Kayak Club of Greater Charlotte Harbor

We will paddle around the big island and head north on the lake. We will find a good find a spot to watch the sunset and moonrise. A perfect place for beginners. Sunset 5:37 Moonrise 5:22

POSTPONED: Due to the damage to our community and the waterways, Paddle Punta Gorda, has been postponed. TEAM Punta Gorda will assess the conditions in the next few months and if possible, will reschedule for January/February time frame.

We will keep everyone posted on updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued support of TEAM Punta Gorda.

The non-profit Team Punta Gorda is hosting Paddle Punta Gorda, on November 23, 2024 to get more people paddling in PG.

We will hold paddles at 5 locations of about 15 paddlers at each location, followed by a group lunch at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC).

We are asking for volunteers to guide participants on paddles from the following locations in and near Punta Gorda, FL: Ponce Park, Webb Lake, CHEC, Gaines Veterans Park, and either Nav-A-Gator or Hathaway Park (Shell Creek). We need at least one guide for each location.

Each trip will include an environmentalist, and two locations (CHEC and either Nav-A-Gator or Hathaway Park) will have rental kayaks.

We are also looking for volunteer safety boaters as well. If you know how to perform a group rescue, then you qualify. We need seven safety boaters (two for the rental groups). Help us invite new paddlers to the sport and get a free lunch, including free beer. Last year the volunteers were eligible for the included raffle of some really great prizes!

More details to follow as we get closer to the event. The start time has not been set.

For more information, email Brian AT BayKayaking DOT com.

The all-volunteer Team Punta Gorda was established in 2004 to help build community following Hurricane Charley, which devastated the city.

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.