Like a pioneer wagon train, 15 kayakers made their way west from the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan early Saturday morning, Aug. 14, looking for the coast – the Hoboken coast, that is.
The Downtown Boathouse is a volunteer-run organization providing free walk-up kayaking and free harbor trips out of three Manhattan locations. Three times this year, Downtown Boathouse members brought kayaks to Sinatra Park instead, to demonstrate kayaking to anyone interested.
“We’re trying to offer different things with the city,” said Director of Cultural Affairs Gerri Fallo. “We don’t have anyone on staff to do this, so we partner up with different entities that could provide the service.”
Sandy Sobanski, a member of the Downtown Boathouse and Water Trail Association, led the expedition. Sobanski is the unofficial spokeswoman for bringing organized kayaking to Hoboken, having practically built the Sinatra Park boat launch with her own hands.
“When Hoboken first built the kayak launch five years ago, they didn’t really speak to a kayaker about how to do it,” said Sobanski.
The original launch was a jagged, elevated, slippery path of cement covered rocks that was vulnerable to changes in the river.
“I started moving a couple of rocks, and a few weeks later, I had a gentle path down to the river and everybody loved it,” Sobanski said. “I thought I was going to be arrested.”
Trying it out
About 100 people came to the demonstration, which was scheduled from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, but it was cut short under the threat of Hurricane Charley.
All different age groups were represented, with parents bringing children to ride in the double kayaks. Some people came from Italy and reminisced about paddling around the island of Capri in their childhood.
Downtown Boathouse volunteers acted as lifeguards to make sure novice kayakers didn’t accidentally go out into the river, which can have challenging currents. The Hudson is a tidal estuary due to its proximity to the ocean, making for some rough waters.
Downtown Boathouse provides “sit-on-top” kayaks. The boats are flat with indentations for sitting and feet. They are self bailing, and scuba divers often use them because they are stable when the water gets rocky. There are both double and single kayaks.
“They’re a fun boat to paddle,” said Sobanski. “Once you get the hang of it, it’s like riding a bike. If you know how to swim, you can paddle. It’s just moving your arms.”
There is a 20-minute limit on boating in the embayment so everybody can get a chance, but if nobody is waiting, they can stay longer. Sobanski said the wait is usually no longer than 10 to 15 minutes.
Kayakers should wear clothes that will dry fast, such as lightweight shorts or biker shorts.
“We ask them to take off their shoes and socks,” said Sobanski. “We suggest they avoid cotton so they don’t have to walk around Hoboken wet all day when they’re done.”
The New York facility has a shower and locker room, including a hose with a shower head so people can hose down after being on the river.
Although anyone can access the river, Sobanski warned that the Hudson can be challenging, recommending that only experienced kayakers and kayakers used to rough waters leave the protected embayments.
She hopes to eventually set up a more permanent program in larger and calmer Weehawken Cove, which is three-quarters in Hoboken.
Weehawken Cove
“Weehawken Cove is a protected cove,” said Sobanski. “The waters are calm and it’s more like being in a lake.” According to Sobanski, Henry Hudson pulled into Weehawken Cove when he originally came up the river, completing his navigational charts in the calm, and taking advantage of the view.
“You can feel it when you’re in the kayak too,” said Sobanski. “It’s bliss. You almost feel like you’re back in a canoe with an Indian tribe. It’s boating heaven.”
Fallo hopes Downtown Boathouse will be able to do weekly demonstrations next year. Sobanski said a more permanent operation would require kayaks, life vests, and a storage container. She would also like to see signs outlining safety and legal regulations on the river for independent boaters.
“We can probably run a few river festivals and drum up some change,” Sobanski said.
Downtown Boathouse also offers trips where guides will lead groups to river sites such as the Statue of Liberty and the Intrepid.
Sobanski said there may be another Hoboken demonstration on Sept. 25., and Downtown Boathouse’s Manhattan locations are available for anyone who’s interested. The locations are Pier 26 in Tribeca, Pier 66a in Chelsea, and 72nd Street at Riverside Park. For more information, visit www.downtownboathouse.org.