Hudson RiverNet
News from the Hudson River Estuary Program

Providing Urban Access to the Hudson River Estuary

Most communities along the tidal Hudson have some form of access to the river. DEC’s Estuary Program, with state and local partners, is now working to improve the accessibility of existing river sites so that everyone, including people with disabilities, families, older adults, and people in disadvantaged communities, can enjoy inclusive and positive activities along the Hudson. We also are helping communities improve the resiliency of their docks, boat, launches, and facilities to address flooding and sea-level rise now and into the future. The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025 outlines these goals.

In 2022, the Estuary Program awarded $156,389 for three River Access grants, all of which will serve EJ communities. The following stories share progress made during 2022-2023 at two sites, the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club  in Yonkers and Pier 96 Boathouse at Hudson River Park in New York.

Hudson River Riders, Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club

Founded in 2003, the Yonkers Public Paddling Program, and arm of the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club (YPRC) was initially created to introduce people to the sport of kayaking. In 2016, the YPRC’s Public Paddling Program was renamed the Hudson River Riders and adopted a new mission: to create a classroom on the water for disadvantaged youth, helping them to develop paddling skills and become the next generation of environmental stewards.

Hudson River Riders operates out of JFK Marina and Park and YPRC Boathouse, offering free kayaking on the Hudson River to youth and adults (5 years-of-age and up). In addition to their walk-up kayak program, Hudson River Riders has weekly paddles for teens to introduce them to the sport of kayaking. Hudson River Riders is supported by YPRC membership, DEC, and the City of Yonkers, as well as companies and individuals who want to see that access to the Hudson River Estuary is for everyone.

During the summer of 2023, Hudson River Riders (HRR) put over 1,500 youth and adults on the water. With funding from an Estuary Program Grant, HRR purchase smaller-sized kayaks for teens. Without the right size kayak, youth could have difficulties steering and paddling the vessel.

In 2022, Hudson River Riders received a grant from the American Canoe Association to develop Black, Indigenous, and people of color paddling instructors. YPRC trained seven club members, including three of the Hudson River Riders staff. All three not only received the Level 1 Certification, but also reached Level 2 instructor certification. Director Chev Dixon and Manager Alex Morales, run the day-to-day HRR public paddles and also train all the HRR staff in kayak skills and rescue.

Photos courtesy of YRPC

New York Outrigger at Pier 96 Boathouse

New York Outrigger is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization that has supported equitable access to New York City waterways for 27 years. The community of volunteers share the culture of Polynesian outrigger canoe paddling and stand up paddleboarding with New Yorkers through free and low-cost paddling sessions at Hudson River Park's Pier 96 Boathouse. The introductory paddling sessions are offered every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the summer boating season. Visitors learn about the canoes’ historical significance in the lives of Polynesians and paddle in a 6-person outrigger canoe or a stand-up paddleboard guided by experienced volunteers.

The volunteers provide safety tips and techniques to encourage an enjoyable connection with the Hudson River estuary. This past summer, New York Outrigger hosted about 200 public events resulting in more than 4,000 hours on the water. Volunteers led safety clinics, long-distance paddles to explore multiple NYC waterways, and field days to hone a variety of water skills. 

"Paddlers got to try different types of small canoes and stand-up paddleboards, learned how to steer our large 6-person canoes, and practiced water safety skills such as emergency drills. I saw everyone grow so much!" said volunteer coach Kelley Heyer.

Through Hudson River Estuary Grant Program funding, New York Outrigger is enhancing equitable river access for adaptive paddlers. The Makapo adaptive paddling program has supported paddlers who are blind or visually impaired for 8 years; the name refers to the Hawaiian language word for "dark eyes." The inclusive coaching and support offered by volunteers provide a safe environment for people of all abilities to develop skills as water leaders.

Makapo paddler Ron Baron said, "being on the water is so therapeutic for me. I love the challenge of going further and faster and constantly trying to improve my technique. The wonderful comradery even when launching the boats or pulling them out of the water always feels so good as we work together and watch out for each other. As a visually-impaired person, this is an activity that requires almost no adaptation. Can't get lost in a canoe!"

Photos courtesy of New York Outrigger