Paddling Form and Function
Improve Your Paddling Technique by Training at Home From the MKC Kayak & SUP Coach’s Notebook Series LONG-TERM FUN! There’s a reason we keep coming back to the water. Out on the Hudson, the harbor, or the East River, something shifts. The noise drops away, the horizon opens, and perspective returns. The city softens. The…
Inflatable Paddleboards: 30 Years of Lessons from New York City
Before you press “Buy Now” on that inflatable paddleboard, I’d like to talk to you first. I’ve watched people take their first stroke on the Hudson and eventually paddleboard all the way to Florida, the entire Erie Canal, and circumnavigate Long Island. Self-supported camping trips for days or weeks at a time. I founded MKC…
What To Wear, Year Round
Now, we’re in drysuits (Intermediate+ only). Beginner activities start May 2, 2026. The 30-Year Guide to Dressing for the Hudson Stay fit and enjoy fresh air year-round. The secret isn’t “being tough”—it’s being dressed right. After three decades on the water, here is our seasonal blueprint for comfort and safety. Winter (Dec 21–Apr 30): The…
How To Paddle In Cool Water
The “Sober” Guide to Cold Water. Cold water paddling is a glorious joy, but it requires respect. When the Hudson is under 60°F, your margin for error shrinks. Here is how we stay safe and “Blue Minded” during the shoulder seasons. What To Wear After Summer If the water is under 60°F, we don’t wear…
Planning Your Own Expedition?
After 30 years on the Hudson, I’ve learned that the best trips are won 48 hours before the start. This is the MKC guide to professional preparation and leadership. Prepare Yourself and Your Group Plan around the least experienced person. Don’t shape your trip around yourself if there are others. Instead, ask: • Who is…
What To Wear & Bring During Summer
Don’t let cotton underwear ruin your day. After 30 years on the Hudson, we’ve seen every outfit imaginable. Here is the ‘Pro-Kit’ list we’ve refined since 1995 to keep you dry and happy. If you’re dressed right, you’ll stay dry, warm, and enjoy your time on the water. Wear a Life Jacket We provide life…
The Art of the Flow: Why We Really Paddle the Hudson
Flow State: Timeless Transcendence On The Water. I’ve paddled my whole life in wonderful places throughout the world. This includes halfway around Australia, Alaska, Patagonia, The Galapagos Islands, British Virgin Islands, San Juan Islands, Scotland, Maine, SF Bay, Florida Keys, Bahamas, Kauai, Costa Rica, Brittany, Bavaria. Then, there are the thousands of miles in the…
Meet The Soul of Manhattan Kayak
When I founded Manhattan Kayak, I was a purist. I believed the only way to truly experience the Hudson was in a sleek, sit-in kayak that hugged the body like a ski boot—making the boat an extension of my nervous system. To me, the efficiency of a two-bladed paddle was objectively superior to its single-bladed…
Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard?
Which One Should You Choose: Kayak or SUP? If you’re brand new to paddling and conflicted about which paddling discipline to learn, I’m here to help. As founder of Manhattan Kayak Co, I have a lot to share on this topic. First, for fitness: In both kayaking and SUP, learn to use your whole body…
The Urban Magic Carpet: From Folding Kayaks to the Vertical City
The Vertical City and the Stand-Up Paddleboard! Cities make me feel like a child when I do go–whether it is New York, Bangkok or Rome–I wander around in a daze, my senses indulging in the constant stimulation, my neck craned skyward… –Will Taylor, editor of SUP The Mag This reminded me of how I felt…