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Home > Courses & Tours
 
Courses & Tours
- Stand Up Paddle Board
- Entertainment & Team Building for Business
 



New to kayaking? Start here

Our programs are designed to help you achieve a level of comfort on the water. You will learn to maneuver your kayak, recover from a capsize, help fellow paddlers recover from capsize, and make appropriate decisions about when and where you can paddle.

All courses provide basic paddling equipment and use New York Kayak Company's fleet of high quality kayaks and equipment. Reservations and advance payment are required for all of our classes and tours. Our programming is based on an hourly rate of $50; so 2-hour weekday evening classes are $100 and 3-hour weekend classes are $150.

  • Get 20% off when booking 10-hours of courses & tours! Click here to find out more!

Private instruction available by appointment, please call us at 212-924-1327.

Employee group? Check out information on kayaking for team building for businesses.

New York Kayak Company is dedicated to bringing the finest level of instruction to Manhattan. In addition to our local talent, we will be working with some of the finest sea kayaking centers in the world. Continuing a relationship that began in the summer of 2001, June and Tom Bergh of Maine Island Kayak Company will be sending some of their excellent staff to teach many of our classes and workshops- stay tuned for more information!

Course & Tour List:

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FUNDAMENTALS I

Fundamentals I is designed for the beginning and novice seeking a quick introduction to the foundations of safe and efficient sea paddling.

Topics addressed: Introduction to the marine environment. Sea kayak safety and design. Basic equipment and use. Kayak fitting and wet exits. Paddling basics of forward, stopping and reversing, sweep strokes, stern rudder, effective bracing.

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FUNDAMENTALS II

Fundamentals II is designed for the beginner and novice building upon the Fundamental I topics with a solid introduction to acquiring a confident stroke and relaxed seat on the water.

Topics addressed: The Hudson River marine environment, additional forward strokes for current, low brace recovery on the move, basics of draws, edging and leaning, paddling in light conditions and currents, and finishing with simple assisted and Eskimo rescues.

Pre-requisites: Fund I or equivalent.

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FUNDAMENTALS III

Fundamentals III is an intensive novice stroke workshop for those with the basics in place.

Topics addressed: Application of the basic strokes to Hudson River tidal currents, boat wakes and waves. You will learn to link up your blade's support with your kayak's secondary stability. Learn how to maintain course, stay upright, and enjoy the rougher water in beam and following seas, and how to cross eddy lines. Strongly recommended for effective paddling.

Pre-requisites, Fund I & II or equivalent. Rescue modules recommended.

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FUNDAMENTALS IV

Fundamentals IV is an intermediate stroke workshop covering the basics of more sophisticated maneuvering and support strokes.

Topics addressed: These strokes develop blade and edging finesse and will give you hours of exercises to practice while introducing you to the intermediate range of paddling skills. We'll introduce you to the basics of how to: lie down on the water - sculling draws, pull your whole boat quickly sideways - hanging draws, carve your bow around a turn - bow rudders and how to stay upright while surfing or playing - high braces.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III. Rescue modules recommended.

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STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

SUP is exciting and FUN! It can be a great work-out or a form of meditation and relaxation - we make it easy to give it a try!

We offer a variety of SUP options. Wednesdays are Try SUP night from 6:00PM to 8:00PM; only $25 to take turns on a board. We assign 3 or 4 people to a board, which gives you a chance to watch, rest and visit between tries. Our other SUP classes are $100 for a two hour class. We have a low student to instructor ratio, and each participant has a board the whole class. Our two hour Beginner SUP class is offered on Tuesday evening from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Saturday morning from 9:30AM to 11:30AM followed by 12:30PM to 2:30PM and Sunday morning from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. Our Intermediate SUP class is a guided tour on Friday from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Saturday from 3:30PM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 12:30PM to 2:30 PM followed by 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. We are also offering a race and endurance SUP class called SUP Race Training which will be on Thursdays from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Details on our new SUP club will be online soon - until then, please call and ask about board storage and discounted rates available through our SUP club.

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HOBOKEN BEACH

There’s a lot of adventure in this easy going paddle that’s enjoyable for beginners and experts alike! We cross the Hudson River and land on a sandy beach for a snack and photos at an authentic replica of historic recreational boathouses.

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WEEHAWKEN COVE

Join us to check out the cove where Henry Hudson anchored the Half-Moon to escape the tidal current and admire the view of Manhattan. The pace is a little more vigorous on this trip. We’ll take a break on a hidden beach, and maybe pop into a coffee shop. Macchiato, anyone?

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INTREPID

We stay on the Manhattan side of the river for a kayaker’s-eye-view of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Although we keep a respectful distance, we can still see the Apollo space capsule that was recovered by the Intrepid after its historic splash-down.

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79th ST. BOAT BASIN

How is your stamina? This is a more vigorous paddle on the Manhattan side of the river. We’ll see how Midtown looks from the water and enjoy seeing the different vessels anchored at the marina – there are still a few residential houseboats.

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MITSUWA

This is an intermediate trip heading north and then across the river to a Japanese food market. We land on a small beach area and stop in for lunch – we’ll supply a dry-bag to protect your groceries if you want to bring some items home.

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PARROT PARK EDGEWATER

Domestic parrots that flew the coop have multiplied into a colony on the New Jersey waterfront near. Pack a lunch for this 4 hour trip for experienced paddlers.

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MORRIS CANAL

We’ve timed this outing so athletic beginners can join us as we paddle through the intersection of the Hudson River and New York Harbor, then hang a right at the Colgate Clock to have a look at Morris Canal and fantastic views of Lower Manhattan.

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STATUE OF LIBERTY

A vigorous paddle in bouncy conditions through New York Harbor for a kayaker’s-eye-view of Lady Liberty – providing a combination of inspiration and adventure unlike anything I’ve experienced in over 20 years of kayaking.

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GOVERNORS ISLAND

An exciting trip for intermediate paddlers who are unfazed by waterborne commercial traffic and turbulence caused by the flow of tidal currents. We can land at a kayak dock and stretch our legs on a stroll across the lawns or enjoy the shade of the beautiful trees. Fantastic views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, East River Bridges, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

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RED HOOK

Valentino Park, behind Governors Island, is a kayaker’s gateway to Brooklyn. We will land on the rocky beach, visit with the natives, and maybe hunt for ice cream at Fairway before returning to Pier 40 and civilization.

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PORT LIBERTE

This unique waterfront residential community beyond the Statue of Liberty to the southwest, is just a few gondolas short of being reminiscent of the urban canals in some of Europe’s great cities. Pack a lunch for this 4 hour intermediate expedition traversing New York Harbor.

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MANHATTAN CIRCUMNAVIGATION

Well conditioned paddlers habituated to hours in a kayak will be thrilled by this 8-hour trip around Manhattan’s 28 mile circumference – others, not so much. Pack a lunch, bring a waterproof camera and an adventurous spirit for a day of camaraderie, epic views and paddling. Lots and lots of paddling!

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FITNESS PADDLE

Join us to paddle against the current for technique refinement, an endurance workout, and to have some fun! Eat anything you want before coming to the shop – you’ll burn it off.

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PLAY WITH OUR TOYS!

Curious about kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboarding in Hudson River Park? Want to try a surf-ski, an SUP, or a composite kayak that you’re curious about? Join us as we play around in an area protected from traffic and current. This is an opportunity to try different things, so be prepared to share and take turns, and get wet. Bring a towel and dry clothes for off-water fun afterwards. 2 hours

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JUST FOR FUN TOURS

Easy going two hour trips focused on sharing the moment and hanging out on the water and connecting with nature just for the fun of it. We might pick a destination, we might not – we’ll decide as a group. No experience required.

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BASIC SEAMANSHIP

Intro to Environmental Factors, 2 hours

Basic seamanship introduces you to the all-important environmental factors of wind and waves, tides and currents and the effects of landforms and piers. We will also introduce the Rules of the Nautical Road required of all sea paddlers, and large vessel concerns. This class is land-based - all are encouraged to attend.

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SEAMANSHIP II

Route Selection & Paddling in Conditions, 2 hours

This course will give you a method for deciding when and where you can go on any given day. Your Instructor will talk through the effects of the environmental elements covered in Basic Seamanship on that particular day before experiencing the conditions on a paddle along the NY waterfront out in the Hudson River tidal currents.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III and Basic Seamanship or equivalent. Rescue clinics recommended.

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RESCUE I

Assisted rescues

Your Instructor will address Eskimo rescues, T rescues and variations, X rescues, Scoop and All-in.

Pre-requisites: Fund I.

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BRACING & RESCUES

The Recovery, 2 hours

Begin acquiring the skills for staying upright and playing in rougher water. Course addresses your paddle finesse, climbing blade angles, use of your kayak∂s secondary stability and hip snap required for effective moving high and low braces. We will introduce the Eskimo roll. Rescues are part of the course for obvious reasons.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III and Rescue I, Assisted Rescues.

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TOWING WORKSHOP

Intro to Practical Towing, 2 hours

Eventually nearly everyone needs to know how to tow or be towed. This towing workshop covers the basic equipment and theory for towing swimmers, tired kayakers and emergency rescue situations. Practical Towing covers on-water contact tows, swimmer tows, waist and boat-mounted tows.

Pre-requisites: Fund I - III.

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BRITISH CANOE UNION (BCU) TRAININGS & ASSESSMENTS

The BCU has been developing for decades building effective kayakers. This system offers a skill track the Star Awards‹and an instructor tract the Coaching Awards. The courses offered at New York Kayak Company are designed to help you advance through the BCU system. To assist your success at the actual assessments the tests. New York Kayak Co has designed its Fundamentals I to III to prepare you for taking the BCU 1 Star Assessment. New York Kayak Co's Fundamental I to III plus its Rescue I and Bracing/Rolling Clinics will prepare you for the BCU 2 Star Assessment. Additionally we offer a formal BCU 2 and 3 Star Training.

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BRITISH CANOE UNION 2-3 STAR TRAINING

1 day

For those paddlers seeking the refinement of their strokes and precision of the advanced BCU model. This intensive stroke course covers effective forward paddling, stopping and reverse paddling, hanging, moving and sculling draws, sculling for support, high and low braces stationery and on the move, edging and leaning, towing, deep water & Eskimo rescues in 2 half day segments.

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BRITISH CANOE UNION 2-3 STAR ASSESSMENT

1 day

The BCU 3 Star kayaker is considered a solid intermediate paddler in the British system. This demanding award is a real milestone in your paddling career and an honorable accomplishment.

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Please remember that New York Kayak Company is dedicated to professional and effective private training ($100/hour). We would be happy to schedule your one-on-one sessions with one of our world-class instructors.

Meanwhile be smart, paddle safe and enjoy our magnificent urban paddling.

Randall Henriksen

New York Kayak Company, Inc.
Pier 40, South Side, New York NY 10014
212-924-1327 800-KAYAK-9

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