Aug Newsletter 2023
Avast Ye, paddlers!
We're at the end of another month chock-full of paddling. Despite threats from thunderstorms (lightning danger), we had 26 trips in July. There's no better way to spend a hot NYC summer than out on the water.
Read on for a selection of news and upcoming events.
News
Congratulations to our new intermediate kayakers. Lots of our beginner paddlers have graduated to intermediate. See what this means here. Some even showed they were not afraid of getting wet by demonstrating a wet-exit. We're excited y'all can join us on trips further into the East River!
Mayday, mayday, mayday. We had a huge turnout to our Marine Radio & Weather for Paddlers class. Did you know that even though paddling upstream in the East River is north, we should tell other marine traffic that we are "eastbound"? Thanks again to Monica for teaching the class, and to Greenpoint Beer and Ale Co. for accommodating our last minute weather change.
July Highlights. Our NBCB Art & Science Series featured the toughest animal on earth, the tardigrade. We celebrated City of Water Day with a special edition of our Public Paddle held at the 2nd St boat ramp in LIC, Queens. Thanks to the folks at Hunter's Point Park Conservatory for having us.
Brian led what turned into our longest paddle of the season - 12 miles around Randalls Island, Javier taught ACA Level 2 Kayak Skills at Lake Sebago, and Monica held our first Women's Paddle.
Sending appreciation to our volunteers. Thank you so much to everyone who has volunteered with us this season. Our Public Paddles and our cabin at Lake Sebago wouldn't be possible without you. If you're interested in volunteering, send us an email.
Launch location. While we’re still ‘in exile’ during construction, our Public Paddles, canoe and kayak trips are launching from our container at Manhattan Avenue Street End Park (next to 1205 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222). Learn more and sign up on our calendar.
Support us. (Re)join as a member and tag us on social media.
Upcoming Events
Up your local nautical know-how.
Join Monica on Aug 7 for Nautical Rules of the Road & Local Knowledge. This is the third of our Safety & Marine Knowledge classes. You'll learn how to navigate (or avoid!) all the commercial traffic on the East River and Newtown Creek as well as the basics of reading a nautical chart.
Double the Public Paddle Pleasure in August.
We have not one, but two Public Paddles in August! Both will run from our usual location at MASE Park. Kayaking is on Aug 12, and will require registration through Eventbrite. Our Canoe event is on Aug 19, and is a walk-up event. If you know someone who wants to give paddling a try, this is their chance!
An opera for the Newtown Creek.
Join us on Sept 9 and 10 for Newtown Odyssey, a site-specific opera set on the Newtown Creek. Artists will sing and play instruments from the banks of the creek and floating stages, while the audience moves past on shore and in boats.
Drawing from interviews and historical figures, the opera starts as a typical day along the Newtown Creek, a kayak outing, a tugboat passes by, a group of volunteers clean up along the shore. But as the audience moves deeper into the creek, strange realities gradually begin to unfold.
To watch and experience the opera on the water, NBCB is selling a limited number of Canoe tickets for $40. All proceeds support the boathouse.
For further details about the event, or to buy tickets to watch from land ($10), visit Newtown Odyssey. Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) is a primary collaborator in the project.
NBCB Calendar:
Paddling. Join Dewey on Aug 4 and find out about all the magic behind Bushwick Inlet. It's a stopping point for migrating birds, and home to crabs, herons, egrets and geese. This is a great trip for those just staring to paddle at the intermediate level.
And on Aug 8, Alison will lead another morning canoe trip on Newtown Creek. It's low tide! What will they see? How far into the creek can canoes go at low tide? Sign up to find out.
Trips are frequently added to the trip calendar over the month. Keep an eye on your emails and check back regularly.
NBCB Cabin at Lake Sebago. Our cabin is a great spot for a getaway. A recent cancellation means that the first weekend of August is currently available. See the NBCB cabin page for booking instructions, but be quick because it won't last!
Lake Sebago is also great for a day trip. There is a swim dock with lifeguard, and members who are also ACA members can use NBCB boats and equipment. On August 26th Matt will run a Lake Canoe trip. Book here as spots are limited. For other events at Sebago see the ACA calendar.
