The Small Boat Shop

Norwalk Islands Kayaking Tours

Full Day – Saturdays and Sundays -- $95

Water safety and basic paddling instruction are conducted before leaving the dock.  After launching, we will head down the Norwalk River and into Long Island Sound.  Weather permitting, we will stop for lunch and rest breaks out on the islands themselves.

Arrive at The Small Boat Shop at 9:30AM for check-in and instruction.  Tour groups will return to The Shop between 3:30PM and 4:00PM.
          

Women’s Full Day -- $95

          Our regular weekend tour with no men allowed!  All guides are also women and as always are chosen for their kayaking experience and skill.

Arrive at The Small Boat Shop at 9:30AM for check-in and instruction.  Tour groups will return to The Shop between 3:30PM and 4:00PM.

Four Hour Tours – Wednesdays -- $72

Offered in conjunction with the Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department, these shorter tours give customers a taste of the Islands without a full-day commitment.  Customers should arrive at the small boat launch ramp at Calf Pasture Beach 30 minutes prior to launch time.  Let the gatekeeper at the park know that you’re with the Parks & Rec. kayaking tour.  There will be basic safety instruction before launching.  Tours run from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

Fall Foliage Tour -- $100

          Scheduled for peak leaf color, we will paddle the Farmington River from the town of Farmington, CT to Simsbury, CT.  This quiet 9½ mile section wanders through woods, fields and historic farm land.  Enjoy views of Talcott Mountain and Hublein Tower.  If you look hard you might see King Philip’s Cave high on a ridge above the river. 

            This is a flat water trip with no rapids and no portages.

Nova Scotia/ Newfoundland

The Bay of Exploits July 5-12, 2008

$1,850.00 + 13% tax

Nestled in Newfoundland’s northern coastline, the Bay of Exploits highlights a diverse archipelago that has offered sanctuary for travelers of the stormy Atlantic Ocean for ages.  Visited by the Dorset Eskimo over a thousand years ago, they became the last refuge of the indigenous Beothuk.  With the arrival of the Europeans these islands harbored thriving fishing communities.  Today they lay silent, their inhabitants having moved to the mainland, or even further afield.  During our voyage we will explore the region’s cultural and natural history, as well as paddle among the enormous icebergs that drift into the bay this time of year.  Humpback and Minke whales also arrive, pursuing large schools of Capelin close to shore – and the sea bird colonies are bustling.  It is truly an extraordinary sight.

The Cape Breton Highlands -- July 22-26 $1,125.00 + 13% tax

During the five day tour we will paddle under the shadow of the Cape Breton Highlands, on the northern tip of the province, where imposing rock formations flank the Precambrian shield of the highlands and sea caves and spires adorn the route.  The Narrow, steep valleys and gullies, interrupted by waterfalls, lead up to the barren plateau with its panoramic view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  Bald eagles and seals abound, and we will often accompany pods of whales as they feed on the migrating mackerel and squid.  This is one of the most spectacular paddling destinations in North America.

The Bay of Fundy -- August 4-7

$875 + 13% tax

The Bay of Fundy is renowned for the greatest tides on earth which, when combined with the highest cliffs on mainland Nova Scotia, have produce a remarkable paddling destination.  Our route follows the boundary of a continental collision that thrust Africa against North America eons ago.  We weave among rock gardens, poke into sea caves, and glide under towering spires draped with seaweed far above our kayaks.  Dark volcanic basalt, containing agate, amethyst and jasper, caps bright reddish sandstone where the earliest dinosaurs roamed the planet.

Sea Kayaking Instruction -- $125

Launch from our docks on the Norwalk River, and paddle to an instruction site.  Once there, students learn capsizing and exiting a kayak, several methods of offshore rescue, fundamental paddle strokes and boat control.  The instructional day lasts about six hours including paddling to and from the instruction site, lunch and rest breaks.  Eat your Wheaties, this is a full day’s workout!

            Arrive at the Small Boat Shop at 9:30AM for check-in and instruction.  Tour groups will return to the shop between 3:30PM and 4:00PM.

Kid’s Kayaking Class -- $95

          On a summer Wednesday from 10am-2pm, Kid’s Kayaking is part instruction, part tour, and all fun.  We start on Calf Pasture Beach with equipment and pre-launch instruction.  From there, we will paddle out to the Norwalk Islands.  Along the way, the children will be introduced to basic paddling and kayaking rescue techniques.  We will take a lunch break out on one of the islands.

Greenland Kayaking Instruction -- $175

What to Bring

Participants should dress appropriately for the time of the year, i.e. layered clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.  Sneakers, sandals, or water shoes are required as you will be walking in the water and on beaches with rocks and shells.  Your shoes will get wet.  A spare change of clothing in case of an unexpected swim is also recommended.

Bring a lunch and plenty of water to drink.  No hard coolers please.  Bring more water than you anticipate needing.  Sun and exercise cause you to lose fluids and energy faster than usual.

            Showers are available after full day programs.  Bring your own towel and toiletries.

Registration

            Reservations are required.  All tours are registered on a first come basis.  Prices include guides and equipment.

            Tours must be prepaid at least one week in advance for registration.  Space is limited.  Registration can be made in person at The Small Boat Shop or by phone (203) 854-52323 with a Visa/MasterCard.  Reservations made by mail (check) are not secured until received by The Small Boat Shop.

            Equipment will be provided.  If you are bringing your own sea kayak, it must be pre-approved by The Small Boat Shop prior to registration.  There is no discount for bringing your own boat.

Liability

            A liability release form will be signed by each person.  Each kayaker must be willing to assume responsibility for their participation.  Please assess your skills honestly.

Cancellations

            Cancellations must be made at least one week in advance of the tour date in order to receive a full refund.  Cancellations made with less than seven days notice will receive no refund.  There are Special Cancellation Requirements for groups of six or more.  We run trips rain or shine.  SBS will cancel in the event of strong winds or other hazardous conditions.  Tours cancelled by The Small Boat Shop will be rescheduled or fully refunded.

Directions to The Small Boat Shop

144 Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854

(203) 854-5232

From western Connecticut, New York and New Jersey

Take I-95 North to exit 14.  At the end of the exit ramp turn right.  At the fourth traffic light, take another right onto Water Street.  Go four tenths of a mile down Water Street and turn left into REX Marine Center.  The Small Boat Shop is about 200 feet down the lane.

From eastern Connecticut

Take I-95 South to exit 16.  At the end of the ramp turn left onto East Avenue.  Go two tenths of a mile and (at the gas station) turn right onto Fort Point Street.  Turn left at the second stop sign to stay on Fort Point.  Cross the Norwalk River Bridge.  At the end of the bridge, turn left onto Water Street.  Go four tenths of a mile down Water Street and turn left into REX Marine Center.  The Small Boat Shop is about 200 feet down the lane.

From Northern Connecticut

Take Route 7 South to Norwalk.  Follow the Route 7 Expressway south to the “South Norwalk/Maritime Center” exit.  Turn right at the end of the ramp onto West Avenue.  Turn left at the fourth traffic light onto North Main Street.  At the third traffic light, turn left onto Washington Street.  Turn right at the next traffic light onto Water Street.  Go four tenths of a mile down Water Street and turn left into REX Marine Center.  The Small Boat Shop is about 200 feet down the lane.

Directions to Calf Pasture Beach

Take I-95 Exit 16. If traveling North on I-95 turn right onto East Avenue, if traveling South on I-95 turn left onto East Avenue. Go straight through two traffic lights and under a railroad bridge. Bear left after the third traffic light to Cemetery Street, then bear right onto Gregory Boulevard.  Continue to a traffic circle. Bear left at the circle then turn right and follow Calf Pasture Beach Road to the beach parking area.

Directions to Hudson River Tours

            Take I-84 West to Taconic Parkway South.  From the Taconic, take Cold Spring Exit/Route 301.  Route 301 turns into Main Street, make the very last left onto Lynn Terrace.  Cross a bridge, then make a quick left onto Market Street.  Park in the Metro North Parking lot.  Parking is free on weekends.

Arrive at the Metro North parking lot 30 minutes prior to launch time.

Directions to Fall Foliage Tour

            Take CT 185 to where it crosses the Farmington River in the Weatogue section of Simsbury.  At the east end of the bridge, Nod Road breaks off to the south; there is a large parking area beside the river just a few yards down this road.

            Taxis will take us to the put-in and we will paddle back to our cars.