A Yonkers man is working on making kayaking into a sport for everyone of all backgrounds. 

Chev Dixon, the director of Yonkers Hudson River Riders Kayaking Program, says kayaking equipment and training are expensive, so not everyone gets to enjoy it. 

"The demographic is primarily older, middle-aged white people,” says Dixon. “We're here trying to change that." 

Dixon’s team has been providing free instruction and use of their kayaks to young people in Yonkers.  

Kai Owen, a 16-year-old from Yonkers, started kayaking with the program three years ago.  Owen says the sport can open up opportunities some local kids may have never thought of before. 

"This is such a great thing to do, really, like in your free time or a career, if you wanted to," says Owen. 

There are also the aspects of fitness, competition, teamwork, and physical and mental endurance as part of the program. 

Owen says kayaking “The Chev Dixon Way” is a character-builder for competitive kayakers or casual ones.