{"id":60542,"date":"2018-05-25T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=60542"},"modified":"2025-09-02T00:28:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T04:28:18","slug":"floating-reporter-paddling-in-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/60542\/floating-reporter-paddling-in-brooklyn\/","title":{"rendered":"Floating Reporter: Paddling in Brooklyn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Both weather and calendar confirm that summer unofficially begins this weekend. And to help you kick it off, I offer you my second installment<\/a> of the Best Paddling in New York City: Brooklyn. So grab your sunscreen and sense of adventure and head to the rivers, marshes and lakes of Brooklyn New York. You can also check out our paddling guides to Manhattan<\/a> and the Bronx<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Paddling in Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO<\/a><\/h2>\n

Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse<\/strong><\/a>, Brooklyn Heights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Season<\/strong>: Saturdays and Thursdays beginning in May<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

Getting there: <\/strong>Enter the park from either the north entrance at Old Fulton Street or the south entrance near Atlantic Avenue, and follow the park’s path to Pier 2. Nearby subways: 2\/3 at Clark Street and A\/C at High Street.<\/p>\n

Details<\/strong>: Kayaking in this location offers unparalleled views of Manhattan, as well as a chance to familiarize yourself with kayaking basics and practice your new skills. As with many free kayaking programs, you\u2019re limited to 20 minutes on the water due to high demand.<\/p>\n

Paddling in Prospect Park, Gowanus and Red Hook<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Audubon Center at the Boathouse<\/strong>, Prospect Park<\/p>\n

Season:<\/strong> One-time event on June 9th<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong>: The park entrance closest to the boathouse is at Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road near the Prospect Park stop on the Q.<\/p>\n

Details<\/strong>: This is a great opportunity for first-time paddlers who want to get a feel for canoeing in a controlled environment. Children 8 and up are welcome.<\/p>\n

\"Kayaking

Season<\/strong>: Sunday afternoons June 3 to September 23; Thursday evenings June 7 to August 16<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong>: Take the B61 bus to the intersection of Van Brunt and Coffey Streets, and walk two blocks west to the Louis Valentino Jr, Pier Park.<\/p>\n

Details<\/strong>: This beachy kayak launch is managed by a kayak club that takes pride in keeping the park clean. Enjoy a 20-minute paddle at your own pace under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty, and you may even catch some waves from a passing cruise ship. In partnership with OutdoorFest<\/a>, the Red Hook Boaters will lead an evening kayak trip on June 5.<\/p>\n

Gowanus Dredgers<\/strong><\/a>, Gowanus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Season<\/strong>: Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings from May 1 to November 1<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong>: Take the F train to Carroll Street and walk east along 2nd Street until you reach the Gowanus Canal.
\nDetails<\/strong>: The Dredgers offer self-guided canoeing along one of our city\u2019s most notorious waterways in order to connect New Yorkers with the reality of water contamination<\/a>. You\u2019ll find beauty within the sludge, and are encouraged to pick up trash along the way. Gloves provided!<\/p>\n