Paddle Enthusiasts Are Mad About Milford
Juxtaposing sun, fun, and a full-body workout, paddle enthusiasts of all kinds will be flocking from near and far to Milford’s vast 17 miles of shoreline this summer to do what they love most: paddle the lapping waves of Long Island Sound’s majestic waters.
Choose your mode—stand-up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, or canoe— get your vessel into the water and start enjoying!
Quickly becoming a destination location for paddlers of all skill levels, Milford offers an abundant array of paddle sport enjoyment, not only along its expansive shoreline but also in its tidal marshes, rivers, and other waterways. Home to the annual Charles Island SUP CUP, held each June, Milford offers abundant places to paddle and enjoy.
According to Christina Pritchard, who opened Scoot & Paddle in 2013 to give back to her community and offer some aquatic recreational fun where she lives in Walnut Beach, there is nothing better than getting up on a paddleboard and exploring your surroundings. “I used to kayak, but now I SUP exclusive because I love the vantage point you get being on the board, and I like to be moving,” says Prichard. “Looking down into the water is like looking through a window into a different world. You can’t do that in a kayak.”
Touted as the ultimate full-body workout, when you are stand-up paddleboarding, you are your aquatic engine, propelling yourself as swiftly or as slowly as you like, choosing your own level of rigor of relaxation. Ticking all the boxes and offering health benefits, SUP engages your abs, shoulders, arms, back, legs, and even your toes. It is a low-impact activity that helps keep your mind, body, and soul healthy and happy. It strengthens your body and improves balance while relieving stress, gets you outside in nature, and creates an atmosphere of calm, all while burning calories and getting you stronger and more fit.
“You can really set your own pace,” says Prichard, who is especially partial to paddling during the calm, early morning hours on Long Island Sound. It’s fun when there are some waves, but in the early morning, when the water is like glass and it’s quiet and peaceful, it’s amazing. I really enjoy it. It’s never boring, and every day is like you are in a new place,” says Pritchard.
She adds, “Personally, I have always liked being on the water. It is a stress reducer and a way to practice mindfulness because you’re in nature with all the smells and sounds of the seagulls and the waves, and your body absorbs the calm.”
But the stunning open waters of Long Island Sound are not the only place you can enjoy paddling in Milford. Many who prefer a more subtle, subdued experience choose to put their boards or kayaks in the water at the Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area, locally known as the salt marsh boat launch. Here the waterways are like a natural maze, twisting and turning at every new bend, offering unique glimpses of local avian habitat. There are also great opportunities to paddle the Housatonic River, Indian River, and Milford’s Gulf Pond.
Aquatic paddle sports of all kinds are welcome throughout Milford and the entire Nutmeg state; there are several online paddle groups that welcome new members to come and enjoy the beauty of paddling in the New England summertime. If you’re looking to try this sport out for the first time, or if you are just visiting the area, Scoot & Paddle offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Now, get out, get paddling, and enjoy!
—Karena Garrity
