Q: What does membership entail?
A: Your membership fee covers all group classes/paddles, use of a kayak, life jackets (PFDs), and paddles during trips. To participate in our scheduled Club trips, please sign up online. Bring snacks, water, and sun protection. We have group paddles most days either in the mornings and after work and weekly events like the skills clinic, Tuesday night paddle and potluck BBQ, Fitness racing training, etc. https://www.yprc.org/calendar.html
Q: I am a total beginner. Can I still join?
A: Beginners are welcome! We recommended going to the weekly Skills Clinic on Thursday evenings @ 5:30 PM where we teach basic strokes and techniques. We also have a New Member Paddle on Saturdays and Sundays. After you are comfortable with these, feel free to join the regular Member Paddles. No matter what your skill level is, the trip leaders and assistant leaders will be with you.
Q: Do I need to have my own kayak?
A: No, your membership fee covers the use of club kayaks and equipment for club trips. No extra charge! Arrive early to get your first pick of kayaks.
Q: I am interested in a Family Membership. Can my children join me on the Member paddles?
A: Our Family Memberships include you, your partner if you have one, and any children under the age of 18. Your whole family enjoys the benefits of Membership. We have a Youth paddling program too. The minimum age to go out on a Member Paddle is 12 years old.
Q: I am not sure I am ready to commit to a membership. What other options are there?
A: There is free public kayaking on Wednesday/Thursday at JFK Marina. On Fridays, there is a free sunset paddle at YPRC (advanced registration required) We are also piloting a paid non-member paddling program this year. Contact Atul at [email protected] for more information.
Q: I am interested in kayaking, but joining would cause me financial stress. What can I do?
A: YPRC has a Commodore's Fund for those individuals or families that may require financial assistance. Please email [email protected] for details.
Q: What is YPRC’s guest policy?
A: A member in good standing may bring a guest for one paddle trip with the club if they are using a club boat. All guests must sign a waiver before going out on the water. A guest may use a member’s boat, as long as they have signed a waiver. All guests must be accompanied by a member. Non-paddling guests are always welcome.
Q: How many miles do we cover on Club paddles?
A: For New Member Paddles, it is typically 3 to 4 miles, which takes about an hour.
For Member Paddles, it is typically 4 to 6 miles, which takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Q: How early do I need to show up to a class/paddle? How long is a paddle?
A: Please come at least 20 minutes prior to the time listed so you can get fitted for a kayak and life jacket. Paddles are typically 1 to 2 hrs long. Keep in mind it takes about 10-15 minutes to put kayaks back and to help your fellow members with the cleanup.
Q: Is there parking at YPRC?
A: Yes, there is a gated parking lot at The Center for the Urban River at Beczak, located at 19 Alexander Street in Yonkers. Members will have access to the gate code. There is also metered street parking. No need to pay the meter on Sundays.
Q: I don’t have a car, how do I get there?
A: YPRC is conveniently located one block away from the Yonkers Metro North Train Station.
Q: Is there a bathroom or place to change? Where do I store my stuff?
A: There is a porta-potty on site. We have separate women’s and men’s locker rooms where you can change. We will have storage cubbies and some lockers for day use in the women’s locker room, feel free to use your own lock for these. Valuables can be left in the locker room, best not to take on the water. The clubhouse will be locked when we go out on the river..
Q: How do I sign up for Club trips?
A: On our website, yprc.org, go to the Event Calendar. There will be a link to the SignUp Genius for that day. Fill out the contact info and hit Submit. If you need to cancel, please do so through Sign Up Genius. If the list is full, please check back on Sign Up Genius another time. We have a limit on how many participants can go for safety reasons. For any cancellations, due to weather issues etc., we will contact you 2 hours before the scheduled time.
Q: What do I wear when kayaking?
A: Wear non-cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock. Bring water! If you want to bring your phone, it is recommended to protect it in a waterproof pouch. It’s always a good idea to have a dry set of clothes if you get wet.
Q: I am scared of falling in the water because I can’t swim. Can I still participate?
A: Everybody must wear a life jacket or what we call a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). If you fall into the Hudson, the trip leaders and assistants will help you get back into your boat. Keep calm. We regularly teach and practice rescue skills.
Q: Can I store my kayak at YPRC? Can I rent a locker?
A: Please reach out to the House Captain Jack at [email protected] to join the waiting list for a kayak berth at Alexander Street. Storage fees are listed on the website. Lockers can be rented on a yearly basis. There is also kayak storage at Kennedy Marina at 1 John F Kennedy Memorial Dr, Yonkers, NY 10701.
Q: Can I bring my own kayak?
A: Yes you can bring your own kayak and equipment. All members must wear a PFD and sign out in our trip logbook.
Q: Am I allowed to kayak by myself at YPRC?
A: Our Club Boat Fleet is provided for member use only for scheduled Club trips. You can be Safety Certified to use club boats after the approval by the Safety Committee in groups of 3 minimum Safety Certified paddlers. Please reach out to the House Captain Jack at [email protected] for more information.
Q: Can I bring my stand up paddleboard and join on a member paddle?
A: Yes, you can. We hope that any SUP paddlers can keep up with the rest of the group for safety reasons.
Q: How do I get more involved?
A:Sign up for our Club GoogleGroup at https://www.yprc.org/yprc-google-group.html
Join one of our committees. Attend our monthly Board Meetings. Meetings are open to all Members. They are the 1st Mondays of every month at 6 PM, both on Zoom and at the clubhouse. You can volunteer to be an Ambassador for the club on weekends by signing up to man the clubhouse for a few hours and answer any questions about the Club.
All Club events and volunteer activities will be posted on the Google Group.
Q: Can I pay for private lessons?
A: There are several instructors who offer private lessons. Contact us for more information.
Q: I see Rowing in YPRC’s name. Are there rowing lessons?
A: Not at this time.
A: Your membership fee covers all group classes/paddles, use of a kayak, life jackets (PFDs), and paddles during trips. To participate in our scheduled Club trips, please sign up online. Bring snacks, water, and sun protection. We have group paddles most days either in the mornings and after work and weekly events like the skills clinic, Tuesday night paddle and potluck BBQ, Fitness racing training, etc. https://www.yprc.org/calendar.html
Q: I am a total beginner. Can I still join?
A: Beginners are welcome! We recommended going to the weekly Skills Clinic on Thursday evenings @ 5:30 PM where we teach basic strokes and techniques. We also have a New Member Paddle on Saturdays and Sundays. After you are comfortable with these, feel free to join the regular Member Paddles. No matter what your skill level is, the trip leaders and assistant leaders will be with you.
Q: Do I need to have my own kayak?
A: No, your membership fee covers the use of club kayaks and equipment for club trips. No extra charge! Arrive early to get your first pick of kayaks.
Q: I am interested in a Family Membership. Can my children join me on the Member paddles?
A: Our Family Memberships include you, your partner if you have one, and any children under the age of 18. Your whole family enjoys the benefits of Membership. We have a Youth paddling program too. The minimum age to go out on a Member Paddle is 12 years old.
Q: I am not sure I am ready to commit to a membership. What other options are there?
A: There is free public kayaking on Wednesday/Thursday at JFK Marina. On Fridays, there is a free sunset paddle at YPRC (advanced registration required) We are also piloting a paid non-member paddling program this year. Contact Atul at [email protected] for more information.
Q: I am interested in kayaking, but joining would cause me financial stress. What can I do?
A: YPRC has a Commodore's Fund for those individuals or families that may require financial assistance. Please email [email protected] for details.
Q: What is YPRC’s guest policy?
A: A member in good standing may bring a guest for one paddle trip with the club if they are using a club boat. All guests must sign a waiver before going out on the water. A guest may use a member’s boat, as long as they have signed a waiver. All guests must be accompanied by a member. Non-paddling guests are always welcome.
Q: How many miles do we cover on Club paddles?
A: For New Member Paddles, it is typically 3 to 4 miles, which takes about an hour.
For Member Paddles, it is typically 4 to 6 miles, which takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Q: How early do I need to show up to a class/paddle? How long is a paddle?
A: Please come at least 20 minutes prior to the time listed so you can get fitted for a kayak and life jacket. Paddles are typically 1 to 2 hrs long. Keep in mind it takes about 10-15 minutes to put kayaks back and to help your fellow members with the cleanup.
Q: Is there parking at YPRC?
A: Yes, there is a gated parking lot at The Center for the Urban River at Beczak, located at 19 Alexander Street in Yonkers. Members will have access to the gate code. There is also metered street parking. No need to pay the meter on Sundays.
Q: I don’t have a car, how do I get there?
A: YPRC is conveniently located one block away from the Yonkers Metro North Train Station.
Q: Is there a bathroom or place to change? Where do I store my stuff?
A: There is a porta-potty on site. We have separate women’s and men’s locker rooms where you can change. We will have storage cubbies and some lockers for day use in the women’s locker room, feel free to use your own lock for these. Valuables can be left in the locker room, best not to take on the water. The clubhouse will be locked when we go out on the river..
Q: How do I sign up for Club trips?
A: On our website, yprc.org, go to the Event Calendar. There will be a link to the SignUp Genius for that day. Fill out the contact info and hit Submit. If you need to cancel, please do so through Sign Up Genius. If the list is full, please check back on Sign Up Genius another time. We have a limit on how many participants can go for safety reasons. For any cancellations, due to weather issues etc., we will contact you 2 hours before the scheduled time.
Q: What do I wear when kayaking?
A: Wear non-cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock. Bring water! If you want to bring your phone, it is recommended to protect it in a waterproof pouch. It’s always a good idea to have a dry set of clothes if you get wet.
Q: I am scared of falling in the water because I can’t swim. Can I still participate?
A: Everybody must wear a life jacket or what we call a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). If you fall into the Hudson, the trip leaders and assistants will help you get back into your boat. Keep calm. We regularly teach and practice rescue skills.
Q: Can I store my kayak at YPRC? Can I rent a locker?
A: Please reach out to the House Captain Jack at [email protected] to join the waiting list for a kayak berth at Alexander Street. Storage fees are listed on the website. Lockers can be rented on a yearly basis. There is also kayak storage at Kennedy Marina at 1 John F Kennedy Memorial Dr, Yonkers, NY 10701.
Q: Can I bring my own kayak?
A: Yes you can bring your own kayak and equipment. All members must wear a PFD and sign out in our trip logbook.
Q: Am I allowed to kayak by myself at YPRC?
A: Our Club Boat Fleet is provided for member use only for scheduled Club trips. You can be Safety Certified to use club boats after the approval by the Safety Committee in groups of 3 minimum Safety Certified paddlers. Please reach out to the House Captain Jack at [email protected] for more information.
Q: Can I bring my stand up paddleboard and join on a member paddle?
A: Yes, you can. We hope that any SUP paddlers can keep up with the rest of the group for safety reasons.
Q: How do I get more involved?
A:Sign up for our Club GoogleGroup at https://www.yprc.org/yprc-google-group.html
Join one of our committees. Attend our monthly Board Meetings. Meetings are open to all Members. They are the 1st Mondays of every month at 6 PM, both on Zoom and at the clubhouse. You can volunteer to be an Ambassador for the club on weekends by signing up to man the clubhouse for a few hours and answer any questions about the Club.
All Club events and volunteer activities will be posted on the Google Group.
Q: Can I pay for private lessons?
A: There are several instructors who offer private lessons. Contact us for more information.
Q: I see Rowing in YPRC’s name. Are there rowing lessons?
A: Not at this time.