Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group

We will launch from the beach next to the GTM Dam which is located near the Guana Outpost South Kayak Building. We will paddle north for about 1 hour and then paddle back to the beach where we launched. The Guana River is low due to the drought so will kayak near the middle.

It will be more fun if we paddle as a group. Please paddle within about 10 boat lenghts of the other kayakers.

Beginners are welcome on this paddle.

If you are renting a kayak, please call Guana Outpost at 904 373 0306 or rent online at https://northguanaoutpost.com/pages/rentals no later than Friday, May 23, to make arrangements to rent a kayak because Guana Outpost may not have enough kayaks to rent if you rent later. Please mention that you are with the Sierra Club group if you call.

There is a 50% discount for a 3 hour kayak rental because we are paddling on a Wednesday. With the discount and including sales tax, the cost of renting single kayak for 3 hours is $21.20 and the cost of renting a tandem kayak for 3 hours is $26.50. It is easier to paddle a single kayak than a tandem kayak. The rental includes a PFD and a whistle.

Please arrive about 9:30 am whether you are bringing your own kayak or renting a kayak so we can launch around 10 am. If you are renting, please check in at the Guana Outpost South Building when you arrive.

There is a parking fee of $3 plus a small service charge which is payable at the parking area kiosk by scanning the QR code with your phone and using a credit card. You can also pay by downloading and using the premium parking app.

There are restrooms in the Guana Outpost South Kayak Rental Building.

Please bring a PFD, whistle, water and sunscreen.

Total time on land and water: 2 - 2.5 hours
Total paddling distance: 4 miles
Kayaking level: beginner or intermediate

If you plans change and you will not be attending, please change your status from attending to not attending on the Meetup page for this event so we have correct information regarding who will be attending.

After kayaking, you are welcome to join us for lunch at Aunt Kate's which is a waterside restaurant located at 612 Euclid Avenue, Euclid, Florida, less than a 10 minute drive from GTM. Please let me know after kayaking if you will be joining us for lunch.

Please sign the Sierra Club Release at: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000r8IKrIAM

Please check this website in the afternoon or evening the day before the paddle to see if there is a postponement due to a bad weather forecast. If a postponement is not posted by noon the day before the paddle, we will paddle the next day at the scheduled time for the paddle.

Sierra Club maintains a safe space agreement among participants, leaders, volunteers and staff. We want to support everyone in exploring, enjoying, and protecting our natural environment. Dangerous or hateful behavior will not be tolerated. We will always say no to racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, impairment, and disruption. We request that all participants cooperate with the outing leader's direction to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing for everyone.

NOT A SIERRA CLUB EVENT.
This is a recreational, educational, and service outing for individuals who value neighborhood greenspaces and the St Johns River. The event will showcase the River Oaks Park in San Marco, its lush plant life, Craig Creek, and the St Johns River. The event will illustrate the role the park plays in sustaining community vibrancy and resiliency. It will also illuminate the role the park and its creek play in sustaining St Johns River health.

The outing will begin at the bridge in River Oaks Park near Brookwood Road and proceed westward along Craig Creek to the St Johns River and then back to the bridge. The event will include a walk through the park to collect trash and debris with stops to discuss the park vegetation and the role it plays in sustaining river health. Efforts will be made to highlight the role the park and Craig Creek in sustaining St Johns River health.

The grassy areas of the park and the creek bank tend to be wet so wear comfortable, water-resistant shoes or boots. Bring water shoes or boots if you wish to assist with picking up trash and debris along the creek. Dress in a fashion that allows you to be comfortable in the weather conditions of the day. Bring water or a hydration system if you are prone to dehydration. There are no restrooms and/or portlets in the park, so plan accordingly.

Event pre-registration is recommended. Event participants will be required to sign a liability wavier while registering for the event.

DIRECTIONS: The outing will begin at the bridge across Craig Creek at the East end of the park near Brookwood Road and NOT 1000 RIVER OAKS ROAD. The GPS coordinates for the starting point for the outing are provided below. Parking along Brookwood Road is limited, but additional parking is available in the Southside Methodist Church parking area adjacent to San Jose Blvd.

GPS Coordinates for Starting Location: 30°17.6990’N, 81°38.9300’W