After five minutes of speeches and a brief photo opportunity Wednesday at Sinatra Park, Gov. Christine Whitman was off. She slipped out of her penny loafers and into her Tevas and jumped effortlessly into her kayak. Within seconds she was coasting through the Hudson, becoming one of the first people to make use of the newly-constructed kayak and canoe launch at the just completed $3 million waterfront park, which is located at Fifth street and Sinatra Drive. "This is an opportunity that I hope many people will enjoy," said Whitman, before she pointed her kayak toward Liberty State Park, where her staff planned to meet up with her again. "I hope people will get to know the river, appreciate it and appreciate how important it is to keep it clean." After lauding her efforts to clean up the river and develop the waterfront, Environmental Services Director Tim Calligy and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Shin helped her erect a small sign at the launch, designating it as an official put-in along a 155-mile Hudson river trail that flows from Albany to Bayonne. The rock-filled launch is a unique spot in town because it allows residents - boaters and non-boaters alike - to go directly down to the edge of the river. "Kids can go down there and skip stones," said Alan Welner, a local real estate developer and kayak enthusiast who pitched the idea to city officials in 1994. "Originally we thought this would just be a public service to boaters because the river is very difficult to get in and out of. But it turns out it has a higher purpose too. I've seen a number of kids go down there who have never been that close to the river before. Just touching the water in some way is very different from being high above it on a promenade." Rent a kayak Soon you won't have to own your own boat to use the launch. Peak Adventures, a local outdoor recreation company with an office on 10th street, plans to begin renting kayaks at an hourly rate from a kiosk at the park. In addition to hourly rentals, more experienced kayakers will also have the opportunity to sign up for guided trips around the Statue of Liberty and other points of local interest, said Peak Adventures President Bill Wurch Wednesday. A small influx of kayak tourists are also expected to begin paddling their way over to the mile square city thanks to the new launch. "I've already had a couple of them come through," said School Board President David Anthony, who owns the Sinatra Park Caf