Just because it is unseasonably warm outside does not mean the Atlantic Ocean is—as one kayaking fisherman learned yesterday. Good things cell phones work on the water! Yesterday at 1:19 p.m. a self-described fisherman out by Jacob Riis Park called 911 when his small craft started taking on water. By the time an NYPD Air-Sea rescue helicopter found him clinging to his submerged boat, the 46-year-old man was about a mile from the Rockaway Peninsula park. more ›

It seems obvious that one shouldn't try to kayak during Hurricane Irene, a storm which has already brought the MTA to a complete standstill without uprooting a single tree—heck, just boarding up your home can be dangerous in this weather. And yet, two people who completely ignored the warnings about Irene had to be rescued by emergency services this evening off of Great Kills, Staten Island. As a grumpy Mayor Bloomberg said tonight, "Clearly a reckless act that diverted badly needed NYPD resources." more ›

The tragic death of NYPD police officer Patrick Luca, who apparently drowned while kayaking with his son in Long Island's Nissequogue River, is being investigated by Suffolk County's homicide squad. Luca and his five-year-old son had set off for a day of kayaking on Friday around 1:30 p.m.; an hour later, little Caden Luca was found by boaters, floating thanks to his flotation vest, but Luca's body wasn't found until Saturday morning. more ›

Officials have found the body of a veteran NYPD officer who went missing Friday after a kayaking accident on Long Island. Police picked up officer Patrick Luca's five-year-old son floating in Long Island's Nissequogue River yesterday after the accident; and following a long search, they found Luca today, about a mile from where he was last seen. more ›

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 ›

With Newtown Creek officially a Superfund site now, the Department of Environmental Protection has closed off the waterway to boats, kayaks, and the like. But the people have spoken, and they want their polluted waters to remain open for recreation! According to the Brooklyn Paper, the EPA claims its a "short-term ban" that will remain in place until the state can analyze the water quality. A DEP official said the decision was made out of “an abundance of caution” with regards to public health. more ›

If you thought your commute was rigorous, check this out: NYC school teacher Sean Patch commutes from NJ to Manhattan via kayak. Patch explained to WCBS880 that taking the ferry was expensive, so now he kayaks across the Hudson, radioing ferries to let them know he's there and navigating around other vessels, like oil tankers. The algebra teacher incorporates his unconventional commute into his class: "Mr. Patch kayaks to work. He bought the kayak for $850. He no longer has to pay for the ferry $7.75 each way. How much has he saved?" And FYI, the Downtown Boathouse offers winter kayaking classes in the Riverbank State Park swimming pool. more ›

Yesterday, the Mayor's Cup New York City Kayak Championships were called off when a few participants "were pulled by the current into the path of a hulking barge" near Battery Park. Apparently the strong winds and currents made things difficult--a witness told the News,"The current was pretty strong. It just pushed them under the barge. One of the men got himself out of the water [and onto the barge] and used a rope to rescue the others. You could tellthey were struggling to get out." more ›

Earlier this afternoon, two kayakers required some extra help when they got too close to the temporary NYC Waterfalls near the Brooklyn Bridge. Harbor and aviation units were on the scene to help them out--there was even a request to shut down the waterfall. The two people were rescued and the waterfalls continue to flow. Less dicey ways to see the falls include walking on the Brooklyn promenade, taking a boat cruise, or while biking around town. 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 ›