Pray and Paddle to Misery Islands Salem Sound

Program Details

THIS PRAY & PADDLE EVENT has reached maximum number of boats and participants for a safe contemplative experience.

If you would like to be placed on the wait list, please email Kent Harrop, Pray and Paddle Coordinator.

Click here for other Pray and Paddle events this season.

On September 17th 9:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m. Pray and Paddle is heading to Misery Island! Lying just a half mile off the coast of Beverly Farms, Misery Island (a beautiful 85 acre Trustee of Reservations nature preserve) easily captures the imagination of any paddler that dreams of adventures beyond the waves. Close enough for an easy day trip, but exposed enough to satisfy the adventure in all of us, Misery Island is a paddle you'll definitely want to try!

We'll launch from West Beach in Beverly Farms (in the city of Beverly), then paddle across the channel, working our way around the outside of the island if conditions permit before landing on the beach between Great and Little Misery Island. We’ll explore the trails with a mindful walk through wooded valleys, rocky points, and ruins of an old casino! We’ll then hop back in our kayaks, paddling along beautiful estates on the coast of Beverly Farms before landing back at West Beach. Hosted and guided by Coast to Coast Paddle and sponsored by Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center.

About the Leaders

Kent Harrop

Kent Harrop is an avid outdoorsman and an ordained American Baptist minister. He was introduced to contemplative paddling on a Zen meditation kayak trip to the Tongass Wilderness in Alaska in 2002. Since then, Kent has enjoyed guiding both novice and experienced kayakers and canoeists in the practice of "listening on the water."

A favorite verse of his is:

"Listen, and your soul will live." — Isaiah 55:3

Kent is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, the Shalem Institute for Contemplative Leadership, and the Franciscan Spiritual Direction Program. For 40 years, he pastored congregations. Currently, he leads Pray and Paddle events for Rolling Ridge, coordinates North Shore: SING (Spirituality in Nature Group), and serves as a Spiritual Director.

Kent can be reached at kentdharrop@gmail.com