2024 Reservoir Paddle Series: Lake DeForest

Lake DeForest Day -

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Rain or Shine! *

Lake DeForest Day is a family-friendly day of paddling and fishing, to appreciate beautiful Lake DeForest in New City, NY. This delightful event is a fundraiser supporting Hackensack Riverkeeper's mission to protect, preserve, & restore the Hackensack River Watershed.

The day will feature several open paddle sessions. Rent one of our boats, or bring your own!

Come cheer for your town in the Firefighter Challenge kayak race. Nanuet is defending the cup!

Hackensack Riverkeeper and Veolia are also hosting a NY Fish & Wildlife Fishing Challenge today at Lake DeForest. Bring your kayak, rod and reel [or electric powered boat, size limit 14ft.] and join in the fun! June 29 is a free-fishing day in New York, residents and non-residents who are 16 and older can fish without a freshwater fishing license at the event (*kids under 16 can always fish for free). Bait will be provided. Limited rods and reels will be available for loan, courtesy of Hudson River Fishermen's Association. Prizes will be given out at 3pm. To register for the fishing derby click here to go to the HRFA page.

We look forward to seeing you at Lake DeForest on June 29th!

Open Kayaking and Canoeing schedule:

• Check-in begins 30 min. prior to each time slot
• 8:30 am: Firefighter Challenge
• 9:00 am: Opening Ceremony/Drescher Cup Award
• 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Kayak/Canoe Session 1 (rental)
• 9:30 am - 3:00 pm: Open kayaking and canoeing for those bringing their own vessels
• 11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Kayak/Canoe Session 2 (rental)
• 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Kayak/Canoe Session 3 (rental)

Download and sign the Hackensack Riverkeeper/Veolia paddling waiver forms in advance to save time!

Fishing Derby schedule:

• 7:00 am - Check-in for Fishing Derby
• 7:30 am - Boat washing
• 8:00 am - Fishing Derby begins
• 3:00 pm - prizes

Venue/Parking and Check-in: Parking and check-in for the event will be at the New City Little League field: 39 Strawtown Road, New City, NY 10956, near the intersection of Strawtown Road and Fringe Court. Turn-by-turn directions here. From the field, it's a short walk along the waterfront to the kayak launch/walk starting point. Shuttle buses will also be provided to take people to and from the field.

Folks with their own boats: Please check in at New City Little League Field on Strawtown Road before driving your vessel to the boat drop area on Congers Road. And then drop your boat at the boat washing station so that you can wash it before launching.

KAYAKING AND CANOEING AGE RESTRICTIONS:

Children 8-11 years can paddle the front of a canoe or tandem kayak with an adult in back. Children 12-17 years old can paddle a single kayak when accompanied on the water by an adult. Ages 5-7 can ride FREE as canoe passengers with two paddlers: one of whom must be an adult, and the other age 16 or older. Canoes hold a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children, or 3 adults. No children under 5 years old.

FISHING DERBY:

Reserve your tickets now as spots will go quickly! Fishing will take place south of the Causeway. Buoys will be established for the fishing zone. Stay within these boundaries. Electric motors are permitted. Register for the fishing derby on the HRFA page.

GUIDELINES:

1. For security reasons, NO cameras or drones are allowed beyond the gates into the reservoir area. Pets are prohibited inside the fence.

2. All boats must be washed at our wash station before entering the reservoir, to ensure the prevention of bio-invasive hitchhikers. A washing station will be provided for participants bringing their own boats.

3. All paddlers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD), in good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size for the intended user for the duration of the races or open paddle sessions. Paddles, PFDs and whistles will be provided to those who rent a boat. Anyone bringing their own boat must provide their own paddle, PFD and whistle.

4. Safety boats will be on the water to provide assistance, however paddlers must stop to provide assistance to any other paddler who appears to be in distress. Thank you to Nanuet and Clarkstown for the safety boats!

NO REFUNDS: This event is a fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly to Hackensack Riverkeeper, a clean water advocacy organization, to help continue our mission to protect, preserve, and restore the Hackensack River. Your registration is a donation to the organization and is non-refundable.

Space is limited– in the event you are unable to attend, please cancel in Eventbrite to open your spot for someone.

FOUL WEATHER: This event is rain or shine except for thunder storms and lightning. In the unlikely event the day is canceled due to extremely inclement weather, the cancellation will be communicated via email through Eventbrite no later than 2 hours before the event starts. The safety and well-being of our employees, supporters, and the broader community remain our utmost priority. In the event of a cancellation, stay tuned for updates on future events and initiatives as we continue our mission to make a positive impact on our environment and communities. We are grateful to our supporters who donated to help cover the costs of our special Reservoir Paddle Series events and will use those funds in support of future programming. If desired, we will gladly refund your donation upon request. Please send your request to info@hackensackriverkeeper.org.

Lake DeForest Day is one of the few opportunities the public has to paddle Lake DeForest, one of its most important and picturesque natural resources. Thank you to the Town of Clarkstown for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this jewel of the Hackensack River Watershed.