River Island Park - February 27, 2026

Finally back out on the water

It has been a tough couple of months for paddling. I got a bad case of bursitis in my knee back in December, and haven’t been able to kneel in my canoe since. Add to that the brutally cold weather in January that iced up all the rivers, and snow in February that buried all the access points, and there hasn’t been much opportunity to paddle. Last month I out on the Providence River in my sea kayak. Today, I ventured down to River Island Park with my canoe.

The river was at a decent level – around 2’, which is probably around 500 cfs. I dragged my boat through the snow drifts down to the boat ramp near the parking lot. I paddled upstream and played in the current behind the bandstand. I could kneel for a little while, but then it got too sore and I had to sit. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks for a cortisone shot - hopefully that will take care of things.

Taking out at the boat ramp