Join our certified kayak instructor at Grove Street Boat Launch in Elmira, NY, to learn the basics of kayaking, including:

• How to enter and exit a kayak;
• How to enter your kayak if you are in deep water;
• How to use a paddle and get the right size paddle;
• How to use your paddle to communicate with other paddlers;
• How to fit a life jacket;
• How to prepare for a kayak trip;
• And more!

Afterwards, you will be able to borrow one of our kayaks (or bring your own) and join our instructor in the water. The Chemung River at Grove Street Boat Launch is very calm thanks to the downstream dam. You will be paddling upstream and have plenty of help. You do not need to enter the water if you don’t want to, though!

Pizza is provided for all registrants. There is no minimum age to participate and no previous kayaking or paddling experience is required. We will have two tandem kayaks available for caregivers who want to paddle with their child(ren). The tandem kayak will hold two adults, or one adult and two children.

Life jackets of various sizes will also be available, and participants are able to take their life jacket with them (while supplies last) after the program, thanks to generous support from Hesselson’s.

This program is free, but registration is required and you must sign the liability waiver to participate. When registration opens, the link will be posted here. Be the first one to know about registration by signing up for our newsletter!