This Weeks Schedule

Venice LemonBay Kayakers

Economy Tackle / Dolphin Paddlesports

6018 S. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL. 34231.
941-922-9671
www.economytackle.com
www.floridakayak.com

Where we buy our equipment.

All kayaks and kayakers must observe all State and Federal Regulations regarding safety and navigation rules. This includes carrying a CG approved PFD that is "readily accessible" (not inside a hatch or under your seat) and an effective sound producing device such as a whistle or horn.

NOTE: Paddles are subject to cancellation or change. Please check the website before you leave for the latest update.

Wednesday February 11th Paddle

Don Pedro State Park (Land Base): The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Wednesday February 11th launching from Don Pedro State Park (Land Base) with a destination of Don Pedro State Park Gulfside, and the waters toward Little Gasparilla Pass. This trip will be about 3-4 hours in duration, 7- 8 miles long.

Special Note: The road back to the launch site is not open to cars. You will need to bring your wheels. It is a 200+ yard walk to the launch site.

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

Facilities: The Park has restrooms, picnic tables, trashcans, and an information kiosk. The parking area is shell; there is a $3.00 per vehicle entry fee.

Directions: From SR 776 in Englewood, go south toward Placida on SR 775. Go about six miles, go through the small built up area of Cape Haze, go about one more mile and look right (west) for a brown and white sign for Don Pedro State Park. A good landmark is on the left (east) side of the road, an Ace Hardware that is directly across from the entrance to the Park. From the El Jobean/North Port area, go south on SR 771 until it intersects SR 775 near the Placida Boat Ramp. Continue northward about one mile, look for the small brown and white Park sign along the right (east) side of the road and Ace Hardware, turn left (west) into the Park.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Saturday February 14th Paddle

Shell Creek – Hathaway Park: The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 am on Saturday February 14th launching from Hathaway Park (north east of Punta Gorda) with a destination of paddling up scenic Shell Creek and return. The trip will be 3 ½ to 4 hours in duration, 8 ½ to 9 miles long, rated as intermediate.

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

Facilities: The Park has restrooms, picnic tables, and trashcans.

Directions: Going south on I-75. At Punta Gorda, take Exit 164 and go northeast on Hwy. 17 toward Acadia. Go about 4.2 miles and look right for the Royal Thai Restaurant, go just beyond a large yellowish “Shell Creek Park” billboard and turn right onto Washington Loop Road which is also marked as CR 764. Go about 4.5 miles and watch for the Shell Creek Mobile Home Park on the left; just beyond that on the left is the entrance to Hathaway Park. The first left goes to the boat ramp. The second left takes you to the paddle craft site If driving south on Hwy 41 cross the Peace River into Punta Gorda and get into the left hand lane. Turn left on Olympia Ave (which is Hwy 17) and follow it east under I 75, through Cleveland, to your turn onto Washington Loop Rd.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Wednesday February 18th Paddle

Manatee Park – Orange River Fort Myers: The Venice-Lemon Bay Kayakers will have a kayak trip on the Orange River with a launch time of 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday February 18th. We will be paddling up stream, as well as spending sometime observing the manatees. The trip will be about 3 ½ hours in duration, 7- 8 miles long, is rated as intermediate.

"Launch time of 9:30 a.m." means that you are in the water and are ready paddle. Please allow ample time for travel, unloading your kayaks, and preparing for the trip. You will need your kayak wheels. The launch site is sandy area near the kayak concessionaire.

Facilities: Restroom, large parking lot (parking fee is $5.00), gift shop.

Directions; From I75 North or South take exit 141 and go east on Florida route 80. take a right onto Manatee Park at 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD!

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Saturday February 21st Paddle

Prairie Creek to Shell Creek- Hathaway Park: The Kayakers of Venice-Lemon Bay will have a kayak trip with a launch time of 9:30 a.m. on February 21st, launching into Prairie Creek off Washington Loop Road northeast of Punta Gorda. This will be a one- way shuttle trip with take-out will be at Hathaway Park on Shell Creek. This trip will be about 3-4 hours in duration, about 8 miles long, rated intermediate.

Please arrive at Prairie Creek launch no later than 9:00 to allow us time to shuttle cars down to Hathaway Park.

"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: Prairie Creek parking is limited and sand along a fence line and the shoulder of the road. There are no facilities at the launch point but are available at the nearby Hathaway Park. The launch is a mix of concrete and mud with a quick drop off. Only one kayak can launch at a time.

Directions: Going south on I 75, take Exit 164 and go northeast on Hwy 17, toward Arcadia. Go about 4.5 miles and look right for the Royal Thai Restaurant (Green building), directly after the restaurant turn right onto Washington Loop Road which is also marked as CR 764. Go about 5 miles and watch on the left for the entrance to Hathaway Park where you can use the facilities if you need to. Drive beyond Hathaway Park approximately 1.75 miles and note the white highway sign "Prairie Creek" on the first bridge. Parking is on the right side of the road before reaching the bridge. Parking is very limited, slanted grass and sand area.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD.

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All trips have a Launch Time of 9:30am. unless shown otherwise in the trip details.

"Launch Time" means you are in the water and ready to paddle. Please allow sufficient time for travel, unloading equipment and preparing for the trip.

On any trip extending past official sunset all kayaks must carry a White light that is visible for at least one mile or be equipped with approved Red, Green and White navigation lights.