Archive for Paddling Destinations
Paddle Trips added to NACK Schedule May 2012
Posted by: | CommentsTwo new paddle trips have been added to the May 2012 schedule. On May 20 we will paddle into Cutchogue harbor, into and out of creeks and coves. If the winds are mild we can paddle around Nassau Point into Little Peconic Bay. Paddle duration should be around 2.5hrs. The launch site is New Suffolk. This trip is rated for ACA Skill Level 2 paddlers.
On May 25 we will meet at Jones Beach Field 10 to paddle and watch the Jones Beach Air Show practice sessions. We will paddle to Zachs Bay, land at High Hill Beach for lunch then return at to the launch about 2 to 3 PM. Paddling distance is about 2.5 miles each way. This trip does not require an ACA Skill Rating.
Check the NACK Revised Schedule for details.
Kayak Fishing Classic at Jamaica Bay
Posted by: | CommentsMay 17th – 20th 2012 at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn NY The focus at this Catch & Release Event will be on sustainability to include Recycling and Leave No Trace practices. This event is possibly the biggest kayak fishing tournament on the East coast regularly drawing over 200 participants. Camping is available on-site in the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Complete details are available at Kayak Fishing Classic
This event is sponsored by Captain Kayak and co-sponsors include Empire Kayaks. Proceeds will go to Casting for Recovery as well as The Fisherman Magazine’s Send a Kid Fishing Program.
Hudson River Valley Kayaking
Posted by: | CommentsJust got this in from Melissa Fairweather, Publicity Coordinator for the Gardiner Library.
“The Gardiner Library continues its series of kayaking workshops on Sunday April 22 at 1:30 PM. This program features Shari Aber, author of “A Kayaker’s Guide to the Hudson River Valley: The Quieter Waters: Rivers, Creeks, Lakes and Ponds.” This program will feature tips for kayakers on great places to go kayaking in the Hudson Valley. So strap your kayak to the car, come to the talk and then head out for afternoon of kayaking in a new spot. The program is free and open to the public. It will take place in the library community room, 133 Farmer’s Turnpike in Gardiner. For directions or further information, call 845-255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.”
Visit NACK at the Jersey Paddler Kayak Show
Posted by: | CommentsNorth Atlantic Canoe and Kayak will have a booth this weekend at Paddlesport 2012 the largest kayak show on the east coast, in Somerset NJ. The show features over 100 exhibitors including manufacturers of kayaks, canoes, accessories, sportswear, paddling clubs, professional instruction and expeditions, as well as lectures and video and slide shows of paddling trips, expeditions and paddling techniques.
It’s held at the 70,000 square foot Garden State Exhibit Center located just off of I-287 Exit 10, a 45-minute drive from Manhattan.
Friday March 23 Noon-9 pm
Saturday March 24 9 am-6 pm
Sunday March 25 10 am-4:30 pm
Stop by with us, definitely take in some of the seminars, and enjoy the show.
Hudson River Greenland Kayak Festival 2012
Posted by: | CommentsThe 2012 Hudson River Greenland Festival will be held June 22 thru 24 at Croton Point Park on the Hudson River.
Based at Croton Point, the Hudson River Greenland Festival is a three-day event including organized mentoring in paddling, rolling and Greenland Rope Gymnastics, paddle-carving workshops, kayak building demos, races, and various cultural presentations on Greenlandic life. There are kayak activities for all ages, cabins, camping, a lodge with full dining facilities and of course the Hudson River, where we use Mother’s Lap private beach for safe, controlled instruction. Our passionate mentors come from the top ranks of Greenland style paddling and rolling techniques, using multiple approaches that accommodate everyone from first-timers to experienced paddlers.
Details are available at www.hrgf.org or email hrgfny@gmail.com
UPDATE******Registration begins March 19 2012
NACK visits the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation
Posted by: | CommentsLast weekend NACK members had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the Riverhead Foundation where they attended a lecture on Sea Turtles and Marine Mammal Strandings. After the lecture we got a private of tour their rehabilitation center and laboratory area. Every year the Foundation helps rescue seals, dolphins and sea turtles that are injured or in the case of sea turtles, stranded in our waters by the rapid onset of cold weather. They also conduct research, often attaching GPS tracking devices on released animals to monitor their activities.
Kayakers are often a position to find animals in distress and the Riverhead Foundation maintains a 24 hour emergency response team for all of Long Island and NYC. So if you find an animal in distress please contact the Riverhead Foundation at 631 369 9840. They also point out that sea turtles, which are commonly found at this time of year, may be in such a state of cold shock stunning that they may appear dead. Their heart rate and respiration slow down severely but they can often be saved if you contact the foundation.
On this Thursday November 17, 2011 the Foundation, in cooperation with the Town of Hempstead Department of Conservation and Waterways, will present a free seminar on marine mammals and sea turtles. The seminar will also show residents what to do if a seal, dolphin, whale or sea turtle is stranded on the beach. It will begin at 6PM at the Administration Building on Lido Boulevard in Point Lookout.
Reservations are required by calling the foundation 631 369 9840 or emailing volunteers@riverheadfoundation.org
The Riverhead Foundation is located on the Peconic River in Riverhead adjacent to Atlantis Marine World.
NACK Paddlers Kayak Around Manhattan Island
Posted by: | CommentsEight NACK Members and a couple of friends met up with the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club on Saturday 7/16/2011 for their Kayak Around Manhattan event. The Manhattan Island kayak circumnavigation began at Pier 40 (Houston Street) and launched from the Downtown Boathouse floating dock.
Circumnavigating Manhattan in a kayak is a tricky 30 mile trip that requires careful planning and timing to make the most of the strong currents and avoid getting caught paddling against the flow.
As we got underway the Manhattan skyline was stunning in the early morning sun. In short order the Statue of Liberty was visible on our right as we approached the Staten Island Ferry terminal. There’s plenty of big commercial boat traffic and pleasure craft in the area so it’s essential that the group stay well organized. Carefully coordinating the crossing of the Battery on VHF radios we made it to the Brooklyn side of the East River and the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge.
Perhaps the most critical part of the trip is passing thru the Hell Gate confluence of the East River, Harlem River and Long Island Sound. With the full moon the day before, currents in the vicinity were running up to six knots. Paddling up the East side of Roosevelt Island we were traveling at 10 MPH on the GPS and we sought shelter in Hallet’s Cove to await the slack at Hell Gate.
After about an hour layover we made a quick dash past Mill Rock and across Hell Gate to the Harlem river. There’s only a brief window of opportunity to get it done before the East River begins to flow south and the Harlem River flows north as water rushes in from Long Island Sound.
Our trip up the Harlem River took us past the old landmark Macombs Dam Bridge and Yankee Stadium.
The second scheduled stop was the Peter Jay Sharpe boathouse in Swindlers Cove on the Harlem River. It’s an absolutely beautiful location; hard to imagine that you’re in the heart of the city.
After a quick lunch we again headed north with the current on the Harlem River, past Columbia Rock to where the river meets the Hudson. This is another “interesting” location where the north flow of the Harlem River meets the south flow of the Hudson. However passing by the swing bridge at Spyten Dyvil was uneventful in spite of the somewhat confused water.
Heading down the Hudson, passing under the George Washington Bridge, we again took advantage of the strong current in mid river. The GPS read over 6 MPH most of the way while we paddled at a fairly leisurely pace. Approaching Grant’s Tomb however, the wind that had turned to the south and building began to work against the tidal flow of the Hudson. In a classic wind-against-tide situation swells quickly grew to 2 to 3 feet and were closely spaced.
By mid afternoon the NOAA Weather Station at Robbins Reef, directly to our south, was reporting wind SSW at 15 to 17 knots. Since it was blowing directly up river, there was almost 17 miles of open water for that wind to try to push water back up the Hudson. The river, flowing at about 3 knots, of course refused to be held back and treated us to a pretty good roller coaster ride. The group hung together and then took a brief rest at Pier 96 while a big cruise ship departed. Then, rested and refreshed, we continued three more miles back to Pier 40 where, at 5 PM, a tired group of paddlers congratulated one another on their accomplishment.
The kayak circumnavigation of Manhattan Island is certainly a trip that one will long remember. Many thanks to the YPRC, Steve Blumling, Jerry Blackstone and all the fellow paddlers for a safe and enjoyable day.
Trip Total 30.2 Miles Average speed 4.5 MPH. Paddlers: John Weickert, Debbie Horne, Colin Mullen, Dara Fee, Ron Herrman, Renee Levine, Steve Mcdonald, Buddy Ficarelli, Wayne Seroka, and Carl Thor
Lots more photos Click Here with special thanks to David Gottleib, Dara Fee, and John Weickert for their photos.
NACK On-the-Water Meeting Thursday 6/16/2011
Posted by: | CommentsGeneral Meeting: Captain Kayak 23 River Rd Sayville NY 6/16/2011
6:00 On-the-water meeting. All are wecome. Kayaks available for nominal rental fee if you need one but please call ahead to reserve. We will paddle the calm waters of the Browns River north of the shop in Sayville. Meet by 6PM for a 6:30 Launch.The trip will last about an hour and we will meet back at the launch site for complimentary refreshments. Email John bluek@weickert.com if you intend to be there.
7:30-8:00 (Approximate) complimentary refreshments. (Pizza and Soda)