FREE Walk-Up Paddling - 2nd St.
2026-08-02 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-09 15:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-16 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-23 15:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-05 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-06 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) and 4 more dates | Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse, 165 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY, 11231, United States
Hop into a Gowanus Dredgers canoe and paddle at your own pace inside the protected Gowanus Canal. Enjoy discovering the canal’s unique mix of wildlife and urban waterway infrastructure, practice your paddling skills, or take a guided audio tour and learn more about the history, cleanup and revitalization of our favorite urban waterway.
We’ll outfit you with a life jacket (which must be worn at all times) and paddle, offer some basic instruction on how to paddle and safety tips on how to use a canoe, and help you set off on your own self-guided journey. Trips may be limited to 20 minutes if there’s a crowd — but usually we just expect you to return to the dock 15 min. prior to closing.
Who can participate? Paddling is for everyone! Free walk-up canoeing is open to all ages. Groups, families, solo paddlers, and intrepid first dates are all welcome! Minors require a guardian’s signature to participate, and all participants must sign a waiver.
What should I wear? Dress for the weather: wear sunscreen, hats, and bring a water bottle — and bring layers if there’s a breeze! Close-toed shoes are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed.
Is it really free? Yes! But donations are encouraged to help us continue offering these and other programs.
Can I volunteer? Yes! You can sign up to volunteer here. No prior experience is required, but we love return volunteers! Note: Volunteer shifts run from 30-minutes before the start of the program through the first two hours, or from the middle of the program to 30 minutes after the end of the scheduled time.

Guided Sunset Paddle
2026-08-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.), 2 19th St., Brooklyn, NY
Join the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club for a secret, one of a kind, personal sunset cruise in canoes above Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal. Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.
🎟️ Tickets required, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Sunday, July 12 at 12:00 PM)
After a short presentation where you and your crew our outfitted with safety gear, we embark on a narrated voyage filled with questions and conversation on how recreation can have a positive influence on improving and encouraging environmental awareness and activism in an urban setting.
Sunset 7:57 | Civil End 8:27 | Nautical End 9:03
Paddle along our Gowanus Canal to see a hidden side of Brooklyn, including the underside of bridges and our transforming industrial neighborhood. Discover the fun of canoeing as you explore the history of our Brooklyn neighborhood’s rich past, present, and future.
Close-toed shoes and a light jacket are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival, as we have limited facilities on-site.
Due to EPA cleaning of Gowanus, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker.
If raining or threatening weather by 6:30 pm, we may cancel or reschedule.
Tickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.

Full Moon Gowanus Voyage - AUGUST
2026-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.), 2 19th St., Brooklyn, NY
Join our Crew on a full-moon guided adventure!! Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.
🎟️ Tickets required, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 1 at 12:00 PM)
Sunset 19:34 |Moonrise 19:46 | Civil End 20:02 | Nautical End 20:36
The stars should be on display along with harbor lights. We will provide lights for each canoe, you’re welcome to bring/wear your own head lamp as well. Each canoe will have up to 3 people. Solo paddlers are welcome, you will be paired with other members of the group based on experience and comfort in a canoe. Close-toed shoes are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival, as we have limited facilities on-site.
Due to EPA cleaning of the Gowanus Canal, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker.
If raining or threatening weather (high winds, lightning) by 5:00 pm we may cancel. Attendees will be notified via the email used to purchase tickets. Tour is not cancelled due to clouds but let’s hope for a clear sky for the moon rise!
Tickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.

Cyanotype Workshop with Brian Ellis and The Gowanus Dredgers
2026-08-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.), 2 19th St., Brooklyn, NY
Gather materials for cyanotype printmaking on a short canoe paddle in Gowanus Bay!
🎟️ RSVP REQUIRED tickets available starting August 17🎟️ RSVP here
Join Brian Ellis and the Gowanus Dredgers for a mid-day cyanotype printmaking workshop! After a short discussion of the printmaking process, we will paddle to a nearby location to gather materials for our prints. Upon returning to the Bunker , we will set up and harvest the power of the sun to create some wonderful prints that participants will be able to take home the same day. Beyond the standard cyanotype process, we will also cover wet cyanotype, image transfer, and coffee-based bleaching and toning as time allows.
Cost: Suggested donation of $5-10, however no one turned away for lack of funds. We want this to be accessible to everyone, please contact us if you have a financial hardship.
RSVP Required as seats are limited.
About the Artist: Brian Ellis is a process-based cyanotype artist who uses the medium to explore human physicality and detritus. Using their practice to document meaning-making in the context of waste, degradation, and impermanence, Brian’s cyanotype work utilizes wet cyanotype, singing, portraiture, interview, and print toning.

Monthly Meeting + Paddle
2026-09-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-10-19 18:30 - 20:30 | NY
Socialize with the Dredgers at our BUNKER (2 19th St, off of 3rd Ave) for a casual member catch-up and paddle! We’ll gather at 6:30 for some chatting and aim to be on-water around 7:15.
Meet at the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club 19th St. Launch, 2 19 St, Brooklyn, (off of 3rd Ave.). If you plan to join the paddle, wear sunscreen and bring a bottle filled with water. Close-toed shoes are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival, as we have limited facilities on-site. All paddlers must sign a waiver.
Weather (wind, waves or evidence of storm) may cancel the paddling portion with one hour advance notice. In case of inclement weather, meeting will be relocated follow us on Instagram or sign up for our mailing list to stay informed.

Full Moon Gowanus Voyage - SEPTEMBER
2026-09-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.), 2 19th St., Brooklyn, NY
Join our Crew on a full-moon guided adventure!! Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.
🎟️ Tickets required, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 1 at 12:00 PM)
Sunset 18:36 |Moonrise 18:34 | Civil End 19:13 | Nautical End 19:45
The stars should be on display along with harbor lights. We will provide lights for each canoe, you’re welcome to bring/wear your own head lamp as well. Each canoe will have up to 3 people. Solo paddlers are welcome, you will be paired with other members of the group based on experience and comfort in a canoe. Close-toed shoes are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival, as we have limited facilities on-site.
Due to EPA cleaning of the Gowanus Canal, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker.
If raining or threatening weather (high winds, lightning) by 5:00 pm we may cancel. Attendees will be notified via the email used to purchase tickets. Tour is not cancelled due to clouds but let’s hope for a clear sky for the moon rise!
Tickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.

Full Moon Gowanus Voyage - OCTOBER
2026-10-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.), 2 19th St., Brooklyn, NY
Join our Crew on a full-moon guided adventure!! Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.
🎟️ Tickets required, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 1 at 12:00 PM)
Moonrise 17:58 |Sunset 18:01 | Civil End 18:29 | Nautical End 19:00
The stars should be on display along with harbor lights. We will provide lights for each canoe, you’re welcome to bring/wear your own head lamp as well. Each canoe will have up to 3 people. Solo paddlers are welcome, you will be paired with other members of the group based on experience and comfort in a canoe. Close-toed shoes are recommended, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival, as we have limited facilities on-site.
Due to EPA cleaning of the Gowanus Canal, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker.
If raining or threatening weather (high winds, lightning) by 3:30 pm we may cancel. Attendees will be notified via the email used to purchase tickets. Tour is not cancelled due to clouds but let’s hope for a clear sky for the moon rise!
Tickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.
