With the hustle of everyday life here, it's easy to forget that New York is surrounded by water—water that's prime for kayaking, canoeing, and even sailing. That's where the Sebago Canoe Club comes in. Located in Canarsie, this nonprofit boating organization helps New Yorkers discover (or rediscover) the beauty of our natural surroundings, with beginner-level trips launching out of Jamaica Bay, part of the National Wildlife Refuge. We spoke to Canoe Club Commodore (more on what that means later) Tony Pignatello about the organization and how you can escape the city without ever leaving. more ›

Finally, a use for texting that doesn't involve sexting, car accidents, or acquitted rapists: A teen and his grandfather were literally trapped in the mud Wednesday night when their canoe capsized after duck hunting in the Hudson River's Tivoli Bays. Thomas Mulvaney, 17, and Christopher Hoffman, 73, were dripping wet and stuck without a way to get out, and their phones weren't able to make calls. But Mulvaney was still able to text for help, and they were saved after three hours. The Dutchess County sheriff's office said the pair "started to have the onset of hypothermia. There was a definite risk of life-threatening issues," while Hoffman said, "Without that cell phone of his, we would have been in deep shit." more ›

Commuting by canoe gets a little easier today as the Parks Department launches the NYC Water Trail Map & Guide. The Parks website features the first interactive map of the citywide water trail system, with detailed information about 28 locations where you can launch a kayak, canoe or retro submarine. more ›