The Kayak Foundation

Expanding access to paddling in NYC for over a decade.

Who we are.

For over a decade, The Kayak Foundation, a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3), has worked to expand access to paddling and waterfront education in New York City. What began with a focus on youth kayaking has grown into a community-centered organization offering instruction, programs, and on-water experiences for paddlers of all ages and backgrounds.

Access to the water should not be limited by experience, background, or opportunity. The Kayak Foundation exists to create meaningful pathways for people — especially youth and families — to engage with their local waterways and develop lasting relationships with the harbor.



Through structured instruction and strong community partnerships, we help participants build practical paddling skills while fostering environmental awareness, teamwork, and confidence on the water.

Collaboration is central to our work.

The Kayak Foundation partners with multiple organizations that share our commitment to waterfront access, safety, and education. Key partners include the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse and the Brooklyn Bridge Park, whose support has helped make youth and family paddling programs possible in the heart of New York City. Together, we work to create safe, inclusive opportunities for communities to connect with the harbor and local waterways.

 

Our Team

TKF programs are led by ACA-certified instructors experienced in teaching beginners, youth, families, and advancing paddlers. Participants learn in a well supervised environment — building comfort, competence, and confidence on the water.

Directors

  • Tom Potter

    Co-Founder

    Tom co-founded The Kayak Foundation and helps grow Brooklyn’s kayaking community. He’s an ACA Level 4 instructor who’s taught hundreds of students, from first strokes to certifications, and has experience in whitewater, kayak polo, and leading at Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. Read more about Tom’s passion for paddling here.

  • Matt Frey

    Executive Director

    Matt’s been paddling since childhood, with 20 yrs of sea kayaking experience. He’s an ACA L4 Coastal Kayak and L2 SUP instructor with an adaptive paddling endorsement who enjoys helping others gain confidence on the water. He’s paddled around NYC and the coasts of BC, Maine, and Baja, and it was an East River tomato that brought him two minutes of fame.

  • Terry Ellison

    Director

    Terry is an ACA-certified Level 2 Kayaking and SUP Instructor with an adaptive paddling endorsement, as well as a Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse volunteer and Trip Leader. He loves getting people out on the water for the beauty, thrills and community of paddling.

  • Karen Ostrowski

    Director

    Having lived in rural and urban areas, Karen appreciates the escape that being on the water in a metro area can bring. She enjoys sharing that novel experience with her students.  Karen is an ACA Level 3 Kayaking Instructor and an ACA Level 2 SUP instructor with an adaptive paddling endorsement.

Instructors

  • Beth Schermer — Director

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Alicia Jones

    ACA L3 Kayak, Adaptive paddling

  • Andrea Balinson

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Catherine McCulloch

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Chris Correia

    ACA L3 Kayak

  • Daniel Kidd

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Darrin Amellio

    ACA L3 Kayak

  • Dawn Marie

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Javier Castaño

    ACA L3 Kayak, Rolling

  • Julie McCoy

    ACA L4 Kayak

  • Karen Thomson

    ACA L1 Kayak, Adaptive paddling

  • Kasia Falkowska

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Louis Coppersmith

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Matt Dundas

    ACA L3 Kayak

  • Michael Sylves

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Nick Johnson

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Paul Gazzerro

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Sofya Aptekar

    ACA L2 Kayak

  • Stefanie Stannard

    ACA L2 Kayak, L2 SUP

  • Todd Seidman

    ACA L4 Kayak

Classes & experiences

  • Kayaking classes

    Classes, sessions & workshops. Foundational to intermediate instruction for all paddlers. Gear provided, taught by certified instructors.

    Explore classes

  • Stand up paddling

    Beginner-friendly to advanced SUP sessions and experiences that build balance, proper technique, and confidence on the water.

    Learn more

  • Trips & Experiences

    Small-group guided kayak trips and paddling experiences. Designed for private groups; friends, family, teams, and organizations

    Learn more