The LIC Community Boathouse celebrates our “city of water” by reconnecting NYC residents with our waterways, providing access and instruction for recreational kayaking, an energizing and fun sport for everyone.

Our Mission

To provide residents and visitors with educational and recreational paddling opportunities. Our programs raise awareness about estuary ecology, supporting the goal of restoring the natural beauty and health of New York Harbor for all to enjoy.

Kayaking with LICCB provides

  • Opportunities to experience New York City from the water, including trips for volunteers to paddle around Roosevelt Island, to Governor’s Island and to many other waterfront destinations around the boroughs

  • Free “walk-up” kayaking at Hallets Cove in Astoria; children are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian

  • Great exercise and beautiful views of Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx

  • Our territory ranges as far as Red Hook, South Bronx and we’ve even circumnavigated Manhattan Island

What We’ve Achieved

  • Provided free kayaking for thousands of people of all ages annually for nearly 20 years

  • Worked with other boathouses around our harbor to help create a city-wide network of human powered boaters

  • Participated in shoreline cleanup efforts at Hallets Cove, with support from Partnerships for Parks, Socrates Sculpture Park, Riverkeeper and NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation

  • Member of the Newtown Creek Alliance, advocating for cleaner water and more access to it

  • Supported competitive and charitable open water swim events: Pride Swim, Brooklyn Bridge Swim, Rose Pitonof Swim to Coney Island (17 miles), Swim Across America, the Liberty to Freedom swim and the marathon swim around Manhattan Island

  • Contributed to the creation of the NYC Water Trail

All of this is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation, Partnerships for Parks, Hudson River Foundation and the generosity of Plaxall Inc.