MITOC Paddleboarding Trips
Trip planning and safety requirements
Last updated: 2026-05-01
Trip planning
Choose appropriate location:
Calm lakes / ponds, slow rivers, sheltered bays (e.g. Walden Pond, Mystic Lakes, Charles River)
Easy launch location (sandy beach / public dock)
Slightly deeper areas for beginners to practice (to avoid hitting their head on something if they fall)
NOTE: Some locations don’t allow paddling, so check before you go
Check weather:
Combined air + water temp of 120F; water temp >60F
Avoid strong winds (<10 knots) / storms / low visibility
Wind forecast: www.windy.com, www.windfinder.com
Weather: www.weather.gov, www.wunderground.com
Water temp (on the Charles): https://sailing.mit.edu/weather/
Water quality: https://www.crwa.org/flagging-program
Trip planning
Plan launch and landing locations:
Paddle into wind first, return with wind
Plan for rests and emergency landing�(especially with beginner paddlers, plan for an hour of paddling max.)
Plan clean-up:
Where to clean and dry paddleboard and PFD �(rinse gear well after paddling in salt water; �wipe gear clean of plant / mud / debris to avoid spread of invasive species from one body of water to another)
Trip planning [for official MITOC trips]
Fill out the Trip Proposal Form, and notify paddleboarding chair (naj20@mit.edu) that you submitted a form.
Once approved, post the trip on mitoc-trips.mit.edu and advertise via mitoc-announce@mit.edu and paddle@mit.edu mailing lists.
Trip fee:
$15 for paddleboard rental (PFD free with board rental)
Post other expected costs on the trips page (e.g. ride sharing costs)
Trip safety requirements
All participants must be able to swim
Check the weather
Combined air + water temp of 120F; water temp >60F
Avoid strong winds (<10 knots) / storms / low visibility
Check the paddleboard
No leaks / damage?
All fins locked into place?
Wear PFD at all times
Tighten straps so that PFD shoulder straps don’t come above ears when pulled
Stick together as a group
Inform WIMP (paddleboarding chair) upon return to land
Gear
Paddleboard set: board, fins, pump + hose, paddle, repair kit
PFD
Whistle
Flashlight
Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
Appropriate clothing (prepare to get wet! Temperatures can be colder on water)
Towel + change of clothes
Drinking water
First aid kit
Paddleboard use & maintenance
Check that all pieces are in bag before renting / returning:
Board, pump + hose, 3 fins, paddle (3 pieces), repair kit (orange cylinder)
Recommended air pressure for board: 14-18 psi
Be gentle with fins (careful not to rub them on rock / concrete)
Take off shoes on board
Rinse board thoroughly after paddling in salt water
Wipe boards clean of plants / dirt / sand (important to avoid spreading invasive species from one body of water to another)
Dry boards thoroughly to prevent mold
Paddleboard use & maintenance
On some of our paddleboards (e.g. PB-21-01), it can be tricky to lock the fins in.
If you find it difficult, try the following:
2. GENTLY engage the latch
DON’T FORCE THE LATCH DOWN.�If the latch doesn’t lock in place, the back of the fin hasn’t been pushed in enough
Resources for beginner paddlers
Trip planning inspiration