Novice Sessions for the 2010 Season open every Saturday until Fall (weather permitting)

• Session 1: 10:30AM to 11:45AM
• Session 2: 11:15AM to 12:30PM
• Session 3: 12:00PM to 1:15PM

Become a fan on our Facebook page for the latest updates.

New York Outrigger offers free novice sessions every Saturday from Spring to Fall as long as the weather allows. These sessions are open to local residents 14 years and older who are interested in trying out the sport of outrigger canoeing.

Please contact Keith Tsang if you would like more information.

What to Expect

We begin with the basics on land to familiarize you with the different functions and elements of the outrigger canoe, the mechanics of the stroke, the calls and commands, and the safety protocols. This is followed by a half hour to an hour session on the water to put what you’ve learned to practice. We will provide the paddles and the life vests. All you need to bring are clothes you are not afraid to get wet, some water to bring in the boat and sunscreen.

When and Where

Novice Sessions typically take about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. The sessions take place at our Boathouse located on Pier 66 at West 26th Street and West Side Highway just north of Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River. The boathouse has changing and showering facilities.

Cost

The novice sessions are free. You may come to the novice sessions until you are comfortable in the canoe and deemed ready to paddle with our experienced crews. We welcome you to join our club if you choose to continue paddling with New York Outrigger for the remainder of the season. (See Membership) As a paid member, you may join in on any of our organized OC-6 practices which are held throughout the week, have access to our OC-2 canoes at any time with an experienced paddler and join in the club’s various paddling clinics.

Health and Fitness

PADDLING IS A GREAT WORKOUT! You should be in generally good health and comfortable performing moderate intensity exercise or cleared by your doctor to participate in this level of activity. Paddling an outrigger canoe requires a degree of effort and concentration that you should be prepared for. This is not a leisurely paddle. You must be able to swim.

Requirements

• All participants must be at least 14 years of age.
• All participants must be a local resident.
• You must know how to swim or tread water.
• Must be comfortable performing moderate intensity to strenuous exercise for up to 30 minutes.

Signing Up

Due to limited space, we ask that you sign up for these classes in advance.
Please contact Keith Tsang if you would like to sign up for a novice session. An e-mail confirming your seat will be sent to you. If you are unable to make your session, please contact us as soon as possible. Each member of a crew is important and one missing person could mean the rest of the crew may not be able to go out. You may not sign up more than 2 people (including yourself) at a time.

Capacity

Each session is limited to 4 novices which are then divided into 2 groups of 2 novices per canoe. For safety reasons, we couple an experienced paddler with a novice paddler.

We look forward to seeing you on the water.