They don’t need no stinkin’ cabs!
New York City kayakers prefer to chase the wakes from frantic commuter ferries on the Hudson River. And from the river, the fish-eye’s view of the scenic skyline can’t be beat.
Although home storage is often not an option, the concrete jungle has a few havens where New Yorkers can store and rent kayaks. The most notable is Manhattan Kayak Company (MKC), owned and operated by Eric Stiller. Based in a barge on the flanks of the Hudson (Pier 66 at 26th Street), MKC offers instruction and guided tours of varying lengths. A popular short tour (1.5 hours) explores the historical USS Intrepid Navel warship-turned-museum. Ultra-paddles (7–9 hours), such as a circumnavigation of Manhattan (28 miles), are also available for strong strokers, as is a three-hour weekender to the Statue of Liberty. And, when the pod of a dozen or so sea kayaks reaches the choppy water at Lady Liberty’s base, paddlers are awestruck. While they stare upward at her daunting torch and book, fascinated tourists point down to the tiny bobbing kayaks as if looking into an aquarium. Now that’s entertainment.
On a quest to teach proper power-paddling technique to the world—and get more New Yorkers on the water—Stiller refuses to let his urban surroundings limit his vision. Partnering with Olympian Eric Jackson, owner of Jackson Kayaks, they created The Paddle Station: an indoor kayak simulator resembling a plastic sled with bungee cords. The Station allows recreational paddlers and racers alike to break down their stroke and tweak specific sections—such as forward, back, and sweep strokes—while building upper and lower body strength, core engagement, reach, and torso rotation. It can be used with a boat loaded atop to focus on balance—or in your living room, sitting on a pad for more stability.
The Paddle Station easily assembles and dissembles in ten minutes, using just a screwdriver (and eight screws) for easy transport and storage. Stiller’s instructional and training DVD is helpful for implementing fun, fitness-focused workouts while learning paddling prowess.
- The Paddle Station is available for $395 online.
- Click here for more information about Manhattan Kayak Company:
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Photo courtesy of Erik Olsen
