Paddle to The Historic Stilt Houses & Durney Key

Please read full event description before signing up.

We'll paddle from Werner Boyce Salt Springs SP out to the historic stilt houses and enjoy some island time on nearby Durney Key. Excellent opportunity to see wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, game fish, bald eagles and plenty of wading birds. These clear waters are shallow with a mix of beautiful sea grass, lime rock bottom and scattered oyster bars. Ending time is an estimate. If you're in hurry or on a time constraint then, this event is not for you. It will be a roundtrip between 5-6 miles.

BYOK or Rent. Rentals are available directly online thru Salty Dog Kayak Rentals. Please ONLY sign up if you have secured a rental. If I can't confirm your reservation. I will remove you from the attending list. If you plan on renting. I'd highly recommend that you book ASAP as she can quickly sell out the time slot. I'd suggest, a min. 4-hour rental for the 9am launch time. Sarah will have your kayak all ready to go at the launch. When reserving, in the "How Did You Hear About Us" section, please indicate "Suncoast Outdoors" so, that she will know that you're launching with us. Renters, prior to launch and in addition to mine, Sarah will have her own safety briefing. Here is the link to reserve Salty Dog Kayak Rentals.

Skill Level: Intermediate due to distance and approximately a mile in unprotected/open waters. (scroll to the bottom for skill level definitions) You should have the ability to easily maintain a 2-2.5 mph speed, some open water experience and have comfortably paddle this distance, before.
It is your responsibility to have all the necessary safety equipment and are USCG compliant. 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: Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park's kayak launch, there is a portage from the parking lot to the launch of approximately 150ft but, via a nice boardwalk. Kayak wheels are recommended. There is a FL State Park entrance fee of $4.00 to enter the state park. This is paid online only or use your Florida State Park Annual Pass by displaying it on your dash. Florida State Parks - The park opens at 8am and there are restroom facilities available.

Float Plan: We will wet our paddles right at 9am so, please arrive early enough to gear up or check in with Sarah, if you're renting. We'll head west through Salt Springs Run, then follow the southern shoreline weaving thru mangrove islands, paddling by Brasher Park and Boggy Bay. Close to the 2-mile mark. We'll be approaching Durney Key, and we'll need to cross a boat channel. We will then paddle to one or two of the stilt houses before landing on Durney Key for Island Time. Expect to be on the island for an hour. We'll play it by ear so, please go with the flow. For our return, we'll paddle back generally in the same direction that we came but, we'll paddle by Cow Key back into Salt Springs Run and may weave around a few of the scenic mangrove islands and northern mangroves as we make our back to the launch. If enough of the group would like to continue past the launch and see the scenic creeks, we can do so before ending the journey.

This is not a professional tour nor am I a professional guide.

Afterwards, please join us to rehydrate and replenish those spent calories, at Whiskey River on The Water: 5245 Limestone Dr., Port Richey, FL 34668. www.facebook.com/WhiskeyRiverOntheWater

Items that you may want to bring: GMRS/FRS radio tuned to Ch 6, VHF Ch 71, plenty of hydration, snacks, lunch, a good hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, closed toe water shoes, towel and a chair for the island.

Please monitor this event as this is where I will communicate any cancellations or updates. ***Make sure your group setting allows, at least, for you to receive messages from the Event Organizer. Otherwise, you may miss important information. ie: cancellation, venue change, time change***

On day of event, feel free to text or call: 813-442-1615.

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 independently 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.