Summer kayaking is winding down; our last session will be Friday morning, August 28! Fall kayaking starts on Spetember 9, and will be held on Wednesday evenings (5–7 pm through October 7) and Friday mornings (7–9 am through October 30). Registration for fall will open soon.
We have kayaking programs for both novice and experienced kayakers, and we provide kayaks, paddles, and life jackets.
Age limits: The minimum age for the regular weekly kayaking programs described below is 13, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
An annual Newburgh Waterways Center membership ($20) is required for all participants in all our programs (except drop-in kayaking). Your NWC membership, which is good through December 31 of the current year, puts you on our insurance roster and ensures that we have your emergency contact information.
In addition, our ACA kayaking programs require a separate ACA membership ($40), which is good for a full year.
Please note the following:
- Unused paddling sessions cannot be carried over from one season to the next. Please be sure to sign up only for the number of sessions you feel you will use in a given season.
- We meet at the back (river side) of our boathouse, which is located in Ward Brothers Memorial Rowing Park. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time; our goal is to leave the dock by 10 minutes after start time so we can maximize our time on the water!
- Please bring water (and a snack if you’d like one), sunscreen, and a hat. Sunglasses are also helpful for minimizing glare off the water.
If you’re interested in setting up a private kayaking event with friends, family, or an organization, please reach out to us via email at newburghwaterwayscenter@gmail.com. We can make something work!
ACA Kayaking
This is our most economical kayaking program, and it requires a separate ACA membership, which is good for a full year. When you purchase your annual ACA membership, be sure to select “Paddle America Clubs: Newburgh Rowing Club” as your affiliation. Please also make sure to sign your annual ACA waiver.
All sessions are guided by an NWC-approved staff member and are subject to the weather. Sessions are coordinated via WhatsApp (you’ll receive a link after you register).
Registration for summer ACA kayaking is now closed, but you can still register as a drop in. Check back soon for fall registration for both programs.
Drop-In Kayaking
This drop-in kayaking program is for participants who are not ACA members; it’s more expensive than our ACA kayaking program because of the additional insurance costs, but it’s still a bargain at $20–25 per paddling session!
No previous kayaking experience is required.
All sessions are guided by an NWC-approved staff member and are subject to the weather. Sessions are coordinated via WhatsApp (you’ll receive a link after you register).
All participants must sign a waiver at each session. See below for links to waivers.
Coach: Maggie Welling
Duration: June 1–August 28, 2026
Schedule: Monday & Friday 7–9 am, Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 pm (new evening sessions this summer!)
Note that we will generally try to paddle farther and faster on Fridays than on Mondays and Wednesdays, so if you’re a novice paddler, Mondays and Wednesdays are your best bets!
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
Summer single-session drop-in kayaking: $25
Summer 5-session drop-in kayaking: $100
ACA Waivers
Drop-in kayakers, please fill out and sign the appropriate ACA waiver(s) before arriving at the boathouse if possible, and bring the signed waiver(s) with you on the day of your kayaking session.
Check the “ACA Event Membership $10” box on the PDF waiver. Note that the $10 event membership fee mentioned on the form is included in the fee you pay when you register for one of our drop-in programs on Regatta Central.
If your ACA membership is current, and you’ve signed your annual ACA waiver online, you do not need to sign any additional waivers .
Newburgh Waterways Center is an ACA Paddle America Club.