When New York fashion designer Kimberly Schamber sees an expansive lake, a pretty pond, or a secluded beach, she’s almost always thinking the same thing. “I could paddle that!”
“Since I started paddleboarding, my husband and I are constantly pointing out the window while we’re driving and saying that!’” She’s paddled in Hawaii, Israel, and even on the canals that wind through Venice. Back at home in the Hamptons, you’ll often find her on Georgica Pond, usually with friends. “Everyone knows that if they come to our house they have to paddleboard,” she says.
So she’d have something to wear on her various excursions, last year Schamber created SUPMerge—a line of paddleboard apparel that’s now sold across the United States and in New Zealand, Australia, and the Bahamas. And she’s currently working on new pieces for next season, in new colors.
In the meantime, we tapped her traveling paddling expertise (and eagle eye) to bring you these three New York City area spots you may not have thought to try. —Lisa Elaine Held
1. Kostal Paddle, Port Washington
Sure, we love us some Hamptons, but Kostal Paddle lets you enjoy the Island with less than half the travel/jitney/traffic time. “John Michael Kostallas opened Kostal in 2011 and they offer stand-up paddleboarding lessons, SUP Yoga, and eco-tours. Lessons are given every day, and all equipment is supplied,” Schamber says. www.kostalpaddle.com
2. Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse, Hoboken
You barely have to leave the city to get to this spot, also known as Maxwell Place Boathouse. And, bonus, both paddleboarding and kayaking are free! You just have to be okay with a first-come, first-serve policy and a 20-minute limit when it’s super busy. “It’s a great place to try out the sport in the small bay area or take a guided tour down the river on certain days,” Schamber notes. www.hobokencoveboathouse.org
3. Hudson Rivers Expeditions, Cold Spring
Head just an hour north of the city to this spot (Zipcar!) and you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. Take the four-hour Destination Waterfall tour and you’ll “paddle the lush and beautiful Audubon Society’s Constitution Marsh to a stunning waterfall that spills into a small fresh water wading pool,” Schamber gushes. www.hudsonriverexpeditions.com
For more information, visit www.supmerge.com. Or, want more paddleboarding? Check out these spots we called out last year.