April 2025 Newsletter
⚓ Welcome to the 2025 Paddling Season
Aaaand, we're back! We're excited for a full season of paddling from MASE (canoes), and Queens Landing (kayaks), and from Lake Sebago (canoes and kayaks). We plan to deliver another exceptional season of on-water and on-land programming, including our free public paddle series.
When can I paddle? Sometime soon! For safety reasons, our regular season begins once water temperatures reach 60 degrees. Below that is dangerous -- someone falling into the water could be fatal. So we never know the exact date our paddling season will start, just that it usually happens around mid-May and ends in October. You'll know it's here when a flurry of events start appearing in the calendar. Or, you can follow along by watching the water temperature at The Battery station, here (scroll down for the water temperature graph.)
What about the new boathouse? We hope to be able to start moving in and setting up our new boathouse at Ash Street in mid-summer! That new access will create lots of activity and volunteering opportunities. However, our new boat launch, and access to the water there remains uncertain as construction on our new seawall and docks won't start until Fall at the earliest. We'll keep you posted as these dates become more definite.
📣 NEWS
Kayak Public Paddle Dates Announced!
Dates for this season's Kayak Public Paddles are set with one per month over the warmer months.
Volunteers are the power behind these events. Please sign up to help on one of the following days:
Canoe Public Paddle dates will be announced very soon. Watch our website and social media!
New Post Paddle Party Place: Scrappleland
We’re literally flipping out over our new neighbors Scrappleland, at 1150 Manhattan Avenue, formerly Greenpoint Beer & Ale.
Scrappleland is a new venture from Peter Rose, the mind behind Greenpoint’s pinball speakeasy Sunshine Laundromat and Pinball.
Check out this article by our very own Jonathan Small to find out what to expect at this new venue, and the story behind the unusual name.
The owners warmly welcome all members of NBCB, and are excited to host any parties or events.
We look forward to this new friendship!
📅 UPCOMING NBCB EVENTS
Nautical Knots for Paddlers
April 24 | 6:30pm - 7:45pm | MASE Park | RSVP
Get ready for padding season by brushing up on your knots. Fiona and Thiago will teach you some of the most useful knots for kayakers and canoeists - including the bowline, clove hitch, rolling hitch, and how to make off your boat to a cleat.
Space is limited, so please RSVP to attend.
All Members Meeting
April 27 | 1pm - 3pm | Queens Landing Boathouse | RSVP
We're kicking off the 2025 season with an All Members Meeting. Come along to reconnect with fellow paddlers, and hear about the upcoming 2025 season from our committees. Members and friends are welcome.
RSVP on the calendar.
Volunteer Orientation Day
May 10 | 2pm - 4pm | Queens Landing Boathouse | RSVP
If you have time, we need you!
This year in particular, there's a lot of interesting and impactful work that needs to happen to get our new boathouse up and running.
Come along to the Volunteer Orientation Day to hear what help we need and how to get involved.
See the calendar for more info and to RSVP.
🔦 CABIN CORNER
NBCB Cabin at Lake Sebago is Open!
After closures last season due to storm damage, the ACA camp and the NBCB cabin are open this season.
Overnight visits (bookings required) and day visits are welcome from May 1 though October 15th. Weekend bookings are filling fast.
Watch for upcoming event announcements, and see the webpage for more details.
Lake Sebago Volunteer and BBQ Day
May 3 | 10am - 4pm | ACA Camp Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park | RSVP
This will be a fun day of working together, followed by a BBQ and some paddling. The cabin is available to book overnight for anyone who'd like to stay.
See the calendar for more info and to RSVP.
🙌 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Trip leader Javier and a group of winter paddlers take a break on the way to the Williamsburg Bridge. March 9, 2025
We get a lot of emails during the winter and spring months inquiring about canoe and kayak trips.
For safety reasons, our regular season begins once water temperatures reach 60 degrees. That's usually between mid-May and early October.
But there is an exception. Members who are intermediate or advanced, can take our on-land Winter Safety Class. Once completed, you can become a Winter Paddler and join any winter trips posted on the calendar. A key requirement is paddlers must wear dry suits (NBCB has a few to lend). More on winter paddling here.
🚣 LAUNCH LOCATIONS
🛶 Canoe trips launch from Manhattan Avenue Street End Park (MASE), 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.
