Shop News
.
We've received a new shipment of Swift paddles in varying lengths. Swift Paddles and Aardvark's have created a
manatee themed graphite/fiberglass paddle that we will be offering at $319.00. Swift will be making a donation to
Save The Manatee Club for every paddle sold.
ALL ABOUT ME EVENT
"Me & My Paddle"
sponsored by Florida Kayak Company
On April 23, 2009, Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company will sponsor our "All About Me" activity we call "Me and My
Paddle". If you want something just for you that you have always wanted to do, be sure to come join us for a fun
and informative event.
We will be offering 1/2 hour demonstrations of "Me and My Paddle". Many people have never really learned the
best, most effective way to use their kayak paddle. Sessions are scheduled at 10am, 1pm and 3pm, and Matt will
do a 1/2 hour class/demonstration of how to get the best out of your kayak paddle. Each Demo will be open to the
first 15 persons who sign up. All attending will get to use one of our paddles, or you may bring your own. We will
meet in the side parking area for the demonstration.
All participants will get a ticket for a door prize. The drawing will be at 5pm, and the winner will be notified by
phone or e-mail. Other shops in the Village will be sponsoring their own events, so stop on by.
Finally we are featuring a SPOT On Sale. MSRP is $169.95 Sale Price $149.95
By now everyone has heard of the boating accident off that took the lives of three men off Tampa Bay when the
weather went bad in the Gulf and they were caught off shore. Had they had a SPOT unit, they might still be with us
today.
.
We've received a new shipment of Swift paddles in varying lengths. Swift Paddles and Aardvark's have created a
manatee themed graphite/fiberglass paddle that we will be offering at $319.00. Swift will be making a donation to
Save The Manatee Club for every paddle sold.
ALL ABOUT ME EVENT
"Me & My Paddle"
sponsored by Florida Kayak Company
On April 23, 2009, Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company will sponsor our "All About Me" activity we call "Me and My
Paddle". If you want something just for you that you have always wanted to do, be sure to come join us for a fun
and informative event.
We will be offering 1/2 hour demonstrations of "Me and My Paddle". Many people have never really learned the
best, most effective way to use their kayak paddle. Sessions are scheduled at 10am, 1pm and 3pm, and Matt will
do a 1/2 hour class/demonstration of how to get the best out of your kayak paddle. Each Demo will be open to the
first 15 persons who sign up. All attending will get to use one of our paddles, or you may bring your own. We will
meet in the side parking area for the demonstration.
All participants will get a ticket for a door prize. The drawing will be at 5pm, and the winner will be notified by
phone or e-mail. Other shops in the Village will be sponsoring their own events, so stop on by.
Finally we are featuring a SPOT On Sale. MSRP is $169.95 Sale Price $149.95
By now everyone has heard of the boating accident off that took the lives of three men off Tampa Bay when the
weather went bad in the Gulf and they were caught off shore. Had they had a SPOT unit, they might still be with us
today.
Kayak Safety
With so many new subscribers and paddlers in general, I'm going to preach safety this month. Spring is upon us
and many of those who hibernate in the winter months are starting to hit the water.
First let's talk boating in general. Many kayakers still do not understand that kayaks are boats first and foremost.
There are rules and regulations that apply, although many boaters (both motor and non) are either ignorant or
choose to ignore that fact. One of the most frequent violations I see from paddlers (non-motor) is ignoring the
boating exclusion zones. That's usually the swim area at Hunter's Spring or the Key Hole. It doesn't matter that no
one is swimming, it's still an exclusion area. Look for the Orange Diamond with the Cross and stay waterward of
the marker. The link that follows let's you take an online boating course. You can take the course without paying
for the certification.
Know your equipment and your skill level. Recreational Kayaks are meant for calm protected waters and are
not as capable as sea kayaks which are built for rougher waters. Don't go out in bad weather or in rough water,
period. Don't go out if bad weather is predicted. Make sure your boat has adequate flotation (preferably a kayak
with bulkheads front and back) and that it is properly secured. Way too many people count on the foam blocks of
cheap kayaks keeping them safe and afloat. Sorry, don't count on getting back into your kayak anytime soon if you
swamp one of these pool toys. Make a realistic evaluation of your skills and don't go or get talked into going on a
trip that is beyond where you think you are. If you've never paddled in open water, don't do it when the wind is going
to be blowing up a storm. Better to learn the skills before you need them to save your life. We offer classes at the
shop that will get you started. For those of you who want advanced skills, contact Don at Big D's Kayak Adventures.
We will be working on an on demand basis for the next couple of months trying to feel out the market. Please let him
know I sent you.
Wear Your PFD. I know people are getting tired of my saying this, so let me say it louder. You are an idiot if you
refuse to wear a PFD. Furthermore, don't bother to sign up for any of my trips, rentals, or club paddles. I don't want
your death on my hands. It's not that you can't swim, it's that it's just really, really hard if you are injured. It's called
an accident and don't think it can't happen to you. ASk the boys from Tampa Bay. Here are just a few things to
ponder from Wear it Florida.
Sorry if you think I'm being harsh, but kayak tour and rental operations who don't make you wear it, don't care squat
about your safety. Those rental operation locally tend to be dive shops that are in the kayak rental and tour
business as a side line. They aren't doing you a favor and they are doing a disservice to the rest of us legitimate
outfitters..
Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, mainly because people won't wear their PFDs and there are lots of
boats. Nationwide in 2007, one hundred seven fatalities were attributable to canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The use
of properly fitted life jackets could have prevented nearly all those fatalities. (Source USCG Auxiliary)
With so many new subscribers and paddlers in general, I'm going to preach safety this month. Spring is upon us
and many of those who hibernate in the winter months are starting to hit the water.
First let's talk boating in general. Many kayakers still do not understand that kayaks are boats first and foremost.
There are rules and regulations that apply, although many boaters (both motor and non) are either ignorant or
choose to ignore that fact. One of the most frequent violations I see from paddlers (non-motor) is ignoring the
boating exclusion zones. That's usually the swim area at Hunter's Spring or the Key Hole. It doesn't matter that no
one is swimming, it's still an exclusion area. Look for the Orange Diamond with the Cross and stay waterward of
the marker. The link that follows let's you take an online boating course. You can take the course without paying
for the certification.
Know your equipment and your skill level. Recreational Kayaks are meant for calm protected waters and are
not as capable as sea kayaks which are built for rougher waters. Don't go out in bad weather or in rough water,
period. Don't go out if bad weather is predicted. Make sure your boat has adequate flotation (preferably a kayak
with bulkheads front and back) and that it is properly secured. Way too many people count on the foam blocks of
cheap kayaks keeping them safe and afloat. Sorry, don't count on getting back into your kayak anytime soon if you
swamp one of these pool toys. Make a realistic evaluation of your skills and don't go or get talked into going on a
trip that is beyond where you think you are. If you've never paddled in open water, don't do it when the wind is going
to be blowing up a storm. Better to learn the skills before you need them to save your life. We offer classes at the
shop that will get you started. For those of you who want advanced skills, contact Don at Big D's Kayak Adventures.
We will be working on an on demand basis for the next couple of months trying to feel out the market. Please let him
know I sent you.
Wear Your PFD. I know people are getting tired of my saying this, so let me say it louder. You are an idiot if you
refuse to wear a PFD. Furthermore, don't bother to sign up for any of my trips, rentals, or club paddles. I don't want
your death on my hands. It's not that you can't swim, it's that it's just really, really hard if you are injured. It's called
an accident and don't think it can't happen to you. ASk the boys from Tampa Bay. Here are just a few things to
ponder from Wear it Florida.
Sorry if you think I'm being harsh, but kayak tour and rental operations who don't make you wear it, don't care squat
about your safety. Those rental operation locally tend to be dive shops that are in the kayak rental and tour
business as a side line. They aren't doing you a favor and they are doing a disservice to the rest of us legitimate
outfitters..
Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, mainly because people won't wear their PFDs and there are lots of
boats. Nationwide in 2007, one hundred seven fatalities were attributable to canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The use
of properly fitted life jackets could have prevented nearly all those fatalities. (Source USCG Auxiliary)
Well with the Florida Legislature in session, there is no dearth of gloom and doom from the environmental perspective.
These guys won't be happy until they pave over every wetland and forest in Florida. Remember that when you go vote and
when that interstate comes through your back yard.
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club is a great organization who lobbies very effectively on environmental issues. Click
here for a PDF of this years issues and positions.
This just in from SMC:
There are multiple bills in the legislature this year that threaten Florida's ecosystems, including the manatee's aquatic
ecosystem. The nation's current economic difficulties are being used by the development community and their allies as an
excuse to relax environmental safeguards in Florida.
Click here to send a quick online letter on these issues!
These are a few of the damaging proposals coming out of Tallahassee:
* Closure of 5 Department of Environmental Protection Aquatic Preserve Offices: Closure will eliminate services including
monitoring, resource protection and restoration, permitting assistance, volunteer coordination, emergency response and
cleanup, education and outreach activities and coordination with other agencies on potential impacts to these sites from
adjacent alterations of habitats.
* Dismantling of the Department of Community Affairs: The DCA provides oversight of the state's development by reviewing
proposed amendments to county comprehensive plans and other laws. Bills proposed in both the House and Senate would
weaken growth management provisions by either abolishing or reorganizing DCA and cutting staff that provide review of
proposed local comprehensive plan amendments.
* Wetlands Permitting: Proposals in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee would weaken the
Environmental Resources Permitting process by providing opportunities for developers to avoid wetlands mitigation
commitments and sufficient stormwater treatment.
* Transformation of Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Program into a Boat Ramp Development Program: Representative
Trudi Williams (R- Ft. Myers), chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee proposed an amendment to
transform this Florida Communities Trust program into a mechanism for building boat ramps.
There have been some positive actions taken during the current legislative session to safeguard Florida's springs and
seagrass.
* Springs Bill: Senator Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) proposed a springs protection bill (SB 274) for first and
second magnitude springs that passed the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.
* Seagrass Protection: A seagrass protection bill has passed in both the Senate and House committees. The bill lacks the
bad "mitigation banking" language that led Governor Crist (at our urging) to veto the otherwise identical bill in 2008.
What You Can Do:
Please click on this link to send an online letter to Governor Charlie Crist, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the
House, asking that DEP's Aquatic Preserve offices remain open, that the functions of DCA remain intact, that wetlands
permitting receive sufficient oversight, that the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts program remains committed to
supporting projects that are in the public interest, and that new laws to protect springs and seagrass be passed.
Your letter will help safeguard Florida's environment against damaging and short-sighted policies being proposed in
Tallahassee.
Please click here for additional information on these issues.
Manatees
Somebody got it right, just not with manatees. Here's a good approach by NOAA as it deals with dolphin encounters in the
Florida Keys. Dolphin SMART Program
These guys won't be happy until they pave over every wetland and forest in Florida. Remember that when you go vote and
when that interstate comes through your back yard.
The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club is a great organization who lobbies very effectively on environmental issues. Click
here for a PDF of this years issues and positions.
This just in from SMC:
There are multiple bills in the legislature this year that threaten Florida's ecosystems, including the manatee's aquatic
ecosystem. The nation's current economic difficulties are being used by the development community and their allies as an
excuse to relax environmental safeguards in Florida.
Click here to send a quick online letter on these issues!
These are a few of the damaging proposals coming out of Tallahassee:
* Closure of 5 Department of Environmental Protection Aquatic Preserve Offices: Closure will eliminate services including
monitoring, resource protection and restoration, permitting assistance, volunteer coordination, emergency response and
cleanup, education and outreach activities and coordination with other agencies on potential impacts to these sites from
adjacent alterations of habitats.
* Dismantling of the Department of Community Affairs: The DCA provides oversight of the state's development by reviewing
proposed amendments to county comprehensive plans and other laws. Bills proposed in both the House and Senate would
weaken growth management provisions by either abolishing or reorganizing DCA and cutting staff that provide review of
proposed local comprehensive plan amendments.
* Wetlands Permitting: Proposals in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee would weaken the
Environmental Resources Permitting process by providing opportunities for developers to avoid wetlands mitigation
commitments and sufficient stormwater treatment.
* Transformation of Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Program into a Boat Ramp Development Program: Representative
Trudi Williams (R- Ft. Myers), chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee proposed an amendment to
transform this Florida Communities Trust program into a mechanism for building boat ramps.
There have been some positive actions taken during the current legislative session to safeguard Florida's springs and
seagrass.
* Springs Bill: Senator Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) proposed a springs protection bill (SB 274) for first and
second magnitude springs that passed the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.
* Seagrass Protection: A seagrass protection bill has passed in both the Senate and House committees. The bill lacks the
bad "mitigation banking" language that led Governor Crist (at our urging) to veto the otherwise identical bill in 2008.
What You Can Do:
Please click on this link to send an online letter to Governor Charlie Crist, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the
House, asking that DEP's Aquatic Preserve offices remain open, that the functions of DCA remain intact, that wetlands
permitting receive sufficient oversight, that the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts program remains committed to
supporting projects that are in the public interest, and that new laws to protect springs and seagrass be passed.
Your letter will help safeguard Florida's environment against damaging and short-sighted policies being proposed in
Tallahassee.
Please click here for additional information on these issues.
Manatees
Somebody got it right, just not with manatees. Here's a good approach by NOAA as it deals with dolphin encounters in the
Florida Keys. Dolphin SMART Program
| Aardvark's Adventures in Kayak Land April 2009 / May 2009 2nd Edition |
| ANCK Club Trip List |
| Group paddles are Aardvark's time to socialize and paddle with both old and new friends. Skill levels vary so the trips are typically not very strenuous unless so noted (Advanced/Long/Offshore). Join us at no charge if you have your own boat. Need a rental? We'll bring one for you at base rental rates. ($35 single/$45 tandem). We now require that you pre-pay for rentals. Sign up early. You can always cancel out and that way you are in the loop from the beginning. If you decide you don't want to go at the last minute, just let us know so we don't wait on you. Don't expect an immediate response when you sign up. The e-mails go into a bin and a message is generated, usually the Friday before the trip. |
| Interactive Trip Selector is now located here: Group Paddle Trips 1. Make sure to fill in the contact info box with an e-mail address so that we can contact you with trip details. 2. Check the boxes next to the trips that interest you. 3. When everything is filled in hit the Send Button. I have to ask that you please sign up through the webform using a valid e-mail address and please check the waiver. In order to keep these trips free, I have to keep it as simple as possible. |
| That's all for now folks. See You on the Water Aardvark's |
| Copyright ©2003 Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company All Rights Reserved |
| Upcoming Events Call Matt or Sue for details at 352-795-5650 |
The Environment
| Take an online boating safety course for free. Click here to Start then click on Florida on the Map |
| Cedar Key |
| Sunday |
| Strong Beginner |
| Sunday |
| Withlacoochee DownRiver |
| DATE |
| NOTES |
| Long |
| Shuttle/Long |
| ALL |
| TRIP |
| SKILL LEVEL* |
| May 17 |
| Beyond Beginner |
| Bennett's Creek |
| Bayport/Mud River |
| May 3 |
| Sunday |
| DAY |
| April 12 |
| Sunday |
| Sunday |
| May 24 |
| Beyond Beginner |
| Ozello |
| Rainbow River |
| Sunday |
| Beyond Beginner |
| April 26 |
| May 10 |
| Beyond Beginner |
Paddling Tips
| SPOT MSRP $169.95 Aardvark's Price $149.95 More info Here |
| some open H20 |
| Aardvark's Will be Closed for R&R from May 25th thru May 29th |
* Skill Level. These classifications are meant to give you some idea whether you should consider going on the trips. All
generally means that the trip is suitable for any skill level, including first timers but as with any outdoor activity, you may
encounter unexpected conditions that can make the trip more strenuous than you thought. Beyond Beginner means that you
should at last have some idea of how to paddle and have been on at least a few outings or taken a basic class before trying this
trip level. Strong Beginner means that in addition to having some basic skills, you need to have the endurance to paddle
distances longer than 6 miles, spend up to 4 hours sitting in a kayak and handle less than optimal conditions (wind/current).
Intermediate means that in addition to having some basic skills and physical ability, that you have some knowledge of basic
rescue techniques and can perform at least an assisted rescue as both rescuer and rescuee. Advanced means that in addition
to the intermediate skills you can successfully perform a self rescue in adverse conditions and have the proper equipment
necessary for offshore paddling. These classifications are just guideline to let you self-evaluate your potential to participate.
generally means that the trip is suitable for any skill level, including first timers but as with any outdoor activity, you may
encounter unexpected conditions that can make the trip more strenuous than you thought. Beyond Beginner means that you
should at last have some idea of how to paddle and have been on at least a few outings or taken a basic class before trying this
trip level. Strong Beginner means that in addition to having some basic skills, you need to have the endurance to paddle
distances longer than 6 miles, spend up to 4 hours sitting in a kayak and handle less than optimal conditions (wind/current).
Intermediate means that in addition to having some basic skills and physical ability, that you have some knowledge of basic
rescue techniques and can perform at least an assisted rescue as both rescuer and rescuee. Advanced means that in addition
to the intermediate skills you can successfully perform a self rescue in adverse conditions and have the proper equipment
necessary for offshore paddling. These classifications are just guideline to let you self-evaluate your potential to participate.
| UPDATE: Olive Radeker was the winner of the "All About Me" Drawing! |
