Paddle For Our Hudson

Take part in our newest fundraiser, Paddle for Our Hudson! Support Hudson River Sloop Clearwater by getting out on to any body of water most accessible to you and paddling!  From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (May 23rd - September 7nd), keep track of the distance you paddle and raise money per mile through donations from your peers. Whether on a canoe, kayak, a rowboat or stand up paddle board, all are welcome to Paddle for Our Hudson!

Traditionally, during our fundraisers, we are asking you for money towards a cause for Clearwater - this time, the fundraising power is in your hands! By acquiring pledges from your friends and family for a donation per mile you paddle, you will help raise money for our Hudson and all surrounding waterways.

Want to participate but don't have the gear? No problem!

Our friends at participating retailers can help you get out on the water. More Outfitter partners coming soon!

Manhattan Kayak Co

Rental Discount: 25% off rentals. Email jen@clearwater.org for the code.

Location: Pier 84 Boathouse in Hudson River Park, 555 12th Ave, New York, NY, 10019 - map

For more information, visit: https://manhattankayak.com/

Hudson River Expeditions (Cold Spring and Beacon)

Rental Discount: Weekday Rentals: 40% off; Weekend Rentals: 20% off

Locations:

• Beacon: Hudson River Expeditions, 23 Long Dock Rd, Beacon, NY 12508 - view map
• Cold Spring: Hudson River Expeditions, 14 Market St, Cold Spring, NY 10516 - view map

For more information including hours, visit: https://www.hudsonriverexpeditions.com/

https://www.elementsyogaandpaddleboard.com/scheduled-events

Elements Yoga and Paddleboard (Beacon)

Rental Discount: 20% off Beacon Bridges at the Bridge SUP Yoga classes, email Jen at jen@clearwater.org for the discount code.

Rental Location: 23 Long Dock Rd, Beacon, NY 12508 - map

More information about rentals and location, visit: https://www.elementsyogaandpaddleboard.com/scheduled-events

Hudson Valley Water Sports (Kingston)

Rental Discount: Weekday Rentals: 40% off; Weekend Rentals: 20% off. Email Jen at jen@clearwater.org for the discount code.

Location: 438 Abeel St. Kingston, NY 12401 - map

For more information about rentals and location, visit: https://www.hvwatersports.com/

A Day Away Kayak Rental (Kingston)

Rental Discount: 10% off rentals

Location: 1000 NY-213, Kingston, NY 12401 - map

For more information, visit: https://adayawaykayakrentals.com/

I Paddle New York (Saugerties)

Rental Discount: $10 off of a 2+ hour kayak rental

Location: I Paddle New York, 61 S Partition St, Saugerties, NY 12477 - View Map

Hours: 10am - 5pm Thursday - Monday

For more information, visit: https://ipaddlenewyork.com/home

 Upstate Kayak Rentals (Waterford)

Rental Discount: Weekday Rentals: 40% off; Weekend Rentals: 20% off (cash only)
Location: First and Front Street, Waterford, NY 12188 - view map
Hours: 11am - 6pm Tuesday - Friday; 10am - 6pm Saturday + Sunday

For more information about rentals, visit: https://upstatekayakrentals.com/index.html

Q: What is a Virtual Challenge?
A: A Virtual Challenge is an event where people participate in different places and at different times. You have from Monday, May 24th through Monday, September 1, 2025 to complete the challenge and record your results on the Paddle for Our Hudson site.

Q: Do I have to Paddle all my miles in One Day?
A: Absolutely not. Paddle however many miles you would like, on your own time, at any time. While we ask you to pick your goal mileage upon registration (20, 60, or 100 miles), you do not need to paddle all those miles in one sitting. You don't need to paddle to meet your goal at all - although we hope you do! Paddle as many times as you would like. Remember to take care of yourself when paddling, drink water, and wear sunscreen!

Q: What does becoming a fundraiser mean?
A: This year, we're challenging all of our paddlers to raise $150 (or more!) to support our work. After registering for Paddle, don't forget to set up your fundraising page, which will allow your supporters to contribute in recognition of your efforts. You will have a personalized fundraising page that you can customize and share. This allows participants to keep track of their supporters and thank them in the end. 

Q: I did not create a fundraiser when I registered. Can I add one now?
A: Yes, under Manage Your Registration, you can add a personal fundraising page. Detailed instructions can be found under How to add a Fundraiser.

Q: My name does not appear under Donate to a Paddler or Top Fundraisers, why is that?
A: There are two possible reasons. Perhaps you registered but did not select Become a Fundraiser. You must create a fundraiser to accept donations specific to your paddling efforts. If you have created a fundraiser and it does not appear, you have checked “Hide from public lists”. You can add a Fundraiser or edit your fundraiser from the Manage Your Registration menu. 

Q: Do I have to be in the Hudson Valley to participate in this challenge?
A: Absolutely not! Anyone in the world can participate in this exciting fundraising event. We anticipate that many of the participants of this event will be traveling and exploring new bodies of water throughout the warm summer months. Bring this fundraiser with you on your adventures and keep track of your miles, no matter where you are paddling! Every participant, no matter where they are located, will help further the work of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. 

Q: How do I see who has donated to my fundraiser?
A: When logged in, go to your profile (from the person icon in upper right) and you will see a View Donations option in the Fundraising section. You can also access this through the manage button on your fundraising page. For more details see How to View Donors.  Please thank each of your supporters. If you need help accessing this list, email Mariabella at mariabella@clearwater.org.

Q: How do I record my miles? 
A: You can log your times and distance directly into Run Signup - view instructions here.  We recommend adding your paddling data in as you go to ensure you don't forget to log it!

Q: What type of vessel can I use?
A: You can paddle any way you like to meet your goal! It's your challenge. Whether you are canoeing, kayaking, rowing, or standup paddle boarding, all forms of paddling are welcome in Paddle for Our Hudson. The main goal is to have fun this summer and enjoy the water while raising money for a valuable cause. 

 
Q: What if I don't have my own gear but want to participate?
A: Our friends at participating rental outfitters are offering special discount codes to participants registered with Paddle for Our Hudson! Explore our Participating Kayak and Canoe Rental Outfitters. 
 

Q: Do my miles from paddles before the start date of my challenge count toward my goal? 
A: Registration opens April 1st, but you will only be able to enter results for the paddling you do from May 26th to September 1, 2025. Three months is a good chunk of time to get some paddling in!

Q: When I search my name it does not come up to enter virtual results or it says I don't have permission. How do I log miles?
A: You must be logged into the same https://runsignup.com/login account that you registered with to log miles.

Q: How do I support a participant or team?
A: Go to Donate to a Paddler and search for the person or team you wish to support. If they have set up a fundraiser their name will appear as a link (underlined). Click on the link to be taken to their donation page.

Q: How can I share stories or photos from my Paddle for Our Hudson paddles?
A: Submit them via our Paddle for Our Hudson Photo + Story Submission Form! We will be sharing highlights, photos, and stories from our paddlers through e-mail and social media along the way.

Q: A More Details button appears next to participant names. When I click on it, it asks me for an ID and password. What should I do?
A: The More Details button allows a participant to view and update their registration. To view your registration details, you must be logged in to your runsignup.com account. 

The Hudson River is a paddler's dream destination!

There are so many resources out there to help get you out on the water. Below are a few helpful links and recommendations. Please note, you do not need to complete all mileage at once - the challenge runs June - August to allow paddlers ample time to paddle as many times as they wish and work toward completing the milage goals.
 

Thank you to our partners who are supporting this event by providing discounted rentals!  Participating Kayak and Canoe Rental Partners
 
Other resources:

Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Resources (tide charts, weather, locations to put in/take out, etc)

Hudson River Boat Ramps and Kayak Access

Public Land's Hudson River Paddling Guide

Free Canoe Trips with Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve

Empire State Water Trail Interactive Map

Free kayaking on the Hudson River at W 56th Street

NYC Boat Launch Application and Locations

NYC Parks and Recreation Water Trails Guide

A Comprehensive Map and Guide to Paddling the Hudson's Metro Area

Free Kayaking at Pier 26

Track your miles using Strava, a free app designed to help runners, bikers, and paddlers log miles. Then enter your miles on Run Sign up!

Paddle for Our Hudson is back for 2026! 

Join us for our annual summer paddling challenge, where participants from around the region and the country work towards paddling 20, 50, or 100 miles! We’re excited to get back out on the water and raise funds for our mission one mile at a time. Each paddler starts with a $150 fundraising goal to support our work to steward an intergenerational Hudson River community through education, advocacy, sailing, and music. Paddlers are welcome to select a higher fundraising goal if they would like. Every mile paddled and dollar raised supports clean and healthy Hudson River ecosystems and communities! You can feel proud knowing you are raising your paddle to support Hudson River Sloop Clearwater's award-winning environmental education and advocacy programs.

Paddle however many miles you would like, on your own time, at any time. While we ask you to pick your goal mileage upon registration (20, 50, or 100 miles), you do not need to paddle all those miles at once. You don't need to paddle to meet your goal at all - although we hope you do! Paddle as many times as you would like. Remember to take care of yourself when paddling, drink water, and wear sunscreen!

At our Annual Folk Picnic on September 12, we will be presenting three paddler awards:

• Furthest distance paddled
• Most days out on the water
• Most funds raised

Thank you to all who participate in or support our third annual Paddle for Our Hudson paddling challenge and fundraiser!

To participate, register here and pay the entry fee ($45 early registration or $60 regular registration) + processing fee.

Registered paddlers will recieve a complimentary Paddle for Our Hudson 2026 t-shirt! Show your Clearwater and Paddle for Our Hudson pride all year long. Every registration supports our efforts to protect the Hudson River and steward an intergenerational community of Hudson River advocates through education, advocacy, sailing, and music.

Register to participate.

Join us on Saturday, September 9, 2026, for our second annual Clearwater Folk Picnic in Beacon at the Theatre at USC Park! Our Folk Picnic is an afternoon of live music and community, and where we celebrate another summer of life-changing education programs, and the participants of Paddle for Our Hudson.

This event is free and open to the public - learn more about the Clearwater Folk Picnic. 

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is a member-supported, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the Hudson River by inspiring lifelong stewardship of the river and its tributaries through education and advocacy. Founded in 1969, Clearwater has been advocating and working for a cleaner and healthier Hudson River watershed for over 50 years. Clearwater operates an iconic 106’ wooden sailboat taking thousands of children, families, and individuals out on the river each sailing season. Clearwater offers a variety of Hudson River-based environmental education programs. Our signature program is the “Sailing Classroom” aboard the Sloop Clearwater which has become a model for onboard education programs across the country. Learn more at clearwater.org/education.

Your contribution to Paddle for Our Hudson helps ensure we can continue our environmental education, Youth Empowerment, and advocacy work for generations to come.

Not able to paddle, but still want to help? You can support participants or donate to the Paddle for Our Hudson to support Clearwater's work.
 

Share your photos and stories from Paddle with Clearwater! We're excited to hear from and highlight the experiences of Paddle for Our Hudson participants. Submit your photos and stories from your paddling trips as you work through the challenge - we will be highlighting photos and stories shared by paddle participants through e-mail and social media.

Submit your photos here!

You can also share your images on social media, remember to tag us! We're on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @sloopclearwater, and don't forget to use the following hashtags on Instagram and Twitter: #paddleforourhudson #hudsonriversloopclearwater #paddleforclearwater #whyipaddle