General News: Wounded Veterans Go Kayaking With SKAT
Vets learn kayaking techniques before hitting the water.
Heading out.
Choppy waters greeted the vets on the Hudson.
Sunny skies, too.
The veterans and group leaders pose for a photo with Mayor Coyne.
Riverfront visitor Jaci Canning Murphy took this photo as the veterans group took off.
October 03, 2011
By Charlie B. Scirbona
After a day of heavy rain and strong wind the sun broke through the clouds Friday for the annual kayak tour for veteran held by Storm King Adventure Tours.
Village Mayor Brendan Coyne stopped by and thanked the group for their service. Coyne told the group about his father’s time in the navy and how much he had enjoyed being on the water.
The event was started five years ago by Kris Seiz, owner of SKAT. Seiz said she was talking to her father, who is also a veteran, and he suggested that she do something to thank veterans.
Six veterans from the West Point Warriors in Transition Unit came to the river front for a morning of kayaking with the tour guides at SKAT and other kayakers. The morning had started out overcast with a slight chill, which may have led to the small turn out according to one of the veterans, Anthony Gallo from Boston.
“A lot of people invited said ‘no’ and said I was going to get rained on, but I was like ‘no… no I’m not.”
It turned out Gallo was right. Shortly before the kayakers hit the water the sun came out and the day warmed up.
Once the group got out on the water they were treated to the views of the Hudson Valley heading south. Powerboats from the Bannerman’s Island Trust and Gene Martin from the Cornwall Yacht Club were on hand in case anyone needed assistance.
The group saw water cascading from the hillside near the railroad tracks. At one point a bald eagle soared overhead. The tour lasted about an hour, and was cut slightly short because the water was too choppy.
