The LIC Community Boathouse celebrates our “city of water” by reconnecting NYC residents with our waterways, providing access and instruction for recreational kayaking, an energizing and fun sport for everyone.

East River C.R.E.W. seeks to impart a love for, and an understanding of, the waters of the East River community of New York City.

Our Mission

To provide residents and visitors with rowing and paddling opportunities. Our programs raise awareness about estuary ecology, supporting the goal of restoring the natural beauty and health of New York Harbor for all to enjoy.

Through educational and recreational activities, we will promote the stewardship of our waters. We pull together for the river.

Kayaking and Rowing with LICCB and ERC provide

  • Opportunities to experience New York City from the water, including trips for volunteers to paddle and row around Roosevelt Island, to Governor’s Island and to many other waterfront destinations around the boroughs

  • Free “walk-up” kayaking at Hallets Cove in Astoria and at the 2nd street ramp in Hunters Point South; Free Learn to Row! in Anable Basin in Long Island City.

  • Children are welcome at Hallets Cove and the 2nd Street ramp when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Great exercise and beautiful views of Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx

  • Our territory ranges as far south as Gowanus Canal and north as far as Francis Lewis Park. We’ve even circumnavigated Manhattan Island and toured the Graveyard of Ships in Staten Island.

What We’ve Achieved

  • Provided free kayaking and free rowing for thousands of people of all ages annually for over 20 years.

  • Worked with other boathouses around our harbor to help create a city-wide network of human powered boaters

  • Participated in shoreline cleanup efforts at Hallets Cove, with support from Partnerships for Parks, Socrates Sculpture Park, Riverkeeper, Hunters Point Park Conservancey, Queens Landing Boathouse and NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation

  • Member of the Newtown Creek Alliance, advocating for cleaner water and more access to it

  • Supported competitive and charitable open water swim events: Pride Swim, Brooklyn Bridge Swim, Rose Pitonof Swim to Coney Island (17 miles), Swim Across America, the Liberty to Freedom swim and the marathon swim around Manhattan Island

  • Contributed to the creation of the NYC Water Trail

All of this is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation, Partnerships for Parks, Hudson River Foundation and the generosity of Plaxall Inc.