To promote paddlesport on the NY-NJ Estuary, the Gowanus Dredgers are sponsoring a Winter Pool Program that introduces kayaking to the public in a partnership with the Aquatics Department at the Riverbank State Park swimming pool during the Fall 2010 and Winter of 2011.

It is expected that graduates of this program will bring the sport of kayaking to our shorelines and they will enlist volunteers to participate in beach cleanups and other events that will restore our estuary.

Everyone is welcome!  No prior kayaking experience is required, but one must know how to swim.  All children (ages 8-17) must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older) who must stay for the duration of the class.

All participants must register with Riverbank State Park before participating in the class.  There is a two-part registration process:

·         Identification Card:  To attend any class in the park, one must have a Riverbank State Park identification card, which is a requirement when attending classes offered in the park.  It costs $8 for seniors and $10 for everybody else.

·         Registration Fee:  For each class in the park, there is a general registration fee.  It cost $3 for seniors and $4 for everybody else.

Course 1	Saturday Oct 9, 16, 23, 30
Course 2	Sundays Oct 10, 17, 24, 31
Course 3	Saturdays Nov 6, 20 & Dec 4, 11
No Classes	Saturday, Nov 13 & 27
Course 4	Sundays Nov 7, 14, 21 & Dec 5
No Classes	Sunday, Nov 28
Course 5	Saturdays Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
Course 6	Sundays Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
Course 7	Saturdays Feb 5, 12, 19 & Mar 12
No Classes	Saturday, Feb 26 & Mar 5
Course 8	Sundays Feb 6, 13, 20 & Mar 13
No Classes	Sunday, Feb 27 & Mar 6

(1) Class Maximum

In order to offer the classes to as many people as possible, no person may sign up for more than one section (i.e. month/day combination).

The boats are a mixture of sit-on-top kayaks and small whitewater boats.  There are boats for almost all sizes. Lifejackets are supplied, and must be worn at all times.

The nearest subway stop is the 1/9 train at 145^th Street. and Broadway.  Once you exit the subway, walk west on 145^th Street down the hill. Walk across Riverside Drive into the park. The pool is located in the Aquatic Complex (with the scoreboard on top) to the right of the track. Allow ten minutes for the walk from the subway.  The M11 bus runs directly into the park.

No running, no diving, no standing in boats, no paddle fights.  Launch boats from the side of the pool, not the end. You MUST wear a lifejacket at all times.  Before going kayaking, one must have:

·         Registered with Riverbank State Park.

·         Signed a NYC Winter Pool Program waiver (good for year).

·         Signed Riverbank State Park sign-in sheet and Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Waiver (every day).

Bring a swimsuit, towel, padlock, registration card, and your receipt for the class.  T-shirts, cutoff jeans, and leotards, etc. are not allowed.

Riverbank is the only park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Inspired by urban rooftop designs in Japan, this 28-acre multi-level landscaped recreational facility is a state-of-the-art park facility.  Rising 69 feet above the Hudson River, Riverbank offers a wide variety of recreational, athletic and arts experiences for all ages, interests and abilities.

Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10031

Phone:    (212) 694-3664, 65 or 66 (Manager’s Office)

Pictures are Copyright © 2009, Daniele P. Scarpazza, www.scarpaz.com