Fall Foliage Paddle on the Withlacoochee River/Nobleton-Hog Island

Please read full event description before signing up.

This is BYOK and members only. The past few weeks the Withlacoochee River has been popping with bright fall colors. It has been stunning! Come paddle it before it all blows away. It is a beautiful blackwater river and a designated Outstanding Florida Waterway. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that flows from south to north. If you're in a hurry or on a time constraint. This is not a paddle for you. It will be an out and back of approximately 9 miles.

Skill Level: Intermediate. Mainly due to distance (scroll to bottom for full Skill Level Descriptions)
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: Nobleton Wayside Park, concrete slab & riverbank launch. There are no restroom facilities and Hernando County has re-established their parking fees. The fee is payable via the ParkMobile App or online at: Find Parking | ParkMobile and I believe it is $5.00.

Float Plan: We will wet our paddles right at 9am so, please arrive in enough time to prepare your gear. We will start by paddling upriver 3.75 miles to scenic Hog Island Recreation area. Here we will take an extended break. There are picnic tables, a lot of shade and restroom facilities a short walk away. From here, water level dependent, we'll paddle around (1.8 miles) very scenic Hog Island and make our casual return float downriver back to Nobleton Wayside Park. Let the river take us home & let's enjoy the scenery! The river is mostly wide, currently water level is low, clear and slow moving. The river is constantly changing. If there are any blockages & no safe way around. We will NOT get out of our boats and into the river to portage. If it's blocked, we all turn around. There's plenty of water in the other direction to paddle.

Excellent opportunity to see wildlife. Lately, I've seen many otters, all types of birds, you'll sometimes see deer at the water's edge and racoons. YES, you will see gators. Although, recent paddles I've seen very few and the ones that I've come across have been small. But give them their space and they'll do the same.

Afterwards: if anyone has interest, we can stop at Bree's Riverside Restaurant, 29250 Lake Lindsey Rd, Nobleton, FL. Only a 1/4 mile away. www.facebook.com/RiversideRestaurant.Nobelton/

Items that you may want to bring; FRS/GMRS Radio tuned to channel 6. plenty of hydration, 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.

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 Trails 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.