May 2024 Newsletter
Welcome 👋
Calendar filling with trips ✅.
Launch party planned ✅
Water temperature hits 60F ❌
Summer paddling is so close! The last few weeks have seen a flurry of activity as we prepare for the water temperature to hit 60F. When that happens, the 2024 season has officially launched!
News
The North Brooklyn Community Boathouse is dedicated to enabling safe, responsible, human-powered boating, and educating residents to be stewards of the history, ecology and sustainability of the waterways of Newtown Creek and the adjacent East River.
Last year we saw our membership grow to over 300, and we expect this season to be another bumper one as we continue our partnership with Queens Landing Boathouse & Environmental Center. As well as member trips, we'll continue our education and community programming, our popular Public Paddle series (both canoe and kayak), and our innovative Art & Science series.
What's happening?
The 2024 Public Paddle schedule is here. We have doubled the number of free paddles, offering both kayaking and canoeing events to the community. We always need volunteers to help run these, and it's a great way to introduce others to the joys of paddling in NYC.
The NBCB Expedition Series has been a trip. We've vicariously visited Lake Superior, paddled the Erie Canal, and canoed from Albany to Washington DC via presentations from our members. The fourth installment, Paddling in the ADK is on May 21.
Plenty of (winter) paddling has happened already this year (gallery). Thanks Javier, Matt and Dewey for leading. Monica has continued her popular Art & Science events (Floral Watercolor earlier this month had a really big turnout), as well as the NBCB Safety and Marine Knowledge Series. We co-hosted the 2024 Trip Leader and Instructor Forum for boating organizations around the city to learn from one another, and discuss issues in training, leadership, and safety.
We’re sure you have questions, and we’d love to hang out. Let's catch up with old friends and make new ones, and find out more about the upcoming season.
Please join us at 6.30pm on Thursday May 23 at Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.
$12 tickets (purchase at the door) get you a drink voucher. Food can be purchased at the bar. RSVPs via the calendar are appreciated.
Tickets NOT required if you don’t wish to drink. The revenue from all tickets will go to support the North Brooklyn Community Boathouse.
We have a new logo. Technically, our first logo! In March 2024, we made an open call through email and social media looking for designs. Thanks to everyone who submitted. We received an astonishing number of responses, and ultimately chose this one by Chris Smith. Some of the other submissions will be featured on t-shirts and future boathouse merchandise. Read more about how we chose the logo.
Boathouse Construction Update.
As we continue to operate "in exile" from our beloved Ash Street, work on our future home is ongoing. A construction update from Boathouse Design Committee chair Rob Buchanan includes a discussion of ongoing design questions and challenges. Read his highlights here. The design committee will meet again in a couple of months, send them an email if you'd like to join.
Looking for volunteers. NBCB is run by dedicated member-volunteers. To continue bringing you all the great environmental education and paddling to the shores of Newtown Creek and the East River, we’re looking for volunteers in a number of key areas.
Volunteering is flexible, and the time commitment is based on your schedule. You'll always be supported by a team of dedicated and experienced volunteers. If you're interested send us an email.
Support us. (Re)join as a member and tag us on social media.
Upcoming Events
Paddling
Join us for one of these upcoming trips or events:
May 21: Expedition Series: Paddling the ADK
May 25: Public Paddle! Canoes at MASE Park
May 29: Chart Navigation (for kayak and canoe)
June 3: Short & Sweet Evening Kayak (a regular Monday evening event)
June 8: Public Paddle! Kayaks at Queens Landing
June 22: Art & Science: Oysters in the Harbor and Triptych Painting
Sign up here!
Launch Locations. Canoe trips launch from Manhattan Avenue Park (next to 1205 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222).
Kayak trips are across the creek at Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center (57-28 2nd St, Long Island City, NY 11101).
Cabin bookings are open for 2024!
Our lovely cabin on the shores of Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park is available to NBCB members who belong to the American Canoe Association. It's an affordable and peaceful place to stay for a few days. Weekend bookings go quickly but there are still some available, as well as plenty of weekdays available.
Read more and make bookings here.
