The River Chaz

Explore the Possibilities:
Kayaking, Hiking, Biking & Trips.

Kayak Reviews

JK Kayak & SUP (Cold Spring Harbor, NY)

Contact Info: 1 (800) 489-0398 info@jkkayak.com Website: JKKayak.com Address: 130 Harbor Rd., Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Click here for more information.

Peconic Paddler (Riverhead, NY)

Contact Info: 1 (631) 727-9895 peconicpaddlersales@gmail.com Website: thepeconicpaddler.com Address: 89 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901 Click here for more information.

Stony Brook Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard (Stony Brook, NY)

Contact Info: 1 (631) 834-3130 sbharborrentals@gmail.com Website: sbharborrentals.com Address: 51 Shore Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790 Click here for more information.

Long Island Canoe & Kayak (Riverhead, NY)

Contact Info: 1 (631) 727-8386 info@treasurecoveresortmarina.com Website: longislandcanoekayakrentals.com Address: 469 E. Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 Click here for more information.

American Canoe Association

For all things paddling: information on both canoeing & kayaking, including safety, certifications and skill classes. Click here to access the link.

Kayaking Videos

For kayaking videos on skills, gear, safety, classes and trips, check out the kayak hipster on youtube and Instagram. Click here to access the links. Also check out Ken Whiting on his kayaking tips. Ken Whiting was the 1997/98 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion, the 1998 Japan Open Champion, and a five-time Canadian National Champion in freestyle aka whitewater kayaking. Click here to access the link.

Appalachian Mountain Club (For Hiking, Biking, Camping, Kayaking & Canoeing)

Appalachian Mountain Club New York-New Jersey Chapter http://www.amc-ny.org Click here for more information.

FLORIDA: Paddle Outdoor Rentals (Crystal River, Florida)

Contact Info: Phone: (352) 586-5259 info@paddleoutdoorrentals.com Website: paddlesoutdoorrentals.com Address: 469 NE 1st Street Crystal River, FL 34429 Open: 7 days 9AM to 6PM Click here for more information.

FLORIDA: Sweetwater Kayaks - Weedon Island Preserve (St. Petersburg, FL)

Contact Info: Website: sweetwaterkayaks.com Phone: (727) 570 - 4844 Rental Address: 1800 Weedon Drive NE St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Retail Address: 235 15th Ave SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Rental Hours: 9:00AM to 5:00PM - Last rental leaves at 3:30PM Retail Hours: M, T, TH - 10:00AM to 5:00PM W - 10:00AM to 2:00PM SAT - 9:00AM to 6:00PM SUN - 9:00AM - 1:00PM Click here for more information.

FLORIDA: The Kayak Shack (Weeki Wachee, Florida)

Contact Info: Website: weekiwacheekayakrentals.com Phone: (352) 610-4169 Address: 5404 Darlene St. Weeki Wachee, Florida 34607 Open: 8:00AM to 5:00PM 7 Days No launches after 12:00PM. All kayaks, canoes, SUP back by 5:00PM. Free Parking Available Click here for more information.

Paumanok Tours (Setauket, NY)

Contact Info: 1 631-404-6447 Email: info@paumanoktours.com Website: https:www.paumanoktours.com Click here for more information

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coastal Expeditions (Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina)

Contact Info: 1-843-884-7684 Email: info@coastalexpeditions.com Website: https://www.coastalexpeditions.com Address: 514 Mill Street Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 Click here for more information.

FLORIDA: Coastal Kayak Charters (St. Pete Beach, Fl)

Contact Info: 727-207-6342 Website: www.CoastalKayakCharters.com Address: 1901 Pass a Grille Way St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 Check website for tour times and availability Click here for more information

Aqua Bound Stingray Hybrid Paddle Review

Website: www.aquabound.com It is very important to kayak or paddle board with a quality paddle. "Quality paddles come with more reliable components and are substantially lighter weight. Lighter paddles are less fatiguing, meaning you can enjoy your time on the water longer and feel less sore at the end of the day." Aqua Bound offers the lightest paddles on the market at every price point and a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. I own the Stingray Hybrid two piece posi-lok kayak paddle (providing the ability to adjust the paddle for a variety of angles) and couldn't be happier with the light weight (30.5 oz.) with a carbon shaft and fiberglass blades. I have found that I can paddle more efficiently and for much longer periods of time with this paddle. I highly recommend this paddle for optimum performance.

Paddle TV, Paddle Tales and Facing Waves

For great instructional and informational videos of kayaking skills, gear and fantastic paddling destinations (kayaking & paddle boarding) check out Paddle TV, Paddle Tales (Amazon Prime also) and Facing Waves on Youtube. Facing Waves is also on the AWE (A Wealth of Entertainment) cable channel. These videos/shows are hosted by Ken Whiting, a former competitive whitewater kayaker. Ken's videos/shows are not only informative but entertaining as well.

Fun & Sun Rentals, LLC (Scarborough, Maine)

Contact Info: 207-730-1926 Website: funandsunrentals.com Address: 10 Snow Canning Road Scarborough, Maine 04074 Click here for more information

Cape Cod Waterways Boat Rentals on Swan River (Cape Cod, Massachusetts)

Contact Info: 508-398-0080 Website: capecodwaterways.com Address: 16 Main Street, Dennis Port, Massachusetts 02639 (Cape Cod) Click here for more information

2022 Florida Gulf Coast International Sea Kayak Symposium - (St. Petersburg, Florida)

2022 Florida Gulf Coast International Sea Kayak Symposium - Three Day Event - 2/25/22-2/27/22 Sponsored by: Sweetwater Kayaks: Address: 235 15th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Phone: (727) 570-4844 Website: www.sweetwaterkayaks.com Click here for more information

Nature & Mental Health - The Science Behind Why Paddling Makes Us Happier & Healthier by Kaydi Pyette

Copy & paste this link into your search for the full story: https://paddlingmag.com/stories/columns/bow-lines/nature-and-mental-health/?utm_source=Paddling+Magazine&utm_campaign=c84d3fa9af-ptw-2022-03-15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_66b554bdc5-c84d3fa9af-91531876&ct=t(ptw-2022-03-15)&mc_cid=c84d3fa9af&mc_eid=3fad71dbfa

Mahanaim Adventures (Wilmington, NC)

Contact Info: 910-547-8252 (Don Harty) Email: donharty@gmail.com Website: Mahanaimadventures.com Address: 335 Brighton Rd., Wilmington, NC 28409 Click here for more information.

Masonboro Paddle Company (Wilmington, NC)

Contact Info: 910-208-0571 (Steve Clark) Email: info@masonboropaddlecompany.com Website: Masonboropaddlecompany.com Address: Wilmington, NC Click here for more information.

Beaufort Paddle (Beaufort, NC)

Contact Info: 252-725-3065 (Rod) Email: Beaufortpaddle@gmail.com Website: Beaufortpaddle.com Address: 424 Old Causeway Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516 Click here for more information.

Hiking Reviews

Blydenburgh County Park - Stump Pond Loop Trail (Smithtown, NY)

Website: suffolkcountyny.gov Address: Veteran's Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11788 Phone: 1 (631) 854-3712

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Belmont Lake State Park Hiking/Biking Trail (West Babylon, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 625 Belmont Ave., West Babylon, NY 11704 Phone: 1 (631) 669-1000

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Cold Spring Harbor State Park Hiking Trail (Cold Spring Harbor, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 95 Harbor Rd. Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Phone: 1 (631) 423-1770

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Rocky Woods Reservation Hiking Trails (Medfield, MA)

Website: thetrustees.org Address: 38 Hartford Street, Medfield, MA 01052 Phone: 1 (781) 259-3676

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Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve Hiking/BikingTrails (Lloyd Harbor, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743 Phone: 1 (631) 423-1770

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Sunken Meadow State Park Trail (Kings Park, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, NY 11754 Phone: 1 (631) 269-4333

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West Hills County Park (Melville, NY)

Website: suffolkcountyny.gov Address: Sweet Hollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747 Phone: 1 (631) 854-4423

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Caleb Smith State Park Preserve (Smithtown, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 581 West Jericho Tpke Smithtown, NY 11787 Phone: (631) 265-1054

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Bethpage Bikeway Trail & Hiking Trails (Farmingdale, NY)

Website: dot.ny.gov/bethpagebikeway Address: Bethpage State Park - 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 Phone: (516) 249-0700

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Meadowlark Park Hiking/Biking Trails (Fort Salonga, NY)

Website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/meadowlark-trail Address: Located in Fort Salonga, NY off of Middleville Rd and Back Gate Drive

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Connetquot River State Park Preserve (Bohemia, NY)

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks Address: Located in Bohemia, Long Island, New York Phone: (631) 581-1005

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Sunken Meadow State Park Boardwalk (Kings Park, NY)

Website: https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks Address: New York State Reference Rte 908K (Sunken Meadow Parkway North to end), Kings Park, NY 11754 Phone: (631) 269-4333

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Heckscher State Park Hiking/Biking Trails (East Islip, NY)

Website: https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks Address: 1 Heckscher State Parkway East Islip, NY 11730 Phone: (631) 581-2100

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Makamah Nature Preserve Hiking/BikingTrails (Fort Salonga, NY)

Website: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov Address: Fort Salonga Road, Fort Salonga, NY 11768 Phone: (631) 854-4949

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Noanet Woodlands Hiking Trails (Dover, MA)

Website: thetrustees.org Address: Powisset Street Dover, MA 02030 Phone: 1 (508) 785-0339

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Massapequa Park Lake Preserve Hiking/Biking Trails (Massapequa, NY)

Website: nassaucountyny.gov Address: Merrick Road & Ocean Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758 Phone:

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Trail View State Park Hiking/Biking Trails (Woodbury, NY)

Website: http://www.parks.ny.gov Address: 8101 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797 Phone: 1 (631) 423-1770

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Stillwell Woods Preserve Hiking/Biking Trails (Syosett, NY)

Website: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov Address: 72 South Woods Road Syosset, NY 11797 Phone: 1 (516) 797-4128

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Appalachian Mountain Club (For Hiking, Biking, Camping, Kayaking & Canoeing)

Appalachian Mountain Club New York - New Jersey Chapter http://www.amc-ny.org

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Stanford University Study on the Benefits of Nature

Researchers at Stanford University discuss the benefits of Nature: Click on LEARN MORE to access the link to the study.

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Cupsogue Beach County Park (Westhampton Beach, NY)

Website: suffolkcountyny.gov or scparks@suffolkcountyny.gov Address: 975 Dune Road Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 Phone: (631)-852-8111 (seasonal)

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Huntington Greenway Trail (Northport, NY)

The Huntington Greenway Trail - Huntington Greenway Trails Citizen's Advisory Committee Website: huntingtonny.gov Address: Veteran's Park on Bellerose Avenue in Northport, NY 11768 Drive all the way to the back parking lot and enter through the fence. Phone: (631) 351-3000

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Uplands Farm Sanctuary by The Nature Conservancy

Website: nature.org Address: 250 Lawrence Hill Rd. Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Phone: (631)-367-3225

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Biking Reviews

Belmont Lake State Park Hiking/Biking Trail (West Babylon, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 625 Belmont Ave., West Babylon, NY 11704 Phone: 1 (631) 669-1000

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Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve Hiking/BikingTrails (Lloyd Harbor, NY)

Website: parks.ny.gov Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743 Phone: 1 (631) 423-1770

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Peloton

Website: onepeloton.com

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Cedar Creek Park Bike Trail to Tobay Beach (Seaford, NY)

Address: 3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford, NY 11783 Website: nassaucountyny.gov Phone: 1 (516) 571-7470

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Heckscher State Park Hiking/Biking Trails

Website: https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks Address: 1 Heckscher State Parkway East Islip, NY 11730 Phone: (631) 581-2100

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Bethpage State Park Bikeway Trail & Hiking Trails

Website: dot.ny.gov/bethpagebikeway Address: Bethpage State Park - 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 Phone: (516) 249-0700

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Appalachian Mountain Club (For Hiking, Biking, Camping, Kayaking & Canoeing)

Appalachian Mountain Club New York-New Jersey Chapter http://www.amc-ny.org

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FLORIDA: Suncoast Trail

Websites: pascocountyfl.net floridahikes.com floridadep.gov Address: 16175 SR54 Odessa, FL 33556

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TRIPS

TBD

Coastal Carolina Sea Kayaking Trip: https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/weekend/carolina-sea-kayaking.html

I signed up for a trip through REI that looks amazing (April 22nd -25th). The information that follows is courtesy of REI Adventures: "Coastal Carolina's Barrier Islands provide some of the most spectacular wilderness ecosystems in the country, teeming with diverse wildlife and untouched shorelines. Paddle these coastlines while playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins dip in and out of view. As the warm afternoon sunshine rises, take a moment to observe the tremendous amount of natural wildlife that surrounds us."

  • Date: 4/22/2021 08:00 AM - 4/25/2021 12:00 PM
  • Location: Mt Pleasant, SC, USA (Map)
  • More Info: Coastal Expeditions/REI
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About

Hi! My name is Charles Bauer. I am a retired HS Social Studies Teacher and Golf & Soccer Coach. Since retiring in June of 2020 (the year of COVID-19), I have been busy exploring many different outdoor activities, kayaking, hiking and biking, as well as golf. I am a member of the Long Island Paddlers and the Appalachian Mountain Club. I have also completed the ACA Safety Certification class for canoe and kayaks.

Charles is also an Aqua Bound Pro Staff Ambassador. See attached links.
https://aquabound.com/blogs/resources/explore-kayaking-possibilities-with-the-river-chaz
https://aquabound.com/pages/team-member

I will attempt to provide you with my honest perspective of my experiences under the "Reviews" tabs.

This website is dedicated to exploring kayaking, hiking and biking opportunities wherever they may be found.

Follow me on Instagram @theriverchaz

Have fun! Stay Safe! Explore the possibilities!

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