Re: [Paddlewise] New York City Paddlers!!!!

Phil Huck wrote:
> 
> This here North Dakota kayaker is headed your way for
> a visit.
>   My wife and I will be in the area from May 14th to
> the 23rd visiting a friend and celebrating both my
> wife's graduation from college and my 23rd birthday.
> I would like to see what kind of kayaking NYC has to
> offer, such as paddle shops I can peruse,
> boats/marinas I could rent from etc.
>    I would like to get my picture in front of the
> Statue of Liberty (in a boat) if that is possible - I
> have heard that it has been done.
>    I am an experienced WW and SK paddler, who is
> inexperienced in the ways of the Big City. What
> restaurants do you recommend? Places to see?
> 

Your best bet for paddling is to show up at the Downtown Boathouse in
Manhattan at Pier 26, which is on the Hudson River, between Canal St.
and Chambers St. (about 4 blocks from each and easily accessible by the
Westside 7th Ave IRT subway at either street's stations).  

Its program of free kayak should begin that weekend (May 15-16). 
Normally there are free trips to the Statue at 9 am from that site
(about 5-6 miles roundtrip, i.e. 3 miles there, 3 miles back) but the
currents will be running quite strongly against paddlers at least on the
way back (new moon, moon in perigee for max currents).  I am not certain
what plans will be then.  It is mainly sit-on-tops and the water is
likely to be in the low 50s, so have cold water gear, at least a shortie
suit.  The program is popular and so it runs on a lottery system, first
come, first serve.  But I don't know if it starts until later in May.

There are no kayak rentals really in NY.  You might be able to do so
from the New York Kayak company (1-800-KAYAK-99) but it is, I believe,
an informal setup.


There may be a run sometime later that Saturday across the harbor to a
festival at the Erie Basin in Brooklyn (it's the place where Erie canal
barges use to winter back in the 1830s).  Perhaps you might be able to
hook up with some one going there and they might want to swing by the
Statue on the way (slightly out of the way).  Why don't you join
nyckayaker listserver for the next few weeks and query over there.  To
join send email to listproc_at_envirolink.org and write in body of the text

subscribe nyckayaker

As for places to stay.  There is an American Youth Hostel's place on the
Upper Westside.  I know no details.  I am American but far from being a
"Youth."  :-)  Your being 23 puts you way outside the average age of sea
kayakers.  Awhile ago with the Who We Are series of responses by people
on this list, I think we established that the average age was toward the
late 40s.

For all the other details you want to know, get yourself a good budget
travel guidebook from Lonely Planet or some other travel-a-la cheap.

ralph diaz


-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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