GREENE COUNTY, NY – This May, the legacy of New York State's Erie Canal and Hudson River will lure kayaker Richard Harpham and photographer Glenn Charles to kayak an epic 500 miles from Buffalo's Historic Erie Canal Harbor on May 1, 2012 to the Statue of Liberty at the end of the month – and you're invited along for the ride.
New York State's Division of Tourism, I LOVE NEW YORK, invited world-renowned kayaker, Richard Harpham, from the U.K. to make history while chronicling the dynamic locations along the Erie Canal and its 35 locks, before reaching Albany and joining the Hudson River. The trip continues south on the Hudson River, stopping in the Great Northern Catskills at the Coxsackie Yacht Club to meet and greet before continuing on to their iconic final destination - the Statue of Liberty.
The journey is called 'New York State's Spare Seat Kayak Expedition' as both Harpham and Charles will kayak the route in double seated kayaks, inviting members of the public and media to join them along the way.
Spare Seat will be making a stop in the Great Northern Catskills, and is scheduled to arrive at the Coxsackie Yacht Club at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. A press conference is scheduled for 12 pm on Wednesday, May 16 at the Coxsackie Riverside Park. Locals and visitors will have an opportunity to meet Harpham and Charles at Riverside Park before the tour the region. Local paddlers and kayaking clubs can join Harpham and Charles as they continue on their journey down the Hudson River. They will leave from the Coxsackie Riverside Park at 1pm on Wednesday, May 16.
The entire expedition will be photographed and filmed, and hosted on a dedicated website with social media feeds enabling the public to follow Harpham, Charles and all those that join them every stroke of the way.
"By bringing in a world-class kayaker and adventure photographer to explore New York State's Erie Canal and Hudson River, we can to showcase New York State's assets in an extraordinary way," said Edward Maitino, managing director, tourism for Empire State Development of New York State. "The Spare Seat Kayak Expedition also shines a spotlight on the more than 230 communities that span the Erie Canal and upstate New York."
Experience the rich history, hometown hospitality, and numerous attractions of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Hudson River Valley Greenway. To explore and experience the Erie Canal or the Hudson River visit: www.eriecanalway.org, www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov, or www.canals.ny.gov. For information on the NYS Canalway Water Trail visit: www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/watertrail.html.
*Travel dates are subject to change and will be determined by weather and manpower.
