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Three Local, Family-fun Events This Summer
By Kim Greiner

Even though the first day of spring is just this week, you may be looking ahead to fun things to do this summer.  Why not enter a paddlesport race or two? Bring your canoe, kayak, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard), paddle, and PFD (personal flotation device a.k.a. life jacket) to the Towpath Regatta, Electric City Race, and/or Barge Chaser to test your mettle for a “medal”. You don’t have to be a seasoned racer to participate. All three race venues are family- and pet-friendly. Below are some details to help you make your best selections. Contact Kim (518-421-2939) or Ed Greiner (518-421-2947) for additional details or check out www.nypra.org. 

Towpath
Thursday, June19, Gateway Landing (on SCCC access road), Scotia

Course: approx. 4-mi loop on the Mohawk River
Registration: FREE, starts at 5:30 pm
Race start: 6:30 pm
Prizes: choice of custom cookies or coveted bottle of authentic Mohawk River water

Electric City
Saturday, July 12, Lock 9 park, Glenville

Course: 3-mi or 11-mi loop on Mohawk River/Erie Canal
Registration: $25/adult; $5/youth (under 18), starts at 9:00 am
First race start: 10:00 am
T-shirts to each racer
Prizes: to first 3 boats in each class
Consider using the bike path while you wait for the racers to return
Gather at Wolf Hollow Brewing Company (nearby) for food, beverages, and camaraderie

Barge Chaser
Sunday, July 13, Kiwanis Park, Rotterdam Junction

Course: 3-mi or 10-mi multiple loops on Mohawk River
Registration: $15/adult; $5/youth (under 18), starts at 9:00 am
First race start: 10:00 am
Prizes: each racer entered into raffle
Great venue for spectators, bike path along the river

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Paddling Opportunities in the Schenectady Area
By Kim Greiner

Interested in learning how to paddle a canoe or kayak? Maybe you’d like to hone your paddling skills and enjoy nature with some great folks. Perhaps you are dreaming of becoming a racer or improving your technique?  We can make those desires a reality!

Monday nights, beginning May 12^th (depending on water levels), gather at Kiwanis Park on Route 5S in Rotterdam Junction (west of Schenectady, southeast of Amsterdam) at 6 pm for recreation and instruction on the Mohawk River for about 45-60 minutes.  Bring your own equipment (canoe, kayak, SUP, paddles, PFDs) or contact Kim (518-421-2939) or Ed (518-421-2947) if you need equipment. Giving us at least a day’s notice will give us a chance to load up and transport what you need. This is a family-friendly opportunity, and no experience is necessary. If you don’t want to paddle, the bike path is right there for walking, running, or biking. Bring a snack and beverage for yourself, or to share, afterwards. Looking forward to seeing you! We hope you’ll join the Schenectady Wintersports Club as well. Go to https://www.swcweb.org/join-us. 

Wednesday nights, beginning May 7^th (depending on water conditions), gather at Aqueduct Park (near the Rexford Bridge and Niskayuna Rowing Club) in Niskayuna for Time Trials. This is approximately a 3.5-mi loop course designed for SPEED work for racing. 

Bring your own equipment. Contact Alec Davis (alecdavis@earthlink.net) for more information. Must be an SWC member for insurance purposes. 

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Welcome Spring….we’ve been waiting. I received an email yesterday, with a list of downed trees and their locations in Partridge Run. Traipsing through the woods with chainsaws, loppers, and other clean up tools is how we start the hiking season, and it’s satisfying to know that many will enjoy the benefits of our work. There is always a need for more trail maintenance volunteers and, if you are so inclined, a visit to the DEC website will hook you up with ongoing trail projects as well as smaller local efforts. The annual Earth Day activities are scheduled for April 22 and are a good way for everyone to learn more about the efforts necessary to maintain and expand both private and public trails. DEC has a list of locations where activities are planned for that day. We’ve already got our assignments, have trail sections that we steward to clean and then hikes to plan. Time to get the mud shoes out and enjoy a hike.

Bill Simmons