locations to offer a variety of paddle destinations, hiking and other activity options based on weather and paddle conditions. Ken Braband’s short video clip from our 2019 trip to Sand Island, or his long version with participant interviews provides a good trip overview. For more information check out the Apostle Islands website.
Timeline
- Travel to Bayfield, WI on (or before) 8/11. Overnight at Little Sand Bay Campground or individual accommodations.
- EARLY TRAVELER PADDLE OPTION – Meet at Meyers Beach launch @ 2-3 PM to tour the mainland sea caves (parking fee) if paddle conditions are favorable.
- DINNER OPTION TBD in Cornucopia or Bayfield.
- Paddle Days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Daily trips will be scheduled based on conditions and participant interest. SEE TENTATIVE AGENDA BELOW.
- Return day Thursday 8/15 – Break camp and drive home.
Daytrip Destinations
Daily paddle trips will be determined by a combination of wind and wave conditions, paddler interest and group goals. Some paddle trips may begin and end at Little Sand Bay. For others, the group will carpool to launch locations ranging from Meyers Beach near Cornucopia to beyond Washburn on Chequamegon Bay as listed below. Other land-based activities or attractions may be present viable options in the event of inclement weather, and certainly not limited to those listed below.
Here are some prospective day-trips:
Prospective Paddle Trips
- Little Sand Bay to Sand Island sea caves and lighthouse, 10 mi. RT (round trip)
- Little Sand Bay to York Island beach, 5 mi. RT (circumnavigate York Island, 8 mi. RT)
- Little Sand Bay to Raspberry Island lighthouse, 11 mi. RT
- Little Sand Bay shoreline tour, RT
- Meyers Beach to mainland sea caves, 6 mi. RT
- Meyers Beach to Little Sand Bay, 10 mi. one-way
- Thompsons West End Park in Washburn to Bono Creek (Chequamegon Bay) 5 mi. RT
- Thompsons West End Park in Washburn north to Houghton Point (Chequamegon Bay) 8 mi., RT
- Washington Avenue Beach in Bayfield to Madeline Island, RT
- Washington Avenue Beach in Bayfield to Basswood Island dock, 8 mi., RT
- Cornucopia Beach to Lost Creek and around Roman Point, 7mi., RT
- Little Sand Bay sunset paddle (be sure to have a headlamp available if you want to do this!)
Potential Dryland Activities/ Attractions
- Hike Meyers Beach to Sea Caves, 4.3 miles
- Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center at 29270 Co Hwy G, Ashland, WI 54806
- Bayfield Maritime Museum at 131 S First St., Bayfield, WI 54814
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Bayfield Headquarters Visitor Center at 415 Washington Ave., Bayfield, WI 54814
- Madeline Island Ferry Line service to Madeline Island. Bayfield Terminal at 20 Washington Ave., Bayfield, WI 54814
- Trek and Trail Outfitter/ Paddle Store at 7 Washington Ave., Bayfield, WI 54814
2024 Bayfield Gathering – Actual Daily Paddle Agenda
Sunday 8/11
- 2 PM to 3 PM – A few people met at Meyers Beach to tour the mainland sea caves.
Monday 8/12
- Group of 17 (all except Scott Schreiber) launched at 9 AM; paddled to Sand Island in light wind/ waves. Completed full tour of all sea caves in flat water, then traveled around island to lighthouse for lunch stop and returned to Little Sand Bay.
Tuesday 8/13
- Three paddlers (Greg, Robert, Dennis) traveled to Meyers Beach and completed a sea cave tour.
- Four paddlers (Dick, Bill, Scott and Richard) completed 11-mile trip coastline trip from Little Sand Bay to Meyers Beach, finishing with the three sea cave paddlers.
- Eleven paddlers (Ken, Mary, Michael, Jack, Diane, Joanne, Sandy, Josh, Tana, Jeff, Keith) launched from Cornucopia Beach (wayside parking lot) and followed the shoreline to Lost Creek, toured up the creek then back and around Roman Point to view sea caves before returning to launch area.
Wednesday 8/14
- Group of 16 (all except Joanne and Robert) launched at 9:30 AM
- Nine (Sandy, Michael, Jack, Josh, Tana, Ken, Mary, Diane, Dennis) traveled to York Island for a beach visit; returned to Little Sand Bay.
- Seven (Dick, Bill, Richard, Keith, Scott, Greg, Jeff) traveled to Raspberry Island for a lighthouse tour. Scott, Bill and Dick detoured to York Island on the return, the others returned directly to Little Sand Bay.
Thursday 8/15
- On return from Wednesday’s paddles, weather forecast suggested continuous rain and building wind starting 2 AM Thursday. Group decided to not paddle on Thursday and most returned home. Richard and Greg stayed at Little Sand Bay Wednesday night and left for home early Thursday morning. After deciding to leave early, NEWP’s campsites were immediately occupied by other groups returning early from island campsites to avoid being stuck due to wind and wave conditions.
Participant Qualifications and Preparation
To ensure participants meet fitness qualifications and equipment requirements, all participants must complete at least one two-hour group paddle. This will:
- Expose the participant to the physical requirements of an extended crossing. We will be prepared to stay in the kayaks for the full trip.
- Confirm each participant’s ability to make the trip.
- Verify that the kayak and equipment are suitable for a Lake Superior trip.
- Practice/test paddles are listed on the Practice Paddles page.
- Other opportunities to paddle in “big water” conditions:
- Others TBD
Trip Leaders
Trip Leaders for each trip will be identified during the pre-trip briefing.
- Trip leaders will have authority over all participants on water trips or activities.
- If the trip leaders believe that due to weather or water conditions it is unsafe to proceed with a trip or activity, they may restrict or cancel that trip or activity.
- If conditions present excessive risk for paddling activities, the group will discuss alternative land-based options for group consideration.
Safety Considerations
- Water Crossings, Trips and Activities:
- No solo on-water crossings, trips or activities will be allowed.
- All on water activities will be done in groups with designated lead paddlers. Groups must be three or greater paddlers.
- Equipment
- Trip leaders have final approval of all participating kayaks and equipment.
- All kayaks, equipment and clothing must be suitable for Lake Superior paddling.
- Kayaks must have flotation or bulkheads, deck-lines and be fitted with spray skirts. If the kayak does not have bulkheads the use of and knowledge of how to use sea socks is required.
- Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for this trip.
- Participants are encouraged to acquire and become familiar with safety equipment such as paddle floats, radios, tow ropes, spare paddle etc.
- Night paddling is not planned, however paddlers should be prepared in case a night paddle becomes necessary. Coast Guard rules require everyone to have a visual light source such as a laser flare or three traditional flares, a sound source (whistle) and a white light source (head lamp) to display in the presence of moving boat traffic.
- Paddle Clothing – Lake Superior is COLD!
- Practice self and group rescues; review the video Cold Water Boot Camp.
- Bring suitable cold water paddling gear, wetsuit, dry suit, splash jacket, gloves, etc.
- Dress to confidently function in cold weather and in case of cold-water immersion.
- Alcohol and Drugs
- NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL BE ALLOWED WHILE PADDLING.
- NO ILLEGAL DRUGS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Meals and Camping
Participants are responsible for their own meals. Due to the number of participants, range of camping options and daily variability, we will not plan group meals for the evenings but may suggest a “potluck dinner” format for the last campsite night, which is Wednesday 8/14 at the beachside shelter (if available).
Black bears are active in the Apostle Islands and occasionally present a problem, as can raccoon and other wildlife. For base camping at the public campground, we strongly suggest locking all food items in a car or trailer to prevent damage to tents or other equipment.
Trip Goal
The trip goal is to have a fun, safe outing. Because of the nature of Lake Superior, safety will be the primary factor. Due to possible weather and wind conditions on Lake Superior, there is no guarantee that events or activities will happen as planned. Participants must be flexible and be prepared for changes in events and timing.
Park Rules
All Apostle Island National Lakeshore rules must be followed. All participants will be expected to follow the “Leave No Trace” practices. Burning of garbage, cigarette butts or other waste is not allowed in the fire area. Questions? Contact Jeff M. at [email protected].Participants Must
- Be a current ACA and NEWP member.
- Have taken a NEWP class or be known by one of the lead paddlers to have the requisite skills and training for the planned trip.
- Complete the event form, ACA waiver and submit the event fee.
- The fee will cover event expenses and purchase of trip safety equipment.
- In the event a participant cannot make the outing and a qualified replacement is willing to take their place, the fee will be refunded.
- If the event is cancelled due to conditions beyond our control, any remaining funds after paying expenses will be refunded proportionately. The participant can choose to donate their refund to the club for the purchase of safety equipment.