I've developed a Skill Level classification system to better enable people to judge if they have the skills necessary to
make a given trip. Remember we do teach beginners classes on an on demand basis.

* Skill Level. Please Note:  None of these are float trips which means you will need to actually paddle. 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. Kayaks must be at last 10' long.  
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. Kayaks need to be at least 12' long. 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). Kayaks need to be at
least 13.5' long.
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 rescue.
Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long.
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.  Kayaks
need to be at least 13.5' long.

These classifications are just guidelines to let you self-evaluate your potential to participate and should be considered
as minimal skills.  For those bringing your own boat a word of advice.  Except on the
ALL level trips, you may find
yourself working hard to keep up if you are paddling very short boats. I don't want to discriminate against short boats
(<12'), but they are not suitable for much more than a short paddle on flat water or a downstream float trip.  That being
said, feel free to come along on the
ALL and Beyond Beginner level trips but be forewarned. On trips rated greater
than
ALL, a 13.5' boat should be considered a minimum requirement.

Ozello is first up. Got blown out last cycle. If the tides are right, we'll try the maze.  Barry will be healed by then. Beyond
Beginner

The Withlacoochee at Gum Slough is a very pretty section of the river, Water levels are good and I'm told the springs
are flowing.  Be forewarned that this can be a strenuous trip with very few rest areas.
Strong Beginner

Next is the Bennett's Creek near the mouth of the Withlacoochee  Good birding.  We might make a stop and explore
some of
Chambers Island.  ALL

Wacassassa Bay starts just north of the Withlacoochee River.  There are lots of small islands to explore.  One has an
artesian well and if anyone knows which island, let me know.   It'll save time guessing.   Pretty wild and scenic.
ALL but
long.

Lake Rousseau formed when the Withlacoochee River was dammed for a hydropower project in the 1920's  Inglis Island
was formed after creation of the Cross Florida Barge Canal.  ALL

Weeki Wachee is now a state park and management of the launch facilities is now in house and it's a much friendlier
place.  Fees are now reasonable at $5 per person.  Still a bit of a carry from the parking to the launch, but they are
happy to lend you a cart.  Plan is to paddle out and back so no shuttle is needed.  I hate setting up shuttles.  
ALL

Bayport is a historical settlement on the gulf downstream from where Weeki Wachee and Mud Creek meet.  We'll explore
the coast this time and forego the river.  
Beyond Beginner
Aardvark's Group Paddles for February/March 2010
READ CAREFULLY - WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY - IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE YOU MUST AGREE TO
THE FOLLOWING
I agree as follows:
I fully understand and acknowledge that outdoor recreational activities have: (a) inherent risks,
dangers and hazards and such exists in my use of Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company equipment and my
participation in Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company activities; (b) my participation in such activities and/or
use of such equipment may result in injury or illness including, but not limited to bodily injury, disease,
strains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, death or other ailments that could cause serious disability;
(c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees, officers or agents of
Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company; the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents,
breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes. Risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or
unforeseeable causes including, but not limited to, guide decision making, including that a guide may
misjudge terrain, weather, trail or river route location, and water level, risks of falling out of or drowning
while in a canoe or kayak and such other risks, hazards and dangers that are integral to recreational
activities and/or use of equipment, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any
losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the
owners, agents, officers, or employees of Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company, or by any other person. I
further agree to abide by a policy of no alcohol on rental or guided trips and to wear a life jacket at all
times.

I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs hereby voluntarily agree to
release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company and its
owners, agents, officers and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury,
property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my use of
Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company equipment or my participation in Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company
activities. I specifically understand that I am releasing, discharging and waiving any claims or actions that
I may have presently or in the future for the negligent acts or other conduct by the owners, agents, officers
or employees of Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company. . I permit the use of any photos, slides, films, or
sketches taken during the day’s activities for publicity, advertising, promotion or other commercial
purpose. The above agreement shall be binding on my heirs, successors, assigns, administrators and
executors.

The Venue of any dispute that may arise out of this agreement or otherwise between the parties to
which the Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company or its agents is a party shall be either the city of Inverness,
Florida Justice Court or the County Court in Citrus County, or State Supreme Court in Leon County, FL
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE AND BY SIGNING up for any trip, AGREE THAT IT IS
MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT AND RELIEVE Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company. Inc FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL
INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
Aardvarks sponsors a kayak club of sorts, Aardvark's Nature Coast Kayakers.  It is very loosely organized and
anyone can join in.  No dues, officers, or not much that resembles order.  It works like this: Aardvark picks a bunch of
places he wants to go for the month on his morning off and posts the places and dates in the current newsletter and
here. If you want to come along, check the appropriate boxes, enter your e-mail notification information and hit send
when you're through.

We do this for free mostly to promote the sport and give paddlers a chance to socialize.  Keeping it free means keeping
it simple, so these are the rules.

1. Sign up is online.  I need you to do that so the insurance waiver is covered.  If you don't have a computer then
you'll need to come by the shop and sign the waiver in person and get put on the list. Once you do that, you'll get
launch time and directions. They will be available one week before each trip. If you are renting, you can pay for your
rental at this time. (See #4)

2.  Notification is by e-mail .  Often I don't pick a specific launch point until I have a good weather forecast at about a
week out. From here on, it is a
two e-mail system.  The 1st e-mail goes out not later than the day before the trip.  It
usually goes out on the Friday before. This e-mail contains a confirmation of launch time and a map or directions to the
launch point.
I will now always send out a 2nd e-mail the morning of the trip confirming or cancelling. If you don't
have a computer, you'll need to call between 7:00 am - 7:30 am to check the trip's status.

3.  You must sign up at least 48 hours in advance.  I tried asking for a week, but that was pretty much ignored, so
48 hours is now mandatory.

4.  Rental boats need to be prepaid 48 hours in advance. I can no longer accept payment at the launch.  This is
an issue with the definition of doing business at public launches.  Collecting fees on site meets that definition.
There has been a slight change in policy for those needing rental boats.  We now find we must apply the
same reservation and cancellation policy that we use for our standard rentals.  Rentals can be reserved by
prepaying or providing a credit card number.  If weather forces a cancellation there is no charge. You may
cancel out up to the 5 pm the night before the trip and there is no charge. Other than that you'll be charged
for the rental boat.
Once you've submitted the form, kick back and relax.  I usually send out maps and final itinerary 2 or 3
days before the event.  If you haven't heard anything by the night before, you might want to check in.  
Hint: Double check your e-mail address before you submit, if it's not right or not there, I can't send you
the info. We cannot make notifications by phone and still keep this a free service. Feel free to call us at
the shop during normal working hours for updates if you don't have e-mail.
 
 
TRIP SIGN UP
Check  the Appropriate Boxes to Sign Up for the Trips, Then Fill Out the Contact Portion and Hit the SUBMIT Button.
I Want To Go To:
I Need a Rental
Ozello
Withlacoochee/Gum
Bennett's Creek
Wacasassa Bay
Lake Rousseau
Your name:
Weeki Wachee
Your email address:
Bayport
Initial to agree to the
waiver
Comments or Questions
DATE
DAY
TRIP
SKILL LEVEL*
NOTES
February 14
Sunday
Ozello
Beyond Beginner
Open h20
February 21
Sunday
Withlacoochee at Gum Slough
Strong Beginner
Strenuous
February 28
Sunday
Bennett's Creek
ALL
 
March 7
Sunday
Wacassassa Bay
ALL
Long
March 14
Sunday
Lake Rousseau at Inglis Island
ALL
Stumps
March 21
Sunday
Weeki Wachee Headwaters
Strong Beginner
Fee
March 28
Sunday
Bayport
Beyond Beginner
Open h20