AnnouncementsThis Weeks Schedule

Venice LemonBay Kayakers

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This Weeks Schedule

Wednesday February 8th. Paddle

The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30am on Wednesday February 8th. launching from the Placida Ramp with a destination of Gasparilla Pass Beach and waters in the area. The trip will be about 3 hours in duration, 7 miles long, is rated as intermediate, and will be guided by Barb Shanko.

"Launch time of 9:30 a. m." means that you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks, and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: The new reconfiguration of the ramp lanes allows 3 trailers to access the ramps at one time. A new-handicapped accessible dock has been added. The original park benches, and porta-potties remain. The parking area is asphalt and the majority of the parking sites are for vehicles with trailers. There are few non-trailer parking slots. If with a group, plan to park one vehicle behind the other. There is a 75-cent per hour parking fee per vehicle, paid to a machine that takes change, 1 and 5 dollar bills. Bring what you need, the machine will not make change.

Directions: From Venice, go south on SR 776 to Englewood and go south on SR 775 toward Placida. Go about 9 miles and turn right into the ramp parking lot just before reaching the traffic light for the Gasparilla Island /Boca Grande Causeway. From SR 771 in the El Jobean/East Rotonda area, turn left onto the Gasparilla Island Causeway and turn right into the parking lot. Do not go through the tollgate for the Causeway!

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

Saturday February 11th paddle

The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30am on Saturday February 11th launching from South Lido Park Nature Center on Lido Key with a destination of mangrove tunnels, waters in the area and South Lido Beach. This paddle will be about 3 hours in duration, 6 miles long, is rated intermediate and will be guided by Dick Larson.

“Launch time of 9:30am” means that you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks, and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: The parking area is asphalt; has restrooms, picnic tables and trashcans, and a nature trail walk. The kayak launch point is a 40-yard carry to a sandy beach area on the ICW. Look for the canoe/kayak trail map board.

Directions: From Hwy. 41 in “downtown” Sarasota go west on SR 789 toward Lido Key and St. Armands. Continue west to St. Armands Circle, go one-half way around the circle, then go west then south on Ben Franklin Dr. Continue south and go for a mile or so. Keep an eye to the right for the Limetree Beach Resort. Just beyond the resort, on the left, you will see a blue and white Park sign and the entrance to Taft Rd. Turn left (east) on Taft Rd, drive through the Park entrance gate into the parking area. The launch point is south of the parking area.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

Wednesday February 15th paddle

The Venice Lemon Bay Kayakers will have two kayak trips with a launch time of 9:30am on Wednesday February 15th launching from the #1 boat ramp at Webb Lake in the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area with a destination of paddling around the Islands and Bays in Webb Lake. The trip will be 4 hours in duration, 7 miles long and will be guided by Harvey Simpkins.

“Launch time of 9:30am” means that you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks and preparing for the trip.

Facilities: This is a State of Florida Fish & Wildlife Management Area and you will find a collection point at the entrance of the Area. There is a $3.00 per person fee to enter the Preserve. It is free if you are 65 or older, children under 16, or certified disabled persons. (No change made bring the 3 dollars per person) We will be launching from #1 boat ramp off the sand/gravel/grass areas on either side of the concrete ramp. There is ample parking at the launch site. No other facilities are at this launch site but there are restrooms on the drive along the lake.

Directions: Going south on I-75, take exit 158, Truckers Grade/Cecil B. Webb exit. At the end of the off ramp turn left, go under I-75 and you will enter the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Preserve. If you are under 65 stop and put 3 dollars per person into a provided envelope and drop it into the receptacle. Then proceed straight ahead to the Ranger Station and turn right (south) and follow the paved road along the lake for 2 miles to the # 2 boat ramp.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!