Extreme Paddle Opportunity!!
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:13 pm
Extreme Paddle opportunity!
Three Richmonders will be heading up to the Big Apple this Thursday (7-14) to paddle (Sea Kayak) around the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, visit NYC on Friday, and Saturday participate with 70 close friends in a 32 mile circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, returning to Richmond later Sunday afternoon (7-17).
We've had a late cancellation which has opened a seat in the van for the ride up and back.
Shown below is the trip description from the organizers of the circumnavigation:
Preliminaries
1. We will be launching from the Pier 40.
We will use the DTBH launch which is at the end of the south-side of Pier 40.
Pier 40 is about 1.5 miles below 14 Street off of the West Side Highway (West Street).
It is where Houston Street meets the West Side Highway and is well-marked.
Cars may enter Pier 40 since there is a break in the wall that separates cars from pedestrians and cyclists.
2. Drive into Pier 40 at the entrance by going west from the West Side Highway.
Then turn south(left) and drive to the south end where a sign reads "15 minute Parking: Loading and Unloading"
3. There is a garage at Pier 40 with an 11.5 foot clearance.
Parking Charge at the Pier 40 garage is $32 for 24 hours.
There is also Street Parking especially below Houston Street
And even more so below Canal Street
4. Arrive at Pier 40 between 4:30 AM and 5:45 AM
You may:
1) Park at the Pier 40 garage or on the street, pack boat and then either carry or trailer it over to the Pier 40 launch
2) Park at the 15 minute parking space at the south end of Pier 40, pack boat, leave boat on grass, park car either at the garage or on the street.
Then come back and carry or trailer boat from grass to Pier 40 launch.
5. Each person should get on the water and off the floating dock as soon as possible to make room for others. As you paddle around, stay in the embayment
6. Folks from out of town who need to store their boats may leave their boat on top of their car overnight at the Pier 40 garage
Pier 40 garage is attended and has video cameras
7. Trailers may not be stored at the Pier 40 garage.
A garage on 59th Street near Pier 96 will accept trailers
Float Plan
1. Launch from Pier 40 at 6:45 AM Sharp
2. On the water you will recognize our trip guides with tyvek labels numbers between 1 and 20
3. Once we launch we will paddle south and gather at the South Cove. Once you are in South Cove
a) your boat will slowly drift north on the flood current and hit the north seawall. Be careful.
b) make sure your boat does not ram or scratch another boat.
4. We will cross the Battery in tight formation between 7:35 and 7:50 AM.
We are choosing this time based on the Staten Island Ferry schedule
This is the one of the more dangerous parts of this trip
Lots of marine traffic
And, the water is often real choppy here too
We must stay well clear of the active ferry terminals.
In fact, Coast Guard security rules require us to stay more than 100 yards from active ferry terminals
So-- while crossing the Battery, we will paddle a good distance from the sea wall and the Manhattan shoreline:
a) to comply with CG regs
b) to avoid reflected waves and the strainer effect.
5. Once past the Battery we will regroup before crossing the East River.
A radio message from Steve or a signal from the guides will indicate that we are ready to cross
6. The East River by the Battery is a busy waterway
So we need to cross quickly and in tight formation
7. Once we cross the East River we will be paddling north on the Brooklyn side of the East River
We will paddle north under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges
Ride the Flood up the East River
Most majestic part of trip
Great photo opportunities here.
Steve will announce a stop or two when we can take pictures
8. We'll go through the East Channel around Roosevelt Island
Now all the energy of the flood is channeled into two narrow paths
Clock and record here your maximum speed on your GPS
9. Arrive in Hallets Cove Astoria, Queens around around 9:45 for our First Break.
Hallets Cove is 6 or 7 miles north of the Brooklyn Bridge
Here we will lay over for a little over an hour
a) There will be many boats on the beach
Some can be carried through the new gate in the wall to the sidewalk to make room for other boats
The boats on the beach need to be tethered together since the tide will be rising and might sweep them out to the River
b) We will assemble on the beach for group pictures
c) Right next to the beach is the Socrates Sculpture garden which is open to the public
Each paddler has Choices
1) Take a self-guided tour of the Socrates Sculpture Garden's current exhibition: Vista
2) Socialize and walk around
3) Take a nap under a big tree or on the beach. Maybe bring a hammock.
4) Enjoy your own packed lunch or walk five blocks east of Hallets Cove to a small Spanish Deli
5) Paddle out into Hell Gate during non-slack conditions and roll in the whirlpools
:
d) Start getting back in boats around 10:55 AM
Relaunch from Hallets at 11:15 AM. This is on the slack that precedes the 11:33 AM ebb at Hell Gate
10. We will cross the East River at the Northern tip of Roosevelt Island and paddle north on the Harlem River.
We will leave Hallets cove on signal from Steve or a guide
Paddle east across the East channel and then wait at Roosevelt Island
Regroup
On a signal from Steve or a guide we will cross the west channel and then paddle north on the west side of the East River
11. We will pass the western side of Mill Rock while we are paddling close to the Manhattan shoreline
We will then paddle north on the Harlem River with the current.
12. Our Second Break will be at Swindlers' Cove Park and the Peter J Sharpe Boathouse.
This is about 5.5 miles above Hallets Cove.
So we should arrive here around 1:15 PM
You'll be able to land on either the:
a) sandy beach behind the Peter Sharp Boathouse
b) floating dock leading up to the Peter Sharpe Boathouse
This is only a 45 minute break so we should be back on the water by 2:00 PM
Bathrooms will be available both at the Boathouse and the Parks Building.
At this stop you'll be able to check out:
a) the Park and its beautiful grasses. This Park was a wasteland just a few years ago.
b) the Peter Sharpe Boathouse-- filled with racing shells
A link for more info on Swindler Cove and the Peter Sharpe Boathouse is:
http://www.nyrp.org/Parks_and_Gardens/P ... k_Overview
Swindler Cove and Peter Sharp Boathouse is at the eastern end of Dyckman Street on the Harlem River which is just above the Northern end of the Harlem River Drive--in case friends or relatives want to meet you here
Start getting back in your boat around 1:45 PM
Relaunch from Swindlers' Cove Park at 2:00 PM SHARP
13. We'll paddle north on the Harlem River and then west through Spuyten Duyvil.
On the south shore of Spuyten Duyvil we'll pass the Columbia University Boathouse.
Also watch for the Inwood Park Nature Center.
We'll pass under the railroad bridge and enter the Hudson River.
Where the Harlem River meets the Hudson, there are often whirlpools, so paddle carefully.
Before we go under the RR bridge we would like to regroup at the western end of Spuyten Duyvil.
14. Paddle south on the Hudson starting around 2:45 PM on a pretty strong ebb and enjoy the sight of the Palisades on the Jersey shore. Pass under the GW Bridge
15. We will regroup at 125 Street at the West Harlem Piers Park at about 3:45 PM.
This is about 4 miles south of Spuyten Duyvil.
Look for the small floating dock at the end of the gang-way at the north end of the Park.
This is just south of the sewage treatment plant/Riverbank State Park.
Be careful of the various obstructions and irregularly angled piers and barges here.
16. We will proceed south past the Boat Basin which starts at 100th Street and extends down to 72nd Street.
It is best to paddle well away from the cluster of boats since there are tons of submerged mooring lines, Paddle toward the center of the River here. You will go faster and be safer.
At this point on the trip, please look for guidance from our guides
(In 2007 a kayak got caught on a hidden mooring line and capsized.)
17. We will regroup again in the embayment of the DTBH at Pier 96. This is 4.3 miles south of West Harlem Piers Park. We should get there around 4:45 PM.
18. We will return to our launch site around Pier 40 at around 5:45 PM
Other Info
1. We are a large group. More than 60 people have signed up for Saturday.
If you decide to cancel or wait till next year, please call me as soon as possible
2. All participants have agreed to carry and use a VHF Marine Radio on this trip. (Spares are usually available)
Make sure the battery is charged.
Practice using your radio before the trip
On our trip we'll be on Channel 68
3. Be sure to bring
a. Plenty of water. Maybe in a small cooler that you keep in your hatch
b. Lights
c. Sunglasses and maybe a spare pair
d. Hat
e. Sunscreen
4. Other items to consider bringing
a. a handheld GPS (such as the Garmen e-trix) so that you can measure and record your speeds
and distances. And bring an extra wrapped set of extra batteries--
b. two rolls of film. I use a disposable camera
c. first-aid kit with eye wash
d. kayak cart. Helps in transporting your kayak and gives it ballast when stowed
5. Family and friends are invited to visit with you at any of our break points. Our arrival times in the float plan are approximate. They could join you for lunch or for a walk at Socrates Garden or at Swindler Cove
They may also want to take pictures of you from the shore or from the pedestrian walks off the Bridges. What a sight we'll be passing under either the Brooklyn or the Queensboro Bridges.
Careful pre-planning needed for parking near the bridges
6. Pack your boat and have it on your car Friday. Plan on getting plenty of sleep the night before the trip. I aim to be asleep by 8 PM Friday.
7. At Pier 40, before you launch, each kayaker will be given a Tyvik label with a number.
You will wear it on your back so that the Coast Guard and the Safety Boat can identify you as part of our group. We have both twine and safety pins to secure the label.
8. A motor powered safety boat will be a major source of communication between our group and other ships, the Coast Guard etc.
9. A donation to cover the cost of the safety boat and other group trip expenses is $20 per participant
We'll collect this at Pier 40 before the launch
Pay by either cash or a check made out to Jerry Blackstone
10. Once we get back to the launch and you re-pack both gear and boat on your car, you may want to:celebrate at a local nearby Greenwich Village restaurant.
If you plan to do that, then leave your car parked in the Pier 40 garage
So, if you're interested please give me a call (804-290-4444) or e-mail no later than this Tuesday.
Thanks
Gene Langlinais
kayakah (at) gmail.com
--
Sent from my digital thingy
Three Richmonders will be heading up to the Big Apple this Thursday (7-14) to paddle (Sea Kayak) around the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, visit NYC on Friday, and Saturday participate with 70 close friends in a 32 mile circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, returning to Richmond later Sunday afternoon (7-17).
We've had a late cancellation which has opened a seat in the van for the ride up and back.
Shown below is the trip description from the organizers of the circumnavigation:
Preliminaries
1. We will be launching from the Pier 40.
We will use the DTBH launch which is at the end of the south-side of Pier 40.
Pier 40 is about 1.5 miles below 14 Street off of the West Side Highway (West Street).
It is where Houston Street meets the West Side Highway and is well-marked.
Cars may enter Pier 40 since there is a break in the wall that separates cars from pedestrians and cyclists.
2. Drive into Pier 40 at the entrance by going west from the West Side Highway.
Then turn south(left) and drive to the south end where a sign reads "15 minute Parking: Loading and Unloading"
3. There is a garage at Pier 40 with an 11.5 foot clearance.
Parking Charge at the Pier 40 garage is $32 for 24 hours.
There is also Street Parking especially below Houston Street
And even more so below Canal Street
4. Arrive at Pier 40 between 4:30 AM and 5:45 AM
You may:
1) Park at the Pier 40 garage or on the street, pack boat and then either carry or trailer it over to the Pier 40 launch
2) Park at the 15 minute parking space at the south end of Pier 40, pack boat, leave boat on grass, park car either at the garage or on the street.
Then come back and carry or trailer boat from grass to Pier 40 launch.
5. Each person should get on the water and off the floating dock as soon as possible to make room for others. As you paddle around, stay in the embayment
6. Folks from out of town who need to store their boats may leave their boat on top of their car overnight at the Pier 40 garage
Pier 40 garage is attended and has video cameras
7. Trailers may not be stored at the Pier 40 garage.
A garage on 59th Street near Pier 96 will accept trailers
Float Plan
1. Launch from Pier 40 at 6:45 AM Sharp
2. On the water you will recognize our trip guides with tyvek labels numbers between 1 and 20
3. Once we launch we will paddle south and gather at the South Cove. Once you are in South Cove
a) your boat will slowly drift north on the flood current and hit the north seawall. Be careful.
b) make sure your boat does not ram or scratch another boat.
4. We will cross the Battery in tight formation between 7:35 and 7:50 AM.
We are choosing this time based on the Staten Island Ferry schedule
This is the one of the more dangerous parts of this trip
Lots of marine traffic
And, the water is often real choppy here too
We must stay well clear of the active ferry terminals.
In fact, Coast Guard security rules require us to stay more than 100 yards from active ferry terminals
So-- while crossing the Battery, we will paddle a good distance from the sea wall and the Manhattan shoreline:
a) to comply with CG regs
b) to avoid reflected waves and the strainer effect.
5. Once past the Battery we will regroup before crossing the East River.
A radio message from Steve or a signal from the guides will indicate that we are ready to cross
6. The East River by the Battery is a busy waterway
So we need to cross quickly and in tight formation
7. Once we cross the East River we will be paddling north on the Brooklyn side of the East River
We will paddle north under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges
Ride the Flood up the East River
Most majestic part of trip
Great photo opportunities here.
Steve will announce a stop or two when we can take pictures
8. We'll go through the East Channel around Roosevelt Island
Now all the energy of the flood is channeled into two narrow paths
Clock and record here your maximum speed on your GPS
9. Arrive in Hallets Cove Astoria, Queens around around 9:45 for our First Break.
Hallets Cove is 6 or 7 miles north of the Brooklyn Bridge
Here we will lay over for a little over an hour
a) There will be many boats on the beach
Some can be carried through the new gate in the wall to the sidewalk to make room for other boats
The boats on the beach need to be tethered together since the tide will be rising and might sweep them out to the River
b) We will assemble on the beach for group pictures
c) Right next to the beach is the Socrates Sculpture garden which is open to the public
Each paddler has Choices
1) Take a self-guided tour of the Socrates Sculpture Garden's current exhibition: Vista
2) Socialize and walk around
3) Take a nap under a big tree or on the beach. Maybe bring a hammock.
4) Enjoy your own packed lunch or walk five blocks east of Hallets Cove to a small Spanish Deli
5) Paddle out into Hell Gate during non-slack conditions and roll in the whirlpools
:
d) Start getting back in boats around 10:55 AM
Relaunch from Hallets at 11:15 AM. This is on the slack that precedes the 11:33 AM ebb at Hell Gate
10. We will cross the East River at the Northern tip of Roosevelt Island and paddle north on the Harlem River.
We will leave Hallets cove on signal from Steve or a guide
Paddle east across the East channel and then wait at Roosevelt Island
Regroup
On a signal from Steve or a guide we will cross the west channel and then paddle north on the west side of the East River
11. We will pass the western side of Mill Rock while we are paddling close to the Manhattan shoreline
We will then paddle north on the Harlem River with the current.
12. Our Second Break will be at Swindlers' Cove Park and the Peter J Sharpe Boathouse.
This is about 5.5 miles above Hallets Cove.
So we should arrive here around 1:15 PM
You'll be able to land on either the:
a) sandy beach behind the Peter Sharp Boathouse
b) floating dock leading up to the Peter Sharpe Boathouse
This is only a 45 minute break so we should be back on the water by 2:00 PM
Bathrooms will be available both at the Boathouse and the Parks Building.
At this stop you'll be able to check out:
a) the Park and its beautiful grasses. This Park was a wasteland just a few years ago.
b) the Peter Sharpe Boathouse-- filled with racing shells
A link for more info on Swindler Cove and the Peter Sharpe Boathouse is:
http://www.nyrp.org/Parks_and_Gardens/P ... k_Overview
Swindler Cove and Peter Sharp Boathouse is at the eastern end of Dyckman Street on the Harlem River which is just above the Northern end of the Harlem River Drive--in case friends or relatives want to meet you here
Start getting back in your boat around 1:45 PM
Relaunch from Swindlers' Cove Park at 2:00 PM SHARP
13. We'll paddle north on the Harlem River and then west through Spuyten Duyvil.
On the south shore of Spuyten Duyvil we'll pass the Columbia University Boathouse.
Also watch for the Inwood Park Nature Center.
We'll pass under the railroad bridge and enter the Hudson River.
Where the Harlem River meets the Hudson, there are often whirlpools, so paddle carefully.
Before we go under the RR bridge we would like to regroup at the western end of Spuyten Duyvil.
14. Paddle south on the Hudson starting around 2:45 PM on a pretty strong ebb and enjoy the sight of the Palisades on the Jersey shore. Pass under the GW Bridge
15. We will regroup at 125 Street at the West Harlem Piers Park at about 3:45 PM.
This is about 4 miles south of Spuyten Duyvil.
Look for the small floating dock at the end of the gang-way at the north end of the Park.
This is just south of the sewage treatment plant/Riverbank State Park.
Be careful of the various obstructions and irregularly angled piers and barges here.
16. We will proceed south past the Boat Basin which starts at 100th Street and extends down to 72nd Street.
It is best to paddle well away from the cluster of boats since there are tons of submerged mooring lines, Paddle toward the center of the River here. You will go faster and be safer.
At this point on the trip, please look for guidance from our guides
(In 2007 a kayak got caught on a hidden mooring line and capsized.)
17. We will regroup again in the embayment of the DTBH at Pier 96. This is 4.3 miles south of West Harlem Piers Park. We should get there around 4:45 PM.
18. We will return to our launch site around Pier 40 at around 5:45 PM
Other Info
1. We are a large group. More than 60 people have signed up for Saturday.
If you decide to cancel or wait till next year, please call me as soon as possible
2. All participants have agreed to carry and use a VHF Marine Radio on this trip. (Spares are usually available)
Make sure the battery is charged.
Practice using your radio before the trip
On our trip we'll be on Channel 68
3. Be sure to bring
a. Plenty of water. Maybe in a small cooler that you keep in your hatch
b. Lights
c. Sunglasses and maybe a spare pair
d. Hat
e. Sunscreen
4. Other items to consider bringing
a. a handheld GPS (such as the Garmen e-trix) so that you can measure and record your speeds
and distances. And bring an extra wrapped set of extra batteries--
b. two rolls of film. I use a disposable camera
c. first-aid kit with eye wash
d. kayak cart. Helps in transporting your kayak and gives it ballast when stowed
5. Family and friends are invited to visit with you at any of our break points. Our arrival times in the float plan are approximate. They could join you for lunch or for a walk at Socrates Garden or at Swindler Cove
They may also want to take pictures of you from the shore or from the pedestrian walks off the Bridges. What a sight we'll be passing under either the Brooklyn or the Queensboro Bridges.
Careful pre-planning needed for parking near the bridges
6. Pack your boat and have it on your car Friday. Plan on getting plenty of sleep the night before the trip. I aim to be asleep by 8 PM Friday.
7. At Pier 40, before you launch, each kayaker will be given a Tyvik label with a number.
You will wear it on your back so that the Coast Guard and the Safety Boat can identify you as part of our group. We have both twine and safety pins to secure the label.
8. A motor powered safety boat will be a major source of communication between our group and other ships, the Coast Guard etc.
9. A donation to cover the cost of the safety boat and other group trip expenses is $20 per participant
We'll collect this at Pier 40 before the launch
Pay by either cash or a check made out to Jerry Blackstone
10. Once we get back to the launch and you re-pack both gear and boat on your car, you may want to:celebrate at a local nearby Greenwich Village restaurant.
If you plan to do that, then leave your car parked in the Pier 40 garage
So, if you're interested please give me a call (804-290-4444) or e-mail no later than this Tuesday.
Thanks
Gene Langlinais
kayakah (at) gmail.com
--
Sent from my digital thingy