KAYAK/SUP: Silver River & Silver Springs (no shuttle) - Day 1

Join us for an unforgettable trip on the Silver River to Silver Springs and back on Day 1 of this 2-day Pedal and Paddle Adventure.

If you want to arrive on Sunday night (prior to the paddle on Monday) there a several options. Some prefer staying at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 5360 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL. Tel: 352-304-6111. The Hotel is 10 minutes drive from Ray Wayside Park (where we launch on Monday morning). Jeanne and I will be staying in our RV at the Santos Trailhead & Campground which is conveniently located adjacent to the lot where our bike event begins on Tuesday.

Monday: Bring $7 (in cash) for the launch fee. There are bathrooms at this location.

Required Safety Gear: PFD and whistle.

Dinner (optional - Sunday night): Join us at 6:00 pm at Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, 5855 SE 5th St. Unit 1, Ocala, FL 34472 (5 minutes drive from the hotel).

Monday Morning: We launch from (and return to) Ray Wayside Park at 9:00 am to paddle the Silver River for 5+ miles, against the current, to the headwaters at Silver Springs. Paddling the crystal clear waters of Silver River you will probably encounter manatees, turtles, monkeys, otters, gators and a variety of fish and fowl.

The river is very deep at points but the water is crystal clear so that you can see to the bottom at all times.

ARRIVAL: Arrive at Ray's Wayside Park no later than 8:30 am since we leave at 9:00 am SHARP!

Approximately 5 minutes before launch time we will hold a MANDATORY pre-paddle safety briefing. Please do not get into your kayaks until AFTER the safety briefing.

This trip is exclusively for members of SunCoast Pedal & Paddle. No guests, pets, spouses or 1's allowed on this trip.

Optional Gear: water/liquids, bug spray, itch relief, sunscreen, snacks, paddle leash, bilge pump, paddle float.

Please know your limits as there will be a current heading to the Springs. There is no shuttle and the paddle is 5+ miles in each direction (10+ miles total).

If you prefer other overnight accommodations, there are many additional motels and campgrounds in the Ocala-Silver Springs area.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Since the demand to attend our paddling events is high, we request that if your plans change and you won't be attending, that you remove your name from the "attendee list" as soon as possible! If you do not remove yourself from the list of attendees WITHIN 24 HOURS of the event, you will be marked as a "No Show". If you have THREE "No Shows" you will be dropped from the group.

NOTICE: SunCoast Pedal & Paddle (SP&P) decals are be available for purchase prior to this event. The cost is $3 (Please help out with exact change!). By displaying the SP&P decal on your kayak, you won't have to sign the liability waiver on EACH trip you attend (instead you will sign an annual waiver when you purchase the decals).