The kayak launch is part of the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation System. There is no physical address for the park but for GPS navigation you can use Lucky Stop Mini Mart at Sunset Harbor. 3732 Sunset Harbor Rd. SE, Bolivia, NC 28422. This will mark the left turn you need to make on Swain Street, then a left on Sunset Drive SE and then follow straight into the parking lot for the launch.

• Peak paddling season for Brunswick County is Mid-March through the end of October due to water temperatures.
• A-Wake At The Harbor runs year round and does not have an official start or stop date.
• The 7:00am start time will need to be adjusted to the actual sunrise time during certain parts of the year. The return time will be moved out to by 2-hours from launch time in these cases.
• COLD WATER PADDLING When water temperatures are below 60-degrees Fahrenheit, special cold water gear such as wet suits and dry suits will be needed in order to be safe on the water at those times. These are dangerous conditions to paddle in and require advanced skills, training and gear. YOU WILL BE PADDLING AT YOUR OWN RISK.
• SMALL CRAFT WARNINGS Strong winds and large waves can trigger official small craft warnings from The National Weather Service which should be taken seriously. These are dangerous conditions to paddle in and require advanced skills, training and gear. Even light winds 10-15 mph can be challenging in a kayak and no fun at all. YOU WILL BE PADDLING AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• This is a self-guided and self-paced kayak trip. You are responsible for yourself, your equipment and your safety.
• Those who arrive on any given day should plan to leave the launch at 7:00am but you can come and go as you wish.
• You will be launching directly into the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) which means there will be boat traffic, waves and current to contend with. You will need to paddle across the ICW and to your left to enter The Davis Canal. Once in the Davis Canal, this is a NO-WAKE ZONE which is typically much calmer with a light tidal flow coming in or going out. We encourage paddlers to paddle a test run prior to going out as a group to understand what challenges exist and to plan for them.
• Typically paddlers will travel up The Davis Canal for 1-hour and then turn around to arrive back at the launch around 9:00am. Again, you can come and go as you wish if your group desires to do so.
• Due to the influence of tides on The Davis Canal, it is recommended to account for paddling against the tide either coming or going. If paddling with the tide going up The Davis Canal, allow more time for the return trip as you will be going against the tide.
• These trips are planned as a way to organize the local paddling community and provide a set schedule for those wishing to paddle as a small group. There will be days when no one chooses to participate so we encourage everyone to try to invite someone else to join you if you do not like paddling alone.
• Please be safe and do not paddle when Small Craft Warnings are issued or you feel the weather is not ideal. Windy days can be dangerous and are typically not much fun to kayak in anyway.
• Cold weather paddling can be dangerous. WATER TEMPERATURES BELOW 60-DEGRESS FAHRENHEIT REQUIRE EITHER A WET SUIT OR DRY SUIT TO BE SAFE ON THE WATER IN THE EVENT OF IMMERSION. ONCE WATER TEMPERATURERS REACH 60-DEGRESS FAHRENHEIT, AN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 60-DEGRESS FAHRENHEIT IS REQUIRED TO BE SAFE ON THE WATER IN THE EVENT OF IMMERSION. YOU WILL BE PADDLING AT YOUR OWN RISK.
• These trips are not intended to be instructional lessons about kayaking, kayak safety or a tour group. They are purely recreational. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR SKILL LEVEL, YOUR KAYAK, YOUR EQUIPMENT OR THE CONDITIONS OF THE DAY. YOU WILL BE PADDLING AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• The Davis Canal is an active waterway for boats traveling to and from the ICW. Be sure to allow plenty of room for boats passing by.
• The Davis Canal is a local fishing destination. Be aware of those fishing from docks and boats, trying to leave as much room between you and them as possible. Remember fishing line is hard to see on the water so pay attention to be sure to not cross a line in the water with your rudder or paddle.
• The Davis Canal is impacted by tide. Areas may become shallow depending on the tide cycle. It is recommend to follow the docks along the canal to ensure water depths remain adequate for paddling. There are branches off of The Davis Canal which become blocked during low tides and you can become cut-off from the main canal.
• You will be sharing the water with some amazing wildlife, big and small. Know your place in the food chain and keep your distance, being aware of your surroundings.
• Let someone know your float plan who will miss you if you are delayed. Launch time and return times are great, but at what time do they need to be concerned enough to get help.
• For those interested in the physical training aspects of kayaking, it is recommended to download a fitness app specific to kayaking. Waterspeed, Strava and PaddleWays are some popular choices. These will help you track your progress and help you reach your fitness goals.

• How far can I expect to paddle? A casual paddle speed for a kayaker is around 2 miles per hour. On a 2-hour paddle trip, you can expect to paddle about 4 miles. Some paddlers can reach speeds of 5-8 miles per hour resulting in a distance of 10-16 miles on a 2-hour trip. These are self-paced trips and you should select a group with a paddle speed and overall stamina similar to your own.
• What should I bring? The short answer is everything you will need to participate in a group paddle event since nothing is provided. A kayak, paddle and life-vest are obviously needed but things like water, snacks and a phone are a good idea and the list goes on from there depending on needs.
• Do I need to paddle as a group? These meetups are totally self-guided and self-paced. You can participate in any group that matches your desires for speed, route and duration. Sub-groups are often formed the morning of the meetup. Ask around if you need to help determining what group best fits your skill level.
• Is this a tour? These are not guided tours and you are responsible for yourself. You may find others to be helpful while paddling but do not expect another paddler to wait for you, show you the sights or offer any other guidance.
• Is there a specified route? These are self-guided paddling events. The basic route after launching is to cross the Intercoastal Waterway to your left in order to reach The Davis Canal. Once in the canal, it is recommended to follow the docks along the waterway coming and going to be sure you know your way and that you will not run into shallow water. However, paddlers are free to go anywhere they are allowed including along the ICW and into the Lockwood Folly River or anywhere else the group decides to paddle.