Please visit the SRCC's table at the "Art Fair for the Sea" event this Saturday July 27th 9:30AM-4:00PM at Volunteer Park (S. Riverside Dr) in Shark River Hills!

The SRCC will be partnering with Paddletime Kayaks and Stroke Your ECO in a paddlecraft cleanup of the Shark River on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

A paddlecraft (kayak, SUP, canoe) litter cleanup targets “floatables” and is a great way to cleanup shoreline areas that are inaccessible or very hard to reach from land. Compared to land-based litter cleanups, paddlecraft-based cleanups present variables/challenges, some are predictable; others are not.

Details of the cleanup are as follows:

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024 (No raindate is scheduled)

Meeting site: The kayak parking lot near Shark River Municipal Marina

149 S Riverside Dr, Shark River Hills, NJ

Launch time: 9:00 AM

Requirements for volunteers:

• Every participant MUST register AND read / sign the assumption of risk and release of liability waiver. To register please email lb@strokeyoureco.com or info@paddletimekayaks.com

• A paddlecraft cleanup is recommended for people with paddling experience. It’s essential that a participant know how to paddle effectively on their own and reenter their paddlecraft in the event they capsize.

• Lifejackets MUST be worn.

• Be prompt; we are launching at 9:00 am. A pre-paddle safety discussion will begin at 8:50 am.

• Please arrive with enough time to prep your paddlecraft at the launch spot and be present for the pre-paddle safety discussion.

• All litter collected must be paddled back to the designated collection spot by 12:00 pm.

• Don’t forget sunscreen, hydration, and bug spray.

• Quick dry clothing, long sleeves and protective footwear are recommended.

If cancellation is necessary due to inclement weather, you will be contacted at the email address you provided to sign up. We will do our best to notify participants as soon as we know it’s unfavorable; that could be the day before or early in the morning.

Personal Safety & Awareness

Please know your limits and do not go beyond your capabilities or comfort level.

• Protect your eyes – consider wearing sunglasses/eye protection, especially if you are working near vegetation.

• Protect your hands – wearing gloves when picking up litter is a good idea.

• Look for Poison Ivy - Shark River has many areas with very established poison ivy plants. Save an image of what poison ivy looks like to your camera roll so you have a reference if needed.

• Be mindful of mud - some areas in Musquash Cove and the surrounding areas are very muddy. The water level decreases 1" every 10 minutes as the tide goes out. Don't get stuck in the mud!!

• Team up to team lift - Do not attempt to lift things that are heavy (waterlogged) without a partner.

• Overloading (overweight) – Please do not overfill your paddlecraft. If you get “full” of litter, feel free to drop off your haul and go back out for a second round.