THE BAYOU PADDLE.  Our most popular shuttle trip! Launch  a kayak from Clam Bayou Nature park and follow the map through the 160 acre mangrove estuary to see a bounty of birds, fish and marine life. Then just a short 30 minute paddle along the natural shoreline -through the fish and over the grass lies the Gulfport Waterfront district. Pull the kayak or paddleboard onto the beach and leave your shoes behind for the steps into Omaddy’s Beachfront Grille for lunch, dinner, or refreshments! (see menu here http://omaddys.com/01-2010_Menu.pdf )   * PADDLE TIME  = 2hrs

BEACH PADDLE = Launch right off Gulfport Beach and head into the rising sun and Summer breeze. Jumping mullet, soaring rays, and occasional dolphin or manatee encounters occur on this 30 minute paddle into Clam Bayou Nature Park where birds, fish, flora & fauna flourish!  Landing at the designated kayak launch site is a breeze and within yards of the Gulfport City Marina’s ship store and bath area.  * PADDLE TIME  2hrs.

EGAN PARK ISLAND HOPPER.  Egan Park on St Pete Beach is a great place to start an adventure with us! Paddling through the inner waterways of St Pete Beach, S Pasadena & Gulfport on Boca Ciega Bay offer the best experience in the area.  Pack a picnic and stop on 1 of 2 uninhabited islands for some quiet time in the sun-n-sand! * PADDLE TIME  3hrs +  (but likely longer as the islands are timeless)

* FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE  is available (upon request)  every hour on the hour back to your car.

Single kayak = $30
Double kayak = $45

Reservations necessary and space is limited so reserve today!  (727) 418-9728

727-418-9728

alligator beach bird BIRDER birding birds boca ciega clam bayou clean up conservation eagle eco-tour elnor island environment florida ft desoto Green gulfport kayak kayaking kayak rental kayak st pete beach kayak tour Kurt Zuelsdorf manatee nature omaddy’s osprey otter paddleboard picnic snook south pasadena Spoonbill stand up board stand up paddleboard st pete st pete beach st pete kayak tour st petersburg summer sup trash WATER MONKEY withlacoochee

Club Basics

The Kayak Nature Club – Kayaking with a group is a big safety issue for kayakers. Not only is there safety in numbers, but it is much more fun too!  Our club is based on the desire to increase kayaking skills, increase safety awareness, work to improve access for kayakers, meet friends, and explore new areas. We currently have about 50 members that get out on local outings at least once per month.

There are many trips local and across the state.  We  work with numerous school groups to introduce kids to kayaking. These programs are offered free to these groups hat work with intercity kids, at-risk-youth, and other similar groups. If you have a group that you think would benefit from this, please have them contact us!

As a membership club, everyone helps out thru volunteering.  You might help someone carry their boat, work on membership records, boat repair, kids programs, water conservation or litter clean ups, website maintenance, pulling the trailer, or even lead trips and organize outings. Each person does what they can, given work and family schedules, but the only way that the club can function is if everyone works together to keep our programs going. 
Safety/Logistics/Club Rules

Some of the most important things, are the simplest things. Having members show up on time for an outings is the biggest challenge we face. In years past, we would wait for people to arrive, which would always delay our launch.  That imposes a burden on those who show up on time and unload and became problematic. 

We are going to set very strict time guidelines.  If you need to use a club boat for an outing, you must be there at the launch, with a minimum of 30 minutes leeway in order to unload your boat, adjust footpegs, gather gear, etc.  That is the time our group takes to get ready to launch. If you are running late, you can call us and we can ready your gear for you. This is for the special circumstance, and should not be abused.  If you have not called, and are not at the launch 15 minutes prior to launch, you will not be able to attend. Period. Please do not try to negotiate with the trip leader or the person who hauled the trailer. This is a no exception rule.

The goal is not to punish members, but rather ensure that everyone is on time, so that we can spend our time on the water, rather than having the whole group waiting for people who are not there. 

Leave early, bring a map, or even check out the launch site sometime prior to the paddle to ensure you know how to get there. Plan for traffic – holiday traffic, rush hour, sporting events, or special events.

No call/No Show: If you do not call, and you do not show to 2 paddles for which you have rsvp’ed, your membership will be terminated. Your leaders bring the correct number of boats for each outing. Kayaks left on the trailer can be stolen. You must let us know that you are not attending, or lose your membership privileges. 99% of Club members are courteous and show up on time. Of course last minute things can happen such as your car not starting, so that is why there are 2 chances, instead of one.  Not showing up is hard on leaders, who volunteer their time. If it is too much work to volunteer, and we lose trip leaders, we can’t continue to do outings. It is very important to be conscious of everyone else.

RSVP’s are required to attend a club event
 
Times posted are launch times.  Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes in advance to get dressed, pick your boat, adjust footpegs, get your spray skirt and safety gear ready, etc.  We leave the beach promptly at the launch time.  If you do not arrive on time, you will not be able to participate. No exceptions.  If you ever have had to organize a group, you would understand how hard it is to get everyone together and ready to go at the same time. We can’t hold up the whole group for late arrivals, so to ensure you get to go, please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before launch time. If it is your first paddle with the group, plan to arrive even earlier.
 
You must wear a life vest, fully secured, anytime you are out on the water. You must respect each trip leader. They have a hard job!  If they make a decision to turn around, return early, or change the float plan, please respect that decision. There may be a situation that you are not aware of.  If you have questions, please ask!  Trip leaders are looking out for the safety of the entire group.  If you see a potential hazard or problem, please alert the trip leader. If you are having problems out on the water, also, please alert the trip leader.

On Sept 18th 30 members of the newly formed Kayak Nature Adventures Paddle Club traveled just 1hr North of St Petersburg to the wilderness area of the Weeki Wachee River.  With a special permit issued by FWC we were allowed access through a locked gate into the Chassawiska Wildlife area. Down the overgrown, gravel road and past the bear scat we emerged onto a high bluff overlooking a beautiful corner of the river.

Members ranging from 8 years old to 70 years young worked together to manage the challanging launch site and pick some trash along the way!

KNAPC Shirts, bumper stickers and more are now available online!  Please visit and get yours today = http://www.cafepress.com/PhotoArt4U/7288618

Please join us for our October Full Moon paddle adventure and our trip to the Wonderful Weedon Island!

Adventure Awaits

Kurt Zuelsdorf

Weeki Wachee Wilderness trip still looking for paddlers for this Saturday, Sept 18th at 10am!

A special thanks to Stetson University of Law for sending out 38 students to clean up the waterway and park at Clam Bayou. Also thanks to Gulfport Chamber of Commerce for sending out Alison Warner to assist!
The Kayak Nature Adventure Paddling Club will meet Thursday, September 16 at 6:30  p.m. at O’Maddy’s in Gulfport. All new members are welcome. The club will discuss details of Saturday’s paddle on the Weeki Wachee river and discuss the logistics of a fullmoon paddle in October. The club will also plan a day outing in October.

Looking for a single or double kayak?  We have a few that are ready to rotate out of the rental fleet. KNAPC members get first dibs on the boats before they go on Craigs List on Monday Sept 20th.  GET EM NOW…THEY DON’T LAST LONG

Paddle boards are newest thing on the market and we have several. For KNAPC members ONLY will we offer FREE TRIALS. Otherwise rentals are $20

See you on the water!

Kurt Z

Club membership is easy- really easy. All you have to do is show up for the meetings as you are able, and once every six months join us on a cleanup paddle. If you can’t do that, then membership is $30 for every six months but really, we’d rather have you join us on a cleanup.

What does your membership get you? Well, inclusion in the best
paddling club around, of course, but also the chance to get out on the
water at least once a month, kayak transport to the put in, and the
best rates we can negotiate on longer trips.

E-mail Kayak Nature Adventures at kayakkurt@live.com to RSVP. The
first meeting will take place on Thursday August 19 at 6 pm at PJ’s
Oyster Bar on St. Pete Beach. The first ten people to show up get a
draft beer on the club. Call 369-6940 for more information.

The Habitat Florida Manatee program will SPLASH  into the Tampa/ St Petersburg Florida   area with a  series of habitat cleanups in  2010! 

With the help of our sponsors we’ll be providing these clean up/eco-tours FREE OF CHARGE! Your only requirement is filling up a bag of trash during the trip and together we’ll help protect and preserve Florida’s manatee habitat!

We anticipate a huge turnout of volunteers and sponsors and in an effort to track info more efficiently please fill out the form with a brief sentence or two of how you’d like to help.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS! 

Register here = http://kayaknature.com/habitat-flor-da-manatee/

Details and schedules will be sent electronically.  1 person per registration.

Sincerely,

Kurt Z.

Once you glide over the flats land on the white beaches of this unspoiled paradise, you’ll see the coastline as it must have looked to early explorers: mounds of shells trapped underneath tree roots, nesting birds, and undisturbed coastline brimming with shells, sand dollars, and young sea creatures.
 

Kayak Cathy has spent years combing the sands of Shell Key and will  guide you through the hidden entrance into mangrove islands and show you where to snorkel for dollars and the best shells! Bring your snorkel and mask, pack a lunch and spend a day in Florida paradise!

TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY 8AM

RESERVE TODAY for this great kayak paddle trip!

SINGLE KAYAK – $55

DOUBLE KAYAK -$90

More About Shell Island

Shell Key Preserve – Overview Shell Key Preserve was established in 2000 through a lease agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The 2000 Shell Key Preserve Management Plan was adopted in October 2000 by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the FDEP. The lease agreement requires that the property be managed “only for the conservation and protection of natural and historical resources and for resource-based public outdoor activities and education which are compatible with the conservation and protection of these public lands.” This 1,800-acre Preserve includes one of the County’s largest undeveloped barrier islands (Shell Key) as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive seagrass beds. Shell Key has been designated as one of the State’s most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering. It also is an important area for recreation. A balance for both uses was established by restricting public use to the northern and southern ends of the island. A central core area for conservation is off-limits to the public. Boating, camping, and beach-going activities are permitted in public use areas of the Preserve. Shell Key offers very clear water and is great for snorkeling and shelling. Check out our photos pages for pictures of Egmont Key, the dolphin show on the way out to Egmont Key, the Spanish American war forts and the lighthouse.

The action of the tides creates a lovely day for a guided kayak, paddleboard  tour!

Many different environments meet at the Clam Bayou estuary. Freshwater from springs and rain runoff come together in a weave of creeks. Because of Florida’s gentle slope, these streams braid their way into wide mud flats where birds wade gently and many animals live and feed…

Tiny shellfish make their homes between
the roots of coastal grasses.
Small hermit crabs scurry across the mud flats
looking for tidbits of food.
Crowds of fiddler crabs await the tiny particles of food
brought in on the incoming tide.

As freshwater flows into the sea it mixes. This brackish water is a world of its own…

The branches of mangrove trees shade
mussels and tree oysters who live there.
The tangled stilt-like roots of the red mangrove
are ornamented with shells, fleshy sea squirts,
and delicate bryozoan colonies.
Ducks drift along the shallow channel
between out-reaching mangrove trees.
Golden orb and star-belly spiders
weave webs in the shadows between branches.
The limbs above provide homes
to nesting snowy egrets and pelicans.
Mangrove crabs use the branches as highways.
Oyster beds cluster between the low islands
along the widening shallows.
Great blue herons look for minnows.
The beds also attract tiny sea snails called
oyster drills and sea stars as well.
The sea stars probe the oysters looking for a meal.

  As the marsh and mangrove forest reaches Boca Ciega Bay, the shoreline is rimmed with white sand beaches. Along these channels the waters deepen enough to attract manatees, dolphins and an amazing variety of fish. Clams live just below the sand and all kinds of sea snails hunt for a meal. Many of the shellfish need a clean environment. Every day, as the tide leaves, it carries the fine dust-like soil (silt) down the creeks, out into the bay and beyond… THIS IS YOUR NEXT KAYAK ADVENTURE!

$55/single      $90 double kayak

Spoonbill of Clam Bayou

Brandt’s Pass

  A splash, a wake, a swirl of mud from the bottom. Flared nostrils spraying  a sour  mist, whiskers of a seal,   mossy backs &  prop scars…then a close encounter!  See the video on our website and Kayak Nature Today!  www.kayaknature.com