LYNN — The local group Kayak and Sail Lynn (KASL) is returning this summer for its second year, working to get Lynn residents out on the water.
KASL is hosting a summer kick-off event on June 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Blossom Street Extension Ramp where about 20 children — ages 5 to 18 — will be able to kayak and paddleboard on the ocean for free.
“Besides the kayaking, we want this to be a true community event that celebrates the potential and beauty of Lynn’s unique harbor,” said Director Frank Grealish. “There will be music, activities, and food.”
Registration for this kick-off event was on a first-come, first serve basis, but already filled up within hours of sharing the event on social media.
Grealish still encourages others who are not participating in the water activities to come by and enjoy the food, music and other activities.
Given the high demand of this kick-off event, KASL created a waitlist for future events.
KASL was launched in August, 2021 by Grealish and three of his former Lynn Classical students Sean Reid (President), Eric Rondeau (Vice President), and DeJolie Tchoumi (Treasurer).
Grealish came up with the idea a few years ago, but recently worked out the details with the team and made it a reality.
“Historically, one of Lynn’s greatest resources has been quite underused,” said Tchoumi. “Few Lynn residents have been on the water, despite so many living just minutes from it and we wanted to help change this.”
KASL held two events last season — one for youth and another for veterans — which the KASL team said were made possible because of their partnership with Salem’s Coast to Coast Paddle, who provided the equipment and instruction to the paddlers.
KASL will continue to partner with them this season.
“When we looked around, so many other coastal cities and towns had some type of access to water activities, but Lynn had next to none,” said Reid. “We just thought with all the momentum in Lynn, the time to take action was now.”
The team is also in the process of having artist Alison Miller paint KASL’s new, onsite equipment storage container.
“Moving forward, we want to expand and become more of a full-time program to meet the overwhelming demand,” said Rondeau. “We are still in awe about the overwhelming support and interest that we have received from the community, local leaders and on social media.”
Grealish extended a thank you to the Economic Development and Industrial team for being “such amazing partners” and allowing them to utilize the space for the storage.
The KASL team said they plan to keep this program free, so they rely heavily on donations to keep the program running and will need more funding to continue to grow.
To donate, learn more, or get in touch, visit www.kayakandsaillynn.com.
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
