Kayaking, rowing and canoeing in New York City

NEW YORK CITY DOWNTOWN BOATHOUSE
Pier 40 at W Houston St, Pier 96 at 56th St, 72nd St at W Henry Hudson Pkwy (646-613-0375, downtownboathouse.org)
What you’ll see: The sparkling Manhattan and New Jersey skylines.
Sign up now: Check out the free weekday evening kayaking sessions at Pier 96, beginning Tuesday 16 (5–7pm). Wednesday classes (6–8pm) are also available at the pier; on Wednesday 17 you’ll learn kayak turns and sweep and rudder strokes. They also offer three-hour expeditions (provided you’ve already participated in a few walk-up sessions) of about five miles downriver to Pier 40 or Hoboken, as well as upriver to Edgewater, New Jersey, or the 130th Street kayak dock.
Do this afterward: Collapse into a booth at Hudson Diner (468 Hudson St at Barrow St, 212-627-9191) for a Greek wrap ($9.25) or niçoise salad ($10.45).

SEBAGO CANOE CLUB
1400 Paerdegat Ave North at Paerdegat Basin, Canarsie, Brooklyn (718-241-3683, sebagocanoeclub.org)
What you’ll see: The group’s vice commodore, Pete Peterson, loves the simplistic beauty of Jamaica Bay. “Just being on the water is gratifying enough,” he says.
Sign up now: A $10 insurance fee stands between your kayaking prowess and an open paddle run on Wednesdays (5:30pm) and Saturday mornings (9am) through September 5. If you pony up for a membership ($175–$250), you can get in a water workout anytime. But there are always loopholes: “A lot of the coaches will train you for free,” says Peterson.
Do this afterward: A hidden gem awaits those willing to make a two-and-a-half-mile paddle to Rockaway: The Wharf (416 Beach 116th St at Beach Channel Dr, Rockaway, Queens; 718-474-8807) is one of Peterson’s favorite midafternoon lunch spots.

RED HOOK BOATERS
Louis Valentino Jr. Pier Park at Coffey and Ferris Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (917-676-6458, redhookboaters.org)
What you’ll see: Aside from the Verrazano, Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, there’s a lovely lady to scope out as you stroke through the waters. Volunteer David Berreby notes that kayakers get so close to the Statue of Liberty, “she looks like she’s going to step on you.”
Sign up now: Jump into a boat for free on Thursday evenings (6–8pm) and Sunday afternoons (1–5pm). Paddle instructions and safety tips are mandatory, and all kayakers are expected to keep the area pristine by participating in beach cleanup.
Do this afterward: Berreby recommends nearby Redhook Bait & Tackle (20 Van Brunt St between King and Sullivan Sts, redhookbaitandtackle.com) for a brew.

HARLEM RIVER COMMUNITY ROWING
Roberto Clemente State Park, W Tremont Ave at Mathewson Rd (harlemrivercommunityrowing.org)
What you’ll see: The High Bridge footbridge, built in 1848, is considered the oldest surviving bridge in New York City. HRCR president Tracy Eberhart notes that the surrounding herons, jellyfish and wetlands make you feel as though the urban bustle is miles away.
Sign up now: Beginners can start with learn-to-row classes (ten for $150), then progress to weekly rowing sessions (Tue, Wed 6:30–8:30pm; Sat, Sun 8–10am; through Labor Day) on the Harlem River, which go as far north as the Henry Hudson Bridge.
Do this afterward: Suck on savory barbecue baby back ribs ($11) at Dallas BBQ (281 Fordham Rd at Cedar Ave, Bronx; 718-220-2822).

LONG ISLAND CITY COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE
45-00 5th St at Anable Basin, Long Island City, Queens (licboathouse.org)
What you’ll see: Views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and the stone Blackwell Lighthouse on Roosevelt Island.
Sign up now: Free Sunday walk-up kayak and canoe sessions are held at Hallet’s Cove (31st Ave at Vernon Blvd; 1–5pm). Watch the sun set and the city skyline light up during the Friday Night Chill Paddle (meet-up 5:30pm, takeoff 6:30pm; limit 12 kayakers), or carve out your entire Saturday for a five-hour Adventures Around the Harbor (Sat 10am; 12–20 paddlers). Call before setting out, as schedules may change.
Do this afterward: Dig into a white pizza (goat cheese, fresh arugula, sun-dried tomatoes; $14) at Manducati’s Rustica (4633 Vernon Blvd between 46th Rd and 47th Ave, 718-937-1312).

NEW YORK KAYAK COMPANY
Pier 40 at W Houston and West Sts (212-924-1327, nykayak.com)
What you’ll see: Trips include an exploration of the Morris Canal in New Jersey and a four-mile jaunt to the 79th St Boat Basin in Riverside Park.
Sign up now: The safety-challenging sea wall around Manhattan, strong currents and bustling commercial traffic on the Hudson inspired NYKC owner Randy Henriksen to educate kayakers on proper mechanical skills. “People constantly overestimate their ability,” he says. Two- and three-hour classes ($50 per hour) range from paddling basics to learning how to save lives in case of an accident.
Do this afterward: The NY Kayak crew heads over to Ear Inn (326 Spring St between Greenwich and Washington Sts, 212-226-9060) for crab cakes ($10) and pints of Guinness ($6).

MANHATTAN KAYAK COMPANY
Pier 66 at 26th St and Twelfth Ave (212-924-1788, manhattankayak.com)
What you’ll see: The “Sunset Tour” takes kayakers north to the 72nd Street Pier and south to the northern edge of Battery Park (Friday 12 at 6:30pm; Saturday 13, Tuesday 16 at 7pm), while the Boat Basin Café Cruise goes up to West 79th Street, and includes a stop at O’Neals’, a kayaker-friendly café (49 W 64th St between Broadway and Central Park West, 212-787-4663).
Sign up now: President and founder Eric Stiller raves about the dining tours, which include a sushi trip to Mitsua, a Japanese marketplace in Edgewater, New Jersey (the next tour is June 20 at 7pm). Not for the faint of heart: the circumnavigation of Manhattan, a two-stop, counterclockwise, 27-mile tour de force. Annual membership in the MKC ($1,200–2,000) allows access to all of its local tours, but you can also choose from an à la carte list of classes ($30–$225). There’s also an open house on June 27 (noon–7pm).
Do this afterward: Spring for steamed littleneck clams ($14) on the Pier 66 at 26th St and Twelfth Ave, 212-989-6363). “It’s hard to beat on nice days and warm evenings,” says Stiller.

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