Space Coast Paddling Society

Let's paddle Shingle Creek. The total distance will be around 6 miles. We will meet at Steffee Landing to unload our boats. Paddles wet at 9:15 am, so please plan accordingly.

Please note there is additional parking other side of the street at the Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum, or if you have wheels, you may park at Fishing spot - Shingle Creek Park and wheel your kayak from the parking lot to Steffee Landing via a wooded boardwalk.

We will paddle downstream towards the rapids until it becomes unsafe to go any further, turn around and paddle back to Steffe Landing. After a short break we will paddle upstream for 1.5 miles and then paddle back downstream to Steffe Landing. If you need to leave after the first segment that will be fine with me.

Please review the maps to be familiar with the area.

There is a "boatload" of auto traffic in Kissimmee, so Virginia, just because google maps gives you an estimate of travel time required if may not actually be true.

Since football season is upon us I will go with a gridiron metaphor: we will be monitoring the weather, and I reserve the right to make game-day / line-of-scrimmage modifications to the paddling plan. Please check Meetup the Friday night before for any last minute updates. James cell phone: 321-591-9044

THIS TRIP IS FOR EXPERIENCED KAYAKERS ONLY.
If you have any questions about your fitness, please message me (Norman) directly before signing up.
We'll meet at Riverbend Park in Jupiter at the canoe/kayak launch at 8:30am. Drive pass the Jupiter Outdoor Rental place into the center of the park following the Canoe Launch signs. Paddles wet at 9:00am. We will NOT shuttle on this trip. We will pass two dams (Lainhart Dam and Masten Dam) as we paddle downstream on the Loxahatchee River. You may elect to go over the dams or portage around the fun. There is a very sturdy boardwalk to bypass both dams if you wish to use it. We will paddle to the I95 bridge and then turn around and paddle back upstream to Riverbend Park. The river is narrow, the current is swift in places, and does require some skill to steer downstream and some strength and energy to paddle back upstream while avoiding collisions with the weekend renters. Bring a lunch and we will eat and stretch our legs.

Required: PFD (on and fastened), whistle, ten feet of rope. Also bring hydration and snacks as you wish and whatever personal items you need (hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses).

RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: By attending ANY of the group's events, you acknowledge that these events carry the risk of potential harm to myself up to and including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. These can be caused by slipping or falling off rocks due to loss of balance or lack of coordination; twisting ankles on rocks, brush, limbs; Acts of nature such as inclement weather, lightning, strong wind, extreme temperatures; drownings in rivers, streams, or other bodies of water; drinking unfiltered contaminated water or becoming dehydrated; succumbing to heat exhaustion; getting bit or stung by venomous reptiles, animals, or insects; and my own or other’s negligent or risky behaviors. This list is not exhaustive nor is it inclusive of all risks. In response, I release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, the “Space Coast Paddling Society” meetup group’s leadership as well as the designated leader of the event.