Do I need to know how to paddle?
We welcome all prospective members, from novice to expert. Be aware that novices may not take club kayaks out on their own. Members have frequent opportunities throughout the season to paddle with trip leaders who will offer guidance and skills practice.
Do I need my own kayak?
No. Club-owned kayaks are available to all members for use on any paddle led by a trip leader. Trip size will be determined by the ratio of available trip leaders to paddlers. Trips are announced on our email list.
How often are there organized group paddles?
Please see our calendar for dates. There are typically paddles every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day, usually on Saturdays. Additional paddles are occasionally posted on our email list throughout the season and during the off-season. All members are welcome to query the listserv to see if any trip leaders are available for a paddle.
Can I take out a club boat without a trip leader?
Members may use club boats independently after they have been assessed for the skills necessary for safe and effective paddling. Among other things, paddlers must demonstrate proficiency with a variety of strokes, as well as the ability to self-rescue and assist in a rescue.
How do I get assessed for independent club boat use?
Assessments are made by the kayak chair or their designee. Level two skills, as outlined by the American Canoe Club (ACA), will be assessed. Please review these skills carefully, and if you believe you are qualified, reach out to kayak@sebagocanoeclub.org.
Do you offer training?
A limited number of classes are offered in Brooklyn. There are other opportunities at Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park, where we have a lakeside cabin (with club boats available for member use) at a camp managed by the American Canoe Association (ACA). Sebago Canoe Club, along with other metropolitan clubs, offer training sessions open to all ACA members. We encourage all members to join the ACA ($40) and take advantage of what the lake has to offer. Please see our website for more detailed information about Lake Sebago and our cabin policies.
I have kids. Can they learn to kayak?
Conditions in Jamaica Bay can be challenging. Thus, paddles are limited to those 16 and older. We do not offer classes for children. Children are welcome at Lake Sebago, which offers opportunities for swimming.
What if I have my own boat?
Members with their own boats are welcome to paddle independently. For safety reasons, we strongly discourage solo paddling and recommend paddling in groups of three. Boat storage is available for active and participating members for an additional storage fee.
May I bring a guest?
We encourage all members to bring guests to our seasonal monthly Open House events, at which we offer short, guided tours suitable for novices. Guests may be included on a club paddle, contingent upon if the trip leader’s assessment of has assessed the conditions and the guest’s experience. and deemed it safe.
What else can I do?
Kayaking is our largest activity committee, but we also have an active community of sailors, and smaller rowing and canoeing committees. Please reach out to any of the committees below if you have questions or see the website for information.
How do you do all this?
Sebago is an all-volunteer club, and our members volunteer their time to run our activity programs, support our community outreach, manage the grounds and care for equipment, as well as the administrative operations. This all-volunteer club has been operational since 1933.
For more information, please visit our website, which includes our membership handbook and fees, as well as detailed information about the programs and policies for each of our activity committees. Members should take the time to familiarize themselves with this information.
Hope to see you on the water!