Your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs . . .

It has been many years since Herman Melville wrote those words at the beginning of Moby-Dick, but Manhattan and its wharves endure, and wanderlust and adventure still call to those who ply its waters. Once again, NBBC responded, and on Saturday, October 1, at 10 PM, a crew of twenty paddlers embarked on on the club’s annual circumnavigation of Manhattan.

*Manhattan Circ, October 1-2, 2016: Peter Jay Sharpe boat house, Harlem River*

We followed the tidal currents counterclockwise around the island, launching in a headwind and drizzle in the East River. That same wind was waiting for us eight hours later when we came around the Battery and once again entered home waters, cruising up the East River as dawn, hidden behind high clouds, brought the city back to life around us.

We had seen the city in a way many people never get to: fog lights lighting up the low clouds over the bulking cliffs of Upper Manhattan, cruise ships making way up the Hudson to bring their loads of tourists to Manhattan at dawn, the fearless and proprietary rats of Riverside Park at 4 AM . . .

*Manhattan Circ, October 1-2, 2016: East River, early morning*

But what felt most true was that these sights were not foreign, not alien, but part and parcel of our life in our city. That as strange as the night might have looked, however much we might have confused those who saw us passing under the twenty bridges or landing on the city’s forgotten wharves, we were at home, a part of the life of the city.
Though, real talk: those bagels were pretty important when we got back.

*Manhattan Circ, October 1-2, 2016: Breakfast!*

What are you doing next fall? Why not join in?

*Manhattan Circ, October 1-2, 2016: The crew!*

This entry was posted on October 11, 2016 by M. H..

Explore Local Waters with NBBC and NCA This Saturday

This Saturday, October 15, offers two chances to join NBBC and the Newtown Creek Alliance to explore the waters of Newtown Creek and learn about the local environment:

GCEF Open House
Celebrate fall in Greenpoint at the first annual OpenHouse GCEF:
From green roofs and parks to birds and boats, OpenHouseGCEF offers Greenpointers a chance to see GCEF projects in action and learn firsthand how they are making our community and healthier, safer, and “greener” place to live.

Saturday, 10/15, 11 AM-3PM, at four locations: McCarren Park, McGolrick Park, the NBBC boatyard on Newtown Creek, and the Kingsland Wildflowers Rooftop.

That same day, NBBC and NCA present the last in a series of water-quality boat trips on Newtown Creek!

On this special series of on-water tours, we will examine and discuss current water-quality trends for Newtown Creek. NCA is soon to complete an intensive 6 month water sampling program in conjunction with LaGuardia Community College. We have been collected data on water-quality health for parameters like bacteria, oxygen, and nutrients – all factors that vary in different locations in Newtown Creek – as well as factors like temperature and rainfall.

Following an on-land introduction and presentation on water quality issues, the group will take to the Creek with the North Brooklyn Boat Club and paddle to particular areas of interest and conduct live testing.

The event will also help inform local residents about greater water quality themes within NYC and how we can help improve the environmental conditions for ourselves and generations to follow. These events are made possible with funding provided by the New York State Office of the Attorney General and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund.

For more information and to register, please go to the NBBC Events Calendar.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on October 10, 2016 by M. H..

Adventures Near and Far This Week at NBBC

How to Sail Away from It All: Kate & Fabio’s Big Adventure

Thursday, October 13
NBBC Broadway Stages Boatyard
7:00-9:00 PM

Kate and Fabio spent the last few years refitting a “vintage” Columbia 29 sailboat, and sailing it from Buzzards Bay, MA, to St. Marys, GA, and back again! Come gather round for a photo show of their adventure — the good, the bad, and the dusty. Topics will include electric propulsion for two, miracles in fiberglass, marina biology, advanced sanding, and more!

Kate Zidar was the head of NCA for several years and is a big advocate for the boat club. She sailed away from NYC, literally, about a year ago, in a small boat with with Fabio, whom she had met on a boat in Panama, and they have had many adventures, including a focus on ecology and sustainability in various coastal towns along the Atlantic shore.

Come hear their story at NBBC’s boatyard Thursday, October 13, 7:00-9:00 PM.

Thursday, October 13
NBBC Broadway Stages Boatyard
7:00-9:00 PM
Fire, grill, and cocktails to follow.

Explore Local Waters with NBBC and NCA

Saturday, October 15
NBBC Broadway Stages Boatyard
11:00 AM-3:00 PM: GCEF Open House
3:00-5:30: Water-Quality Boat Trip with NBBC and Newtown Creek Alliance

*Showing off the wildlife in the Living Dock*

There are two chances Saturday to join NBBC and the Newtown Creek Alliance to explore the waters of Newtown Creek and learn about the local environment.

First, Celebrate fall in Greenpoint at the first annual OpenHouse GCEF
From green roofs and parks to birds and boats, OpenHouseGCEF offers Greenpointers a chance to see GCEF projects in action and learn firsthand how they are making our community and healthier, safer, and “greener” place to live. Come by the ED Shed at NBBC to see what we’re doing.

Then stick around to join the Newtown Creek Alliance and the North Brooklyn Boat Club for a special series of on-water tours to examine and discuss current water quality trends for Newtown Creek. Following an on-land introduction and presentation on water quality issues, the group will take to the Creek with the North Brooklyn Boat Club and paddle to particular areas of interest and conduct live testing. For more information, see this recent post, and to reserve a spot in the boat, visit the NBBC Events Calendar.

This entry was posted on October 9, 2016 by M. H..

Environmental Education and Volunteering Opportunities at NBBC

*Getting ready for an educational paddle on the creek*

NBBC has been busy this season offering environmental education programming to a variety of schools and organizations, including LaGuardia Community College, Girl Scouts of NY, Pratt Institute, the New School, and many more.

NBBC members are also encouraged to come volunteer for our educational programming! All the programming at the North Brooklyn Boat Club is created, staffed, managed, and run by dedicated member-volunteers! We are a community boathouse, and our mission is to involve the entire community in our on-water and on-land programming, whether that’s gardening and composting in the boatyard, hosting environmental education classes for local schools and colleges, throwing the best fund-raising parties in Brooklyn, or helping our neighbors see the city from the water for the first time!

Or even shoveling woodchips.

For more information on volunteering opportunities, see the Volunteer page.

This entry was posted on October 4, 2016 by M. H..

The Public Paddles Are Here!

*The next public paddle is September 24!*

At these free, informal paddles, North Brooklyn Boat Club welcomes walk-up participants to join trained NBBC guides for short trips on Newtown Creek and often out toward the East River, where we often pause to take in the view of Manhattan. Usually we take out our 25′ big canoes. Everyone on the paddle works together under expert instruction to forge a unique NYC experience, seeing the city in a new way. We might also take out regular tandem canoes or sit-on-top kayaks depending on the weather.

Public paddles are free and open to everyone. We especially hope to welcome our Greenpoint neighbors and members of other community organizations. Come down to our community boat yard, and learn more about Greenpoint’s history, environmental challenges and successes, and residents. Get out on the water and see the neighborhood in a completely new way!

We will try to get everyone who shows up on the water using our war canoes, but the earlier you arrive the better your chance of going on a paddle. All our voyages are led by certified trip leaders and include some of the best views of the city. This is a great way to check out the boatyard and get a chance to explore the local waterways. Paddling is free! And we serve beverages, veggie dogs, hot dogs, and other snacks. Our public paddles are child and pet friendly.

This year’s schedule:

Saturday, May 28, 12-4 PM
Saturday, July 2, 12-4 PM
Saturday, July 30, 12-4 PM
Saturday, August 27, 12-4 PM
Saturday, September 24, 12-4 PM

This entry was posted on September 19, 2016 by M. H..

Rock the Pulaski Is Going to Rock!

The 5th annual Rock the Pulaski party is here! Once again, it’s time to end the summer with bands, beer, BBQ, and bonfire under your favorite and ever-faithful bridge in Greenpoint.

Awesome performances on the NBBC shipping containers by:

Ocho Ocho Ocho
Pat Irwin (of the B52s!) with Sasha Dobson (of Puss ‘n Boots)
Blacktop Daisy
Marine Snow
…and more to be announced!

Saturday, 9/17, 6pm-1am
$5 before 7pm / $10 after
18+ (under 18 with parent/guardian)

At the North Brooklyn Boat Club
437 McGuinness Blvd, Brooklyn NY 11222

https://www.facebook.com/events/200978206986361/

Poster art by Ellen Lindner

This entry was posted on September 12, 2016 by M. H..

Have You Been to the Lake Sebago Cabin Yet?

NBBC members who are also American Canoe Association members are eligible to stay for up to five consecutive nights at the club’s fantastic lake-side cabin in Harriman State Park. How can you resist? Paddle the lake in one of the canoes or kayaks belonging to the club, or join one of the many ACA paddle classes.

Sign up for cabin stays through the NBBC calendar. And find out all the details at the cabin’s page on our website. And if you haven’t joined the ACA, now’s the time! NBBC is a Paddle America Club affiliate of the ACA, and NBBC members receive a discount on ACA membership. And ACA membership lets you use the club’s Sebago cabin and much more. Sign up today.

Join the club. Head for the cabin. Paddle the days away.

This entry was posted on August 10, 2016 by M. H..

NBBC and Headstrong

NBBC is proud to continue its involvement with Headstrong, a program affiliated with Cornell Medical Center that works with veterans to “provide completely confidential, cost free, bureaucracy free, state of the art care to heal the wounds of war.” Outdoor activities and, particularly, the teamwork and protocols around paddling are considered therapeutic for vets with PTSD symptoms. To give us a better sense of what Headstrong is and how NBBC fits into the work they do with veterans, the directors of Headstrong are coming to the boatyard to present the program and answer questions. A useful orientation for any member interested in volunteering in this extraordinary program.

www.getheadstrong.org

Headstrong Orientation: Weds, June 29, 6:30pm

Headstrong Paddle Program: Saturday, July 9, Noon – 4pm (includes Hallet’s Cove paddle: High Slack @ 14:31)

Contact Dewey Thompson for more info

This entry was posted on June 27, 2016 by M. H..

Summer Solstice Party 2016!

Solstice Party 2016
Steer by the sun, steer by the stars! Come celebrate summer at your community boat club with all the best things: good neighbors, good food, bands on the shipping containers, and sitting by the fire to watch the water go by! All proceeds will benefit community programming on the waterways of New York City.

June 25, 20016
6 PM to 1 AM
North Brooklyn Boat Club/Broadway Stages Boatyard
437 McGuinness Blvd.
$5
16+/21+ to Drink

Featuring Music By:
Gingerlys / Holy Tunics / Laura and Greg / Blacktop Daisy /
The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman

Sponsored by Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. and Royal Wine Merchants

Art by Ellen Lindner

This entry was posted on June 13, 2016 by M. H..

Jun-Oct News & Events 2016