June 9-11, 2023 South Bass Island: This will be year number 19 in celebrating, the South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous as the premier kayaking gathering on Lake Erie. Join more than 100 kayakers from the tri-state area and beyond for a weekend of paddling, camping, socializing and exploring the islands located in the western basin of Lake Erie.
Each year on the second weekend after Memorial Day, paddlers have descended upon the South Bass Island State Park for this annual gathering. This paddler organized event, brings kayakers together for a fun weekend. Safety is our utmost concern and paddlers are encouraged to plan their own water based activities, but join our land based social functions. There are countless paddling opportunities among the islands of the Western Basin. For beginners there are paddling opportunities within the Put-in-Bay Harbor, for intermediate paddlers, there are miles of island coastline to paddle and for experienced paddlers there are dozens of open water crossings between islands to explore. See our paddling page for destination ideas for your weekend.
South Bass Island is a perfect paddling location for kayakers who want to rough it at the State Park or for those who like to be close to civilization. The amenities at the State Park are excellent, the views from the cliff-side campsites are amazing, and downtown Put-in-Bay is a close walk or shuttle drive.
Paddlers can make the crossing from the mainland or they can take the Miller Ferry. If the weather turns, the Miller Ferry is an excellent safety gap for the return trip to the mainland.
Most of all, come, paddle, socialize and experience the wonderful gem we call the Erie Islands!
Contact:
If you would like to be added to our email list for future information about the SBIKR, contact Eric Slough at emanohtol at yahoo dot com.
After a 38-year career in aviation, Dorsey moved to Florida in 2018 and purchased her first kayak. Since then, that kayak has taken her on an amazing journey, including a 1,515-mile circumnavigation around Florida to becoming the President of the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA).
Established in 2007 under the guidance of Florida DEP/Office of Greenways and Trails, FPTA is a statewide, non-profit organization, with a primary mission of supporting and maintaining the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT). Designed similarly to the Appalachian Trail and the Florida Trail, FPTA has a network of more than 100 volunteers, FPTA maintains and supports the CT. We also promote paddling education through the Legacy Fund, and “Connects Paddlers to Florida’s Water Trails” by documenting and providing water trail maps throughout the state of Florida.
Dorsey is the first female veteran and 34th person to complete the CT. She is also the first FPTA President to complete the CT. Join her as she shares FPTA’s history and current mission to support Florida paddlers; provides an overview of the CT, the Trail Angles that support it, paddlers who have conquered it; and if you are tenacious enough, suggestions on how to paddle and become recognized amongst the current 35 CT Hall of Famers!
