Walkway Connections: Ice Yachting in Poughkeepsie

Long before motorboats raced across the Hudson, some of the fastest vessels on the river were powered by nothing more than wind and ice.

On Sunday, October 18 from 2–3 p.m. at the East Gate Plaza in Poughkeepsie, join Hudson River Ice Yacht Club historian Brian Reid for a fascinating look at the origins and golden age of ice yachting on the Hudson River.

Discover the stories of legendary Poughkeepsie-area sailors like Aaron Innis and John A. Roosevelt, whose ice yachts Haze and Icicle became national champions. During the height of the sport’s popularity, ice yacht races drew thousands of spectators to the Poughkeepsie waterfront as daring skippers competed for silk pennants, silver cups, and bragging rights as the fastest ice yacht in the world.

Brian will bring this remarkable chapter of Hudson Valley history to life while also sharing the ongoing efforts to preserve these historic vessels. Many of these beautifully crafted antique ice yachts have survived for more than a century—and, when winter conditions cooperate, are still sailed and raced on the Hudson today.

Brian Reid is the longtime historian and secretary of the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club (HRIYC), whose members maintain, restore, preserve, and sail the Hudson Valley’s historic stern-steering ice yachts. An ice yacht owner himself, Brian’s collection includes Cyclone, built in Hyde Park in 1900. He is also the creator of the blog White Wings Black Ice, which chronicles the people, races, vessels, and colorful history of ice yachting on the Hudson River.

All Walkway Connections events are free to attend and appropriate for all ages.