Let's paddle out to Bushwick Inlet, a natural embayment that once reached well-through what is now McCarren Park — let's share and enjoy this thriving ecological niche while it yet thrives! — savetheinlet.org This is great spot to get your sea-legs!
If you are looking to work on your paddle strokes the inlet provides a safe and clean environment to do so, it's also a relatively serene place to relax if that's what the vibe calls for.