|
Free Public Kayaking |
|
|
Hudson River Riders is the FREE public paddling program of Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club
Contact us: [email protected] (914) 303-5643 x102 |
Summer 2026 schedule (no reservations needed)
- Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 4 pm – 7 pm, at JFK Marina, Yonkers. Ages 5 and older. The last boat on the water is 6:30 pm. Participants use sit-on-top boats.
- Sundays, from 10:30 am - 1 pm, for ages 13 and older, at YPRC's Alexander Street Boathouse, 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers. Participants use deck boats.
Groups of 8 or more must register in advance |
- All groups of 8+ people including camps can request a paddling adventures Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 7 pm. See availability in the calendar below
- REGISTER: Please register in advance using the form below.
- FEE: Non profit groups paddle free. There is a fee for for-profit organizations.
We provide everything you need
We provide all equipment including single and double sit-on-top kayaks, life Jackets, paddles and on-land instruction. We also provides safety- trained staff on and off the water in a protected cove at JFK Marina to make sure that every participant is safe and has a positive experience on the water.
safety is our top priority
We offers participants the opportunity to safely explore the Hudson River in environmental friendly human powered craft kayaks.
- Adults must be present at all times for those under 18 years of age.
- The program is overseen by Director Phil Giller who has over 25 years experience kayaking and is a nationally accredited kayak instructor with First Aid/CPR certification. He has been running public kayaking programs for over 20 years.
- HRR program staff have all taken kayak training, kayak rescue training and leadership training. Many have also taken First Aid/CPR certification.
- On-water staff carry VHF radios in case of emergencies.
- Lifejackets must be worn at all times.
- Everyone wil be given on-land instruction in how to kayak. PLEASE READ KAYAK 101
- You must sign an insurance waiver.
- Competent swimming skills are encouraged but not required but you should at a minimum be comfortable in the water. The boats used are all wide sit-on-top kayaks designed for beginners but there is always a chance of falling into the water.
- Participants must be physically able to help carry their boat and equipment to the ramp and back.
- Participants must be physically able to sit in a sit-on-top kayak boat.
- Persons with physical disabilities should contact the program director before arriving for a paddle.
community partners
YPRC has a long history of offering paddling programs for community groups, camps and other organizations. Some of the groups that have participated:
- Buena Vista Community Garden Youth Group
- Nepperhan Community Center
- Yonkers YMCA
- Riverdale 4-H Club
- Yonkers PAL
- Boy Scout Troop 5(Yonkers) and Troop 15 (New Rochelle), among many others others
- PowerPlay NYC
- Hudson River Museum
youth empowerment
Youth empowerment is built in through employing Yonkers teens and training them in kayaking, outdoor skills and leadership all year long.
history
YPRC’s public paddling program was founded by Gerry Blackstone in 2003 at the Clearwater Festival to introduce people to kayaking. In 2006, Gerry requested that Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club support this vision, suggesting that they provide Hudson River access to the public and kayaks for the local youths to cross the river and enjoy Alpine State Park. That year, the City of Yonkers provided storage for YPRC to operate at JFK Marina.
In 2016, YPRC’s public paddling program was renamed Hudson River Riders. It continues the original mission of creating a classroom on the water for youth to develop paddling skills and safety and become the next generation of environmental stewards.
In 2016, YPRC’s public paddling program was renamed Hudson River Riders. It continues the original mission of creating a classroom on the water for youth to develop paddling skills and safety and become the next generation of environmental stewards.
about us / impact
YPRC and Hudson River Riders are forces in the Yonkers community providing access to the Hudson River, growing environmental awareness and developing American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructors. We put approximately 1,000 people on the river each summer through various programs.
In 2022, Hudson River Riders received a grant from the ACA to develop Black, Indigenous, and people of color paddling instructors.
In 2022, Hudson River Riders received a grant from the ACA to develop Black, Indigenous, and people of color paddling instructors.
cancellations
- Kayaking may be cancelled or modified due to weather conditions, water conditions, or for safety reasons. The program director has complete authority over the event.
- The park is also occasionally not available for public use.
- To the best of our ability, cancellations will be posted on the calendar below.
what to bring
- Dress appropriately for the day. YPRC suggests that all participants wear water shoes (not sneakers). It is necessary that you protect your feet because there are sharp rocks and sometimes broken glass in the river, and kayakers need to wade into the water as they launch their boats. Wear clothes that can get wet and that you will feel comfortable in. If possible, bring a towel to dry off.
- Clothes that are breathable (not cotton) are recommended.
- HRR and YPRC are not responsible for the loss of any items. Please leave your valuables at home.
- A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses that protect against UV rays are recommended in the hot summer sun. The rays that reflect off the water can be dangerous to the retina. Dark glasses that do not offer UV protection are more harmful than no glasses because they cause the pupil to open wide allowing even more UV to hit the retina.
- There are no shower facilities available. Porta San restrooms are located near the ramp.
- Drinking water is available.
- Do not bring anything on the water that could be lost or damaged. Cell phones may be water resistant but if dropped tend to sink quickly to the bottom and may be impossible to retrieve. You can leave valuables (phone, wallet, car keys) in your car or with our staff (if necessary).
kayaking 101
When You Arrive:
When paddling, grasp your paddle so that the writing on the paddle is right side up and facing you. Any other position will not be efficient. Your fingers should grasp the shaft of the paddle so that you can see the back of your hand.
Moving Forward (Forward Stroke): Bring your paddle, in a sweeping motion and pushing the water towards the back of the boat, from where your ankle is to where you are sitting. Switching sides as you move forward. Keep the paddle close to the side of the kayak.
Moving Backwards (Reverse Stroke): Do the opposite of the above by sweeping the water forward, starting from where you are sitting and moving toward your feet. This technique is useful when you want to avoid a rock or other obstruction.
Turning Right: Paddle forward only on your left side, but have the paddle further away from the side of the boat than when you are simply moving forward. You can figure out how to turn left!
Quick Turn: For turning right, do as above but follow with a reverse stroke on the right also keeping the paddle further away from the side of the boat. Do the opposite for a quick turn to the left.
Rudder Stroke: Sometimes wind and currents will make your boat drift to one side despite all you efforts. If your kayak drifts to the right, correct the motion by dipping your paddle on the left side and holding it wide from the side of the boat. Your paddle then acts as a rudder directing the kayak away from its rightward drift. Do the opposite for a leftward drift.
Practice: Once in the water, practice going forward, backwards and making turns. Once you feel comfortable doing these maneuvers or if you are already experienced, help someone who is having difficulties. If you are an adult with a young child, help him/her understand the above instructions.
- If the kayaks have not yet been taken out, please help carry them from their storage area onto the launching site or other designated area, a program volunteer will assist you. Do not drag the boats, as the cement will damage the bottoms, work in pairs, one at each end.
- Once all the boats and equipment are staged for use, check in with ste staff at the registration table to comfirm that you have filled out a waiver or to sign one.
- Then you will get fitted with a life jacket (a personal flotation device (PFD)) and obtain a paddle. Remember that the PFD must fit snugly and should not be able to slip above your neck.
- Pay attention to a brief review of paddling instruction along with safety tips from one of the program staff. Your help will make things flow smoothly.
- HRR paddles are fairly expensive, so please do not scrape them on the ground and handle them with care. The same is true of HRR kayaks so please avoid dragging them over the ground.
When paddling, grasp your paddle so that the writing on the paddle is right side up and facing you. Any other position will not be efficient. Your fingers should grasp the shaft of the paddle so that you can see the back of your hand.
Moving Forward (Forward Stroke): Bring your paddle, in a sweeping motion and pushing the water towards the back of the boat, from where your ankle is to where you are sitting. Switching sides as you move forward. Keep the paddle close to the side of the kayak.
Moving Backwards (Reverse Stroke): Do the opposite of the above by sweeping the water forward, starting from where you are sitting and moving toward your feet. This technique is useful when you want to avoid a rock or other obstruction.
Turning Right: Paddle forward only on your left side, but have the paddle further away from the side of the boat than when you are simply moving forward. You can figure out how to turn left!
Quick Turn: For turning right, do as above but follow with a reverse stroke on the right also keeping the paddle further away from the side of the boat. Do the opposite for a quick turn to the left.
Rudder Stroke: Sometimes wind and currents will make your boat drift to one side despite all you efforts. If your kayak drifts to the right, correct the motion by dipping your paddle on the left side and holding it wide from the side of the boat. Your paddle then acts as a rudder directing the kayak away from its rightward drift. Do the opposite for a leftward drift.
Practice: Once in the water, practice going forward, backwards and making turns. Once you feel comfortable doing these maneuvers or if you are already experienced, help someone who is having difficulties. If you are an adult with a young child, help him/her understand the above instructions.
Support from this program comes from people like you
YPRC is a 501(c)3 volunteer run organization that supports this program through members dues. Financial support for the program also comes through grants from The City of Yonkers and Westchester County. Find out more. Yet, YPRC is at a crossroads. With the loss of legacy funding from partners like Domino Sugar and REI, our free community paddling and paid youth leadership programs are in jeopardy. We are looking for community-minded partners like you to help us bridge this gap for 2026.
We welcome your individual donation!!
We welcome your individual donation!!
