June 28, Sunday, 7:30 pm — Sunset/Full Moon Paddle along Morehead City waterfront. 

Paddle along Morehead City waterfront, down to the port, around Sugarloaf Island, which runs along the length of the waterfront. Enjoy the sunset and then the full 'Strawberry Moon". Very little boat traffic at this time. Coast Guard requires a strong flashlight onboard after sunset; lights from the restaurants, the port and Atlantic Beach will help show the way on return (Moonrises at 7:48, Sun sets at 8:26; Twilight ends 8:54 pm). Paddle approx. 1.5-2 hours. Launch from 11th Street beach access, Morehead City, with parking and easy, sandy beach access. Contact ccwc1985@gmail.com for more info.

July 18, Saturday, 10 am — Paddle around Permuda Island Reserve.

The Permuda Island Reserve is situated in Stump Sound between Topsail Island and the mainland town of Holly Ridge in the extreme southwestern portion of Onslow County. The island is of national archaeological significance because it contains remains from various periods of early habitation by Native Americans. Archaeological evidence indicates the earliest occupation occurred as early as 300 B.C. However, we will just paddle around the island, since "given the presence of thick vegetation, and abundance of snakes and insects, visitors are encouraged to enjoy Permuda from the water" (according to the DEQ website). Launch at Morris Landing Fishing, 899-837 State Rd 1538, Holly Ridge, then paddle in a circle around Permuda Island Reserve. Possible side trip (by car) afterwards to South Topsail Preserve at southern tip of Topsail Island (16.5 miles from Kayak launch site by car, at southern end of Hwy 50). Contact ccwc1985@gmail.com for more info.

July 21, Tuesday, 5:30–8 pm — Monthly Member Meeting and Potluck

Keith Rittmaster will talk about NC Whales – Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation. Thirty-five species of living cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have been documented in the waters off North Carolina over the past 40 years. Through a ~45 min. slide presentation with hands-on display items (bones, teeth, baleen, oil) Keith Rittmaster of the NC Maritime Museum and Bonehenge Whale Center in Beaufort, NC will give an overview of the species he encounters through his work, and some of the conservation issues they face. Time for questions and discussion will follow. Note: this meeting will be held in the Beaufort Maritime Museum's Auditorium.  Contact ccwc1985@gmail.com for more info.

July 25, Saturday, 9 am — Bogue Sound Paddle, Atlantic Beach Causeway to Hoop Pole Creek.

We will start at the public access fishing pier on the north end of the Atlantic Beach Causeway (west side at the base of the bridge). We will launch from the sandy area next to the pier, which is ideal for kayaks and canoes. We will paddle west toward Hope Pole Creek and the surrounding marshes and small islands. One island along our paddle trail is good for taking a break and swimming. Directions:  from Morehead City, drive south across Atlantic Beach bridge; at end of bridge, take 1st right to free parking and launch site. Click this link to see the location on Google Maps, or use these coordinates in Google Maps: 34.710556N 76.737222W. Tide will be going out during our paddle. Paddle approx. 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Contact ccwc1985@gmail.com for more info.

Aug. 9, Sunday, 2 pm — Paddle Pettiford Creek. 

Pettiford Creek is a branch of the White Oak River that separates Cape Carteret from Peletier and runs deep into the Croatan NF. The town of Cape Carteret has recently built a special kayak ramp on the creek and it is here we will start and paddle upstream into Croatan NF, then return. The Pettiford Creek Launch Site, Hwy 58, Cape Carteret lies on Hwy 58 between the junction with Taylor Notion Road and the bridge over Pettiford Creek. You can find it with Google Maps using these coordinates: 34.70850N 77.06756W. Contact ccwc1985@gmail.com for more info.