Paddle the Waterford Flight during the Tugboat Roundup

The Waterford Flight is a series of five lift locks on the Erie Canal in Waterford, NY that lift vessels 169 ft. from the Hudson River to the Mohawk River, bypassing Cohoes Falls. The lift is twice as high as the Panama Canal Locks.

The Waterford Flight, and the entire New York State canal system, is open to small watercraft. We invite you to paddle the flight during Tugboat Roundup to experience a one of kind trip on the canal and river.

You’ll start your paddle at the top of the flight, and join others as you navigate through five locks. You’ll pass the Day Peckinpaugh a 259 foot historic canal motorship before entering Lock 2, the first lock on the Erie Canal, and your last lock before emerging in the heart of Tugboat Roundup, New York’s largest maritime festival.

At the end of your paddle, you’ll exit the water right at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers.

When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 in the water by 10:00 am. The entire trip should take approximately 2.5 hours.

Who: You and other adventurous paddlers. You can bring your own or rent from Upstate Kayak Rentals. Rentals are limited, please call or text Upstate Kayak Rentals at (518) 209-1063 to reserve your kayak after you have registered.

This event is open to all ages and experience levels, however children who are not experienced kayakers may have some difficulty with the length of the event. There are no opportunities to exit the water prior to the end of the paddle below Lock E2.

Where: The starting point is at Alcathy’s, a boat launch at the top of Flightlock Road in Waterford. Kayak renters will exit at the boat launch in Waterford (end of 1st St) and others will exit directly across the river at Peebles Island.

Parking and logistics:

If you are bringing your own kayak, we suggest you first drop your kayak at Alcathy’s and then park at or near Peebles Island. If you are renting kayaks with Upstate Kayak Rentals, please park at or near Peebles Island and hop on the trolley. The trolley will leave promptly at 9:00 and/or 9:30 from Peebles Island to Alcathys. Everyone MUST register to ensure seating on the trolley.

If you rent from Upstate Kayak Rentals, a kayak, paddle and life preserver will be ready for you at Alcathy’s and must be returned at the Waterford Boat Launch at the end of your trip.

How: Register here.

Cost: There is no cost to participate if you provide your own kayak. The fee to rent a kayak for the event is $50. Reserve a kayak here.

Please note, a similar event has taken place at Tugboat Roundup in the past. We are grateful to Kayaking 4 Meso for starting that event and hosting it during Tugboat Roundup, a wonderful addition to the festivities. While this year’s event is not a fundraiser, we do encourage you to check out the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and make a contribution in honor of Kayaking 4 Meso.