Atlantic Kayak Tours

For in-depth sea kayak training in the NY Metro Area, the only real game in town back when I started paddling in the 90's was Atlantic Kayak Tours run by husband and wife team Bill and Janice Lozano.  Bill was an early convert to the BCU system, the only 5 Star Paddler in the area at that time, and BCU’s North American Administrator for many years.  During much of the time I paddled with AKT, Janice was leading many (if not most) of the trips and handled the day to day business while Bill focused on setting up their Paddle Sports Center at Annsville Creek (Peekskill NY).   To this day, Bill and Janice have a unique passion for the sport and love sharing their passion with others.  This business of theirs, that they've run for more than 30 years, and their infectious enthusiasm for the sport have been huge gifts to so many sea kayakers.

So when I started paddling more seriously, AKT was THE PLACE to learn. I had done a lot of paddling on my own initially, with instruction from many different places and instructors.  Later, some years into the sport, I got serious about learning the best way to do things. And indeed had to "unlearn" some things as well. With the help of AKT, I was able to really develop my skills and eventually got my 4 Star Sea and Coach 2T awards. Around 2004 (?) Bill asked me to join the AKT staff to help lead trips and as a sea kayak coach. Although I was only able to be an active staff member there for maybe 5-6 years, it was the highlight of my time sea kayaking.  It’s impossible to overstate how important teaching others and being responsible for the happiness and safety of paying customers is in rapidly improving one’s own paddling knowledge and leadership skills.  When one has to teach how to properly execute strokes hundreds of times and when things like rescues and towing happen often out of necessity, not as part of an exercise, you can pack tons of valuable sea kayaking experience into a short amount of time.

I always remember my days paddling with AKT fondly. Their emphasis on core paddling skills and having FUN on the water really sets them apart. And the central personalities of Bill and Janice have added greatly to the success of their business, and I think to the popularity and development of sea kayaking in the NY Metro region.

Check out their "expert center" for superior tips on paddling skills, boat maintenance, etc.: AKT Expert Center

A few photos:

Crew ready to head out - North Fork Long Island!

Bill at Brigantine, NJ

Hudson Highlands w/ Becky

Chuck and Jim -  instruction class on Hudson

Swells Circumnavigating Monomoy Island - Atlantic Kayak Tours Cape Cod Trips



Coming Down.

Going Up!

Took these photos just a few seconds apart - shows the big swell offshore when rounding Monomoy Island, pretty much an all-day trip considering the times I've done it we've run into shallow water on the west side due to moving sands in the area - had to walk/tow. Beautiful, remote, exhilarating trip every time.  These photos above are from 2005.

Each year AKT staff and clients head up to Cape Cod to paddle in October for the Columbus Day long weekend. Monomoy, Provincetown, Pleasant Bay, Barnstable Harbor, Wellfleet - lots of paddling options. Some add'l photos of other trips below - can be warm and sunny, or more often cold and windy. Either way, the Cape is relatively empty in October and the foliage is there to see.  These trips are among my favorite kayaking experiences - having spent the summer season staffing trips/programs but only seeing other AKT staff members occasionally when assigned to the same programs, it's nice to all get together an the end of the year and just enjoy a new, fun venue.  Awesome.



Bill walking the decks at water break time - Cape Cod 2006

Pleasant Bay, 2006



Barnstable, 2004



Barnstable Harbor 2004, 20 knot head wind

Beach Football, Cape Cod 2004



Outer Beach on way back from Provincetown tiderace, 2005

Playing at Beavertail Point - Rhode Island, Sept. 2008

Towing Practice - Beavertail Point

I have a wealth of photos from staffing trips with Atlantic Kayak Tours - even though a bit dated, am posting a few.  This was a great trip practicing skills in conditions.  Taking turns towing, rescuing in moving water.

AKT is a great place to learn core sea kayaking skills and to enjoy the sea with a group of instructors who are fun and knowledgeable.  Bill and Janice Lozano have run it for 30+ years (at this writing) and their on-line Expert Center is a valuable resource.  I worked for them for number of years in the 2000's and learned so much - was a great time in my life.  Check them out! 

Balancing boats at Lunch Time - outer Narraganset Bay (me on the far right)

Narrow River (I assume)



Favorite Photo - Atlantic Kayak Tours




Favorite Photo

 One of my favorite photos - June 2008 Staff-training trip to Plum Gut (eastern Long Island) with pals from Atlantic Kayak Tours.

Tow Rope Tug of War Balance Game, Plum Gut 2008

Liberty State Park NJ to Red Hook, Brooklyn - Atlantic Kayak Tours "Valentino Tour" - 2006



Trip to Valentino Park in Red Hook Brooklyn, August of 2006. Photo below from that very trip was used by New York Magazine in their "Best of 2008" - link: http://nymag.com/bestofny/fun/2008/kayak/

Headed to Brooklyn via Liberty State Park - Atlantic Kayak Tours "Valentino" Trip

We landed in Red Hook for Key Lime Pie! My favorite New York Harbor trip, offered by Atlantic kayak Tours - here's a link to their web-page of additional photos and trip info - Atlantic Kayak Tours Valentino Tour Photos.




Eamon at the Battery

Red Hook Brooklyn Beach

Key Lime Pie



Bill Lozano - fearless leader

Eddy off Governor's Island



Rounding the Battery