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Free Public Kayaking |
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Hudson River Riders is the free public paddling arm of Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club. Contact us at the link below, or by phone at (914) 303-5643 X102
SCHEDULE (no reservations needed)
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GROUPS of 8 or more must register in advance by using the contact information above. Non profit groups paddle free. There is a fee for for-profit organizations.
Camps and for-profit organizations: we would love to host you on Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 3 pm.
Registration and fee required.
Camps and for-profit organizations: we would love to host you on Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 3 pm.
Registration and fee required.
We provide everything you need: all the 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.
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, Westchester County, NYSDEC and Foundations such as New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program and others. Find out more.
Substantial corporate support comes from R.E.I., Domino Sugar, Level Six, Werner Paddles and others.
We would welcome your individual donation!!
Substantial corporate support comes from R.E.I., Domino Sugar, Level Six, Werner Paddles and others.
We would welcome your individual donation!!
Connecting with the Community
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
