What's also very exciting is that we're getting a new dock sometime early in the summer--a floating dock that will make getting on and off our kayaks quicker and easier.  This should shorten our lines tremendously and make our launch point closer to where we store our kayaks at Pier 2.  We'll post pictures of our fancy new dock as soon as it gets installed. 

We've also added more classes and are working with other boathouses to give you new opportunities to be a better kayaker.  See the schedule here: http://www.bbpboathouse.org/volunteer/

We're also looking to ramp up the kinds of responsibilities our volunteers will have.  We'll still need lots of folks to pitch in to help get people into boats, keep a watch for boater safety and help us run the public program (to find out when we need help, sign up here: http://www.bbpboathouse.org/volunteer/), but we also want to give out some leadership roles in our organization.  The following is a list of the types of volunteer roles we're looking to fill.  We need responsible, ambitious, self-motivated individuals who won't need a lot of handholding and well tell us the best way to get these things done. Want to apply? Write to bbpboathouse@gmail.com and tell us what you're looking to do and why you'd be awesome at it.

Assistant Treasurer - Work with the Treasurer to create a method for securely collecting in person donations, tracking finances, and help plan fundraising activities, as well as tracking costs.  Est = 1hr per week.

Site Manager - Someone to keep an inventory of our physical equipment (locks, keys, dollies) and plan/organize anything that needs fixing.  Are you good with your hands?  Do you want to build some dollies, shelves, etc?  This is the job for you.  Est = 2-3 hrs per month, perhaps more at the beginning/end of season, but very flexible.

Volunteer Coordinator - You are a very organized, friendly, people person.  You can write a clear e-mail on a weekly basis and keep track of volunteers RSVPing to work the program each week.  You make sure each day is staffed appropriately.   Est = 1hr per week.

Event Coordinator - You love getting groups of people together.  We want to make kayaking and volunteering more social.  Monthly meetups at a local watering hole would be a good start.  You just need to pick the time/day and help get the word out.  Est = 2hrs per month.

Marketing Manager - You're a social media maven and you can help manage and organize our Facebook, Twitter, Blog, figure out where to put our photos and get submissions from kayakers, etc.  You're also creative enough to help us get some useful and informative signage up around our location.  Est. 2 hrs per week.

Environmental Coordinator - We're working with the NYCWTA/River Project to test the water along New York's harbor this season.  The idea is to gather weekly water samples at human-powered boat launches and access points, or potential future access points, from May until October, and test them.  Perhaps you live nearby and will be willing to use sterile bottles (which we will provide), fill, label and pack them properly (we will provide small fabric coolers and ice packs), and drop them off at the River Project on Pier 40 every Thursday between the hours of 8 am and noon.  Perhaps you could split this job with someone else or a few people as well.  Perhaps there are other, similar projects we could get involved with as well--its up to you!  Est. 1-2 hrs per week.

Grant Writer - Have you ever successfully applied for a grant?  We could use your skills!  Help us hunt down some cash and apply for it.   Est. 10-20 hours over the course of the season but on your schedule. 

Want to know a way to beat the line?  Volunteer!

Volunteers have been taking special trips and classes all summer, which we plan to expand after Labor Day when our regular kayaking program ends.  We're a non-profit, so we need all the help we can get.  If we see your face before Labor Day--helping boaters with lifejackets, patrolling, getting in and out, you'll be able to join us on trips and classes held in September.  We think you'll get hooked--and next year we'll have even more opportunities to advance your paddling skills.

To become a volunteer, just join our volunteer newsletter, and show up!

The weather didn't cooperate last week, but our new volunteers got some good practice in with the handful of brace souls that came out in the rain.

Well, the weather is going to be amazing and we'll be sure to have lots of kayakers.  We're going to be at Pier 1 on Saturday from 11AM to 4PM and then in DUMBO (special extra day) on Sunday from 11AM to 3PM.

Two days means we need lots of volunteers--especially on Sunday.  When we paddle in DUMBO, we need help in the morning paddling our boats the hop, skip, and jump from Pier 1 up under the bridge and  into the cove.. and then back again at 3.  The end is easier because we can just grab public paddlers, but if you can come by our blue containers by Pier 2 at 10:15AM Sunday morning, you'll be a big help.   Contact us at bbpboathouse@gmail.com if you can help or signup to help/get on our mailing list here: http://www.bbpboathouse.org/volunteer/

Our 2011 program will be expanded from last year--starting earlier, with longer hours (11AM-4PM most days) and more dates.  What isn't changing is our program--safe, fun, free kayaking for adults and kids at all skill levels.   There's no need to RSVP... just come by when we're open for free public kayaking.  We'll get you in a life vest, explain the basics, and keep watch over you in our semi-enclosed space.  (No, you can't go across to Manhattan!)  

If you'd like to join our group of volunteers, sign up here.

We'll be back next year, probably in June, with a more consistent schedule, more opportunities to practice skills, and with varying types of volunteer excursions. 

In the meantime, check out the great photos taken by Brooklyn photographer Etienne Frossard (c).

Check out this neat photo from last Sunday on the Dumbo side.  Family friendly, safety first!

Helping is a function of showing up!  Our program has a lot of moving pieces... getting people signed up with waivers, properly and safely fitting them with lifejackets, pointing out their boundries, and maintaining their safety on the water.  It also gets pretty busy on the ramp at Pier 1 or the beach at Dumbo Cove playing kayak air traffic controller getting people out on the water as others are coming in.  The best part is, everyone who gets put out on the water is enormously appreciative.  Volunteering is extremely rewarding, and it's a fun and energetic way to spend a summer afternoon--and a cool one if you take the time to occasionally splash around by the water.

This weekend, we'll be running our Saturday program at Pier 1.  If you'd like to help, even if you don't have prior experience, just let us know by RSVPing using this Eventbrite link.  The program starts at 11am, but if you can show up at 10 as a volunteer, you can help us get boats out, set up our sign-in table, etc. 

On Sunday, we'll be taking our program up to Dumbo Cove, which is just north of the Brooklyn Bridge.  It's a short, 20 minute paddle to get the boats up there, and then a similarly short paddle to get the boats back at the end of the session.  We'll meet at 10:30AM to tie everything up and get our water caravan going, and close up to paddle back at 4PM.  If you'd like to help us Sunday, click here.  

Check out this great video that Karl Junkersfield made about our program while visiting Pier 1 last weekend:

We'll be even more busy when we open up our program south of the Brooklyn Bridge over by Pier 1 this Sunday at 11AM!  See our calendar for all our dates.  You can follow us on Twitter or Facebook as well.

Here are a couple of photos.  You can find the rest of our albums on our new photo page.