News – Tubby Hook Paddle Company

December 8, 2020December 28, 2020

Winter of Content

Well, here we are. Mere days shy of a new year, entering winter. Let’s all agree that this has been a heckuva year.

I hope everyone has gotten out to paddle. Whether you’re in the NYC metro area or farther afield, whether paddling on rivers, estuaries, or seas, every time I’ve gone for a paddle, I’v thought of my clients.

Some of you have known me for a while, and as I’ve watched you develop your paddling skills you’ve hopefully watched me develop my coaching skills. Some of you, perhaps only came to a single pool session, or for a lesson taught off a beach somewhere, but I still think about these one-offs.

I am saying thank you to you all. I’ve been teaching on my own now for about five years, under the banner of Tubby Hook Paddle Company. Maybe I’ve worked with you longer, from days at New York Kayak Company, or the work I did with Matt at Prime Paddlesports. It’s pleasantly jarring to think of how long I’ve been a paddlesports instructor, and in case it isn’t clear, I have no intention of stopping.

That said, it’s been a heckuva year (see above). To be honest I didn’t paddle from the time the pandemic hit NYC until the very end of May, and only did some personal paddling through June. By July, I started teaching again, but only in my local club, which set up some protocols minimizing the use of their boathouse.

At the time, so many regulations were changing at the state and local level, not to mention parks regulations, that it was challenging to promise being able to meet somewhere, provide a boat, and possibly equipment, all for a lesson. What if the venue was closed by the time we arrived? Many of you are sans car and while I’ve happily carpooled in the past, it seems unwise today.

The ACA camp at Lake Sebago was closed for a while, and when they re-opened they were not allowing classes like the two-day weekend course I’ve taught several years in the past. Even when I started to set up sessions away from the lake, at one point I nixed a surf class when there were shark sightings and beach closings near the venue. Parking was tough, with the better put-ins closed off by towns as well.

And yet, here we are. I did manage to run an ACA L3 sea kayaking skills assessment (thanks to those of you who attended). I was also able to steal away to Mount Desert Island in October for an instructor course, teaching and learning in the bigger, rockier environments that Maine offers, with some ace guidance from top Instructor Trainers. I also got out on a whitewater session, taking in a river that’s terrified my imagination but which, I’m happy to say, was both challenging and pleasant.

This year of Covid has forced a few changes. First, I’m changing services for email and for booking courses – hence email notifications will look a little different, and when I resume bookings again, that will look different too. Second, I’m sorry to say it’s highly unlikely that there will be a pool program to speak of this winter. While it looked like New York was doing pretty well, the overall resurgence in numbers has forced Dov and I to put any ideas on pause.

We know that sucks. We love to teach, and wish we could just work with students again like we used to. We’re looking forward to the day that we can.

For now, as the water temperature has dropped into the 50s F, those of you with drysuits and your own boat and kit, drop me a line if you’re interesting in some winter touring. As we get into the new year, I’ll come up with some course ideas, but they’ll probably be ad hoc at least until summer.

Be sure to check out the online store, too. I’ve got a couple of jackets, never used, as well as a variety of Kokatat Farmer-J neoprene. Some new Eldridges for 2021 have arrived and will be listed soon. I’m willing to make delivery in the NYC area; shipping further afield.

Be safe. Be well. Be kind. Hopefully we’ll paddle together again soon.

August 2, 2020

Programming Updates

So, here we are. Still in the midst of a global pandemic, but thankfully, in the Tubby Hook area of operation, one that has fallen to a manageable level. Let’s all hope that this only changes for the better, here and afar.

June was the first month that I began paddling personally, for fun, on anything like a regular basis, and in July I taught some classes at a local club, trying out some ways to accommodate concerns about COVID-19. I really enjoy teaching and guiding, and surprised myself with how much I enjoyed getting back to it.

Here are some steps, in addition to what’s been previously posted, that I’m taking for programs for the remainder of the year.

Unfortunately, with the changing state and local restrictions, I won’t be posting any courses ahead of time. If you would like to work on specific skills, or take part in a journey, please email jkm@tubbyhook.com

For now, no programs run from Tubby Hook in Manhattan. The parking area has been closed off, and while some group activities are allowed, it’s better in my opinion to avoid.
The ACA camp at Lake Sebago is open for member use, but not classes. This means no classes at the lake this year.
On land, wear a mask. It should go in a drybag for taking it along on the water. No mask required on the water.
I’m including hand sanitizer in my first aid kit, and asking that all clients bring their own. Think of it as another kind of sunscreen to have with you and apply regularly.
Bring enough food and water for yourself. We will not be sharing food or water, except in emergency.
Maintaining 6 feet distance as best as possible on the water.

Just to recap those previous steps:

Courses may be cancelled on short notice, with a full refund.
Coursework will minimize contact between participants.
Cancellations by clients due to Covid or Covid-related reasons will be fully refunded.

Stay home if you’re sick, or have reason to expect you were exposed within the previous two weeks.

The CDC has some guidance specific to watersports, if not kayaking. There is no evidence of Coronavirus spreading through recreational waters.

Our main concern will be assisted rescues. When practicing, we’ll try to keep appropriate distance between rescuer and casualty, and try some other adaptations to be safe against Covid.

August and September are great times to be paddling in the Hudson River Valley. The water is as warm as it gets, and is refreshing in the summer heat. As Fall arrives, the foliage along the waterfront, especially the Palisades, can be quite beautiful.

Be safe, be well, be kind. I hope to hear from some of you, even if it’s just to keep in touch.

Cheers,

Julie McCoy

March 14, 2020

Statement on Coronavirus and COVID-19

March 14, 2020

For many Americans, the past week has featured a dramatic turn of events in the news about Coronavirus and COVID-19. The United States has declared a national emergency, and New York State, where Tubby Hook Paddle Company, has done the same.

The following resources from the CDC, NY State, and the City of New York, offer guidance and information about the virus and its associated disease.

The Paddlesports actvities organized by the Tubby Hook Paddle Company are generally very small in number, and with exceptions for rescues and rafting up, we’re inherently socially distant. Here are specific guidelines for upcoming courses:

All courses are offered with the caveat that they may be cancelled on short notice with a full refund. Some courses rely on third-party facilities, and their actions may also affect course offerings.
Coursework will be designed to minimize contact, especially participant-participant contact.
Read the terms and conditions. In addition to these, any cancellations by clients due to Coronavirus or Covid-19 will be fully refunded. The page will be updated by the end of April but these additional terms are in effect immediately.

If you are sick, feeling sick, or have been near someone who gets sick, please stay home.

As many of you know, the Tubby Hook Paddle Company is primarily Julie McCoy. That is who is writing this. I care about each of my clients, many of whom are also friends. I want everyone to avoid what is statistically becoming unavoidable. Stay safe, be well, and if you have to be outdoors, considering sitting in a boat of your own, hundreds of yards from “civilization”.

February 9, 2020February 9, 2020

Winter Pool Program

We’ve had great success at the winter pool program run by Tubby Hook and Kayak Dov, despite of a change of venue to a nearby New York Sports Club.

Several students have come out to practice their rolls, whether starting out and perfecting hip-snap, or perfecting hand-rolls and other more advanced kinds of rolls.

We’ve even had a wayward polo player come through! At least whitewater boats fit in the elevator!

We have one more weekend left this year, two sessions available the afternoon of Sunday February 16. Sign up for a class or practice on your own; bring your own boat or rent from us.

January 20, 2020

Winter Pool – New Location

Dov and I are happy to say that our first winter pool program in 2020 went well. We are now at a new location, in a gym off the Sawmill Parkway near Dobbs Ferry.

Unlike the old location, the stairs are indoors and less treacherous. There’s also room to make turns easier. Additionally, some of our clients have said it’s the warmest pool they’ve used in the winter.

As we were loading in, we walked past several other gym patrons, most of whom took in stride the fact that 17 foot long sea kayaks were being walked past weight machines and treadmills.

The staff are very friendly, and the changing and showering facilities are quite nice. Come join us by registering ahead of time using the Scheduler. Space is limited to sign up soon. Driving directions and additional instructions will be sent out to those who sign up.

If you want a lesson, click on “Pool Lessons”. If you just want to self-practices, use “Pool Access”. In either case you can also rent a boat and gear by checking the “Pool Rentals” box after choosing your session type.

Happy New Year! Keep on Paddling and don’t let Old Man Winter stop you.

December 27, 2019

Winter Pool Program

Dov and I are happy to announce we will have a winter pool program for kayakers once again this year. We’re going to try a couple of different things; read on for details.

First, instead of the Masters School, we are renting space in a pool at a gym in Dobbs Ferry, right next to the Sawmill Parkway (50 Hamilton St, Dobbs Ferry, NY). We’ll still need to carry boats in and out, up some stairs, but these stairs are indoors and it’s easier to make wide turns.

Second, we’re renting longer time on Sunday afternoons, February 16 and 23, and splitting that time into two separate sessions of 90 minutes each. You can register for one session or both, or a lesson in one session and personal time after.

We’re also trying out a Thursday night session, January 16, 7-9. The Thursday sessions are longer by half and hour, at the same price.

If Thursday night is your jam, let us know by January 10 and we’ll schedule another session for later that month. We need at least eight participants to make rent.

As was the case last year, you can bring your own boats and gear, or rent from us. We’re simplifying pricing this year to $30 pool access; +$30 for a lesson with no more than 3:1 students:instructor, and $30 if you need to rent a boat, which will include gear.

Unfortunately, we will have less space this year, so our Sunday sessions will be limited to 6 per session, and Thursdays will be limited to eight.

Yours Truly,

— Kayak Cowgirl and Kayak Dov —

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019

Weekend Class in June

I (Julie) was hoping to get some events together in April, but unfortunately a drysuit repair is going to take a few weeks, so no on-water activities until May.

That said, I’ve super-excited to say my fourth annual weekend-long kayak touring course at Lake Sebago is set for the weekend of June 22-23. You can register here.

In addition to the course, I’ve rented a cabin for participants to opt-in to stay at Friday and Saturday nights. There’s a refrigerator and stove for preparing meals, and the lake is a great getaway from urban life. I can also provide boats and a limited set of rental equipment.

The course is essentially the American Canoe Association’s “L2” skills curriculuum, covering strokes and rescues. The ACA’s sample syllabus lists the course as being do-able in about a day, leading to a common question I get, almost every year: why is this course a two-day course?

The main reason is that it’s a lot of material to cover, and cramming it all into a day is a bit of a smash-up. I’ve taught the course in a single day, in the past, and it becomes a long day. Students who I continued working with afterwards would remark that they didn’t feel everything stuck, and they spent more time in subsequent sessions honing in on the details.

So, that’s one approach. What I prefer is to dedicate the better part of a weekend, allowing more time for practice, for reflection, and for participants to let their synapses fire on their own. It takes more time and a bit of patience, but pays off in a stronger foundation for the long haul.

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019

Fourth Pool Session Added

I want to share a big THANKS to everyone who’s come to one of our pool sessions in Dobbs Ferry.

There’s been enough interest that Dov and I have added a fourth date, March 10, and we’re taking steps to make sure the pool doesn’t get crowded for any session. February 24 is now full, but we still have plenty of room on March 3, and March 10 is wide open. Sign up for a session using the Scheduler.

Additionally, if you’re interested in trying out a Rebel kayak, drop a note to kayakdov@gmail.com. He’s got all models available except the Toc and the Jara. Dov is also offering a deal on Gearlab Greenland-style paddles, available only to pool participants: 15% off for anyone who’s taken been a participant ate on of our sessions.

Hope to see you in the pool!

January 20, 2019January 20, 2019

New Website is Live

You’ll find it’s more-or-less modeled on the old website. All I did was changing hosting platforms.

You’ll still see “About” and the “Scheduler”, the latter all-important for course signups. There’s also still the online Store, for buying goods like surplus wetsuits and paddling jackets.

One minor detail is that for now, the URL will always default to store.tubbyhook.com. www.tubbyhook.com and even just tubbyhook.com should work, but once connected, the URL will correct to the default, which is store.tubbyhook.com. For now, it’s easier to leave that as-is than to take steps to change it.

I’ll be using “Hooks” more – the built-in blogging part of the new website, to put little notes about trips and classes, and ongoing miscellany. As always, feel free to drop a note to jkm@tubbyhook.com for any inquiries.

Cheers,

Julie