You're Invited To The Long Island City Community Boathouse Memorial Day Walk Up Public Kayak Paddling At Hallets Cove May 30 - Just A Short Walk Over The Roosevelt Island Bridge

  Image Of Kayakers Passing Roosevelt Island

Would you like to get out on the East River and learn to kayak?



You can with the Long Island City (LIC) Community Boathouse tomorrow for their first 2016 East River public paddling at Hallets Cove

Our 2016 Public Paddling Season Begins May 30th

LIC Community Boathouse is excited to announce our first walk-up... https://t.co/M3TGFfyZ7w

— LIC Boathouse (@LICBoathouse) May 21, 2016

Hallets Cove is a short walk over the Roosevelt Island Bridge at Vernon B'lvd and 31st Ave.

Image of Hallets Cove Beaach From Harbor Lab

Looking towards #LIC waterfront at Hallets Cove from Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park pic.twitter.com/m1xI1LA9ZA

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) May 28, 2016

The LIC Boathouse adds:

LIC Community Boathouse is excited to announce our first walk-up event at Hallets Cove plus two short and easy river trips on the Memorial Day holiday, May 30th. To request seats for one or both trips, click the “Request-a-Trip” link to your left. If you wish to go on a river trip, you must be an adult (at least 18 years of age) and be able to swim.

Registration is not required for any of our walk-up paddles. Just show up at the beach at 31st Ave and Vernon Blvd. between 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Kids of all ages are welcome to enjoy a short paddle around Hallets Cove as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Volunteers are always needed and welcome at our walk-up events. New volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers and can start right away. Volunteering with us is the first step towards a lot more summer fun on the water. Registering in advance as a volunteer is very helpful but not required. You could just show up at Hallets Cove between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, and let us know you’re here to help.

I've spoken with LIC Boathouse representatives and they welcome Roosevelt Island residents to become members and kayak on the East River.

Visit the LIC Boathouse web site for more information.

UPDATE 5/30:

Event Cancelled: Memorial Day Paddling at Hallets Cove

Based on overnight rainfall rates and totals, as well... https://t.co/gaQZ14Zrbz

— LIC Boathouse (@LICBoathouse) May 30, 2016

LIC Boathouse adds:

Based on overnight rainfall rates and totals, as well as the early-morning NWS Flood Advisory for more, the potential wider impact on local water quality beyond the current CSO advisory for Newtown Creek warranted a decision earlier this morning to err on the side of caution and cancel our northbound trip to bring boats and equipment to the beach.

So, despite the fact that it may not be raining for the 1-4pm window for Hallet’s Cove, we will not be able to run our walkup program there, today.

Health and safety of our guests and volunteers is top priority. With increased awareness of the health risks posed by poor water quality, we aim to be extra conscientious about activities undertaken by LICCB. We regret any inconvenience.

Paddle Around Roosevelt Island By Kayak With Long Island City Boathouse Saturday July 11 - Fun Times On The East River

Come join the Long Island City Community Boathouse (LIC Boathouse) for a Kayak Paddle around Roosevelt Island.

 Image Of Kayakers Passing Roosevelt Island

 According to the LIC Boathouse:

Circumnavigation of Roosevelt Island

When - Sat, July 11, 5pm – 9pm
Where - starts and ends at Anable Basin, at LIC FLEA, 46th Av at 5th S Map

Paddle around every inch of the Roosevelt Island shoreline.

A moderately easy paddle with favorable current going and coming. The trip turns around with the turning tide. Approx on water time is 2.5 hours.

Adults only (18 years of age minimum). NO PETS on river trips.

There is no charge for this free event.

Your cash donations are appreciated and support LIC Community Boathouse public programs.

More information on the LIC Boathouse at their web site and from these videos.





as well as info on plans for future recreational eco dock in Astoria.



Before the kayak paddle, you can also check out the great nearby food options at the LIC Flea and

Image From Anable Basin Bar & Grill

Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill.

Happy paddling.

There should be a kayak launch on Roosevelt Island.

UPDATE 7/13 - From LIC Boathouse Facebook Page.

Volunteers Laura and Barbara making sure no one is left behind on last Saturday's Circumnavigation of Roosevelt Island....

Posted by Long Island City Community Boathouse on Monday, July 13, 2015

Kayakers Paddling Past Roosevelt Island West Pier This Evening - Would You Like To Kayak From Roosevelt Island With The Long Island City Community Boat House?

Roosevelt Island photographer Francine Lange shares this picture and reports:

group of kayakers paddled by Roosevelt Island’s West Pier

 Image From Francine Lange

Sunday evening, around 7:30 p.m.

Would you be interested in East River kayaking from Roosevelt Island? The Long Island City Community Boat House members are interested in taking Roosevelt Islanders out on the East River for Kayaking trips. I have spoken to several Roosevelt Islanders who are interested. If you are too, let me know.

Here's more on the Long Island City Community Boat House East River kayaking.



Let's get in the East River - but in a Kayak of course.

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse shows more boats passing by us today:

Hanging out by the water and watching the boats go by. #Rooseveltisland #boats #eastriver… http://t.co/C2PTFrKPcW
— Regina Rose Malone (@ReginaRMalone) June 8, 2014

LIC Community Boathouse Kayakers Paddling Past Roosevelt Island On East River Yesterday Afternoon

Long Island City Community Boathouse Kayakers paddling by Roosevelt Island



on the west channel of East River on a beautiful Saturday afternoon yesterday.

Roosevelt Island Is A Great Place To Watch Boats Passing By On The East River - Anybody Interested In A Roosevelt Island East River Kayaking Program

One of the great things about living on Roosevelt Island is the opportunity to see all different types of boats travelling the East River.

Last night I spotted this fast moving speedboat passing Roosevelt Island approaching and then underneath the Queensboro bridge

leaving behind a sizeable wake.

Over the last weekend, a much more leisurely paced rowboat was passing by

and a flotilla of sailboats followed by a tug pushing a barge.

Not to mention the East River pirate ship, solar powered catamaran, inflatable duck, kayakers, house, and even dolphin.

It's a real shame Roosevelt Island does not have direct access to the East River for a Kayak Launch.



The Long Island City Community Boathouse has expressed a willingness to start a Roosevelt Island kayaking program.

Anybody interested?

Kayakers Paddling East River Past Roosevelt Island Today - Anybody Interested In Kayaking?

You never know who you might run into on Roosevelt Island and sometimes the person you unexpectedly meet is paddling on the East River.

Earlier today, I met a couple who were considering moving to Roosevelt Island as we were both walking on the West Promenade watching East River Kayakers paddling close to the Roosevelt Island shoreline.

Kayakers From LIC Community Boathouse Paddling Past Roosevelt Island Today

The couple and I were talking about what it is like living on Roosevelt Island when I recognized the leader of the Kayakers - Ted from the Long Island City Community Boat House. Ted recognized me,

Kayakers From LIC Community Boathouse Paddling Past Roosevelt Island Today

shouted out that they were on their way to Hallets Cove in LIC

Kayakers From LIC Community Boathouse Paddling Past Roosevelt Island Today

and that he wished there was a place on Roosevelt Island to dock and launch kayaks.

Here are the kayaks from earlier today.



Anybody else interested in Roosevelt Island Kayaking - the Long Island City Community Boathouse has expressed a willingness to start a Roosevelt Island kayaking program.

More on Roosevelt Island Kayaking from previous post.

Roosevelt Island Kayaking And Rowing In The East River May Soon Be Available - NY Rowing Association Wishes To Set Up Boat Club On Roosevelt Island

Image of East River Kayakers Underneath Roosevelt Island Bridge

A post from way back in March of 2008 asked:

... Wouldn't it be great if Roosevelt Island could get a boat house to launch kayaks! From an earlier Roosevelt Islander post:

Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island....

Well, hold on to your oars and paddles because Roosevelt Island may just get a boat house and seasonal dock to launch kayaks and boats into the East River this spring/summer. The New York Rowing Association current lease on the Harlem River is ending.  They are looking to open a new facility right here on Roosevelt Island just south of the Oil Dock Pier underneath the Queensboro Bridge and presented a proposal to the March 21 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Committee meeting (audio webcast of meeting is here). The RIOC Board members expressed approval for the idea of the Boat House and program but requested additional information from the NY Rowing Association before they give final approval which they hope to be able to do within 2-3 weeks.

Here's what happened at the meeting.



More on this issue to come.

Here's what it is like rowing around Manhattan.



UPDATE 9:20 PM - Earlier this afternoon, I sent the following inquiry to RIOC Director Sal Ferrera, President Leslie Torres, VP of Operations Fernando Martinez and the other resident RIOC Board Directors:

I am preparing a post on the March 21 NY Rowing Association presentation at RIOC OPS meeting.  The NY Rowing Association web site indicates that Sal Ferrera is a member of their Board of Trustees. Click here for info. Is that true?

If so, was that ever disclosed to RIOC Staff or Directors. I don't recall that it was mentioned during the meeting?

Is Sal being a member of the organization's Board of Trustees relevant to RIOC whether or not to approve the NY Rowing Association permit/license/lease?

Please let me know if anyone wishes to comment for Roosevelt Islander Online.

Thank you.

RIOC Director Sal Ferrera responds:

In response to your email, I am a member of the NYRA board and Vince Paparo is a member of The Child School board.

The Rowing association has been a wonderful addition to our co curricular program, when they wanted to relocate to RI , I felt the community and the Child School will benefit. Issuing a one year provisional permit will allow our board to evaluate the program.

I remained silent during the presentation and discussion and did not try to curry favor. Our Operations committee did a fine job in asking relevant questions

UPDATE 11:15 PM - Received the following response from RIOC's spokesperson:

The discussion and presentation about a potential rowing launch site under the Ed Koch bridge was at an Operations subcommittee meeting and Sal is not on that subcommittee.

Additionally, if any Board vote is taken concerning the NYRA, Sal intends to recuse himself from voting on the issue.

So far, no response from RIOC on whether Mr. Ferrera disclosed his relationship with NY Rowing Association to RIOC Staff or Directors prior to the Operations Committee meeting.

Why Can't Roosevelt Islanders Get in the Water

Roosevelt Island is a waterfront community surrounded on all sides by water but with no access to the water by its residents. A recent post lamented the fact that Roosevelt Island, unlike Long Island City and the Upper East Side which both have a boat house, kayak launch and ferry service, does not have any access to the water. Another example of a community on the East River that does provide waterfront recreation is Red Hook:

The Red Hook Boaters is a volunteer organization that is dedicated to providing waterfront access and education to the public. We launch from Louis Valentino Jr. Pier Park in Brooklyn, New York and offer programs within the protected cove area as well as open water explorations of Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Buttermilk Channel and voyages to Governors Isle.

During the past season, which begins in May and ends in October, over 500 individuals participated in our programs and we logged over 800 trips on the East River and Buttermilk Channel. As people experience and enjoy the waterfront through our programs, they become advocates for its revitalization.

The Red Hook boaters are giving Kayak lessons on Saturday, September 8 from 1-5 pm. Here is another East River waterfront organization, the Gowanus Dredgers, that provides boating lessons as well as stewardship of the river. The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, is probably the best clearinghouse for information on waterfront development and activities.

Since it is Friday and the weekend is nearly upon us, I am in the mood for some music. The video above is from one of my favorite bands, Great Big Sea, who hail from another island, Newfoundland in Canada. Many of their songs are about the sea so I thought it appropriate for this post. Also, featured in this video are The Chieftains, from another island, this one called Ireland.
Enjoy.

Sailboat on East River Passing Roosevelt Island

I have often passed Roosevelt Island on a Ferry Boat but never a sail boat. The video above illustrates what a great experience it must be. As a waterfront community it is a shame that Roosevelt Island does not take more advantage of being surrounded by the East River. For example, it would be great for a boat house and kayak launch to be established on Roosevelt island as it has been right across the river in Queens at the Long Island City Community Boat House. and at East River Crew on East 96th Street. Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island.