STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For Father’s Day, give dad a new perspective — out in the wind and the waves, in a bright red kayak.
Kayak Staten Island is back in the water in time for Father’s Day with its free program to give landlubbers and others the chance to bob and paddle in the waters off South Beach.
Hurricane Sandy swept away the nonprofit’s storage containers and closed the beach, shutting down last season’s free kayaking experience at their South Beach headquarters.
But they started up again on June 1 and will be on the beach at the end of the boardwalk Sunday, June 15, from noon to 3 p.m.
“We had our first one so far, and it was fabulous,” said Katina Johnstone, coordinator of the volunteer nonprofit. She said 22 volunteers helped 130 adults and 60 kids go kayaking.
It is a pretty simple process.
First, wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.
After you sign a waiver, a life preserver is supplied, a few directions and boundaries are explained and you’re off. It is meant to be not so much a lesson, but a taste of kayaking, says executive director Katina Johnstone.
Experienced kayakers are in the water and on the beach.
There may be a wait, but to keep things moving, paddlers are limited to a 15-minute try. You can get back on line.
More information about Kayak Staten Island can be found on their Facebook page and at kayakstatenisland.org, including directions to South Beach parking lot 1 by car and bus.
Upcoming events include the Raritan Bay Festival on June 28 at the Conference House, and public kayaking at South Beach July 12 and 27 and August 10 and 24.