The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, building on the success of its last two kayaking seasons, is pleased to announce an expanded and enhanced program for 1999. Beginning this month, the Sports Center and Maine-based H₂Outfitters, one of the foremost paddling schools in the country, have teamed up to create one of the country's premier kayaking programs. Jeff Cooper, director of the program, said "H₂Outfitters teaches and certifies all over the world from Japan to Canada. The Sports Center's emphasis on adventure and fitness make this the perfect New York home for us."

"The newly revitalized waters of the Hudson and East Rivers provide New Yorkers with another playground. It is almost as easy to kayak in the river as it is to run in the park," Cooper commented. "Many of our paddling workshops take place on the Hudson. H₂Outfitters believes that learning technically-correct strokes ensures a higher level of safety and maximizes your enjoyment on the water. Developing a higher level of paddling efficiency leads to a better workout while minimizing the potential for injuries. Active fitness will become the standard for exercise for the new millennium."

H₂Outfitters' staff of professionals have designed the instruction and tour schedule to accommodate paddlers of all levels. Beginners will learn kayaking fundamentals in the "Basics Program" and may then progress to "Combine & Refine" to learn more sophisticated moves like the J-lean. Advanced kayakers will enjoy the Rescue, Navigation, and Rolling Workshops. A full tour schedule is also available, featuring short tours toward Battery Park or the Intrepid as well as longer trips to the George Washington or Verrazano Bridges, Statue of Liberty or the South Street Seaport. And for diehards, there is the marathon of the kayaking world: the Manhattan Circumnavigation (an 8-hour tour).

Enrollment is open both to members of the Sports Center and to adult non-members; however, Sports Center members receive a 20% discount on all programming. Kayak storage is also available less than 50 meters from the launch.

Don't miss the boat and the opportunity to explore Manhattan's final frontier! To enroll, please call the Kayak Hotline at 212.336.6099. Additionally, our web site, www.chelseapiers.com, contains the full roster of instructional sessions and tours, descriptions of the programs, the answers to "frequently asked questions," and pricing and scheduling information.

The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers is located on Pier 60 at 23rd Street & the Hudson River. It is a 150,000-square-foot sports and fitness training facility and is widely recognized as one of the best sports clubs in America. The Sports Center is home to the world's longest indoor running track, the Northeast's largest rock climbing wall, a 25-yard swimming pool, boxing ring, sand volleyball court, hardwood basketball courts, and over 20,000 square feet of cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Memberships are available.