Why Does the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club Recommend Candock?

For the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club (YPRC), the dock is more than infrastructure — it’s a gathering place. It’s where members meet, where boats touch the water, and where the river experience truly begins.

Located along the Hudson River, this nonprofit club welcomes a diverse community of kayakers and rowers of all levels, united by a shared love of being on the water.

To provide its members with a stable, durable, and seasonally adaptable platform, YPRC chose a Candock floating dock system. After several years of use, the club shared its experience with us.

Credit: Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club

Conversation with Phil from the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club

Candock: Can you tell us a bit about the history and scale of the club?

Phil: “We’re one of the oldest paddling clubs in the New York City area — our roots go back to the 1880s. Today, we run one of the biggest public paddling programs in the region, in addition to our regular membership activities.”

Candock: When did you purchase your first Candock system, and what convinced you to choose it?

Phil: “We first installed a Candock section in 2013. What sold us was a video of a Candock dock holding strong during a major storm. We figured, if it can withstand that, it can withstand the Hudson River.”

Candock: Awesome! And how does the dock ended up performing in your waterfront conditions?

Phil: “We leave the dock in the water year-round — and we’ve been doing that for about eight years. The Hudson River can fluctuate up to seven feet in a single tide cycle, and the dock handles it beautifully. It rides on the pilings smoothly, with no issues. It’s been extremely reliable.”

Candock: How much daily traffic does the dock support?

Phil: “On a regular day, you might see 10 to 15 people using the dock. On weekends, it’s more like 40 to 50. And during our free public kayaking sessions, we can welcome up to 150 people in a single day. The dock handles that volume without any problem — which speaks to both the stability and the durability of the system.”

Credit: Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club

What kind of feedback have you received from rowers, coaches, or visitors about the dock?

We’ve received nothing but positive feedback. Everyone appreciates how stable the dock feels underfoot, and even after all these years, it still looks almost brand new. The rowers and coaches often comment on how reliable and well-built it is.

Candock: Did you choose any specific components based on your needs as a kayaking and rowing club?

Phil: “The main ones are the Low-Profile Cubes. They’re perfect for our needs, because with their edge being closer to the waterline, it makes it easier to get in and out of kayaks and canoes. That’s essential for a club that serves beginners and people of all ages like us.”

Candock: Has having a Candock improved the Club’s efficiency, safety, or overall rowing experience?

Phil: Absolutely. The dock performs exceptionally well through changing weather conditions and daily water level fluctuations. It also provides a safe and consistent platform for launching and docking boats, which makes our operations smoother and more efficient.

Candock: And how else has it benefited the Club overall?

Phil: The modular design of the Candock system has been a major advantage. It allows us to expand or adjust our dock as our budget and needs evolve. This flexibility has made it easy for us to grow the club’s infrastructure in a practical and cost-effective way.

Candock: How has the dock evolved over time?

Phil: “It started with just one section, and we expanded gradually as our needs and budget evolved. Today, we have three sections. We also built a custom accessible dock using a combination of different Candock components, such as the JetSlide System.”

Candock: Finally, what would you say to another rowing club considering a Candock system?

Phil: Candock is the perfect solution for any rowing club. The product is durable, reliable, and easy to maintain, and the service behind it is excellent. I would wholeheartedly recommend it, you won’t regret choosing Candock.

 

Looking to Modernize Your Waterfront Infrastructure?

Whether you manage a recreational paddling club, a rowing program, or a community boating center, a Candock system gives you the freedom to grow at your own pace.

Tell us about your project! Request a quote here.

We’ll be happy to support you every step of the way.

To learn more about the benefits of Candock for water sports, we recommend reading this blog post.