If you're looking for a high-quality kayak and someone who truly knows what they're talking about, go see Marshall. This guy is the real deal. His knowledge of kayaks is unreal -- from materials and stability to what works best for beginners vs. experienced paddlers, he breaks everything down in a way that actually makes sense. On top of that, Marshall's just a genuinely good soul. No pressure, no sales tactics -- he really just wants to help you find the right kayak for what you need. You can tell he takes pride in what he does and cares about the people he's helping. I walked away with an amazing kayak and the confidence that I made the right choice thanks to his guidance. If you want quality gear and honest expertise, Marshall is your guy. Highly recommend! ‍ read more

I was in the market to purchase a new sea kayak. Since they are pretty pricey, I wanted to make the right choice. I decided to check out, The River Connection, where I purchased my last kayak from. They only sell sea kayaks. No recreational or fishing kayaks here. Walking in, you will be greeted and helped by the owner, Marshall. He is extremely knowledgeable, so any questions you have about kayaks or kayaking, Marshall will have the answer. Marshall goes above and beyond to earn your business. He also offers free demos, sells top-quality gear, and has instructional programs. read more

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Looking to buy a Stellar surf ski , I had the good fortune to be directed to Marshall's shop in Hyde Park, NY. The initial phone call laid the groundwork for a great experience. Marshall had my desired craft in stock, spoke knowledgeably about the design and arranged a time to come try out the boat on the beautiful Hudson. Arriving at the shop I was greeted by two sweet hearted canines (and Marshall too). The shop housed a dazzling collection of top shelf kayaks, surfskis and gear and accessories. Unlike most current paddlesport shops which seem to focus on the recreational "Tupperware" watercraft, the inventory at the River Connection is oriented to the enthusiast and committed paddling market. It was a delight to experience. Marshall joined me paddling on the river and was and had a wealth of information to share. His professionalism and knowledge was truly appreciated. read more

I could get to several kayak outfitting places within an hour of my home. There's a reason I drive a little over 3 hours to do business with Marshall. He stocks top notch kayaks and kayaking products, his knowledge is incredible, he's a great teacher plus he's just an all around nice guy. We've done business with him for a few years now and every interaction is top notch. read more

I've purchased 1 kayak and 1 surfski from Marshall and he is an excellent resource if your interested in kayaking.

I've known Marshall for a few years now. He is an expert instructor and all-around nice guy. I've taken instruction on self-rescues, rolling and general skills tune-ups. Marshall has helped me past a lot of self-taught mistakes. Beyond instruction, his showroom contains the best kayaking gear for over a hundred miles and fair pricing. I highly recommend the River Connection. Adrian read more

For first rate kayak instructions I recommend Marshall and Dorothy at The River Connection in Hyde Park, NY. My husband and I had a some child-free time, which is a rareity, and decided to have some fun on the water with friends. Marshall and Dorothy were able to squeeze us in for a last minute, private kayak tour. It included instructions, all the gear, and kayaks fit to each of size/needs. Marshall was able to identify our challenges and make suggestions to achieve a better experience. He was patient and able to make us feel safe and comfortable on The Hudson. This was a great experience and I would highly recommend anyone new to the sport to give River Connections a call. read more

Great place for kayak tours and instruction on the Hudson River. The owners, Marshall and Dorothy Seddon, really know their stuff. They also have a complete paddle sports shop for all your kayaking or SUP needs. I've been doing business with them for over 7 years. Great folks! read more

Had a wonderful lesson on the river today. Marshall adjusted the lesson to my level and then went forward. The equipment was top notch and I highly recommend this company and Marshall. The weather was very overcast and thrived was perfect. It was smooth and very placid. Overall a great experience. read more

This is a review for the fantastic service of the store part of the business. Marshall is very active in on-line kayaking message boards, giving all kind of great advice and information on kayaks and gear, and not in a self-serving way. I have learned a lot over more than ten years from his on-line presence. I have also bought some hard-to-find items from the mail order store, including a 3-piece Greenland paddle made by a small manufacturer that later went out of business. Seven years later, I somehow lost the crucial little bolts needed to assemble the paddle. I posted a message on an on-line message board asking if anyone who had the paddle could tell me the bolt specs. Within hours, Marshall responded that he had extra bolts and would send to me for just the price of postage, which he did. Pretty amazing after-sale service seven years later! You're not going to get service like that at Walmart, Dick's, or Amazon. read more