The Red Hook Boaters is an all-volunteer organization that exists to provide safe public access to the waters of our neighborhood, to bring people to the sport of kayaking, and to promote education about, and care for, the coastal environment.   Our mission is expressed primarily in programs that give free safe and inclusive access to kayaking as well as programs that educate clean and maintain the New York City small-boat launch site from which we operate.

Come paddle with us - All our programs are FREE!

We provide all the equipment along with paddling & safety tips.  Take a kayak out for a short paddle inside the protected waters of the Louis Valentino Jr. Pier Park and explore the cove at your own pace or join us in our shoreline cleanup activities. We run a beach clean-up whenever we are running a free public paddling session. Our calendar will be updated as more events are scheduled.

Since its inception, the Red Hook Boaters have help to get thousands of people paddling in New York Harbor. As people experience and enjoy the waterfront through our programs, they become advocates for its revitalization. 

The Valentino Park boat launch is available for the general public to launch from but you must purchase a permit from the Park’s Department. The permit is available on our Downloads Page.

Our organization is a committee of the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, a not-for-profit who has been offering canoeing programs for over twelve years in South Brooklyn.

We would like to thank Partnership for Parks for their assistance and support.