Hudson Valley H2O, the nonprofit that has created a watersports and environmental center on the Peekskill Riverfront, will offer kayak and paddleboard rentals this Saturday, August 26,  from 2 to 6 p.m.

Hudson Valley H2O welcomes beginners or skilled paddlers. They offer basic instruction or a rental.  Look for their tent in Peekskill Landing Park to sign up or email them here. They strongly recommend advanced reservations. However as long as there are available watercraft, nobody will be turned away.

Cost to rent is $30 per person per hour for a single kayak or paddleboard and $40 for a tandem kayak.

“We want to give people the opportunity to paddle in and learn about the beautiful Hudson River and the surrounding environment,” reads the group’s mission statement. Founded in 2021, the group identified two main obstacles for people to get into the Hudson River:

The first is access. The purpose of HVH2O is to create a place where people generate a relationship with the Hudson River and the water. It will offer convenient riverfront recreational experiences that get people into the Hudson River such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Launch points in the Hudson River are rare, but HVH2O has developed a launch site on the Peekskill waterfront, walking distance from local businesses, the train station, with convenient parking. Furthermore, HVH2O will develop the local waterway with buoys, creating safe areas for beginners as well as marking safe areas for more experienced boaters.

The second is price. Watercraft are expensive, as are boating lessons. As a nonprofit, HVH2O will provide inexpensive or free access. It will maintain a stable of watercraft for community rental or free use. It will also provide low-price or free lessons for people to use watercraft. As the organization expands, it will create affordable space for people to store their watercraft by the river.