Paddle the Navesink Returns to Red Bank

In its first year, Paddle the Navesink Day attracted more than 300 participants to the river’s shore in Red Bank to enjoy something organizer Cindy Burnham said often goes overlooked in an area dominated by urban sprawl and ever-expanding development: nature.

The event is back again this year with much of the same mission, though this time with more organizations, activities, and educational opportunities for area children and adults alike. According to a release from Burnham, visitors will have the chance to experience kayaking, canoeing, sailing and rowing. There will also be ecology lessons, hands-on activities for children, and information provided by environmental groups participating in the event.

And, like it should be, there’s no charge.

“It’s all free. It’s really important to keep this a free event,” she said. “It’s so hard to do anything without keeping costs down but if you have the opportunity to do something for free, you do it.”

For a complete explanation of the event and available activities, read the following release:

Plans are currently underway for the second annual “PADDLE THE NAVESINK DAY,” a free community-wide celebration of the Navesink River and all the opportunities it provides to adults and youth.  Beginning at 10 a.m. at Maple Cove on Saturday, September 17, 2011, local boating clubs, businesses and organizations along Red Bank’s Navesink River will offer people opportunities to experience kayaking, canoeing, sailing and rowing.  Environmental groups will provide information on the ecology of the rivers and will host hands-on activities for the kids. In Marine Park, local boating, fishing and water sport vendors, as well as locally based fitness and health related organizations, will distribute information on their products and service.

As it did last year, this event will commence at Maple Cove, which is located at the foot of Maple Ave. in Red Bank. Here, the Jersey Paddler of Brick and Eastern Mountain Sports of Eatontown will have 40 different types of kayaks to demo. With a guide, people will be able to go on a short paddle along the Navesink River’s shore and see Red Bank from the water. All participants will be provided life vests and paddles, and the demo sessions are free. Greg Weber, from Boardworks, will have paddle boards to demo. Adjacent to Maple Cove, Navesink River Rowing will host learn-to-row sessions and will provide information on the programs it offers to adults and to youth who are at least fourteen years old.

From Maple Cove, participants can walk along Front Street to Boat Club Court. On the way, they will pass Riverside Gardens Park, where they can enjoy music by the Red Bank Street Walkers Barber Shop Quartet, grab a dining guide from the Red Bank Visitors Center, take in a lovely view of the river and learn all about the programs, concerts, movies and performances offered by the borough throughout the year.

At the foot of Boat Club Court, the historic Monmouth Boat Club will hold an open house, which will include free sail boat rides and information on their adult and youth sailing programs.  The North Shrewsbury Ice and Yacht Club will also be hosting an open house.  There, guests can view historic pictures of ice boating on the Navesink  and see the Tiffany trophy that the club won in 1890. The historic Red Bank clay tennis courts will also be available tour and will be open for play.

Just east of Monmouth Boat Club in the newly renovated Marine Park, the Clearwater’s Garvey, the Adam Hyler, will be on display. For a donation of $5,which will go to the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association, interested participants can tour the river on Danny Schade’s Mum Runner.  S.E.A.S, a nonprofit group that offers sailing lessons at all levels to adults, will be on hand to answer questions about their programs.  Additionally, JSSKA, the American Littoral Society, Clean Ocean Action, and the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association will be in the park with information and hands-on crafts for the kids. Local fishing, boating and watersport vendors will also be available in Marine Park: Dosils, West Marine, Red Bank Surplus, Pride Fishing & Tackle, Brave New World, Red Bank Marina, and Oceanic Marina, will be there to let people know what they have for paddlers.  Dancing Foot Yoga and Work Out World will have information on the programs they can offer to those who want to improve their health and fitness levels.

Participants can park in the local lots off White Street and Front Street.  Everyone is encouraged to grab a cup of coffee at Zebu, Starbucks or Joe’s, stroll down to Maple Cove, and enjoy a day along Red Bank’s wonderful Navesink River!

For more information about this event, contact Cindy Burnham at njcinnie@aol.com/732-241-9532 or Linda Ensor at linda.ensor@gmail.com/732-693-3067.