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Max Knauer, of Swampscott, left, chills on the back of the paddleboard as Aidan Chambers, of Swampscott, paddles them back to Eisman's Beach. (Spenser Hasak) Purchase this photo

Paddling their way through the summer

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A fleet of young paddleboarders could be seen off the coast of Eisman’s Beach each day throughout the summer.

The Stand-up Paddleboard Program recently completed its fifth summer of operation and its third year of being independently run by Swampscott Recreation. The program gives children from first through eighth grade the opportunity to learn the skill of paddleboarding and explore the ocean.

Danielle Strauss said that the popularity of the program rivals anything else she has been a part of in her 20 years as the director of Swampscott Recreation.

Beginning in the summer of 2020, the program was originally run by a third-party company that partnered with Swampscott Recreation.

“It was so popular,” Strauss said. “We started the first summer with 12 boards and then bought 12 more the following summer.”

In 2022, Strauss and her team brought Swampscott Public Schools teachers Hadley Woodfin and Courtney Russo on board as head counselors for the program. The pair feel that their passions for paddleboarding and education make them good fits to lead the campers.

“I feel like every day we’re kind of teaching them new things and getting them more confident and comfortable in the water,” Woodfin said.

Russo called the program a “science camp” due to the aquatic creatures the students have witnessed and learned about during their time out at sea. At one of the sessions for it, starfish were seen and studied.

The Kids Stand-up Paddleboard Program heads back to Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott after their morning group paddle.

Kids Stand-up Paddleboard Program Director Courtney Russo paddles toward Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott with Gwen Callaci, of Swampscott.
Cameron Rossman, of Swampscott, paddles back into Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott as he takes part in the Kids Stand-Up Paddleboard summer program.
Cash Christison, right, walks his paddle in as Cameron Rossman, of Swampscott, hops off his paddle board.
During a break from the paddlboard action, kids do their best to hang on to the Maui Mat.
The Kids Stand-up Paddleboard Program makes their way out to the rocks off the coast of Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott.
Cameron Rossman, left, and Cash Christison, both of Swampscott, carry their paddleboard up the beach.
Kids Stand-up Paddleboard Program Director Courtney Russo paddles toward Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott with Gwen Callaci, of Swampscott.
Saide Sylven, left, and Riley Boyd paddle their way back to Eisman’s Beach in Swampscott.

“There’s just so many cool things that we see when we’re out there and it’s awesome for the kids,” Russo said.

Seals and various fish species have also been spotted throughout the years.

After an initial group paddle, the campers head to the shore for a break to play different beach games. They can then grab their paddleboards and return to the waves.

Swampscott Elementary School student Ty Calichman got to hold a starfish while out on the high seas in July, and said the camp is responsible for teaching him how to paddleboard.

“You’re in the water a lot, you’re playing games, and there’s fun counselors,” Calichman said.

Some campers sign up for one week, while others have been participating for multiple weeks across multiple years. The program has a beach wheelchair that has allowed children with disabilities to participate in the past.

In past years, the program has taken place at Fisherman’s Beach. However, this year it relocated to Eisman’s Beach after one day due to water-quality concerns. While Strauss said Eisman’s is a great alternative beach, she had to enlist the help of the Department of Public Works to transport the equipment on a daily basis.