Kayak Club of Greater Charlotte Harbor

We will launch at Snook Haven, (be back on n he water ready to paddle at 9:30) paddle down to Laurel Park take a break and paddle back this will be over 9 miles of paddling know your limits not suitable for beginners. We will be paddling against the current going to Laurel Park. Rest rooms on site at the launch and at Laurel park.
Bring water, PFD, snack lunch.

You can have lunch at Snook Haven Restaurant after.

Sunset, Christmas Lights paddle and kayak parade. We will launch from the Boat Club ramp at Gilchrist Park and paddle past Fisher-mans Village and more or less follow the Christmas Lights tour boats. Several Tour Boats do this tour throughout December. We will go through PGI canals where ever there are Christmas lights and also to the Yacht Club Basin. People living on the canals decorate their houses and boats. Some of their decorations are spectacular. We decorate our kayaks and dress up, at least wear a Santa Hat. People usually come out, in their yards, to look at our boats and take pics. Win win situation. See last years pictures. This is a fun paddle and I think much better than taking a tour boat. Sunset is at 5:36 PM. We should be in the water by 4:30PM. Date is weather/wind dependent. Plenty of free parking. This is a great paddle. Note the Punta Gorda Boat parade is not part of this event. Coast guard requires a light to avoid collision, at least a flashlight. We decorate out boat with all types of Christmas decorations and battery string lights. The more the merrier. Date is flexible, will pick a another night, if weather is not good. Sun sets at 5:38. Need at least 12 paddlers to have a parade. Actually length of paddle depends on what we see, etc.

RESERVE YOUR CAMPSITE at Silver Spring state park. I have site 41. Come by for happy hour and trip details Sunday 5ish.
We will do 3 beautiful paddles up there and camp 4 nights. I have booked 5 nights for a longer stay Sunday to Friday and an extra paddle day.
We will paddle Silver Springs River, Ocklawaha River to Gores Landing, and Juniper Run the extra paddle will be Gore’s Landing to Eureka on the Ocklawaha.

Reserve your site now.
No plus ones / guests please. Each person attending must sign up individually.

Monday we will paddle Silver Springs upstream and downstream. If you only want to go downstr we will meet at the top and paddle down together arrange your shuttle beforehand hand.
We will be parking and launching at Ray Wayside Park, Northeast 28th Lane, Silver Springs, $7.00 cash to park. The whole river is beautiful. There is no swimming anywhere on the Silver River, there is only one spot to get out it’s about 2 miles from the head spring it has a ramp and porta potty. When we get to Rays wayside we load kayaks and give rides to those who left their cars at the launch.

Tuesday 8:00 we will go to Juniper Springs coordinates (29.1838667, -81.7120231) $10.00 to launch.Drop our kayaks and then do our shuttle to Juniper Wayside coordinates 29.205635 / -81.666837 parking here is free.
It is a long walk from the parking lot to the launch they have some carts you can use I recommend Bring your wheels
This is one of the best kayaking area beautiful you shou google it. 8 miles with the current with lots of twists and turns and a small rapid near the end.

Wednesday we will paddle the Ocklawaha River from Rays wayside to Gores Landing,Ray Wayside Park, Northeast 28th Lane, Silver Springs $7.00 cash to park only cars being left there need to pay. Drop our kayaks shuttle to Gores Landing 13800 NE 98th St., Fort McCoy, FL 32134 coordinates (29.2896570, -81.9271060). It may be $2.00 to park not sure.
Ocklawaha River is framed with tall trees on both sides, wildlife and adventure side creeks, paddle is approximately 9 miles with the current. No swimming.

Thursday for those that stay we will do Ocklawaha from Gores Landing to Eureka anot to beautiful part of the river with side adventures I think it’s 9 miles.