THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS:
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We are completely open to the public. No membership is needed. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard here, take lessons, or join our scenic guided trips. For those who graduate from the Kayak or Paddle Board Basics 1-4 lessons, they are eligible for the Paddle Pass to get a better deal on Intermediate-Elite trips, lessons, and rentals.
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- Water-friendly clothing – swimsuit, spandex, synthetic, Dri-Fit – and not cotton or jeans. Be prepared to get soaked and bring a change of your bottoms!
- Face mask on your nose and mouth – required while on land
- Personal lock if you wish to use our lockers
- Water-friendly soles and not flip flops
- Waterproof phone case or ZipLock bag
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Water bottle
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The Google maps address is 555 12th Ave. New York, NY 10019. We are on Pier 84 in Midtown Manhattan near W43rd St and 12th Ave. You will see the Pier after you cross 12th Avenue and look past the giant Intrepid Aircraft Carrier. Look beyond the biggest trees and you will see the boathouse halfway out on the Pier. Please arrive a few minutes early to change clothes and put your belongings into a disinfected locker.
To get here, (1) ride a Citibike up or down the Hudson Greenway bike path to the Ferry Terminal at W 40th St and 12th Avenue to dock the bike, then walk 5 minutes up to the boathouse, (2) ride your bike directly to the boathouse and leave it inside the boathouse, (3) take a taxi or drive to W 43nd Street and 12th Avenue, or (4) walk northwest from Times Square or Hudson Yards subways.
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Yes, you can rent single and double kayaks and stand-up paddleboards here. Renters stay in the cove alongside the Intrepid. The price per person is $10 for 45 minutes. Reservations must be made online. The Intrepid protects us from wind, tidal currents, and boat traffic. The River’s tidal currents – determined by our moon – can be strong and sweep beginners away. To paddle outside of the cove, please join our daily guided kayak and SUP trips.
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Yes. Our Kid’s After School Program is open to kids ages 8-14. For river trips, we welcome kids ages 13+ who ride in one of our double kayaks with a parent or legal guardian. For rentals in the cove, a parent or legal guardian must ride a double kayak with ages 3-10, accompany ages 11-15, and sign the e-waiver for unaccompanied ages 16-17. For all activities, a parent or legal guardian must sign our eWaiver for their child.
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Possibly, please tell us more about your previous experience on our Experienced Visitor Evaluation page. The Hudson River is different from a calm lake or beach. Trips beyond the beginner level feature wind and current, and paddlers are expected to stay with the group. A paddler who is not yet at intermediate level can slow down the group. We love teaching and this is why we teach kayak and stand-up paddleboard Basics 1-4.
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We are always watching the weather radar and will email or call you at least 2 hours before your outing if it’s going to be cancelled. We love rain (this is a water sport after all!) but lightning or 10+ mph winds can be dangerous. We’ll offer you a full refund or reschedule if this happens. If you arrive and honestly feel that the weather is not suitable for your taste, we will reschedule you at no penalty.
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Beginner lessons and trips are easy and accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Intermediate and advanced trips require an athletic approach and you will progress to longer and longer journeys. Elite trips are challenging and thrilling, even for people who have paddled for many years!
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Firstly, follow our COVID-19 guidelines. Make sure you wear one of our lifejacket that fits. If you are renting and are not going with a guide, you will stay within the supervised cove along the Intrepid. On all trips, all participants are accompanied by a guide. Please select guided trips at your skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elite). The guide may turn away any participant who is not wearing a face mask, not fit to paddle, not maintaining social distance, is intoxicated, endangers themselves, doesn’t cooperate, or separates from the group. For those who aim to join longer trips, start with the 4 Basics classes that teach safety procedures, boat control, and rescues.
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We provide all boats and equipment. Your confirmation email will list out everything else to bring. Use common sense: if the weather feels chilly, do not leave your skin exposed and use specialized water clothing made for the water. Wear a face mask and clothes that are comfortable when wet…like Dri-Fit or spandex. Kind of like what you’d wear to go on a jog in light rain. Avoid cotton because it sticks to your skin like a wet rag when wet! We HIGHLY recommend that you bring a change of clothes for after because your clothes might get soaked. Bring your own lock for our lockers.
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Yes, dogs are welcome to join our Free Yappy Hour every Friday! Dogs can also join rentals for free, but can’t join lessons or trips. It’s possible to do our private kayak or paddleboard lessons with your dog. We have dog lifejackets and welcome you to try them out with our staff.
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Yes, kayaking using sit-on-top kayaks is a fun accessible way to spend time with friends, family, and colleagues. We welcome groups of up to 30 people for Private Group Outings. The summer schedule fills. up so book online well ahead.