Paddler Profiles

Seventy-nine-year-old Catherine Ray will be tackling her fifth Paddle Florida trip this coming spring on the Ochlockonee River. Catherine gives us a brief glimpse into her very active life...

Where are you from?
I live in a continuing care retirement community in Richmond, Virginia.

When and how did you become interested in paddling?
My first water tours were paddling the Alligash waterway in Maine (twice) and the St. Johns River (the only river that flows north in the eastern U.S.) with Elderhostel a few years ago.

What made you decide to go on a Paddle Florida trip?
I heard about Paddle Florida while on Bike Florida, which I have enjoyed 8 or 9 times. I tried it and loved it. I have patriciapted in two Suwannee River trips, one Withlacoochee/Suwannee trip, and the inaugural Ochlockonee trip which I am signed up to go on again this coming March.

What have you enjoyed most about the PF trips you've been on?
Paddle Florida is very well organized, has friendly staff and participants, trucks your gear to a nice variety of campsites each day, supplies us with good and plentiful food, and the daily paddling distances are manageable. Plus, varying river conditions make each trip unique.

Do you have advice for anyone considering a PF trip?
Paddle Florida is not competitive. Come once and you'll be hooked!

Paddler Profiles

A 44-year old friendship is tested (and perseveres!) over a week of paddling on the Suwannee River. Two 2011 Suwannee trip graduates share their adventures in paddling.

Name and hometown: Cindy Fetch, Athens, GA

When and how did you become interested in paddling? I’ve always loved activities involving water and started paddling in 1995. I bought a whitewater kayak and started out on the lake behind our house. My daughter was dating a guy who was a competitive whitewater paddler. He tried to teach me how to roll, but I never got it down unfortunately. I sold the boat and bought a Keowee kayak, which allows me to paddle 1-3's and not have to worry about rolling.

Where is your favorite place to paddle? The Chestatee River near Dahlonega, GA. Clear water, pebbly bottom, bluffs lined with rhododendrons, and only an hour from our home.

What made you decide to go on a Paddle Florida trip? My husband and I have gone on several paddling trips with the Georgia Canoe Association. I think it was Paddle Georgia’s web site that had a link to Paddle Florida. I've been forwarding the trip info to my friend Peggy for three years. She finally agreed to go!

What did you enjoy most about the PF trip you went on? The camaraderie. Everyone on the trip was so friendly and supportive…we were the slowpokes!

Would you go on another PF trip? Absolutely (with a faster boat!)



Name and hometown: Peggy Perry, Jacksonville, FL

When and how did you become interested in paddling? We moved to Fernandina Beach in 1967 when I was 13. Before that my family spent every weekend at a lake near Atlanta, so water is essential to my happiness! Cindy was the first person who spoke to me in Fernandina. We immediately formed a bond that has lasted 44 years. I currently live on the St. Johns River and keep a small kayak on my dock. I had only paddled it a few times—basically, just enough to get blisters. When Cindy suggested this trip, I ran out to get two pairs of gloves because I was afraid I'd lose one!

Where is your favorite place to paddle? Since my only real trip has been on the Suwannee with Paddle Florida, I'll say that for now! I'm eager to challenge that opinion, however.

What made you decide to go on a Paddle Florida trip? Cindy made me do it. She had asked before and I knew if she went without me she wouldn't have any fun.

What did you enjoy most about the PF trip you went on? Everything about it was perfect! Well, except that first night...it rained and flooded our tent. I tried not to panic when I awoke and realized our situation...I am the one who brought the (piece of ...) tent. That first morning we were the last to get in the water and next to last out. We had Doug, the sweeper, distract another paddler near the back of the pack so that we could pass her. She got a prize for being last that night....that prize should have been ours! Humiliated, we organized for the next day by rehearsing every step from getting dressed to getting in the boats (with lots of laughter). We were first in! But, still last out. We had to shift our focus to getting a prize of some sort, which Paddle Florida Director Bill Richards ultimately gave us just because we were kind of obnoxiously cute together.

Would you go on another PF trip? I can't wait for the next one! There are so many wonderful trips planned and I love the way the Paddle Florida folks organized everything for us. The campsites, food, nightly entertainment, and the people involved were what made this experience so great. We borrowed boats for the Suwannee trip and blame them for keeping us in the rear. So, I have purchased a new boat, a Perception Essence 16.5. Surely, I can figure out how to make a fast boat go slow, if necessary...but making a slow boat go fast was way too hard!

Drawing for Manitou 14 Necky Kayak is Sunday

This Sunday on the Peace River, Paddle Florida will draw the winner in our Necky Kayak Giveaway. More than 150 paddlers from across the state and beyond registered to win the Manitou 14 courtesy of Necky Kayaks. Many entries shared what attracts folks to the water and Florida's great outdoor escapes. We appreciate all the entries and the support from our paddling community.

This contest and its entries have provided Paddle Florida with some tips on places to check out for future trips. And we've enjoyed hearing what rewards and experiences paddlers seek as they head out for the wild blue yonder. We're so lucky to have so many water choices in Florida.

I'd like to share a recent entry from Tom, Gainesville, as he looks at the big picture -

"We paddle to keep in touch with ourselves, our river and springs, and our friends who live in the water, woods and air. Being out on the water for the sunrise or sunset is our family's way of remembering why we're on this planet. If we're there, and the eagles and herons are there, the otters and turtles are there, the manatees are there, and the fish and gators are there, then everything's OK with the water and the universe."

Stay tuned to see who wins and find out about the second Necky Kayak Giveaway as 2011 goes with the flow...

Share 2010 Stories. Start 2011 Adventures.

After enjoying holiday feasting and sharing 2010 updates with family and friends its time to start planning a 2011 paddling camping adventure. First, register for a chance to win a Manitou 14 kayak courtesy of Necky Kayaks to be given away in three weeks.

Any entry has the opportunity to win through one final random drawing on January 16, 2011, during the Peace, Love Paddle trip on the Peace River. Deadline to enter is January 10, 2011.

Here's some of the stories we've collected recently in this contest. Won't you share yours?

Bill P., Bradenton -

The moon is full, the river is calm and reflecting the moonshine like a mirror. My paddle piercing the water is the only sound I can hear. I get lost in the moment enjoying the glide of the kayak along the surface of this aqua paradise...Wait...a voice disturbs my peaceful paddle. "Babe! Are you going to start working on your honey-do list, or are you going to just sit there on the couch daydreaming?" It was actually a "moondream," but I guess I'll get to work scrubbing toilets and cleaning the garage... The toilet water is calm...

Christopher A., Englewood -

My past 30 years of living on Florida's West and South West coasts, I've have paddled on many crystal clear spring fed rivers, lakes, salt water flats, bays, inlets and the Gulf of Mexico. All along the way drawing in page after page of Florida memories. I've seen some huge gators and some of the best wildlife up in Citrus county. But also some of Charlotte and Sarasota counties awesome salt water paddles on Lemon Bay. Long Boat Pass and the ICW near Bradenton, the Manatee River too.I love Port Saint Joe Bay and Port Saint Joe State park, some the most pristine areas of Florida Big Pine Key, Gulf and Atlantic sides, kayaking with schools of Tarpon and Dolfins. Mainly I used a sit in Current designs Kayak. But now own an Ocean Kayak rigged for fishing! I fly fish and spin cast to willing redfish, seatrout, ladyfish and other game fish. But hey it's all good because when I'm out paddling...

Elisa S., Lantana -

Florida is made for kayaks or canoes! I love to have trouble choosing where to launch my kayak from! Do Floridians realize how lucky we are to have so many, many, way many choices???? We've seen dolphins jumping around us (babies doing their belly-flaps!!! sooooo cute!), gorgeous rays flapping underneath... even launched rockets from NASA while on the Banana River. One summer, after work, we drove to Southern Blvd, by Trumps' Mar-A-Lago and launched our kayaks. After watching the most incredible sunset, all of the sudden, the biggest, whitest, most incredible Moon came out from the East, like competing with the sun... I think the moon won... what an incredible, natural Floridian night!

Sharing Paddling Lessons

Paddling Delights

As the holidays approach with all their trimmings, celebrations and mad shopping dashes, paddlers delight, with new adventures to explore and only five weeks left to enter Paddle Florida’s Kayak giveaway, considerably more time than you have to decorate, shop, bake, entertain, and be merry.

Take time to register to win a Manitou 14 courtesy of Necky Kayaks and consider giving a Paddle Florida trip to your best buddy for a holiday gift. If you need a nudge, read this first time paddling experience from Jill, Gainesville. Jill’s contest entry was one of many great paddling adventures we’ve received during the contest. We’ll post more in the coming weeks.

Jill from Gainesville shares...

The very first time I paddled a kayak involved going over Big Shoals on the Suwannee River, with a water level that produced Class II-III rapids. I’d accompanied Ed, my boyfriend at the time, to the area to watch he and his friends shoot over the shoals repeatedly. They made it look so easy. As the afternoon wore on, I grew restless from my perch on the bank.

“I think I want to try this,” I said to Ed tentatively as he steered his craft back to the bank below the shoals for the umpteenth time.

I’d never paddled a kayak before, but I’d canoed several times. How difficult could it be? We portaged his kayak a few hundred feet upriver from the shoals. Ed buckled me into his too-large life jacket and held the boat steady as I slid in. He handed me the paddle and advised me to “stay left,” as I approached the shoals. With a shove, I was off!, heart pounding loudly in my chest.

"Wow, this is a bit wobblier than a canoe. This paddle sure is long. Why can’t I make it turn left? Wait. That was too far left. What the?? I can’t turn it back the other way. What’s with these currents?!?"

As the thunder of rapids ahead grew louder, it dawned on me that I was about to approach them perpendicularly! Every desperate flail with the paddle was in vain. I could NOT get this damn boat pointed in the right direction. As spray from the rapids began to hit my face, I stopped paddling in frustration, looked up, and cried, “I give up!”

At precisely that moment, river currents took over, my kayak righted itself, and I shot over the shoals, bow-forward, like a pro. Seconds later, having recovered from hyperventilating in calmer waters, I felt a surge of pride.

“I DID this,” I boasted to myself, and it was my FIRST time in a kayak. I paddled over to where Ed and the others were standing on the bank, anticipating the high-fives and congratulatory hugs that my admiring audience was sure to provide and unceremoniously flipped over the boat and fell out into the river.

Life lesson #1: Do all you can to make things right. Then LET GO.

Life lesson #2: When #1 goes well, don’t get cocky about it.

Despite the inglorious ending to my first kayaking experience, it instilled a paddling bug in me which Paddle Florida continues to nurture to this day.

Posted by: Nickie Kortus, Paddle Florida volunteer

Please share your paddling adventure with us and register to win a Necky Kayak Manitou 14 or join a Paddle Florida trip.

A Day in the Life of the Paddle Florida Crew

Volunteering with Paddle Florida afforded me an amazing trip with some self discovery along the way. Before I spent the first day with more than 100 strangers I tried to understand the reason these women and men would take this trip - to paddle, camp, enjoy nature, exercise, unwind, share time with friends, meet new friends, listen to live music by the likes of the Big Cypress Band and collect memories - essentially to create their own adventure.

My first assignment was to answer the most frequently asked questions on the planet – Where is the bathroom? What time do we eat? Easy. After mastering the standard responses, I begin to embellish on the answers with a little local folklore. Breakfast will be served at Grandma Susie’s Cookin’ Shack overlooking Convict Springs and shaded by the Hangin’ Tree. This real Florida backwoods story adds to River Rendezvous Campground’s appeal and blends Southern influence with a sexy French name.

Then I discovered by asking the paddlers questions I could collect a wealth of information, from the wind direction to the description of a found eagle feather down to it’s from the right side. Quickly the piney woods on the banks of the Suwannee felt like home and I thought I was born to be a park ranger.

Volunteers help unload gear. Paddle Florida transports gear and supplies over the fields, around farmhouses we go to get to the next campground. We haven’t lost a bag or smashed a tent yet. We sometimes award prizes to the paddler that helps us load and or unload gear. This is Paddle Florida’s version of providing additional workout opportunities and completing the true camping experience, all at no extra charge.

We take turns helping to set up camp, put lights on the entertainment stage, hang banners or ready the campfire. Then we sit back and enjoy the show under the stars. One night it’s Tom Shed strumming his guitar delivering the local history with a healthy dose of humor on the human condition. Another night Patchwork takes the stage and offers a porch sing-along ‘round the old hangin’ tree (can’t escape these tales). Then it’s off to the campfire to share daily adventures on the river or your own life stories before retiring to your tent hugging the river’s edge.

The camp comes to life before sun up. Lucky for me, breakfast always includes hot coffee. If you’re on the check out crew you’re at the river as the morning mist dances over the paddlers as they glide across the water starting their day's journey. The mist disappears as the sun peaks through the trees and the sweep boat joins the boaters for the morning paddle.

Paddlers are off. The crew packs up and drives to our next outdoor wonderland. Driving through the woods and fields is one of my favorite parts. The pastures are dotted with cows, goats and horses, hardly a human in sight. The road stretches beyond your eye’s view. You can smell hay. Life seems simple.

Your window to the world paints a peaceful picture as you pass your landmark to turn if you’re on rest stop duty. Turn left at the church on the corner of the dirt road heading to Little River Springs. You pick the table overlooking the spring. Set out jam, bread and peanut butter for PB&Js, granola bars, apples, bananas and assorted snacks to make it look inviting. Truth is hungry paddlers are pretty easy to please. They are happy to see the white flag on the bank signaling our stop. What’s not to enjoy overlooking Little River Springs which looks and acts just like its name? Though it’s hard to appreciate its full beauty knowing that divers are exploring its underwater caves unnoticed not for their tiny bubbles searching the surface.

Meanwhile, down river our check in crew at camp is awaiting the lead boat accompanied by those type-A explorers that are eager to arrive first and report their trip data – average speed with total miles and time logged. As they arrive you ask, how was your paddle? They almost always reply – Great. Beautiful. Good. And often add a sighting of turkey, deer, water birds, an alligator or turtles. Whether they are first, last or in between arriving, or just completed 13 or 23 miles, they are smiling and relaxed. If it was a long paddle some may set up their tent up and catch a nap. Others find a sunny spot to read before dinner. The open air seems to invite strangers to mingle and all to enjoy the conversation and company.

How hard can it be to help these people enjoy what nature has so thoughtfully placed along the banks of the Suwannee? Everything is provided. A flowing river fed by so many springs you begin to expect their multiple treats daily, mossy oaks to shade your river front campsite and all under the stars. Moonlight strolls are optional.

Oh by the way, the restrooms are up the path and to the left. Dinner is served most nights at 6 p.m. and breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Your trip is naturally landscaped, powered by a gentle river current, planned and scouted. You bring the gear and add your own adventure. Answering questions and experiencing first-hand Florida’s treasures will lure me back for more Paddle Florida excursions. Being part of the crew was a pleasure. Thanks.

Nickie Kortus

3rd Annual Fall Paddle on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

Down Upon the Suwannee with Kayla Smith (age 10)

A Journal by Kayla Smith, age 10

Paddle Florida, Day #1, October 15th, 2009, Thursday
We haven’t started canoeing yet. We are just settling in at Spirit of Suwannee Campground. I have seen lots of awesome things already. There was a bat house but it didn’t seem to be full of bats. There was also an old dirt bag house. It was small for a house but it was cool. It was made of bags of dirt, then mud, dirt and clay was spread on that. There were some wacky parrots. They weren’t really parrots, they were macaws. We also went to an old barn Tom B. use to own. It had all sorts of farming materials. It had planters, seeders, hoppers, mowers, plowers, generators, wagons, buggies and many other items that we did not know what they were. We pitched our tent before doing all that. There is going to be a Willie Nelson concert here but we are going to be gone. We had a big delicious country fried steak. It tasted like fried chicken. The restaurant was called SOS Café. There are 55 people doing the Paddle Florida.

Day 2, October 16, Friday
This morning we had to pack up in the rain. It wasn’t too bad but it was raining pretty hard. There was a big truck that had to carry our luggage to the other campground. We rode in a trailer that a truck pulled to the boat launch. There are only 2 canoes and the rest are kayaks. One canoe is ours. There was a buffet for breakfast. I ate pancakes, biscuit, and bacon. I had some orange juice with it. We left at 8:30 in the morning for the 20 miles we had to paddle. It took 7 hours to complete the 20 miles. I am the only kid in Paddle Florida. We stopped 3 times before completing the 20 miles. We stopped for lunch at 10:30. There were lots of cool rock formations on the river bank. We finally reached the campground. The supper was delicious. My favorite part of supper was the strawberry shortcake. We had a lot of fun today, me and Grammy did. We are tired and worn out. It was very exciting. We passed by 50 docks, 2 bridges and 10 rope swings. After supper someone played a guitar with her buddies and sang.

Day 3, October 17, Saturday
There were lots of springs and rapids we passed through today. It was pretty chilly too. My hands almost turned numb. I used socks for gloves. It is supposed to get down in the low 40s tonight. While we were passing through we saw 4 turtles, 96 docks, 6 bridges and 17 rope swings. Me and Grammy also passed by Great Grandma Trotter’s place today but she was not there. The rapids were very fun and very fast. We are usually very slow. The springs were beautiful. There were 4 rapids and several springs. The people here are very nice. There was 25 miles to paddle this time, but it took 7 hours to paddle it though. The lunch was yummy. We had P, B and J sandwiches, sausages and a banana. We stopped 2 times not counting lunch. We almost came in last, only 8 kayakers were behind us, not counting the sweep. Chuck is the sweep. We got to our campground at about 3:40. The campground has a beautiful spring right next to our tent. When Grammy was younger, she went swimming in it. There is a tunnel under the rock platform. After supper there is a wonderful sounding woman singing with her guitar. It was a bundle of fun.


Day 4, October 18, Sunday
My feet were freezing last night. It was 47 degrees, so it was pretty cold. We headed off into the water before the lead boat was in the water, the river was warm. They said Art, (Arthur) was the lead boat for right now. We were one of the first people to get in the water. I’m in front, Grammy is in back. We passed by 111 docks, 15 turtles, 2 bridges, 19 rope swings. One of the bridges was a rotating bridge, it was cool. There were several beautiful springs. We also rode through a couple of rapids. They made us go fast. We stopped at lunch at about 10:45. We were one of the first ones to get in the river from that too. One place we went by, the person owned a lot of land and a big spring to go along with it. It was very unique. There was not far to go today, only about 13 miles to paddle. We got to the campsite quite early. It was about 1:00. There was a beautiful spring called Convict Spring. I went swimming in it, it was very cold, so cold that I could hardly breathe. There are 2 people that are artists. Eleanor is one of them. I got to watch her paint. At first I couldn’t tell what she was painting, but it turned out very well and beautiful. The supper was a delight. We had tacos. I had a soft shell but I didn’t eat the shell. I also had an ice cream sundae on a brownie. The entertainment wasn’t very enjoyable, but she did well at the guitar. I also got sun burned on my hands and face. The fire was warm and the playground was fun. I climbed on the tires, and Grammy pushed me on the tire swing. We also had a chance to roast marshmallows but I was still full. It was a wonderful day. It was fun swimming and exploring.

Day 5, October 19, Monday
I slept very well, in fact I felt so good and cozy in my sleeping bag that I could hardly get up without dragging it out. When I got out of the tent, to use the ladies room, I wanted to head back to my sleeping bag, it was so cold. We brushed our teeth and got dressed quite quickly. There was a wonderful breakfast today. I had hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon and biscuit. I did have butter on my biscuit but it wouldn’t melt. It was frozen and stiff. I didn’t dare eat it. We left and headed out at 8:45, we are supposed to be gone by 9:00 so the sweep man Chuck won’t catch up. We pushed our paddles hard trying not to be the last ones but we ended up being the caboose. While going along, we saw 106 docks, 1 bridge, 19 turtles and 17 rope swings. Most of the turtles were very small, about the size of an apple. There were many springs. We passed by Troy Springs, it has a sunken ship at the bottom. We stopped for lunch at 12:50. I had a P, B and J, soup and a rice crispy treat. We got a picture of John and Stu swimming in the spring at our lunch stop. On the way Grammy spotted a gator. A man said it was a crocodile, but it wasn’t. We were done with our 15 miles in 5 hours, so it was about 2:00. It was still chilly at the campground so we rented a motel room. It feels good. While waiting for supper, we watched Mrs. Eleanor paint. It turns out that I have a famous artist for a friend. I might even get to paint. The supper was good. I had chili, salad and ice cream. I drank tea too. There was a boring meeting at 7:00 about river water and unhealthy water. I think I will sleep good tonight.




Day 6, October 20, 2009, Tuesday
The bed felt good and I was right, I slept very well. It felt like I was in my bed at home. The motel was great. There was a small bathroom and 2 beds so I got a bed to myself. We were heading toward the river at about 7:30, so we got a head start. Once again we were of the first ones in the water. Before we headed to the river, we stopped at Nell’s restaurant. There was a buffet of food set out for the customers. I ate sausage, bacon French toast, eggs and drank hot chocolate. I also grabbed a banana to go. While on the river, we passed by 346 docks, 72 turtles, went under a bridge and passed 49 rope swings. There were lots of beautiful springs. Most of them were just little ones. They were under logs and in the mud. We also went into Rock Bluff Springs. It was right before Rock Bluff Bridge. We also passed by Great Grandma Smith’s place. We had to paddle 23 miles today and it took 8 hours and 30 minutes. We stopped for lunch at 12:30 and also had some Halloween candy. We had to paddle up the Santa Fe to get to lunch. We paddled against the wind and the current when going up the Santa Fe. Stu stopped at a water park and jumped off the rope and slid down the slide. It was funny. We got to the campground at 4:00. It was Goronto Springs. When we got there, we were interviewed by the Times Newspaper so Grammy and I are going to be in the newspaper. I had meatloaf, mac and cheese and banana pudding for supper. I also got to paint a picture with water paint with Mrs. Eleanor. It was fun. We saw a gator today too, our 3rd gator, we also saw one yesterday. It was very interesting. There was a great bluegrass band for out entertainment and it was very entertaining. They were very good at what they did. There were men playing the guitar, the base, the banjo, the mandolin and a woman playing a ukulele. The songs they played sounded very difficult to play. It was fantastic.

Day 7, October 21, Wednesday
I slept good, I only woke up 2 times last night. The first time I woke up because my feet were cold, the 2nd time I woke because I heard Grammy get up to go to the bathroom. We got up to get ready at about 6:50, we tidied up everything and were on the water at about 8:00. We had to paddle 20 miles this time. Once again we were one of the first ones to get into the water. Today we saw 2 bridges, 274 docks, 24 rope swings, and 86 turtles. We also saw 1 gator and 3 old refrigerators washed up on the shore. We ate lunch at Hart Springs. I ate a sandwich, and rice crispy treat. We got to Fanning Springs at about 4:10. I won an award for being the youngest one on the trip. It turns out I am the youngest one to complete the trip ever! That was exciting. A man named Willie played the blues. It sounded great!

Day 8, October 22, Thursday
Today is our last day. I had lots of fun on this trip. I met a lot of new people. They were all nice too. Today we had to go 10 and a half miles because we stop at Manatee Springs which is 9 miles from Fanning, then we paddle to Grammy’s dock which is one and a half miles from Manatee. It was a short day today. We saw 3 gators, 196 docks, 64 turtles and 13 rope swings. We got to Manatee Springs at about 11:30. For lunch we had hamburgers, chips and cookies. We got to Grammy’s house at about 1:20. The most interesting person I met was Mrs. Eleanor. She is a famous artist. We have her card too. I was also thinking about swimming. This was a trip of a life time.
P.S. I hope I get to do this again. It was fun. The End, Kayla Smith