EVENING TOURS ON LOCAL WATERWAYS 2010
$25 pp. Most Canoes or Kayaks - your choice. All gear & boat transport provided. Easy to moderate pace. Great way of trying out a canoe or kayak you are thinking of buying.
Aug 27 (Fri) MOHAWK RIVER from Lock 7 Niskayuna - unguided. 6:15pm.
Aug 31 (Tue) HUDSON & MOHAWK RIVERS from Lansingburgh. 5:45pm.
Sep 8 (Wed) HUDSON RIVER from Henry Hudson Park in Bethlehem. Visit the falls on the Vloman Kill, explore Papscanee Creek, look for bald eagles. 5:45pm.
Sep 14 (Tue) MOHAWK RIVER from Freeman's Bridge in Glenville. Explore the Alplaus Creek. 5:45pm.
Sep 28 (Tue) MOHAWK RIVER from Rt.9 Crescent Bridge. Islands, Colonie Town Park. 5:15pm.
In conjunction with Adirondack Mountain Club - Albany Chapter
Call to reserve by credit card, 346-3180 or just stop in store. When store closed, reserve by email - Email us. Sign up before 1pm day of tour, preferably the day before. No cancellations after 11am day of tour - all trips go rain or shine. Bring drinking water, a whistle & a white light (headlamp/flashlight/PFD light); expect to at least get your feet wet, watershoes are best. Don't wear any cotton clothing in spring or fall. Think - what will you do with your car keys? It is best if you have some idea of which kayak(s) you would like to paddle - stop in the store & try some on for size, read our buyer's guide, look at list of kayaks available for rent (marked with #).
XC SKI TOURS
(Sundays, Mondays) - INTRO TO THE AIKEN WILDERNESS
In Woodford, VT just a few miles from Bennington & a not too far drive from Albany, NY. The locals ski there often but New Yorkers know little about this wilderness in the Green Mountain National Forest, guidebooks are lacking plus there are no marked trails. Skiers often ski an old logging road, some "secret trails" & across the many beaver meadows - we will sample a bit of each. One will see much sign of moose, too. Intermediate skiing ability required. The best way to learn about skiing the Aiken is to have someone show you the routes. 3-5 hours. $35pp.
If you would like us to remind you about Sales, Demos, Lessons & Events - Get on the email list: Email us
LESSONS 2010
Paddling is 1/3 the boat & 2/3 paddler skill - A good paddler in a bad boat is better off than a poor paddler in a good boat. A good paddler can make any kayak/canoe go in a straight line.
"...I'm glad you don't know anyting about paddling, for you won't have to unlearn any bad habit." - Guide Wilfred Morrison to a young Herbert Keith.
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CLASSES on MOHAWK RIVER at Lock 7 Boat Launch, Niskayuna - call 346-3180 or stop in to sign up (you can choose what boat you like - great way of trying out a canoe or kayak you are thinking of buying):
FUNDAMENTALS OF KAYAKING I - THE BASICS - Sep 9 (Thu) 8:30-10am
Getting in & out gracefully, holding the paddle, efficient forward stroke, torso rotation, maneuvering strokes, feathered/unfeathered paddles. $45 includes kayak, $35 bring your own kayak.
FUNDAMENTALS OF KAYAKING II - Sep 10 (Fri) 8:30-10am
After a quick review of the basics we will work on edging, bracing, sculling draw, more. $45 includes kayak, $35 bring your own kayak.
KAYAK RESCUE & RECOVERY - Sep 2 (Thu) 8:30-10am
Do you know how to get back in your kayak after a capsize? Do you know how to assist another kayaker who has capsized? Learn the paddle float self-rescue & the assisted T rescue. $45 includes kayak, $35 bring your own kayak. Do not wear any cotton clothing - it will suck the heat right out of you. Most novice kayakers have never capsized - all experts have.
FUNDAMENTALS OF KAYAKING III - Sep 3 (Fri) 8:30-10am
More on edging, braces, sculling draw, sculling for support, brace turns, bow rudder, & their uses - techniques that can help you in wind, waves & moving water. For those with some experience. $45/$35.
CANOEING - by appointment
Novice thru intermediate, solo or tandem, j-stroke & maneuvering (sweeps, draws, pries), more. $45 includes canoe, $35 bring your own canoe.
"Risk diminishes with skill & knowledge" - Bill Mason
KAYAK ROLLING & RESCUES in the JCC pool on Balltown Rd in Niskayuna, Wednesdays 8-9:30pm in late winter/early spring.
No refunds/rescheduling within 2 days of class; 20% reservation fee non-refundable if cancel or reschedule 3 to 7 days before class. Classes go on rain or shine.
Canoe & kayak classes can be set up for groups of up to 8 & tailored to meet your needs - call 346-3180. Our instructor, Rich Macha, has been teaching kayaking & canoeing for 10 years.
CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS - Beginner, Novice, Intermediate - Sun, Mon, Wed 10-11:30am; Thu, Fri 9-10:30am @ Pine Bush Preserve, golf course, other - $35pp - 2 or more students; $50 private. Equipment rental: $10 extra.
BACKCOUNTRY TOURING SKI LESSONS - Novice, Intermediate - mostly uphill, downhill, turning techniques - Sun, Mon, Wed - $45pp - 2 or more students; $65 private. 2 hours, time & location TBD (we don't mind driving a bit to find good snow). Equipment rental: $10 extra.
RENTAL RATES
- Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Adirondacks - go where you wanna go. We can deliver KAYAKS for BIRTHDAY PARTIES - call for rates.
PRICE FOR 1 DAY/2 DAYS/EXTRA DAYS
Rentals CAN be returned when we are closed.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIS: $18/29/10
SNOWSHOES: $10/18/6
CANOES:
PE Tandem - Explorer 16TT - 16' 85lbs - $35/60/20 (incl. 2
paddles, 2 PFDs)
Royalex Tandem - 15'4" - Reflection 15 60 lbs - $40/75/30 (incl. 2
paddles, 2 PFDs)
Kevlar Tandems - 16.5’ - Northstar 40lbs - $60/100/35 (incl. 2
paddles, 2 PFDs)
Kevlar Solo 15’ - Merlin II 35 lbs. - $45/80/30 (incl. 1 paddle, 1 PFD)
Royalex Solo - 15'4" - Reflection 15 - $35/65/25 (incl. 1
paddle, 1 PFD)
KAYAKS:
PolyEthylene Recreational 9.5-10’ - Zydeco, Prodigy 10, Comet - $25/45/15 (incl. 1 paddle, 1 PFD)
PE Recr. with hatch 10’-13' - Axis, Pungo, Tribute 10 - $30/55/20 (incl. 1 paddle, 1 PFD)
PE Recr. with hatches 12’-14.5' - Tsunami, Carolina, Tribute 14 & 12 Airalite - $35/65/25 (incl. 1 paddle, 1 PFD)
PFD)
PE Touring with rudder/skeg, 16’-17’ - Essence, Tempest, Zephyr, Alchemy - $45/85/35 (incl. 1 paddle, 1 PFD)
PE Tandem 14' - $50/90/30 (incl. 2 paddles, 2 PFDs)
Thermoformed Touring 14' skeg - Saranac 14 & 14.6 - $50/95/40 (incl. 1 dlx paddle, 1 PFD)
Composite Touring - 14’ Saranac LT 32lbs - $50/95/40 (incl. 1 paddle, 1
PFD)
Composite Touring with rudder/skeg, 16’-17’ - Capella, Tempest, Zephyr, Ayr - $55/100/40 (incl. 1 paddle, 1
PFD)
MISC:
Car Carrier & straps - $5/8/1
PFD (life jacket) -
$3/5/1
Wheel Cart - $5/9/2
Deposit Required (cash,
check or credit card). Reservations recommended.
1 day rental cost can be put toward purchase of same boat within 1 week of rental.
- great way to try before you buy!