Lake Lenape in New Jersey

Trip Overview

This was a trip for instruction on the basics of Kayaking. I'm new to the sport and really enjoy it. Seems to though that I don't get enough time out on the water as I would like.

I took this trip primarily to learn the basic strokes and rescue techniques. I wanted to know these so I could practice them in my favorite lake (Union Lake) before heading down the Maurice River.

My son and his friend visiting from West Point signed up for an instruction period from George at the Paddleshack. Wonderful man. He's friendly, knowledgeable and a personable type of guy. Anyhow we went down to the lake and started to set up.

The Lake facilities here at Lake Lenape are "Top Shelf"! They have immaculate bathrooms (something my kids have to always check out and feedback to Mom). The launching facilities have sandy beaches as well as a beautiful (free) dock to launch from. We fit 9 Kayaks on the dock (avg 12' each) and still had plenty of room to do some paddling instruction. There is just about anything "park-like" you could want here.

The weather was OK. Very windy and the water choppy at first, so we headed out and to a cove area where we did most of the class. There is camping here also. Around the cove area there were folks camping and swimming. A few water-skiers were out as well. This was my first encounter with that problem, but the skiers were nice enough to stay clear of us and George taught us how to handle the wave action.

The water was very nice and warm. I know because I ended up in the drink more than once when I was practicing low and high bracing. But I got lots of practice doing "T-rescue" along with self-rescue.

Overall the trip was awesome. My son's friend said that he had the best time ever on the water. It was his first time out on a kayak.

Accommodations:

Top Shelf. Bathrooms were immaculate, plentiful, and well stocked. There are camping and picnicking facilities. Parking is plentiful and free. Boat ramps are really nice. Boat docks are expansive, clean and like new.

Directions:

From Atlantic City: Take the Atlantic City Expressway to Exit 12. Make a left at the traffic light just before the Hamilton Mall onto Rt. 575. Go 1/4 mile and make a right at the light onto Rt. 40/322. Go about 4 miles and exit on Rt. 50 South. Go 1 mile and turn right onto 13th Street.**

From Pleasantville: Take Rt. 322 West towards the Hamilton Mall. Go 4 miles and exit on Rt. 50 South. Go 1 mile and turn right onto 13th Street.**

From Points North: Garden State Parkway to Exit 44. Take a right onto Rt. 575, continuing to intersection of Rt.40/322 (Hamilton Mall on right). Take a right onto Rt. 322. Go 4 miles and exit on Rt. 50 South. Go 1 mile and turn right onto 13th Street.**

From Philadelphia: Atlantic City Expressway to Exit 17 (Mays Landing/Egg Harbor). Turn right onto Rt. 50 South and go approx. 3 miles. Turn right onto 13th Street.**

From Points South: Take Garden State Parkway to Exit 20 (Avalon) onto Rt. 50 North. Go approx. 15 miles into Mays Landing. A Mobile Station will be on the right. Turn right at the traffic light to continue on Rt. 50 North. Go approx. 1.5 miles and turn left onto 13th Street.**

From Vineland: Take Landis Avenue to Rt. 40 East. In Mays Landing take Rt. 50 North/40 East. Continue with Rt. 50 North for about 1.5 miles. Turn left onto 13th Street.**