Jackson Kayak

Upward Bound Program at the Boys and Girls Harbor gives kids who wouldn’t have a chance, get on the right path with the goal of getting 100% of them into college. Jessie Stone has a vision of turning them into kayakers as well. This is the third year for Jessie’s NYC Kids Camp. She gets 14 kids for five days to turn them on to kayaking and introduce the outdoors to kids who, for the most part, haven’t been exposed to it. She recruited my help in the first year along with the other two instructors who have been here for each one, Margie and Hayden from Oregon (instructors for Sundance). This is the second year for Emily and Dane being involved. Last year Emily and Dane only ran the river on the last day with the group. This year, they are full on instructors, teaching the roll, strokes, outfitting, everything… very cool.

The kids range from 14 to 18 years old and are mostly girls. They requested the camp, so they are totally into the whole thing. They all have terrific energy and are a pleasure to be with. They show respect, have a great time, smile a lot, and are terrific kayak students.

The camp started off in a pool on the 6th floor of a building that is inscribed with, “dedicated to the prevention of neglect and cruelty to children.” That is paraphrased, since I can’t remember who said it or exactly how it went. It is adjacent to Central Park. Jackson Kayak brought 16 kayaks up, including 8 that were FedEx shipped to make it on time. The boats are 2 Fun, Fun, 4 Fun, and Super Funs. Jessie also got 14 AT 3 paddles sent from AT. Talk about top of the line equipment for their first lessons! Shred Ready provided the helmets, and Astral provided the lifejackets. Smiley’s Noseplugs provided noseplugs too! Mountain Surf was the sprayskirt supplier and hopefully they will show up tomorrow- we were scrounging today. We did two pool sessions and then today we went to Pier 63. This includes a bit of shuffling boats from Jessie’s parents house in Purchase, NY to the city, then to the 6th floor, then to the van, and Mini, then off to the Hudson again, down to the pier, whew!

Eric Stiller owns Manhattan Kayak Company- a sea kayak touring company, with instruction, and daily physical workouts. Eric may well star in my workout video next year, he is a madman! We used his river access and docks to get on the water on the Hudson on the lower west side of Manhattan. What a first open water experience! Big boats go by continuously and make great “macho move” waves, or major fast track intro to keeping your weight over the boat for the kids! I am in a bad way for teaching, because my 10 stitches are still an issue. My hand is barely moveable and everytime I accidentally use my little finger, I feel like I am tearing the muscle apart again. Since it is still bleeding, I figure I probably shouldn’t let the Hudson River Water into my wound. Therefore, I have two little Jackson’s who are doing a terrific job in replacing me. I think Emily is perhaps one of the best rolling instructors I have ever seen! Dane is awesome also and has several rollers that he can take a least partial credit for.

After a few hours of open water paddling, a strokes and concepts course, and plenty of games, the kids wrapped it up, the boats were reloaded and ready for our first river run with the kids- the Housatonic river in Connecticut. I am now back at Jessie Stone’s house- that is the next story. I will go to be soon, and be ready to get the dogs to the vet, before we head to Salt Lake after the camp.

Back at the plant- the First Fun 1.5 came out of the mold!!!! The graphics will be in tomorrow for it!!