NYC WaterTrail Web: Fleet Week Security Zones 2011

It's almost Memorial Day Weekend, which means it's Fleet Week here in NYC. If you're a local boater, or thinking of visiting the area, you might find today's NYCWatertrailWeb posting to be very helpful!

NYC WaterTrail Web: Fleet Week Security Zones 2011: "Below is an excerpt from the CG notice about Fleet Week which describes security zones which will be in effect for several days..."

Go Navy!

DEP goes from gray to green

The city Department of Environmental Protection plans to unveil a $130 million water-holding tank today in Queens. The facility is less important than what DEP hopes it will represent: a thing of the past.

The tank will catch water that floods the sewer system during storms. When 3.5 inches of rain fell in Central Park last week, the city's 14 wastewater plants treated 8.5 billion gallons of water during the five-day period. But 1.9 billion gallons of rain and raw sewage were dumped into city waterways.

Controlling sewer overflows is DEP's largest water-quality challenge. Overflows are a major source of water pollution and must be limited, in order to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

Until now, the solution has been to build costly tanks to catch overflows. On May 12, for example, the department opened a $404 million facility in Brooklyn to prevent up to 50 million gallons of overflow from entering Jamaica Bay during storms. Because of environmental and land-use concerns, the Paerdegat Basin facility took 17 years to build.

The DEP wants to change course. The agency now plans to build so-called gray-water infrastructure only when “cost-effective and more efficient than green infrastructure,” a spokesman said. The department's green infrastructure plan, released last fall, would make the city more water-absorbent.

Yesterday, DEP Commissioner Cas Holloway and Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith posed for photographs on the roof of 1 Union Square East, which was teeming with plant life. The 14,000-square-foot, $330,000 green roof, planted last year, can absorb about 250,000 gallons of rainwater at any one time. That water would otherwise go into the sewer system. The building's unit owners offset $63,000 of the cost with a city tax credit of $4.50 per square foot.

The idea, said Goldsmith, is to “unlock the value of city assets.” A green roof doesn't just soak up rainwater, but also filters it, so the city doesn't have to. “Green infrastructure costs less,” he said. “It allows aesthetics instead of ugly pipes. It reduces costs to ratepayers by a couple billion dollars.”

We don't need no stinkin' fishing license!

New York's saltwater anglers are officially off the hook with regard to paying a fee to fish!

Governor Andrew Cuomo's new $132.5 billion budget passed before the April 1 deadline immediately repeals the saltwater fishing license and replaces it with a free registry coordinated through the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Swapping out a fee-based saltwater fishing license with a free registry should allow New York to retain its federal registry exemption, thereby allowing state anglers to avoid having to pay a $15 federal fee to fish. As part of the Environmental Conservation budget bill, the registry will be no cost to anglers for at least the next two years.

Jamaica Bay Fishing Tourney Results

Friday and Saturday brought clear weather with the usual wind, and with heavy rain and thunderstorms on the radar on Sunday fishing on the final day was called off.

Open Division:
1. Bob Stuber 42 1/2" bass
2. Chris Voorhes 40" bass
3. Adrian Gonzeles 38: bass (tie)
4. Marty McMaahon 38" bass (tie)

Fly Division:
1. Kurt Schwartz 30 1/4" bass
2. Rob Jagde 25" bass
3. Chuck Mills 23" bass

The Bronx River Flotilla Review

Sebago went to the Bronx River, and we will be returning again !

What Happened At The Regatta (In Case You Missed It)

This post inspired by a charming little cartoon we used to have pinned up on the SailComm section of the Sebago Canoe Club bulletin board. I'll have to look to see if it's still up when I go to water in the morning, because I can't remember the cartoonist's name, but as I was reminded of it last night as I sorted through all the pictures I'd taken of little boats going this way and that, with puffy clouds in the sky behind it.

The pictures, of course, are a few of mine from Saturday's Laser District 8 regatta, hosted by the Sailing Committee of the Sebago Canoe Club. What a lovely day of racing we had, and great food afterwards, too!

Many more pictures here.

Cross-posted at Frogma

The Bronx River Flotilla

May 7th Sebago went to The Bronx.
More photos coming soon!
We will be returning June 26th...

Hudson River Greenland Festival

June 24-26th, Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

our goal

The focus of this weekend is to learn, refine, and share traditional kayaking techniques in a stimulating and enjoyable environment. Whether you are new, along, or far down this path, come join us for a great weekend of Greenland-Style kayaking!

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the instruction

We will have a passionate group of mentors that will offer, for all skill levels, the opportunity to either discover or further engage the deep and significant repertoire of the Greenlandic seal catchers. No matter what your paddling experience, come explore these very practical strokes, braces, and rolling skills.

A comprehensive strokes session will be offered both days for all levels, beginning with the best teacher of all, the paddle itself. A short land talk/Q&A on history, material, paddle-sizing, kayak fit, basic stroke, posture and legwork will be followed by an on-water session covering forward stroke, canted stroke, back-paddling, braces, sweeps, rudders, draws, and more.

Did we mention rolling? Kayaks can be rather tippy sometimes and you can find warmth, security, and dryness by staying in the kayak rather than in the water. Hence, the ‘eskimo roll’. There are many ways to roll. Are you interested in mastering sculling for support or the basic standard roll? More advanced layback techniques, such as the crook of arm or spine roll? Norsaq rolls? Hand rolls? Would you like to learn forward-finishing techniques, like the storm roll, or the reverse sweep? Do you want to push even deeper into the ‘rolling list’?

And there is more to Greenland-style than paddling and rolling! See a Greenlandic Ropes demonstration (how the Inuit kept fit during the long winter months) and try it yourself. Participate in discussions on paddle-carving and Skin-On-Frame (SOF) construction. Hear our guest speaker present her trip to Greenland and learn about Greenland culture. See how many rolls you can accomplish in the Roll-Off. Try your hand at some skill-inspired games and join a team for a very fun Greenlandic relay race!

New at HRGF 2011!

Paddle-carving workshop with Chris Raab of Tuktu Paddles!

$100 for a full-day workshop, all tools and materials provided, Friday, June 24, 9am-5pm, ending with a Greenland paddle ready to get wet. Minimum 5 participants, maximum 15 so sign-up now!

Deadline for paddle workshop sign-up and payment is April 30.

So, come join in the fun! Seize this day! Explore the origins of kayaking! Here is your opportunity to try traditional gear, including paddles, ‘paatit’, skin on frame ‘qajaq’, and paddling jackets, ‘tuilik’. Bring an open mind and a set of nose plugs!

Dress to get wet!

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logistics

You may arrive on Friday anytime after the park opens at 8 am. Event registration will be from noon-8 pm at the Lodge in the cabin area. The $8 daily parking fee is waived for all participants. We will have open activities—paddling, ropes play, socializing.

All our cabins have been reserved. Tent site are still available. Bathrooms with showers are in separate buildings in the cabin area and by the tent sites.

HRGF headquarters will be at the Lodge in the cabin area.

Food – Meals are provided starting with Friday dinner, three meals Saturday, and Sunday breakfast and lunch. Bottled water and sodas will be provided all weekend. Feel free to bring other beverages of choice to share.

Silent & Live Auction – Saturday night at the Lodge. Items include donated kayak gear, crafts, and trips to other kayak events. Please bring items to donate to the table as all proceeds go right back into keeping event costs low.

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safety

A Coast Guard approved personal flotation device to be worn during on-water activities. EMTs and First Responders are always on-site.

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fees

$175.00 for the entire 3 days, ACA members subtract $5.00 for insurance.

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the schedule

Friday Night: Noon-8 pm check in. Drive up to the gate and tell the guard you are there for Qajaq USA’s event – the Hudson River Greenland Festival (HRGF). Proceed through the park to the Lodge at far end of the campground. If you know you will arrive later than 8pm, indicate this on your registration form and we will give you a cell phone number to reach us.

Saturday:
6:30am Yoga
7:30am Breakfast
8:00am Morning Meeting
9:00am Instruction Kick off
12:30pm Lunch, see food for options
1:00pm Afternoon meeting
1:30pm Afternoon Instruction
4:30pm Break for day, let the festivities begin!
5:00pm Ropes demo/instruction (at the Lodge)
Sat evening Dinner, Silent & Live Auction, Miscellaneous Fun!
8:00pm Presentation: Heather Lamon’s first trip to Greenland

Sunday:
6:30am Yoga
7:30am Breakfast
8:00am Morning Meeting, clear camp
9:00am Instruction Kick off. Also possible Guided Hudson River paddle.
11:30am Roll-off
12:30pm Lunch
1:00pm Afternoon Meeting
1:30pm Greenlandic Relay Race
2:30-ishpm Award Ceremony, open practice, paddling

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directions to the Hudson River Greenland Festival

The Hudson River Greenland Festival will be held in Croton Point Park. Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River. It is located in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York.

on Google Maps

Search for Croton Point Park, Croton, NY.

directions from east of the Hudson River

From the East [Port Chester and points East] Merritt Parkway (South) or New England Thruway (South) to 287. 287 to the Sprain Brook Parkway North, to the Taconic Parkway North, 3rd exit, 100/9A north. Stay on 9A to RT 9 north of Ossining, and take first exit, Croton Point Avenue. Make left, follow signs to the park.

directions from west of the Hudson River

From the West [Rockland County and points West] New York State Thruway to Exit 9 (Tarrytown). Proceed North on Route 9 for approximately 10 miles and exit at Croton Point Avenue, turn left at end of ramp; turn left at light; Park entrance straight ahead.

directions from north of Westchester County

Take your best route to Route 9 South. Take Route 9 South to Croton Point Avenue exit; follow signs for the park.

directions from south of Westchester County

Take your best route to Route 9 North. Take Route 9 North to Croton Point Avenue exit; follow signs for the park.

Click here to sign up