Sean Patch commutes via kayak across the Hudson River

Sean Patch, a school teacher, kayaks across the Hudson River daily to his job.

WCBS TV News in New York recently reported on a man who kayaks across the Hudson River to get to work everyday. We thought that was a great idea! Here are the details:

Sean Patch, a math teacher, lives aboard a boat in Weehawkin, NJ and decided to paddle to work in light of rising ferry costs.

Once he gets across the river, he locks up his kayak and bikes the rest of the way. Patch must be in awesome shape!

Now, not everyone can kayak to work - oh, but what a world it would be if we all could! It’s great to see this sort of initiative. Patch is not only being very “green”, but he is also saving himself a good deal of money.

Patch reports that paddling to work saves him $15.50 per day and that by the end of the school year, he’ll have saved $4,175 in commuting fees.

He plans to continue paddling to work through the winter - more power to you Sean!

Kayaking to work must be a lot of fun, but Patch also wants to caution anyone thinking of following suit - the Hudson can be dangerous. There is a lot of marine traffic on the river and though it is smack dab in the middle of NYC, the waters often get rough. Patch - and your friends here at BornToPaddle.com - recommend only attempting this particular paddle if you’re an experienced kayaker.

Have you ever paddled to work? Or used your kayak to get somewhere you normally would drive to? Tell us about your experience!

Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race

The BornToPaddle.com team had a great showing (two 1st place finishes and two 2nd place finishes) at the 2008 Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race this past weekend in Chattanooga, TN.

The event, staged by Outdoor Chattanooga, suffered a bit in attendance this year. We can only assume that the gas shortage of middle Tennessee played a large part. Estimated attendance was about 30 paddlers, down from about 50 paddlers last year.

The course was changed this year from a point-to-point to an out-and-back. There were also two courses available this year, a two mile loop and a six mile loop, and a slew of categories. Door prizes included some great looking PFDs courtesy of Rock Creek Outfitters, a local Chattanooga outdoor shop. We were a bit disappointed that there was no paddlers-only raffles, as quite a few paddlers walked away empty handed (unless you call a frisbee or a water bottle a door prize), while spectators and volunteers seemed to do quite well in the give-aways.

Paddler’s did receive a useful mini dry bag and carabiner. First place winners got a certificate and Blueway T-Shirt, second and third placers got a certificate. Everyone enjoyed a free BBQ lunch, and they even remembered us vegetarians - thanks!

For anyone not familiar with kayaking and canoeing opportunities in Chattanooga, this race is a good intro to the area and to the Tennessee River. Chattanooga has done an excellent job with their downtown river area. The river is easily accessible to paddlers from a variety of put-ins and plenty of nearby parking on both sides of the river.

The river itself is quite beautiful from the shore, but to truly appreciate it you need to get in it with your canoe or kayak. McClellan/Audubon Island, in the center of the river closest to Ross’s Landing in downtown, is a great place to pull over for a rest and check out the wide array of bird life. There are several paddling destinations along the river, so day and overnight paddles are possible along the 26 miles that comprise the Tennessee River Gorge. Find out more about the Tennessee River Gorge by clicking here.

Have you paddled Chattanooga or the Tennessee River? Click here to let us know about your trip!

Looking for an awesome place to paddle or kayak on the east coast? Consider Rhode Island’s Blue Trail - a new 10-mile water trail in Narragansett Bay along the shore of Aquidneck Island.

Last month, signs for the Blue Trail were posted at boat ramps at Cory’s Lane and Weaver’s Cove in Portsmouth, RI. The new trail is OK for newbies and beginner kayakers MOST OF THE TIME…however, Narragansett Bay can become quite choppy and rough, so all paddlers are advised to check weather and water conditions before setting off on the trail.

A Tip: Narragansett Bay is generally calmest in the early morning and in the evening. Trail organizers recommend closed-top kayaks or canoes with spray covers. Wear a life jacket, travel with a partner and listen to weather forecasts.

The Blue Trail starts at a boat ramp near Portsmouth Abbey. From there, head south past a yacht club and marina. The small islands that dot the East Passage of Narragansett Bay are open to the public, so take a moment to go ashore if you like.

Other landmarks and resting points include the park on the southern tip of Prudence Island and Dyer Island which is a bit farther south between Prudence Island and mainland Portsmouth.

The Blue Trail continues south past Coddington Cove, part of Naval Station Newport. The cove is a secure zone, off-limits to paddlers, but from here you can see the fUSS Saratoga and the USS Forrestal.

Beneath the Claiborne Pell Bridge is Rose Island and its lighthouse. It will cost you $5 to go ashore here and explore the lighthouse and wildlife sanctuary and its worth it.

Tip: From April 1 to Aug. 15, Rose Island visitors are not allowed on most of the island beaches in order to protect migratory birds including great and snowy egrets, blue herons, black-crowned night herons and a variety of ducks.

The end of the Blue Trail is in Newport. Paddle into the harbor and buy a snack from one of the local pier restaurants and vendors.

Tip: Starting in 2011 or 2012, paddlers will be able to ride a shuttle train back north to their launch points in Portsmouth.

For more information on this great kayak resource, and the Rhode Island Blueways Alliance, click here to visit the Explore Rhode Island webpage.

To suggest a great place to paddle, canoe or kayak in your neck of the woods, send us a message using our handy contact form.

Happy Paddling!

Thanks to Bill Richards for letting us know about this great upcoming kayak and canoe event in Florida!

Paddle Florida: Big Shoals to Branford

When: November 8 – 15, 2008

What: Florida canoe and kayak adventure starts at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs and finishes in Branford.  As many as 200 paddlers will be going with the flow, averaging 13 miles per day and camping on the banks of Florida ’s beautiful Suwannee River. 

Why: Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District.  These two organizations, through partnerships with both the public and private sectors, have created the 171-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.   The Trail is a series of cabins, river camps and private “hubs” that, taken together, make the Suwannee River accessible to paddlers, hikers, bikers, equestrian enthusiasts and other user groups.  Paddle Florida will be using some of the facilities that have been recently completed.

Click here for more info, route map and to sign up and experience a week of camaraderie with the thrill of canoeing or kayaking a Florida gem.

Do you have an kayak and canoe event or race you’d like us to post? Click here to send us all the information. We may post it here on our BornToPaddle.com kayak, canoe and paddling blog and add it to our kayak and canoe races and events page!

No Passport Required!

Special to BornToPaddle.com
By: Susanne Schraeder

The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, an emerging eco-event on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, is a perfect way to blend two things on travelers’ minds today – how to take an eco-friendly vacation that doesn’t break their budget.

The festival spans nine days with more than 50 events from Oct. 25 until Nov 2. Events – most of which are free – happen in the communities such as Fort Myers and Sanibel along the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, recognized as one of the best U.S. kayaking destinations by both Paddler and Canoe & Kayak magazines.

The 190-mile marked trail is perfect for both the adventurous, “yaker for life� and the timid newbie.  It was created to help people experience the natural magic of Southwest Florida’s waterways, with leggy mangrove forests, more than 300 species of birds and slivers of sugar-sand beaches. Forget The Discovery Channel. Come paddle yourself, one-on-one with nature.

The festival and trail are within driving distance of many major airports, making it realistic for travelers to fly into Orlando, for example, and arrive here on one tank of gas. Or travelers can tack on a trip to the festival from Atlanta, which is a day’s drive away. They also have the option to fly directly into Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

It’s never been so easy to plan a trip or find a reason to come. The festival is held during the off-season, meaning attendees won’t have to deal with heavy traffic or high prices. This year, Lee County launched its first “Islands FallFest� to entice fall visitation to the destination. Offered at more than 30 properties, Islands FallFest vacation packages range from an extra night for free to discounts of up to 40 percent and room rates as low as $89 per night.

Some attractions and retailers are also offering buy-one, get-one-free specials during Islands FallFest. Many area hotels, lodges, and campgrounds with prime locations along the paddling trail have joined in to offer exclusive packages for Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival participants.

For travelers interested in leaving the least carbon footprint, camping is an option, both at primitive tent sites and via participating RV parks. Lee County also has an increasing number of Florida Certified Green Lodging accommodations. Many of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival’s partners are in the process of reaching certification. 

“The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival has been established as the premier ecotourism festival here in SW Florida,� said John Kiseda, Chairperson of the Society for Ethical Ecotourism of Southwest Florida, “because it helps visitors with ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people.�

Many of the organizations that host events at the festival are also members of SEE SW Fla. Events include things to do that will help attendants achieve a “carbon neutralâ€� vacation experience, with tips to bring home.  Several waterway and beach cleanups are planned, as well as a catch-and-release, pro-am kayak fishing tournament, clinics and seminars, family eco-tours, outdoors fests, a speakers’ series, hospitality events and more. Details can be found online at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com

It’s all about enjoying the 190-mile marked paddling trail and attending a one-of-a-kind eco event. Trail details can be found at www.GreatCalusaBlueway.com.

“With Americans everywhere becoming more environmentally conscious while also watching their household spending, it’s a win-win experience,� says Betsy Clayton, festival coordinator and Lee County Parks and Recreation’s Waterways Coordinator. 

It’s a visit to paradise without a passport that will leave them with memories of mysterious mangrove mazes, schools of silver-hued fish darting beneath their paddlecraft and lumbering manatees feeding on sea grasses.

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Thanks Susanne for a great post and for giving us paddlers the scoop not only on the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival but also on the Great Calusa Blueway! Anyone looking for a place to canoe or kayak in Florida - you’ve found it!

If you have an kayak or canoe event or race you’d like to promote, send us a note using our convenient contact form. We’d love to tell all the paddlers we know about your event!