Despite it being the cold, dark days of bleak midwinter, Kayak Staten Island hasn’t had a boring time of it! Our calendar has been full of meetings, holiday gatherings and fun events like the Special Olympics Staten Island polar plunge. We are honored to be asked every year to provide kayak support for the brave swimmers who take a dip in the chilly December ocean for a very good cause.
The weather for the 2023 polar plunge was not exactly favorable and the surf provided quite a ride for KSI paddlers James and Evan. Pictured is KSI co-captain Annette with James riding the waves in the background.
The KSI polar plunge kayak support crew was Marcus, Evan, Annette and James. We tried to take a selfie but the weather had other ideas.
KSI co-captains Annette and James and volunteer Marcus had a nice time at the Waterfront Alliance holiday party. Such great hosts!
Annette and James also had a great night at the Gowanus Dredgers’ holiday party at their boathouse in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Holding court here is Dredgers’ captain Gary Francis (this dude knows his stuff).
KSI captains Annette and James had an interesting and edifying walk-through of Staten Island’s North shore (including KSI’s Stapleton launch site) with representatives from the NYC Economic Development Corporation, councilmember Kamillah Hanks’ office, the Waterfront Alliance and other community partners. Afterward, we had burritos and viewed an exhibit at the Staten Island Museum. It was a really fun day!