By Cassie Galasetti
Some of us wait all winter to get back on the water, whether it’s to kayak, sail, stand-up paddleboard or just hang at the edge of the water and enjoy the sunshine and sea breeze. Luckily, the Two River area provides novices and experts on the water with an abundance of places to take advantage of everything this season has to offer.
First check out one of the oldest clubs in the country, the historic Monmouth Boat Club which was founded in 1879. Located on the Navesink River in downtown Red Bank, it is entirely run and maintained by its members who were brought together by their love of sailing and rowing. The club offers educational programs for adults and children, including a junior sailing program open to members and nonmembers, and a slew of events during the summer.
Next, set sail over to the Oceanport Paddle Club where you can not only learn how to stand-up paddleboard (SUP) but take a SUP yoga class on the water for a tranquil and enlightened experience. Stand-up paddleboarding has become extremely popular in the last few years and provides a great workout on the ocean, lake or river. Oceanport Paddle Club also offers group SUP for bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays and private events if you’re looking for a more leisurely day.
One of the Two River area’s eponymous rivers is the Navesink, known not only for the beautiful homes along the waterfront, but as a recreational resource for boating, crabbing, fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, swimming and rowing. The area was originally populated by the Lenape Indians.
The second of the two rivers, the Shrewsbury, also had a major role in history. If you paddle up the river, you’ll come across old military ruins from the time when Sandy Hook played a significant role in safeguarding the New York Harbor.
Kayaking is a great activity for taking in all the sights, especially launching from Maple Cove in Red Bank on Maple Avenue. It is Red Bank’s only direct public access to the Navesink and is the picture-perfect place from which to view the homes on the river.
If you’re looking for more of a wildlife experience, you can launch your kayak in Blackberry Bay Park in Oceanport, where paddlers have been known to see schools of dolphins and other marine species while on the water. You can also explore some of the islands, coves and estuaries that are unknown to many. Keep in mind it’s one of the best spots to catch the sunset if you’re taking an after-dinner paddle.
If you don’t have your own equipment, renting a boat is an easy way to take in the sights and sounds, even if it’s just for the afternoon. The Oceanic Marina offers pontoon boat rentals that can fit 10 to 12 passengers, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon with friends and family. For smaller groups, you can head over to Sandy Hook Kayaks which offers pedal boating for up to four.
If you’re hosting summer visitors, bring them aboard the Seastreak ferry for a sightseeing cruise around the New York Harbor, the Sandy Hook lighthouse and northern point. A self-guided tour will allow you and your guests to enjoy a different perspective of the Statue of Liberty, bridges and buildings like the Woolworth and One World Trade Center, day or night. You can even go around the Fourth of July to see the Manhattan fireworks show.
Start planning your water activities now to take advantage of the summer season in the Two River area.
This article was first published in the May 23 – 29, 2019 printed edition of The Two River Times.
