About Us

Headquartered in Genesee Valley Park*, the Genesee Waterways Center (GWC) is the gateway to outdoor activities on or near the water in Western New York. Here you can experience kayaking, rowing, sculling, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking, as well as hiking and biking—we have programs for everyone! Our recreational facilities and year-round classes are available to all ages and ability levels, from youth to adults and novice to competitive! 

Founded in 1996, GWC is the premier not-for-profit organization promoting paddling, rowing, and related outdoor activities. We offer top-notch instructors and growing facilities, extensive rental equipment for canoeing & kayaking, and more for visitors to make the most of their outdoor experience.

GWC hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including regattas, canoe & kayak races, a whitewater kayaking festival, family programs, and more. We provide technical assistance and guidance to local schools and colleges that would like to begin rowing or kayaking programs. We also offer instructor and coaching certification programs. Contact us for details.

*Genesee Valley Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a prominent American landscape architect, during the late 1800s. 

Mission Statement:

The Genesee Waterways Center is a non-profit organization that promotes human powered boating and related activities along the local blue and green trails. We are the regional resource for education, programming and facilities highlighting paddling and rowing on the unique waterways of the Genesee Region.

Vision Statement:

Five-Year Vision:  Genesee Waterways Center (GWC) is regionally recognized as embodying spirit of hand-powered watersports , trail activities, and river ecology. The GWC brand is healthy, fun, responsible, and full of energy. It is the first place that comes to the mind of Rochesterians when the words rowing, kayaking, canoeing, and river trails are mentioned. It is spoken in glowing terms, a token to the high quality, dedicated, and friendly staff and the programs that they run. The organization functions efficiently and seamlessly, leveraging technology and human resources while keeping a keen eye on financial conditions and following protocols on communications, record keeping and timely action. The Rochester community, New York State, and the paddling/rowing community support GWC financially and philosophically due to the quality of its leaders and its comprehensive programming.