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Sports for the water lover

Compiled by amNY.com

Whether it's kayaking, rowboats or model boats you love, there are plenty of places throughout the five boroughs to ditch dry land and take to the water.

MANHATTAN

Venetian Gondola Ride Central Park-Loeb Boathouse. Season: Summer, weather permitting. Weekdays: 5 pm to 9 pm; weekends: 2 pm to 10 pm; $30 per half hour (up to six people per boat). Reservations required. For more information: 212-517-2233 Gondola web site

Rowboats Central Park -The Loeb Boathouse. Season: March-October, weather permitting. Daily: 10 am to 5 pm (last rental). Boats must be returned by 6:30 pm; $10 for the first hour, $2.50 each additional 15 minutes; $30 cash deposit required (Up to five people per boat). No reservations. For more information: 212-517-2233. Rowboats web site

Model boats Central Park - Conservatory Water. Season: April through October. Bring your own model sail boat or call Central Park Sailboats at (917) 796-1382 for information on model boat sales and rentals. For more information: 212-360-8133 Model boats web site

Downtown Boathouse Season: Through October 15. Kayaking, evening classes and a youth sailing program. Facilities available to the general public for the launching of small hand powered boats. All activities are free and open to the public.Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Locations: Pier 96 Clinton Cove at 56th St. and the Hudson River. (9 am to 6 pm weekends and holidays. Weekdays 5 pm to 7pm. Wednesday evening classes 6 pm to 8 pm. Call for schedule changes). 72nd Street in Riverside Park. (10 am to 5 pm weekends and holidays); Pier 40 at Houston Street on the Hudson River. Hours from 9:00AM to 6:00PM Weekends and Holidays. For more information: 646-613-0740 or 646-613-0375; Downtown Boathouse web site

New York Kayak Tours and classes, which provide basic paddling equipment and use New York Kayak Company's fleet of kayaks and equipment. Pier 40. South Side, West Houston and West Street For more information: 212-924-1327 or www.nykayak.com

Manhattan Kayak Company Offers trips in and around New York City waters, as well as kayak instruction and rental. Offers several tours for all levels. Pier 40 Houston Street at the West Side Highway. For more information: 212-924-1788 or 800-KAYAK99; www.manhattankayak.com

Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse at Swindler Cove The only boathouse dedicated to serving local community youth. This is a public facility developed by the New York Restoration Project, a non-profit organization. Location: South of Sherman Creek on the Harlem River. For more information: 212-333-2552; http://www.nyrp.org/boathouse.htm

QUEENS

Flushing Meadows Lake Boathouse East side of Meadow Lake. Season: Through October; daily, 10 am to 8 pm. Rowboats and paddleboats are for rent, $10 per hour. For more information: 646-229-4470.

BROOKLYN

Prospect Park Pedal Boats. Rent the boats from Wollman Rink near the Lake. Season: Through mid-October. Hours: Thursdays-Sundays 12- 6 pm. Capacity: 4 people per boat. Rentals are $15.00 per hour plus a $10 refundable deposit. For more information: 718-282-7789. Visit www.prospectpark.org

The Independence Take a half-hour ride on an electric boat that comes complete with a talk about the park's ecosystem ($6, adults; $3, kids). Tours begin at the Prospect Park Audubon Center and go through the Lullwater, a placid waterway that meanders through shady woodlands and under historic bridges. (Thursday to Sunday and holidays, 12 pm to 5:30 pm) For more information, call 718 287-3400 or visit www.prospectpark.org

STATEN ISLAND

Clove Lakes Park Lake Club Season: Through October The club rents both rowboats and pedal boats, daily from 9 am to dusk. Rentals are $10 per hour. 1150 Clove Road, Staten Island. Season: Through October For more information: 718-442-3600 or /www.lake-club.com