Paddle Florida announces 2020-21 trip schedule

Paddle Florida announces its 2020-21 trip schedule starting with the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail on October 16-21.  It’s the perfect way to celebrate Florida’s version of autumn on its most famous river. The trip spans 65 miles of the scenic Suwannee and a portion of the (northern) Withlacoochee, from Madison Blue Spring to Branford. This section features dozens of clear blue springs perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Paddlers need to register by October 2.

Trip fee is $525 per person and includes camping, meals and shuttle. Senior (65+) and college student is rate is $500. Paddle Florida has partnered with Suwannee Canoe Outpost to provide paddlers with their boating needs.

Trips continue with the 10,000 Islands Paddling Festival , November 12-15, which offers the chance to paddle in the southern part of the state. From our base camp at Collier-Seminole State Park we will paddle with dolphins and roseate spoonbills and explore canopied mangrove tunnels and beautiful white-sand beaches.  This region in SW Florida is a paddlers paradise, and we can’t wait to explore it with you in November!  Registration is due by October 30.   

The Treasure Coast Paddling Adventure, December 2-8, This event is another case of one of our veteran paddlers suggesting the potential of an event where he knows the right route and the right people. Don Yackel, from Sebastian, brought us to Indian River County to scout the area from Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park to a finish in Sebastian. We worked with the Indian River County Parks Dept., our Florida State Parks and the Environmental Learning Center to put together another new trip in a region we have grown to love. This event takes place in early December, when the paddling weather should be beautiful. Make plans to join us!

Registration is due by November 18.

The Great Calusa Blueway, January 15-21, 2021, this trip offers the chance to bask in the history, culture, and beauty of Southwest Florida as we explore 60 miles of rivers, bays, creeks, mangrove tunnels, aquatic preserves and pristine white-sand barrier islands.  Registration is due by January 2, 2021.

Wild, Wonderful Withlacoochee: February 9-14, 2021, we begin at Lake Panasoffkee. Paddlers thread their way through hardwood swamps and tannic streams on a 60-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The adventure includes a side trip to the colorful Rainbow River and its world class first magnitude spring. Register by January 26.

Springtime on the Chipola March 17-23, 2021. We finished scouting this trip at the end of the Choctawhatchee trip we staged in March, 2020 as the pandemic was starting to disrupt all our lives. This will be our 4th different trip in Florida’s panhandle, joining the Ochlockonee, the Choctawhatchee and the Perdido. Given the right conditions, this river will be suitable for all paddlers and paddlecraft.

Our friends at Explore NW Florida and Florida Caverns State Park were essential in opening the right doors to allow us to complete preparations for staging this event in March, 2021 when spring will be blooming in the panhandle. This is going to be a great experience! Register by February 28.