Paddler Profile: Tom Hauer

1) Where are you from?  Your profession?

I am a Kansas boy. As a joke I have "made in Kansas" on the side of my Sea Pearl, which is made in Norway. I am the Director of a very nice retirement community in Gastonia, NC, close to Charlotte. The community has a nice pool, which has allowed me to become decent roller and to teach others. I have probably taught at least 20 people how to roll. Here is a link to my bowling ball roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEtGi4RLaJA

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling?
I have been paddling on and off since I was a Boy Scout, but seriously and, as my wife would say, obsessively for the past eight years.  I was a runner and a bike rider until I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004.  I had a large inoperable tumor on my right lung.  I was enrolled in a clinical trial and had chemo and radiation that shrunk the tumor so that it was small enough to be removed along with my right lung.  Running and cycling were no longer fun activities for me due to my compromised breathing.  Someone suggested kayaking.  I tried it and enjoyed it from the first time on the water.  I now paddle once a week and I am usually in the pool on a weekly basis.  I also work at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, in their flatwater program.  It is there that I became associated with athletes training for the Olympics and have become a national slalom judge to help with the races.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle?
I love to paddle in Florida.  The range of scenery is amazing, from the big coastal cities to the remote areas like we paddled along the Ochlockonee and everything in between.   I just love to paddle and my favorite place is anywhere I am on the water.

4) Describe that fascinating paddle of yours and why you like it.
I paddle with Greenland and Aleutian style paddles.  These are paddles that were traditionally used in the Arctic by the Inuit for thousands of years.  My paddles are 87 to 90 inches long and about three inches wide.  The traditional paddles evolved over time into paddles that excel in windy, rough, icy conditions.  They are excellent for bracing, rolling, and long distance paddling.  The paddles are sized for each person.  When you get the right sized paddle, it is almost magical how well it works.  Most people use paddles too large for them.  This is like riding a bike in the wrong gear.  You can move the bike, but it takes more effort than necessary.  With a traditional paddle, you are maximizing power for effort.  You are paddling in the right gear.

5) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
I have gone on three trips to the Suwannee, the Ochlockonee, and the Wekiva/St. Johns rivers. 

6) What keeps you coming back?
It's about the easiest paddling trip to go on from a logistics standpoint.  Paddle Florida makes all the camp reservations, pays the fees, plans the meals, hauls the gear, and provides nightly entertainment.  All one has to do is paddle.  The trips are scheduled at the right time of year for the weather.  The people who go on the trips are all like-minded individuals.  I have made some good friends, including Bill and Jan.

7) Can you describe a particular Paddle Florida trip 'highlight?'
You may think this is funny if you live in Florida, but seeing my first alligator in the wild was pretty special.  Of course, it is always a highlight to see the white flag for the lunch break and the camp at the end of the day.

8) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip? 
Spend some time in the seat of your kayak before coming.  Make sure it works for you and will not become uncomfortable after a couple hours of paddling.  Bring a light folding chair and a good sleeping pad.  Keep what you bring on the light side.  Only bring what you need.  Even though Paddle Florida hauls your gear from campsite to campsite, you still to load and unload it back on the truck.

Paddler Profile: Kelle Lane

1) Where are you from?  Your profession?I am from Jacksonville, Florida.  Originally an Ohio native, I moved to Jacksonville in 1989.  I work as an RN in the home health field.

2) How did you become interested in paddling?
I bought a book two years ago on places to paddle in Florida.  I love to experience nature and, for me, paddling is the ultimate in natural serenity.  My first experience was Amelia Island last summer and I immediately fell in love with kayaking.

3) Do you have a favorite place to paddle? 
I have only been to a handful of places and still have a lot of exploring to do.  So far my favorite place is Amelia Island because it is very beautiful and you see so much wildlife.  The Suwannee River is cool too because you get to see all the springs along the way.

4) Our recent Suwannee River Wilderness Trail trip was your first with Paddle Florida. What did you most/least enjoy?  What did you learn?
What I liked most about the trip was the camaraderie with the other paddlers.  I was immediately welcomed and never felt like an inexperienced newcomer.  I enjoyed listening to stories of past paddling adventures and meeting so many interesting people.  The campsites were really nice, everything was very organized, and I always felt safe.  What I least enjoyed were the chilly temps on my last night of the trip.  I learned a lot about equipment, water conditions, and what to look for when selecting a kayak.

5) Can you describe a particular trip 'highlight' from your experience with us on the Suwannee?
The most important and meaningful highlights for me were the educational sessions we had on water conservation and the opportunity we had to participate in a day of river cleanup.  I went away feeling like I had become involved in something important and that I could make a difference.  The trip became much more than enjoying a few days of paddling.

6) Might you consider coming on future Paddle Florida trips?  Any particular ones interest you most?
I can't wait to go on more trips with Paddle Florida.  I wish I could go on all of them.  I don't want to miss any!

7) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip for the first time?
My advice is to get signed up so that you don't miss out on these great opportunities.  I wish I had heard about Paddle Florida sooner!  I had to cut the six-day Suwannee trip short and only paddled four days, thinking six would be too much.  I really regretted cutting my trip short.  I didn't want to leave!

Paddler Profile: Scott Keyes

1) Where are you from?  Your profession (or former one, if retired)?
I was born in Connecticut and moved to southwest Florida--Naples--in the mid 1950's.  After graduating from the University of Florida, I joined the US Air Force.  Starting in 1976, I spent 40 years as a commercial airline pilot for several airlines.  In 2007, I hit the mandatory retirement age of 60 and have been goofing off ever since.

2) When did you become interested in paddling?
I have been very fortunate to always have access to water.  Early in Naples, during its pre-development era, my water sports were fishing and water skiing.  During the past 20 years, I've done a lot of kayaking in the local area and longer kayak camping trips.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle?
I enjoy the local Naples area.  We can kayak the Gulf for fishing and beaches.  We also do a lot of "tunnel tours."  The miles of mangrove tunnels offer great kayaking and wildlife viewing. 

4) What's the most interesting thing that ever happened to you on a paddling trip?
The most interesting/scary/funny experience would probably be one of our mangrove tours.  During the paddle a friend and I had an extended conversation about alligators and crocodiles.  There is a croc colony nearby and we have seen several gators in our saltwater bays.  With eight kayaks behind us, the water suddenly exploded around and over me.  My friends later suggested it looked like my kayak came out of the water.  As the water and mud rained down, I could only think I'm going to get my name in the newspaper.  After about a lifetime, two large manatees surfaced just ahead.  Then it was funny.

5) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?  
Paddle Florida staff have suggested 14 trips, but I have not yet visited all the locations.  I'm missing the St. Johns, which I hope to remedy later this month.  I'm planning to go on all five trips for the 2012-13 season and am looking forward to the new trip on the Withlacoochee River next February.  (Editor's note: Scott has more Paddle Florida miles under his lifejacket than any other paddler.  He should become a 1000-miler this season!)

6) What keeps you coming back?
Each trip is unique.  Even repeated trips are different.  For example, paddling the Suwannee River at low water allows you to ride some rapids and explore some beautiful springs.  Paddle that same river near flood stage, 25 feet higher and with a current of 5 knots, and you could literally be paddling through forests.

7) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
All the trips have been terrific and easy to finish.  Paddle Florida staff will do all the heavy lifting...you just have to paddle and enjoy.  As for my advice, show up with some camping gear, a boat, a paddle, and a big smile.  By the end of the trip, you will have had a great adventure, made new friends, and collected some great stories.

Paddler Profile: Executive Director Bill Richards

With our 2012-13 season kicking off this month, we thought folks might enjoy learning more about our fearless leader--Bill Richards.

1) Where are you from and what did you do professionally before Paddle Florida?
I grew up in a Boston suburb, enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 for boot camp in Orlando, and haven't left the Sunshine State for very long since 1974.  After trying my luck as a baseball umpire, I finished an Associate's degree in Daytona Beach in 1982, a Bachelor's degree in 1985, and a Master's at the University of Florida in 1987.  My main work experience was in putting on various athletic competitions with the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, until Governor Jeb Bush eliminated that program in 1999.  Since that time, I have worked as a management and political consultant for several organizations and candidates.  I got the idea for Paddle Florida in 2007 and we became a non-profit organization in 2011.

2) When and how did you first become interested in paddling?
Like many people, I paddled a lot as a kid, but didn't really "get it" until I was much older.  I'd say that I've been a regular paddler since the early 90's.

3) Describe one of your favorite places to paddle.  What makes it special?
Whew, that's a tough one.  There are so many great paddling venues in Florida, but there is still something magical and mystical about the Suwannee River.  Just this past August, I took a trip on the Marias/Missouri Rivers in Montana and Lac LaRonge and the Churchill River in Saskatchewan.  I have been fortunate to have some great mentors in my paddling life.  Two of them are Walt Jetter from Clearwater and Terry Johnson, who splits his time between Bozeman, MT and Homosassa, FL.  They were the main instigators for the two trips out West.  On the Missouri River, along with four Germans and four Canadians in our group, we re-traced some of Lewis and Clark's route from their 1805 expedition.  The lake paddling in Saskatchewan was labor-intensive, with many portages.  We explored "The Lost Land," which was described in the writings of Sig Olson, and where Alexander McKenzie and the first 'voyageurs' explored a decade before Lewis and Clark.  I returned from the trip in better paddling condition than I have been in for years.  Nearly 300 miles of paddling, camping, and portaging will do that.  I look back at these trips and see them as burnishing my paddling credentials.  I can now brag a little about having "street cred."  Ha!

4) Describe how Paddle Florida came into being and its transition to a non-profit organization.
The seeds for Paddle Florida were planted in November 2006, when four friends paddled most of the Suwannee River, self-contained.  About halfway through the 150-mile trip, we remarked that people would love to do this if they didn't have to carry all their gear and cook each day.  The idea was born.  We set out to make it happen.  In March of 2008, we had 163 people join us for a seven-day excursion on the Suwannee.  Since that time, over 500 people from 28 states have participated in 16 trips on water bodies in each of Florida's five water management districts.  

As we staged events in 2008 and 2009, we saw what was happening to our waterways, especially our springs...and a new non-profit mission emerged: the conservation of water, the preservation of wildlife, the restoration of springs, and the protection of waterways in Florida.  We couldn't have come this far without the cooperation of the Department of Environmental Protection through the Office of Greenways and Trails and the Florida Park Service.

5) What do you enjoy most about your work with Paddle Florida?  Least?
By far, the most enjoyable aspect of running a non-profit is the people I get to meet on each trip.  Whether they are seasoned Paddle Florida veterans or newbies, they always learn something from our trips and I always learn something from them.  The other great thing I get to do is work with some wonderful musicians, who seem to have similar sensibilities to my own.  What do I like least?  Maybe drying out, sorting, and unpacking from each trip.  

6) Tell us something about yourself that might surprise folks to learn about you.
Hmmm. Let's see.  I bet folks don't know that in 2006, with a group of five others, I helped to raise over $50,000 for the Climb for Cancer Foundation by climbing Mt. Kilimangaro in Tanzania.

7) Who tells the best jokes around the Paddle Florida campfire?
Guerry Bradley from St. Augustine is our reigning joke-teller extraordinaire.  He has regaled us with the same joke on the Suwannee and in the Keys, with great results.

8) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
I would suggest that they come with a sense of humor.  Paddlers tell me that by "going with the flow," they have some of the best experiences of their lives.  The upcoming season, beginning with the Suwannee later this month, should be our best yet.  At the peak of October's full moon, Tom Shed plays at Lafayette Blue Springs on the 29th and Grant Peeples will perform at the Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort and Campground on the 30th.  What could be better?

9) What do you hope to see Paddle Florida achieve in the future?
We hope to continue to advance our mission.  Springs are in dire condition in North Central Florida.  There is a water crisis because we are not better stewards of our precious resources.  We must be more engaged in water policy matters, because current policies indicate that we have forgotten one of the eternal truths: nature bats last.

 

Paddler Profile: Mim Duncan

1) Where are you from?  Your profession (or former one, if retired)?
I grew up in Pennsylvania and, because of the gloomy weather, didn't go outdoors until I was 25 and moved to Colorado.  And I haven't been indoors since!  I am now retired.  Most of my career was in education in Denver - elementary school teacher, school-home-community liaison, and middle school counselor.  In the mid 90's, I followed my husband to Page, Arizona for his promotion and worked as a mental health therapist in a community agency, mostly supporting Navajo families.  I finished my professional career back in Denver serving as part of the crisis intervention team for the Columbine shootings.  The next chapter was as a watercolor artist in Denver and Florida.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling?
After my husband died in a plane crash, I needed a change and moved to Sebastian, Florida.  I traded skiing, backpacking, and amateur car racing for kayaking, road biking, and hiking in my attempt to find exercise sufficiently strenuous to work the muscles and mellow the mind.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle?
My favorite place to paddle has to be the Sebastian River.  I can launch a mere block from my house and paddle 20 miles without running out of river.  I can extend from there and play on the Indian River.  I run out of daylight before I run out of possibilities.  Other favorites are the clear waters of the spring fed rivers.  The rivers in Florida continue to amaze me.  I moved here because of the beaches; I stay because of the rivers.

4) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
I have gone on a number of wonderful trips with Paddle Florida, although not as many as Scott Keyes.  I've done the Suwannee three times, the Ochlockonee twice, and the ocean paddles in the Keys twice.

5) What keeps you coming back?
I keep signing up for Paddle Florida trips because they truly are wonderful experiences for me.  The long distances are the best part; I loved the 123-mile trips on the Suwannee.  Being with a group of like-minded people is another great aspect.  I feel privileged to be able to hang out with certain people I've connected with over the years and who have challenged me to grow as a paddler.  And I know we're looking out for each other on the water.  I greatly appreciate that Paddle Florida hauls my gear around and makes my meals...for a fee, of course.

6) Can you describe a particular trip highlight?
There have been many highlights...the early morning mist rising on the Suwannee, about 80 kayaks floating in front of a Disney cruise ship off Key West last January (knowing that we were the ones having the most fun) and realizing that my arms didn't fall off during the 120-mile ocean paddle.  However, the greatest highlight for me was probably coming to the finish line on my first trip, 123 miles on the Suwannee, and realizing what an accomplishment that was for me.  Remember that I didn't go outdoors until I was 25 and I grew up in a family that avoids the water.

7) What's the most number of oysters you've eaten in one sitting?
How could I count?  I was so busy eating!  But I know that I did not consume as many as Jill Lingard.  She definitely is the champion!  (Editor's note:  Don't know about that.  Mim is a fierce competitor!  The Panhandle surely experienced an oyster shortage after last March's Ochlockonee trip.)

8) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
I say "sign up!"  The leaders of the group are experienced, welcoming, and well organized.  A lot of people feel apprehensive on their first trip and then realize how well they're being supported.  Because of these trips, I have grown from being a wimpy paddler doing 5-mile local trips with friends to now regularly wanting to do 15-20 mile days in more difficult conditions.

Paddler Profile: Volunteer Jan Corcoran

1) Where are you from?

I had a fine time growing up in Gainesville, Florida...followed by 30 years of armed forces connected moves, stateside and overseas...then back "home," and now in St. Augustine.

2) When and how did you first become interested in paddling?

I've lost track of the "when," but the clincher was a Fargo-to-Suwannee trip on the Suwannee River led by Walt and Sally Jetter.

3) Describe one of your favorite places to paddle.  What makes it special?

Any place that gets me outside!  There are so many.  The (north) Withlacoochee River is a favorite.  Pellicer Creek when the lilies are blooming as far as the eye can see.

4) Describe what you do for Paddle Florida.  (Editor's Note: Jan got bashful on this question, so Executive Director Bill Richards was called upon for an answer.)

Jan is the co-founder of Paddle Florida.  She deserves much of the credit for any of the success we've been able to achieve.  She has promoted each event.  She has gone on every trip, and nearly every scouting trip.  She has handled all rest stops, menu and campsite preparations, and is really...the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak.  Without Jan, there never would have been a Paddle Florida.

5) What do you enjoy most about your work with Paddle Florida?  Least?

Most?  The awards and extraordinary salary I get!  Least?  Not having time to be with everyone as they paddle and get to know each other.

6) Who is the stronger kayaking water wars combatant--you or Bill?  On what do you base this assessment?  

Stealth wins out over strength!  Based on my many victories!!!

7) Tell us something about yourself that would surprise folks to learn (...that's printable).

I'm half Cuban and half Polish, I was a tomboy, I once ate 86 shrimp in one sitting...the rest is not printable.

8) We've met some of your grandkids on PF trips.  Are you encouraging them to paddle?

I talk to them about it all the time.  I would love it if any of them became avid paddlers.  It would help if they lived nearby...I could grab them and go any time.

9) Have there ever been any behind-the-scenes surprises or emergencies on PF trips that you've had to help resolve?

Have there ever NOT been surprises???  No power, ramps under water, roads under water, no water source, gate number changes, car breakdowns, etc.  Getting to the rest stops is always an adventure--some by boat!

10) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?

Well, I'm always interested in the FUN part of it.  Bring a camp chair, a musical instrument for beside the campfire, a masthead or flag for your boat, water gun, and most importantly a repertoire of jokes for the fireside competition.  Also...no whining (leave that to me!)

Paddler Profile: Jon Sairs

1) Where are you from?  Your profession (or former one, if retired)?

I am from Vermont and have been self-employed in residential remodeling and building for 15 years and spent the last 12 years working in the craft shows circuit.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling?
My parents were paddling a cedar canvas Thompson canoe on Lake Michigan when I was a newborn!  In the early 60's, my dad built an 18' sailing canoe in our backyard in San Diego.  We didn't have any toys with keys.  When we moved to Vermont in 1969 we joined the Green Mountain Club, an active hiking and boating group.  At 13 years old, I saved up for my first boat--a 60's Folbot Super.  The club led multi-day trips to the Rangely Lake region of Maine as well as the Temagami region of Ontario.  We camped as often as we could given Vermont's short summers.  I restored cedar canvas canoes for about five years in the 80's during winters when construction was slow.

3) Tell us about your SAILING kayaks....
I was building sail rigs for our canoes and for our cedar canvas customers, took a break for 15 years to get into windsurfing, and just started kayaking three years ago.  I knew the answer for sore shoulders was a sail, so we picked out Easy Rider kayaks that were set up for sailing in the factory.  The trouble with sailing kayaks is you stand out a bit.  So we asked to join a Folbot Flotilla which met in Florida Bay one winter, and we had so much fun we started selling the BSD sail kit.  As we got to know Florida better, we heard about Paddle Florida.  Now an icy winter in Vermont is a tough sell!

4) Where is your favorite place to paddle?
Open water warmer than 55 degrees?  Florida Bay and the Keys are tops on the list.  We also want to see more of the Panhandle, so we will definitely be trying a Paddle Florida river trip soon.

5) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
Our first was last year in the Keys on the 100th anniversary of Flagler's Overseas Railroad paddle...er, sail...trip.   We hope to go again this year in January and may squeeze in another trip on our way north.

6) Can you describe a particular Paddle Florida trip 'highlight?'
Just knowing that dinner was waiting and our gear was dry.  Actually, each day in the Keys was amazing.  When waters were calm, you could check out the turtles, fish, and wildlife as you paddled or visit with people from all over the U.S.  On windy days, I was sailing with a tail wind at 8 miles an hour.

7) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
Be prepared for a great time!  Paddle Florida offers a unique way to go out on a trip.  No one else does it this way.  It suits us since we know our way around the water and want to see new terrain without reinventing the wheel.

Paddler Profile: Guerry Bradley

1) Where are you from?  Your profession?  

I've lived in various parts of Florida for my whole life, and I am a firefighter with the City of St. Augustine.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling?

When I moved to St. Augustine, I realized that I was surrounded by water in the form of creeks, inlets, etc.  I have always enjoyed canoeing, but as soon a I stepped into a kayak I knew it was the hobby for me.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle?

My favorite place to paddle is Juniper Springs Run.  It's like a maze with all the branches and tree trunks blocking the way sometimes, but that's what makes it fun.

4) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
I have been on five trips total.  I went on the Suwannee River trip three times and the Keys trip twice.

5) What keeps you coming back?
The thing I love most about Paddle Florida trips is the fact that I can get away for a week doing something I really enjoy, without having to do all of the planning.  I love the sense of teamwork that comes with it as well.

6) Can you describe a particular Paddle Florida trip 'highlight?'
One event that will always stick with me was an experience that left me with the nickname "The Beaver Guy."  I was paddling on the Suwannee River when I spotted something bobbing in the water.  Paddling closer, I realized it was a very weak baby beaver about the size of my hand.  I took my favorite hat off my head and placed the baby beaver in it.  It was a perfect fit.  When we arrived at the River Rendezvous campsite that afternoon, my biggest concern was finding Paddle Florida Director Bill Richards so that we could find help for this stranded animal.  However, it was Easter Sunday, so no park rangers were available to come out and take a look at it.  They advised us to let nature take its course.  That night, several of us huddled around the hat keeping the poor baby beaver company, anxious to see if it would recover.  In the middle of all this tension, the most comical thing happened.  A lady walked up and suggested we put the beaver back in the water "so it could breathe."  (Editor's Note: Beavers don't have gills?)  The outrageous suggestion was just enough to lighten the mood.  However, the beaver passed away shortly afterwards.  None of us had thought about what to do with it after it passed.  After a few minutes, someone suggested that we hold a beaver burial service.  So we buried the little guy, said a few loving words, and had ourselves a beaver funeral.  Although it was a sad event, I can now look back on our beaver burial with some humor.

7) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
Bring lots of blankets and a good attitude.  As much fun as the trip is, it can get a little tiring and it's always nice to come back to a warm tent with lots of blankets, especially in the colder months.  Also remember that you can do this.  Some people get so worked up about the "hows" and the "what ifs."  With the right mindset, we can all do this together.

Paddler Profile: Ron Schultz

1) Where are you from? Your profession? (…or former one, if retired?) 
I was born in Buffalo, NY and grew up in a small village (Cassadaga, NY) 50 miles south of Buffalo in hill country. I am a retired geography professor, having spent 35 years as a faculty member at Florida Atlantic University. I am still doing some consulting for Florida cities primarily in the formation or revision of commission election districts.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling? 
I grew up next to a series of small lakes (Cassadaga Lakes) and learned to swim and boat at a young age. I was active in scouts and at 14 went on an eight-day canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park with my Explorer troop. My high school buddies and I also ventured out on overnighters in canoes and rowboats down local rivers, including the Allegheny. Our parents must have assumed we were indestructible or expendable as they were willing to drop us off and pick us up along rivers we knew little about! When I attended grad school in Seattle at the University of Washington, I met other geography students who were outdoor enthusiasts and thus Pacific Northwest rivers, lakes, and mountains became places I ran to whenever time allowed. I have backpacked, hiked, and paddled those places every year since 1966.

Where is your favorite place to paddle?
I have many favorites. In Florida, I love the spring runs. I also really enjoy the Santa Fe, Ocklawaha, and Suwannee Rivers. Out west, I use an inflatable kayak on modest whitewater and have done some long boating (sea kayaking) on the Columbia and some estuaries/tidal rivers.

How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
Five so far: the first Suwannee trip, the first Wekiva/St. Johns trip (record cold!), the first Ochlockonee River trip, the 2012 Peace River trip, and I just completed the Rock Springs Run/Wekiva/St. Johns trip.

What keeps you coming back?
Going with the flow. I love paddling my own craft. Also, Paddle Florida has a great staff. I enjoy talking and camping with Bill and Jan and all the other PF staff and paddling enthusiasts. Who could ask for more?

Can you describe a particular trip 'highlight?'
There are many, many wonderful moments on these trips. One that comes to mind is the morning mists on that first Suwannee trip. Pushing off early into the morning mist was just grand. Of course getting up that first morning on the Wekiva when temperatures dipped to the low 20’s is also not to be forgotten!

What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
Go with the flow! The trips are just grand. You can socialize while you paddle or you can go solo and listen to the river... a bit of each is my approach. I have made friends that I continue to talk to and see and others that I 'catch-up with' when they reappear on another trip. The Paddle Florida experience is wonderful way to see and experience parts of Florida hidden from terrestrial travelers.

Paddler Profile: Paul Westberry

1) Where are you from? 
I am a native Floridian who has lived all over the state, with the most years (17) spent in Gainesville. I began teaching at Terwilliger Elementary in 1968. After earning my Master's degree, I moved to Wyoming for 17 years with 10 spent as principal. I later returned to Florida and retired in Naples after a 37-year career. Armed with Master Naturalist and American Canoe Association certifications, I have been immersed in environmental volunteerism and "work" as a kayak tour guide in the mangrove estuaries of Southwest Florida.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling?
About 30 years ago, I took my first trip in an OLD vinyl-clad, wood-framed Folbot in a three-day drift down the Green River in Wyoming. That clinched it for me. Backpacking in the Wind River Range and camping/paddling the waters of the West became great sources of joy for me. After I returned to Florida, I bought a couple of used kayaks and began learning the coastal waters of South Florida.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle?
I love the backwater mangrove areas. The mix of water and bottom structure make it "...like a box of chocolates. You never know..." Even though I take tourists out daily and sometimes twice daily during our season, I can always anticipate something unique each time. I am blessed to be able to continue teaching.

4) How many Paddle Florida trips have you gone on and to where?
A bunch! I met Jan Corcoran and Bill Richards on a Suwannee trip from the Okefenokee Swamp to the Spirit of the Suwannee sometime before they started Paddle Florida. I've probably made 9 or 10 trips, and several years ago I was inducted into the exclusive "Squat Team" for having completed four trips on the Suwannee. I would have to dig out all my tee shirts for an accurate count of Suwannee and Peace trips. I really enjoyed the recent Ochlockonee trip. It may become my favorite.

5) What keeps you coming back? 
Any day spent on the water has great potential for possibilities. The natural beauty of earth, sky, water, and friendships make an alluring mix.

6) Can you describe a particular trip "highlight?"
About six years ago, a very large sturgeon surfaced right next to my boat and lingered long enough for me into gaze into its expressionless dark eyes set off by warts, nodules, and undulations of fins and flesh that were astoundingly dinosaur ancient in appearance.

7) What advice do you have for folks considering a Paddle Florida trip?
If you haven't come yet, add it to your bucket list. Buy, rent, borrow an appropriate boat. That little 10-footer you putz around in on the lake is not a good idea. Make sure you can paddle the mileage required.

Paddler Profile: Patty Pape

1) Where are you from? 
I live in Michigan in the summer and spend winters as a 'snowbird' in Titusville, Florida.

2) When and how did you become interested in paddling? 
I have paddled since I was very young...I grew up on a lake. I started sea kayaking about 17 years ago. I really enjoy taking all my camping gear with me and heading out into the wilds of Lake Superior, Georgian Bay, and Lake Powell, among other places.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle? 
Florida is definitely my favorite place to paddle because of the abundance and variety of wildlife that you see while paddling. From gators and crocodiles to river otters, dolphins, manatees, wild pigs and monkeys, and hundreds of species of birds...you just don't see that variety of wildlife in other parts of the country. Florida also offers a wide range of paddling opportunities from saltwater to freshwater, lakes, rivers, streams, spring runs, even swamps and mangrove tunnels.

4) What made you decide to go on a Paddle Florida trip? 
I know Walt and Sally Jetter (regular Paddle Florida volunteers) and I had heard them talk of past trips. When I heard about this year's Keys Challenge, I knew I wanted to participate as paddling from Key Largo to Key West has always been on my 'bucket list.'

5) What did you enjoy most about the Paddle Florida trip you went on?  
I had 15 friends from Michigan who came down to paddle with me on the Keys trip, so that made it special. In Michigan, you can 'walk on water in the winter, so they were eager to escape the cold and snow and come to the Sunshine State for a few weeks of paddling. Paddle Florida was a great way to meet new people from other parts of the country. And with the work of meals, campsites, route planning, and hauling gear all done for you, it made the trip easy for participants. I would love to do another Paddle Florida trip to explore another area of the state.

6) What advice do you have for anyone considering a Paddle Florida trip? 
Paddle Florida makes it easy to go on an expedition and discover the 'REAL' Florida! The fact that everything is taken care of for you and you just need to paddle makes it do-able for many ability levels. Using a tandem kayak may be a good idea for those not used to paddling longer distances.

Paddler Profiles: Emily Sperling & Paul Archacki

In honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, we're profiling a paddling couple this month. Questions below were answered by Emily, with input from Paul.

1) Where are you from? Paul is from Florida's right coast and I am from its left coast, which may explain our differing political viewpoints. Paul grew up in Lantana, and we now both reside in my hometown of Sarasota.

2) When and how did you become interested in kayaking? We really enjoyed a brief kayak tour we took with co-workers off Boca Grande. Then we learned that we had friends and family members with kayaks readily available for borrowing, and that sealed the deal.

3) Where is your favorite place to paddle? Choosing a favorite is difficult as we haven't yet found a spot we didn't like and have so many places we want to try. But for ease of access, interesting animal viewing (including the human variety), and ability to easily flip into clear, warm saltwater for a swim, we'd have to say tootling around the mangroves of Sarasota Bay is a favorite. When the long days of summer are upon us, we can make an after-work decision to go for a paddle and be on the water in less than 15 minutes.

4) What made you decide to go on a Paddle Florida trip? Ultimately, it was the opportunity to introduce our teenage niece and cousin to Florida's natural beauty. We signed up for the Peace River weekend, packed up the kids, forgot our tent fly, and joined the group. To those of you on that trip who still remember us: our sincere apologies. Having the type of quality time with our family that Paddle Florida provided was just priceless.

5) What did you enjoy most about the PF trip you went on? We've had the pleasure of doing both the Peace River and St. Johns River Ramble with Paddle Florida. The birds, manatees, and serenity during early morning launches certainly made both trips enjoyable. But nothing beats the company! We enjoyed meeting such kind, interesting, and fun characters along the way. To this day, family discussions often revolve around the people we met, conversations we had, and songs we made up on those trips. The people make the paddle.

6) Would you go on another PF trip? Absolutely...but you may have to convince us first that the temperature won't drop to 18 degrees! We were among the very brave and determined paddlers who survived the freezing cold of the December 2010 St. Johns River Ramble. When Paul is asked about his willingness to try another winter paddle, he replies "My litmus test is simple. If I'm going to wake up in the morning with ice crystals in my tent, then maybe. If you promise me a cup of cold coffee and a basket of biscuits with frozen butter, then I'm in!" [Editor's Note: This is why our Wekiva/St. Johns trip has moved to April!]

7) Does kayaking together strengthen your relationship or do you sometimes want to hit each other with a paddle? We usually get along okay while kayaking. Generally any frustration we have toward each other gets redirected to our teenage companions. We do get a little competitive though. Paddle Florida rules state nothing about drafting behind then passing your partner as you aim your boat to the shore like a torpedo in an attempt to arrive at the lunch rendezvous first in your group.
In retrospect, kayaking has helped us better understand each other. Though Paul knew I was an outdoorsy girl, he didn't truly realize how strong my need for outdoor adventure and the simple joys that come with paddling and camping were until we went on these trips. Likewise, I have become increasingly thankful for Paul's willingness to try new activities and the humor with which he approaches these adventures.

8) Describe your most stressful moment in a kayak. Was your partner helpful at the time? We both agree that our most stressful time occurred while tandeming on the bay in really choppy waters. What we can't reach agreement on is why it was stressful. Laughing uncontrollably as I related my ride in the back of the boat to that of a cowboy on a bucking bronco, I was having the time of my life. Feeling the instability of the front seat as waves broke over the bow, Paul envisioned himself as a passenger on the Titanic. "I'm out of here!" Paul shouted as he began paddling the tandem with reckless abandon to the nearest shore. I was convinced that once Paul dragged us both to shore (a nearby yet remote mangrove island), he would refuse re-boarding and I'd have to either leave him there or live the life portrayed in Gilligan's Island. I dragged my paddle, legs, arms, and anything else that could hang out of the boat in hopes of tiring Paul out. Ultimately, this and some 'verbal coaching' got us through the trip.

9) Does a tandem or two single kayaks work best for you? Believe it or not, we attempted tandem kayaking one more time on the Myakka River while enjoying a paddle with friends. Ignoring the difficulty of having two control freaks in the boat which caused us to hit bank after bank on our trip downstream, I suggested we navigate a narrower path to a bridge where people like to view alligators. We too enjoyed watching the alligators until we once again brushed up against a bank, both pushed off from the same side of the boat, and ended up in the drink. Really big alligators present a powerful motivating force for climbing back in a boat quickly! We decided on that day to retire the 'relationship boat'. We have been paddling together, separately, ever since.