Q: Is there parking for my car, should I carpool with my party?

A: While there is space for parking available for those who drive, please consider carpooling to conserve space and resources.

Q: It’s my first time kayaking, should I use a single seater kayak or a 2 seater/tandem with with someone from my group?

A: Both types are options for beginners, however 2 seater (tandem) kayaks require paddling in-sync with your partner are better suited for those with prior experience.

Q: I’ve never been kayaking before, is it hard? 

A: Everybody gets a demonstration on land before they go out. Our guides are trained and certified to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. On some tours we take breaks to get out and stretch our legs, we might even go for a swim in the hot summer months! Many of our participants are first timers, you’ll do great!

Kayaking is much easier than canoeing – your center of gravity is lower, and our kayaks and paddles are lightweight, efficient and designed for exactly the type of kayaking we do. If you want to discuss this further feel free to give us a call to chat about it!

Q: What happens if it rains?

A: In the case of inclement weather that leads to unsafe or unpleasant conditions, we will cancel the tour and offer each participant the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. We’ll call and if we don’t speak with you we’ll leave a voicemail and followup with a text and email. We strive to provide at least two hours notice for weather related cancellations, however if unsafe conditions arise unexpectedly we will cancel at that time, safety is always our first priority. If only a light rain is forecasted, we will go on with the tour. Most cancelations are due to high wind leading to rough water. If you are watching the weather leading up to your tour, we advise you to look at hourly forecasts for our zip code, 12520. We lean heavily on Accuweather for precipitation and Sailflow for a detailed local water-sports specific wind forecast. We check the forecasts several times each day during our season. If you have concerns, please call us before canceling your booking.

Q: Does a two hour tour mean two hours of paddling? 

A: The stated duration of a tour corresponds to the whole experience. We start with a kayaking demonstration on land, get everybody geared up with their paddles and PFDs, then into their kayak (usually 15-20 minutes).
During some tours, we will take a break on land to stretch, drink water and take pictures.

Q: How many guides are on each tour?

A: We maintain a ratio of at least 1 guide for 8 participant boats.

Q: What gear do I need to bring?

A: All required equipment is provided: kayak, paddle and PFD (Personal Flotation Device, i.e. a life jacket). Our guides carry all safety equipment, including: whistles, flashlights, tow rope, first aid kits, two-way radios etc.

Q: What do I wear? Can I bring my cell phone?

A: Wear lightweight comfortable clothing with a bathing suit underneath if you’d like to swim. You should wear shoes that can get wet, preferably closed toe. You must keep your shoes on at all times.

We recommend that you put your cell phone in a waterproof case that you can wear around your neck, available for sale in our office ($5). Another option is to place it in 2 ziplock bags and zip it into your life jacket or borrow one of our splash-proof boxes.

Q: Do you have a bathroom and a place to change?

Our office bathroom is available for use before and after tours. There are bathrooms on Bannerman’s Island available on our Walking Tour. There are only porta-johns at our launch site.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

A: If you cancel at least one day prior to the scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund minus a 5% processing fee. If you cancel within 24 hours of the scheduled trip, you will be charged 50%. Less than 2 hours before start, no-shows and late arrivals will not be refunded.

If Storm King Adventure Tours cancels the trip due to inclement weather, you will receive a full refund. If you have weather concerns and are considering canceling we encourage you to contact us first. We spend a lot of time watching forecasts as well as actual outcomes and are happy to tell you what we think. Remember to always use our zip code (12520) and look at the hourly forecasts.

Q: Is there a minimum or maximum age to participate?

A: Our minimum age for single seat kayaks is 12 for some tours and 9 for others. Each tour page will state the minimum age for that tour. If accompanied by an adult in a 2 seater kayak we can take children weighting 50 pounds or more. All children under 16 must be with an adult on the tour unless previously discussed with management. All participants under 18 need a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. There is no upper age limit, and many of our guests are seniors, however our Bannerman’s Island Walking Tour does involve light hiking and walking on an uneven shoreline and therefore may not be suitable for everyone. 

Q: What kind of kayaks are used? Do you have ‘doubles’? My partner and I REALLY want to go together!

A: All of our kayaks fall into the category of recreational kayak, an appropriate match for our tours and participants with large open cockpits easy to get into and out of. Our single seat kayaks are Wilderness Systems Pungo 120s and 125s with a weight capacity up to 425 pounds, 2 seaters/tandems are Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135t with a total capacity of 500 pounds, these can also be used in a single seater configuration. The quality of the kayak greatly influences your experience. Our kayaks have large open cockpits, excellent stability, and track very well. They inspire confidence and allow for extended time on the water.

Q: Can I bring my own kayak?

A: Get in touch with us if you’d like to bring your own kayak on one of the tours. While we do allow participants to bring their own gear, your PFD must be properly sized USCG type approved and your kayak suitable for our type of paddling; 12′ minimum length for tracking and speed comparable to our kayaks. Many of our past participants who have brought gear opt to use ours once they take a look at what we provide due to comfort and performance.

Q: Where do tours start/end?

A: All of our tours start and end at our launch site at the south end of Donahue Memorial Park in Cornwall on Hudson NY, approximately 1 mile from our office, 20 minutes from the Beacon train station. However participants are asked to stop at our office at 4 Duncan Ave. before heading down to our launch site.

Q: Are gift certificates available?

A: Yes! Gift certificates / Vouchers can be purchased here or from each tour’s, tour page. Please contact us if you need help and we’ll be happy be to set it up for you. Printing and email forwarding are possible with our digital gift certificates/vouchers however if you’d like us to mail a gift certificate on heavy stock paper we are happy to do so, just reach out!

Q: I’d love to bring a drink with me on a sunset tour, is alcohol allowed?

A: Due to safety concerns, local regulations and insurance requirements we do not allow alcohol on any of our tours.

Q: I take my dog everywhere I go, I’d like to bring them along on a tour. Is this allowed? Is there a fee?

A: We love dogs and would love for yours to join us. However our number one job is to keep our participants safe (including your dog). We therefore have a few requirements including prior experience, leashed at all times, and they must wear a properly fitted PFD (provided). Please contact us before booking to confirm you and your dog are a good fit and are prepared to paddle with us. There are no additional fees to bring your dog. 50 lb. max weight.