What we’re about
- Suncoast Outdoors We're all about Hiking🥾 Camping⛺ Paddling🛶 Biking🚲 Nature Therapy❤🩹 & Family Friendly Fun 👪
- Suncoast Outdoors has activities for the beginner/intermediate, the experienced long distance trekker, and everyone in between.
- Suncoast Outdoors Event Hosts share a deep well of experience within our ranks. We are happy to share this with the outdoor community.
- Suncoast Outdoors is for those who share our passion for the great outdoors, and want to experience the benefits that being actively immersed in nature provide.
- Suncoast Outdoors is family friendly. We encourage youngsters to join and get outside with us.
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning
Currently, Suncoast Outdoors has NO annual membership fee. We collect NO per event fees. On occasion we will ask for donations to offset out of pocket costs associated with particular events. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Lenny
lenny.d.chew@gmail.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Labor Day Hike 🇺🇸 U Pick! 3 or 5.5+ mi 🥾🥾 Flatwoods @ Morris Bridge rd🌴Flatwoods Park Trail/ Morris Bridge Entrance, Thonotosassa, FL
Here is another U Pick hike! After about 2.5 miles, you will have the option to go back to the parking lot for a total of about 3 miles. Otherwise, you can continue with us on a route TBD for another 3 miles or so.
The hike will be a mix of sun and shade.
We'll gather up by the ranger office where there are restrooms and the pay station. The day use fee is $2.00. If it is crowded, you may have to, or just want to park in the overflow lot. It's on the left just before you get to the ranger station.
Bring 2 liters water or electrolyte enriched beverage, snacks, insect repellent, ground cloth for sitting on, whatever personal items are needed. Be dressed and prepped for some sun exposure. Expect to share sections of the trail with bike traffic.Afterwards lunch at Liang's whomever wants to join me.
Liang's Bistro lunch menuLenny
813 838 6834YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning - Paddle on The Withlacoochee River/Hog Island to Silver LakeHog Island Recreation Area, Bushnell, FL
Please read full description before signing up.
BYOK only. There are no rentals available. Come join me on one my favorite paddles. The Withlacoochee River is a beautiful and scenic blackwater river. It is also a designated Outstanding Florida Waterway and a designated Florida Paddling Trail. It is one of the few rivers that flows from south to north. It will be an out and back (roundtrip) of approximately 8.50 miles between Hog Island and Silver Lake recreation areas. Plenty of opportunity to see & hear wildlife. Yes, more than likely we will see gators. Give them their space and they'll do the same. If you're in a hurry or on a time constraint then, this paddle is not for you.
Skill Level: Intermediate due to distance (scroll to bottom for skill level definitions).
Paddlers should have all proper safety equipment and check conditions before departure. All paddlers should always wear PFDs while on the water and leave a float plan. There are inherent dangers in any paddle sport. There are special hazards along the Florida coast due to shifting tides, changing wind and weather, shallow waters, and treacherous bottoms with soft mud, rocks, and oyster bars.
It is up to each paddler to be aware of these dangers, to accept and be prepared for the risks involved, and to be certain they have the skills to safely paddle in these conditions.Launch: Withlacoochee State Forest's Hog Island Boat/Kayak Ramp located in the day use area of Hog Island Recreation Area and opens at 8am. The ramp has a concrete slab and a riverbank launch. There is a daily fee of $2.00 and it's payable online at: Pass Details - Florida State Forests. or use an annual Florida State Forest Pass. There are restrooms nearby in the campground area.
Float Plan: We'll wet our paddles right at 9:00a so, please get there in enough time to prepare your gear. We will paddle upriver to Silver Lake Recreation area which is approximately 4 miles. Around the 3-mile mark, if anyone is interested, we can make a short stop at historic Iron Bridge. Once we land at Silver Lake. We will take an extended break and enjoy the location. There are pit toilets, picnic benches and a covered pavilion. After our break, we will take a relaxed, and casual return downriver back to Hog Island. Let the river float us back, enjoy the scenery and wildlife. This return leg is slightly longer at 4.5 miles as we will take a different route around Hog Island. If we encounter any blockage along our way. We will NOT get out of our boats into the river to portage. We will all turn around. There's plenty of water in the other direction to paddle.
Some items to note: You will need to leave the pavement to enter Hog Island Recreation Area. The road is hardpacked and you should have no trouble driving it. The launch area will be on the righthand side before you enter the campground. You can pull right up to the ramp or back down the ramp for easy load/unload. Bring your cart if you prefer. Limited parking.
Afterwards: To rehydrate and replenish spent calories. Please join us, 5 minutes down the road, at Bree's Riverside Restaurant, 29250 Lake Lindsey Rd, Nobleton, FL. The food is good, drinks are cold, service is friendly, and they usually have live music. www.facebook.com/p/Brees-Riverside-Restaurant-100077729929662/
Items that you may want to bring; plenty of water, snacks, lunch, a good hat, sunglasses, closed toe water shoes, sunscreen, bug repellant, towel, and anything that will make your day on the river more comfortable. Remember, it's your responsibility to be USCG compliant
Please monitor this event as this is where I will communicate any information, changes or cancellations. On the day of the event: text or call 813-442-1615.
This is not a professional tour nor am I a professional guide.
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.Skill Level Definitions (Florida Paddling Trail Association)
Beginner: New to paddling and may need tips and or instructions about paddling strokes, safety procedures and entering/exiting kayaks. Comfortable on short trips of 1 to 3 miles on protected waters, when wind does not exceed 5 mph.
Novice: Paddlers acquainted with basic paddle stokes and can manage kayak handling in dependently in winds not exceeding 10 mph on protected waters. Comfortable on trips up to 6 miles.
Intermediate: Paddlers with experience in basic strokes and some experience on different venues, including some open water. Comfortable on trip distances of 6 to 10 miles, winds not exceeding 15 mph.
Advanced: Seasoned paddlers who possess skills and experience to paddle all venues and conditions. Experienced in self-rescues. Should be comfortable paddling more than 10 miles in a day.
