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  • Which type of event/paddle is right for me?
    Open Paddles are perfect for new paddlers as a way to learn the basic skills of paddling at your own pace. Our Open Paddles are also open to more experienced paddlers who want to enjoy Jamaica Bay in a non-scheduled setting. Guided Group Paddles are geared more towards experienced paddlers who can be out on the water for an hour or more at a time. Kayaking is a strenuous activity for everyone including our volunteers. To keep all safe please be aware of these guidelines: You must be healthy, of sound mind & body, possessing a fitness level that allows you to safely operate your kayak without assistance. you must understand the current weather/water conditions may change while out on the water. You must properly fit in an approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and one of our single or double kayaks. If not, you can be denied participation if any of our Volunteer Paddle Leaders feels there is an issue while on site. You must follow ALL instructions of our Volunteer Paddle Leaders.
  • What is an "Open Paddle"?
    Open Paddles are perfect for new paddlers as a way to learn the basic skills of paddling at your own pace. Our Open Paddles are also open to more experienced paddlers who want to enjoy Jamaica Bay in a non-scheduled setting. During our "open paddles" there is no set time that you need to arrive or how long you can stay out on the water (provided you are back at the boathouse and have taken your boat out of the water before our closing time). Most people generally go out on the water for about an hour or so during the open paddles. This gets people out on the water, but helps ensure that we have boats available for all the people who want to get out on the water on a given day. Please note that there is a two hour limit on how long you may keep a boat out on the water.
  • What is a "Guided Group Paddle"?
    Guided Group Paddles are geared more towards experienced paddlers who can be out on the water for an hour or more at a time.
  • How do I register for an event/paddle?
    Registration is done via Eventbrite. Please see Paddle Schedule page for a full listing of our current events/paddles Each Registration is individual and for a single seat. ​This to maximize the seating and to ensure that each paddle can go out with as little if not zero empty seats. Kayaking is a group sport and we all are happy when we meet new friends enjoying new experiences out in nature. Our Volunteer Paddle Leader's will try to accommodate all requests for attendees who want to have a "single" kayak to themself and for attendees who would like to have a "double" kayak together, but due to the limited number of boats that we have on hand and the popularity of some of our events we cannot guarantee your seating requests will be able to be accommodated. All decisions will be up to the Volunteer Paddle Leaders at any individual event and their decisions are final. During registration you are asked for your email address. This is done to send you reminders of your upcoming event or to be able to conveniently communicate any changes in the event such as weather related or water condition info that might cause the trip to be cancelled or modified. We will never sell nor use your email address for purposes other than communicating info about Community Boathouse.
  • How do I cancel my registration for an event/paddle?
    · In the Eventbrite app if you click on your "orders" you should be able to find the event that you want to cancel your registration to and under the three dots at the top of the page one of the options should say "cancel order". · If you are trying to do it from the Eventbrite website it's a pretty similar process, but I believe the option to "cancel order" is on the left side of the page.
  • How old do I have to be to participate?
    While we don't have any strict age limitations, children under the age of 12 must be in a "double" kayak with their parent or guardian: Children will be denied if too small to fit our smallest PFD even if sharing a "double" kayak with a parent or guardian. Children between 13 and 17 in their own kayaks must be under the supervision of a parent or guardian Group Paddles are designed for paddlers 18 years of age or older
  • Do I have to know how to swim to participate?
    You are not required to know how to swim in order to participate in any of our events/paddles. Everyone who participates is required to wear a life jacket/PFD at all times while out on the water. We do recommend that all participants know how to swim since a life jacket is not a guaranteed failsafe device. Community Boathouse does not offer any learn to swim programming, but we have included some info below from local groups that do offer such programs: https://ymcanyc.org/locations/rockaway-ymca/programs-classes/swimming/swim-lessons https://www.risingtideeffect.org/ https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/learn-to-swim
  • What happens in bad weather?
    We typically will be closed during times of current or threatening inclement weather or seas that are unsafe and can cut short or cancel any events even if already launched. ​ We consider it hazardous when: Winds are > 12 mph Rain, thunderstorms and lightning is forecast Choppy waters The decision to cut short or cancel an event is up to the The Volunteer Paddle Leaders running an event. They are focused on safety first for ALL and have complete discretion as to if/when to cut short or cancel an event. Volunteers on-site make all the decisions and they are final.
  • What Equipment do you have available?
    Kayaks: We have a number of single seat and double seat kayaks. All of our kayaks are sit-on-top style. Life Jackets (also called Personal Floatation Devices or PFD's): We have a number of life jackets of varying sizes (including some youth sizes). Everyone who participates is required to wear a life jacket/PFD at all times while out on the water. Paddles: We have a number of paddles of varying lengths. The general rule of thumb to find out what size/length of paddle you should use is to stand up straight, extend one arm above your head, and hook your fingers over an imaginary paddle. Your paddle should be about that length. stand-up paddle boards (SUPs): We have a limited number of stand-up paddle boards. Some are inflatables, and others are rigid boards.
  • Is Bay Breeze Park under construction?
    NYC Parks is in the process of updating Bay Breeze Park (the park that our shipping containers are stored at and where we run most of our events from at the corner of Beach 88th St. and Beach Channel Drive). Construction is to commence in September of 2023 and last for approximately one year. Our kayak storage containers are being moved to an alternate site (Vernam Barbadoes Preserve (at the corner of Amstel Blvd. and Beach 75th St.). We will likely operate from that location for the duration of the Summer 2024 paddling season. If you would like further information on the work that is planned for Bay Breeze Park you can find it on the NYC Parks website here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/8970

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Paddler’s Responsibilities

  • All Attendee’s / Registrant’s / Paddler’s agree to the following:

    • Assist in the moving of the kayak or SUP and all ancillary equipment (PFD/Life Jacket) and Paddles from the Boathouse to the shoreline and back. (With the help of any available Volunteer Paddle Leaders who may be on hand)

    • Wipe down and/or hose-off the seat, paddle, and PFD with supplied cleaning materials (with the help of any available Volunteer Paddle Leaders who may be on hand)

    • Follow all Volunteer Paddle Leader instructions

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Volunteer Paddle Leaders Discretion

The Volunteer Paddle Leaders running an event are focused on safety first for ALL and have complete discretion as to who meets or doesn't meet these guidelines. Volunteers on-site make all the decisions and they are final. 

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Volunteer Paddle Leader Responsibilities

  • Opening the boathouse (beginning of event/day):    

    • Unlocking boathouse/storage containers. 

    • Hooking up the hose to the fire hydrant (to hose down boats and equipment). 

  • During event/day:

    • Assist Paddlers in the moving of the kayak or SUP and all ancillary equipment (PFD/Life Jacket) and Paddles from the Boathouse to the shoreline and back. 

    • Assist Paddlers in fitting PFD/Life Jacket. 

    • Familiarizing Paddlers with weather/tide/safety and recommending routes.

    • Assist Paddlers in wiping down and/or hose-off the seat, paddle, and PFD with supplied cleaning materials. 

  • Closing the boathouse (end of event/day):

    • Storing away the hose.

    • Locking boathouse/storage containers.

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