Paddling Pasco Trip #5, Sunday, June 10, 2012, 8am to 11am

To Pasco Paddlers,

The Paddling Pasco program was created by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation system to encourage the public to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and the wonderful blueways of Pasco County. It is a series of trips planned and lead along the coast and coastal rivers; the goal is to paddle all the coastal blueways in Pasco County. Paddling is very good low impact exercise and this program offers the chance to meet others of all ages and abilities participating in the same activity. On each trip we try to incorporate a little more than only paddling, to enhance the experience and the memories.  As part of this program we offer the 5^th trip in the series.

Paddling Pasco Trip #5, Sunday, June 10, 2012, 8am to 11am

 This trip will be in partnership with the Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park citizen service organization (CSO), The Salt Springs Alliance. Here is the itinerary:

The trip will be from the state park to a small island called Durney Key just off the mouth of the Cotee River and then back to the state park, with about 1 hour on the island. Plan is to paddle along the coast to the mouth of the river and then head west to the island. Trip back will be more direct.

Low tide is at 1 pm. Winds in the morning should be light and may gain some speed as the day warms up. If you are a member of the CSO there is no cost, if not there is a $5 launch fee – money going to support the CSO and state park programs. The entire trip is scheduled to be about 3 hours with about 2 hours in the water, to and from the island.

This is a short trip, but visiting this small island is truly a great outing. On the way out we will travel in shallow water and look for sea life and wildlife along the mangrove shoreline. Scouting trips have experienced lots of rays, various species of fish, porpoises and several species of sea birds. You can explore the island, take some wonderful pictures, swim and snorkel in shallow water and grass flats or lounge in a beach chair and visit with others. One other option is to test paddle some of the variety of boats, if fellow paddlers would like to allow the opportunity. If you have not been to this island, I believe you will really enjoy the short visit and probably visit again on your own.

To register please call the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at 813-929-2760, provide the  number of paddlers and provide contact information (email and phone).

Other:

·        For those that were on the last trip – it ended up a little longer and difficult than expected mostly because of the wind (I apologize for that). This is a shorter trip and there may be some wind coming back in, but this is a trip most should be able to handle. Please do not let the last trip keep you from participating in this one.

·        There will be a waiver that each participant must sign on the day of the trip at the launch location.

·        Please bring the appropriate launch fee.

·        Consider bringing sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera (water proofed), snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, water shoes, towel, beach chair, and snorkel and mask (we will bring a dive flag, if you have one bring one also).

·        Paddling Pasco shirts may be available for sale. We need to re-order and if the order is in, we will have some. Funds from shirt sales go to a donation account to pay for the shirts and to support this program.

·        After the trip we would like to meet at a local restaurant on the water to discuss the development of an official volunteer paddling club to help plan future trips and events. There have been some preliminary discussions pertaining to doing a fundraising paddle to support cancer research similar to the land based events, and the potential of planning a day or maybe two of paddling programs to include recreational paddling trips, races, fishing contest, education and training classes, etc. Goal would be to have a variety of paddling related activities based out of one of the coastal parks such as Anclote Gulf Park. If you are interested in participating or listening in on the discussion, please let us know.

·        Launch location – It is at the northern terminus of Old Post Road in Port Richey. Take Bay Blvd. off US 19 west to Old Post Road. Go north on Old Post Road. At the end of pavement, continue straight through the fence onto a dirt road to the launch location.

·        Any questions on any of the above, please contact us at 813-929-2760.

·        Please keep an eye out for email updates.