Shop News
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We've just started a new summer program with the City of Inverness. It will run every Wednesday beginning June 3rd
and last through August 19th. It is designed as a series of three paddles, but you can pick and choose and sign up
for as few or as many as you want. The first class is a Introduction to Recreational Kayaking (We highly recommend
this before you go on any of the other trips if you have never paddled before), the second is a Paddling Refresher
Class and a trip on Lake Henderson, and the third is an longer exploration of the Inverness Lake Chain. Cost is $40
per class or reserve three for $99. Call Matt or Sue for more info (352) 795-5650 or Inverness Parks and Recreation
at (352)726-3913 to register.
We've received a new shipment of Swift paddles in varying lengths. Swift Paddles and Aardvark's have created a
manatee themed graphite/fiberglass paddle that we will be offering at $319.00. Swift will be making a donation to
Save The Manatee Club for every paddle sold.
Kayak Access Issues
Those of you who have been paying attention to my frantic e-mails already know that the potential exists for our
(kayakers) access to be (a) at least altered, (b) limited, or (c) eliminated entirely at Hunters Spring. While some of
the council members have responded that eliminating access is not their intent, it very clearly is on the agenda of at
least one member of council. That would be Paula Wheeler. Here's a quote from the Citrus County Chronicle on
5/27/2009.
"Councilwoman Paula Wheeler said she was concerned for the park’s sandy beach, a popular swimming spot for
children and families. She said the kayakers were a danger to swimmers and could possibly be eroding the
beach."
Click here for the full article.
While the city fathers may not appreciate kayakers the same way we do, it is incumbent on them to realize that
paddlers have a huge economic impact on the city. We intend to demonstrate that to them! We ask that each and
every one of you download the following PDF file and forward it to any and all of your paddling friends. When you
print it out, you'll have 8 business cards that look like this: Click on the Card to download the PDF File.
Print out a bunch and whenever you shop in Crystal River, give one to your clerk or server and ask them to give it to
the business owner or manager. We need the business community to get involved. Most of them have no clue this
is even a subject of discussion. The included phone number is for the City Manager's Office.
We are also planning a Paddler's Appreciation Day Picnic on July 18th. More details will follow shortly,
but set aside the day! The picnic has been put on hold until we see how much we are valued by the city
of Crystal River coming July 13th, 2009. Please read the BLOG for details.
One of the things that bothers me most is that this is being done with no data. It is arbitrary and
capricious as the lawyers would say. Help us give them some data. Take Our Paddler Survey. It's
anonymous so please only fill it out once, but please fill it out. Council Meeting is July 13th.
We are working on the picnic and we are going to be adding a fund raiser for our friend Chris Siegfried.
Chris is the sales rep for Current Designs, Hurricane, and Bending Branches. Chris was recently
diagnosed with brain cancer and has undergone extensive surgery. He is now in recovery and needless
to say has lots of medical bills. We are also working on Paddlers for Plasma blood drive as part of the
event. The picnic will happen but probably in August and if Crystal River doesn't value our business, the
City of Inverness has assured me, they do.
.
We've just started a new summer program with the City of Inverness. It will run every Wednesday beginning June 3rd
and last through August 19th. It is designed as a series of three paddles, but you can pick and choose and sign up
for as few or as many as you want. The first class is a Introduction to Recreational Kayaking (We highly recommend
this before you go on any of the other trips if you have never paddled before), the second is a Paddling Refresher
Class and a trip on Lake Henderson, and the third is an longer exploration of the Inverness Lake Chain. Cost is $40
per class or reserve three for $99. Call Matt or Sue for more info (352) 795-5650 or Inverness Parks and Recreation
at (352)726-3913 to register.
We've received a new shipment of Swift paddles in varying lengths. Swift Paddles and Aardvark's have created a
manatee themed graphite/fiberglass paddle that we will be offering at $319.00. Swift will be making a donation to
Save The Manatee Club for every paddle sold.
Kayak Access Issues
Those of you who have been paying attention to my frantic e-mails already know that the potential exists for our
(kayakers) access to be (a) at least altered, (b) limited, or (c) eliminated entirely at Hunters Spring. While some of
the council members have responded that eliminating access is not their intent, it very clearly is on the agenda of at
least one member of council. That would be Paula Wheeler. Here's a quote from the Citrus County Chronicle on
5/27/2009.
"Councilwoman Paula Wheeler said she was concerned for the park’s sandy beach, a popular swimming spot for
children and families. She said the kayakers were a danger to swimmers and could possibly be eroding the
beach."
Click here for the full article.
While the city fathers may not appreciate kayakers the same way we do, it is incumbent on them to realize that
paddlers have a huge economic impact on the city. We intend to demonstrate that to them! We ask that each and
every one of you download the following PDF file and forward it to any and all of your paddling friends. When you
print it out, you'll have 8 business cards that look like this: Click on the Card to download the PDF File.
Print out a bunch and whenever you shop in Crystal River, give one to your clerk or server and ask them to give it to
the business owner or manager. We need the business community to get involved. Most of them have no clue this
is even a subject of discussion. The included phone number is for the City Manager's Office.
We are also planning a Paddler's Appreciation Day Picnic on July 18th. More details will follow shortly,
but set aside the day! The picnic has been put on hold until we see how much we are valued by the city
of Crystal River coming July 13th, 2009. Please read the BLOG for details.
One of the things that bothers me most is that this is being done with no data. It is arbitrary and
capricious as the lawyers would say. Help us give them some data. Take Our Paddler Survey. It's
anonymous so please only fill it out once, but please fill it out. Council Meeting is July 13th.
We are working on the picnic and we are going to be adding a fund raiser for our friend Chris Siegfried.
Chris is the sales rep for Current Designs, Hurricane, and Bending Branches. Chris was recently
diagnosed with brain cancer and has undergone extensive surgery. He is now in recovery and needless
to say has lots of medical bills. We are also working on Paddlers for Plasma blood drive as part of the
event. The picnic will happen but probably in August and if Crystal River doesn't value our business, the
City of Inverness has assured me, they do.
Kayak Safety
This section is so important that I'm leaving it up for another cycle.
First let's talk boating in general. Many kayakers still do not understand that kayaks are boats first and foremost.
There are rules and regulations that apply, although many boaters (both motor and non) are either ignorant or
choose to ignore that fact. One of the most frequent violations I see from paddlers (non-motor) is ignoring the
boating exclusion zones. That's usually the swim area at Hunter's Spring or the Key Hole. It doesn't matter that no
one is swimming, it's still an exclusion area. Look for the Orange Diamond with the Cross and stay waterward of
the marker. The link that follows let's you take an online boating course. You can take the course without paying
for the certification.
Know your equipment and your skill level. Recreational Kayaks are meant for calm protected waters and are
not as capable as sea kayaks which are built for rougher waters. Don't go out in bad weather or in rough water,
period. Don't go out if bad weather is predicted. Make sure your boat has adequate flotation (preferably a kayak
with bulkheads front and back) and that it is properly secured. Way too many people count on the foam blocks of
cheap kayaks keeping them safe and afloat. Sorry, don't count on getting back into your kayak anytime soon if you
swamp one of these pool toys. Make a realistic evaluation of your skills and don't go or get talked into going on a
trip that is beyond where you think you are. If you've never paddled in open water, don't do it when the wind is going
to be blowing up a storm. Better to learn the skills before you need them to save your life. We offer classes at the
shop that will get you started. For those of you who want advanced skills, contact Don at Big D's Kayak Adventures.
We will be working on an on demand basis for the next couple of months trying to feel out the market. Please let him
know I sent you.
Wear Your PFD. I know people are getting tired of my saying this, so let me say it louder. You are an idiot if you
refuse to wear a PFD. Furthermore, don't bother to sign up for any of my trips, rentals, or club paddles. I don't want
your death on my hands. It's not that you can't swim, it's that it's just really, really hard if you are injured. It's called
an accident and don't think it can't happen to you. ask the boys from Tampa Bay. Here are just a few things to
ponder from Wear it Florida.
Sorry if you think I'm being harsh, but kayak tour and rental operations who don't make you wear it, don't care squat
about your safety. Those rental operation locally tend to be dive shops that are in the kayak rental and tour
business as a side line. They aren't doing you a favor and they are doing a disservice to the rest of us legitimate
outfitters..
Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, mainly because people won't wear their PFDs and there are lots of
boats. Nationwide in 2007, one hundred seven fatalities were attributable to canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The use
of properly fitted life jackets could have prevented nearly all those fatalities. (Source USCG Auxiliary)
This section is so important that I'm leaving it up for another cycle.
First let's talk boating in general. Many kayakers still do not understand that kayaks are boats first and foremost.
There are rules and regulations that apply, although many boaters (both motor and non) are either ignorant or
choose to ignore that fact. One of the most frequent violations I see from paddlers (non-motor) is ignoring the
boating exclusion zones. That's usually the swim area at Hunter's Spring or the Key Hole. It doesn't matter that no
one is swimming, it's still an exclusion area. Look for the Orange Diamond with the Cross and stay waterward of
the marker. The link that follows let's you take an online boating course. You can take the course without paying
for the certification.
Know your equipment and your skill level. Recreational Kayaks are meant for calm protected waters and are
not as capable as sea kayaks which are built for rougher waters. Don't go out in bad weather or in rough water,
period. Don't go out if bad weather is predicted. Make sure your boat has adequate flotation (preferably a kayak
with bulkheads front and back) and that it is properly secured. Way too many people count on the foam blocks of
cheap kayaks keeping them safe and afloat. Sorry, don't count on getting back into your kayak anytime soon if you
swamp one of these pool toys. Make a realistic evaluation of your skills and don't go or get talked into going on a
trip that is beyond where you think you are. If you've never paddled in open water, don't do it when the wind is going
to be blowing up a storm. Better to learn the skills before you need them to save your life. We offer classes at the
shop that will get you started. For those of you who want advanced skills, contact Don at Big D's Kayak Adventures.
We will be working on an on demand basis for the next couple of months trying to feel out the market. Please let him
know I sent you.
Wear Your PFD. I know people are getting tired of my saying this, so let me say it louder. You are an idiot if you
refuse to wear a PFD. Furthermore, don't bother to sign up for any of my trips, rentals, or club paddles. I don't want
your death on my hands. It's not that you can't swim, it's that it's just really, really hard if you are injured. It's called
an accident and don't think it can't happen to you. ask the boys from Tampa Bay. Here are just a few things to
ponder from Wear it Florida.
Sorry if you think I'm being harsh, but kayak tour and rental operations who don't make you wear it, don't care squat
about your safety. Those rental operation locally tend to be dive shops that are in the kayak rental and tour
business as a side line. They aren't doing you a favor and they are doing a disservice to the rest of us legitimate
outfitters..
Florida leads the nation in boating fatalities, mainly because people won't wear their PFDs and there are lots of
boats. Nationwide in 2007, one hundred seven fatalities were attributable to canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The use
of properly fitted life jackets could have prevented nearly all those fatalities. (Source USCG Auxiliary)
Well with the Florida Legislature in session, there is no dearth of gloom and doom from the environmental perspective.
These guys won't be happy until they pave over every wetland and forest in Florida. Remember that when you go vote and
when that interstate comes through your back yard.
This just in from Save The Manatee Club: UPDATES on the 2009 Legislative Session
Thank you so much for all of your help during the 2009 legislative session! We asked you to take action on a variety of
legislative issues, and thanks to your support, we were able to secure funding for the manatee rescue and rehabilitation
program in the state budget and help pass a bill to protect seagrass in aquatic preserves from propeller scarring (HB 1423).
In addition, your e-mails helped block bad bills from passing, such as a bill to limit federal review of small wetlands permits
(HB 1123 and SB 2016), a bill that would have allowed engineering consultants to determine whether their clients’ projects
were in the public interest (HB 1349), and a bill that would have weakened the environmental permitting process through
streamlining (HB 7143 and SB 2026). Unfortunately, the springs legislation that SMC supported (SB 274) did not pass, but
SMC will continue to advocate for strong springs protection, as these natural springs are a critical component of manatee
winter habitat.
There were a number of bad environmental bills that made their way through the legislature this year, due in part to the
nation’s current economic difficulties. The economic slowdown was used by the development community and their allies as
an excuse to relax environmental safeguards in Florida. Today, we are writing to ask that you contact Governor Crist and
request his veto of two of these bills. You may recall that during the 2008 legislative session, we asked you to support
proposed seagrass legislation, then came back at the end of the session and asked that you help us to secure the
Governor’s veto because damaging amendments were added late in the session. Similar, “bad” amendments were added to
SB 2080 and SB 360 at the end of the 2009 session, which is why these bills cannot be signed in to law in their current form.
SB 2080 was initially supported by the environmental community because of its provisions for Florida-friendly landscaping
that would reduce outdoor water consumption. However, this bill was amended late in the session. The final bill, if signed in
to law, will drastically reduce public comment on wetlands permits and water management land acquisition by allowing the
executive directors of the state’s five water management districts to make permit decisions in private where they are subject
to intense lobbying outside of public view and transparency. This is in stark contrast to the current process of having these
decisions made by the governing boards in open meetings, where they must consider comments from the public, before
rendering their public decisions.
SB 360, The Community Renewal Act, is a growth management bill initially intended to encourage growth in existing “dense
urban areas” by lessening development restrictions in urban settings. Amendments added to SB 360 late in the session
would allow land use changes to occur via comprehensive plan amendments without the detailed oversight of the
Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Instead, DCA would give projects only a cursory review. DCA’s oversight is a key
component of growth management in Florida, and circumventing the agency’s input could prove catastrophic for Florida’s
environment.
What You Can Do: Click Here to Send an Online Letter to Governor Crist
Manatees
This from the Florida Wildlife Commission JUNE 4th at Plantation Inn (PDF)
Notice of Meeting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 4, 2009; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. PLACE: The Plantation Golf Resort & Spa
9301 West Fort Island Trail
Crystal River, Florida
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: This will be a "listening session" to gather information on
human / manatee interactions in the Crystal River area and review harassment laws as they apply to these
interactions. Among other possible outcomes, we hope to gather ideas on ways to better manage human / manatee
interactions. A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Bonnie Dunson at 850-488-5600, ext. 17158
or by sending an e-mail to: manatee.interaction@myfwc.com.
These guys won't be happy until they pave over every wetland and forest in Florida. Remember that when you go vote and
when that interstate comes through your back yard.
This just in from Save The Manatee Club: UPDATES on the 2009 Legislative Session
Thank you so much for all of your help during the 2009 legislative session! We asked you to take action on a variety of
legislative issues, and thanks to your support, we were able to secure funding for the manatee rescue and rehabilitation
program in the state budget and help pass a bill to protect seagrass in aquatic preserves from propeller scarring (HB 1423).
In addition, your e-mails helped block bad bills from passing, such as a bill to limit federal review of small wetlands permits
(HB 1123 and SB 2016), a bill that would have allowed engineering consultants to determine whether their clients’ projects
were in the public interest (HB 1349), and a bill that would have weakened the environmental permitting process through
streamlining (HB 7143 and SB 2026). Unfortunately, the springs legislation that SMC supported (SB 274) did not pass, but
SMC will continue to advocate for strong springs protection, as these natural springs are a critical component of manatee
winter habitat.
There were a number of bad environmental bills that made their way through the legislature this year, due in part to the
nation’s current economic difficulties. The economic slowdown was used by the development community and their allies as
an excuse to relax environmental safeguards in Florida. Today, we are writing to ask that you contact Governor Crist and
request his veto of two of these bills. You may recall that during the 2008 legislative session, we asked you to support
proposed seagrass legislation, then came back at the end of the session and asked that you help us to secure the
Governor’s veto because damaging amendments were added late in the session. Similar, “bad” amendments were added to
SB 2080 and SB 360 at the end of the 2009 session, which is why these bills cannot be signed in to law in their current form.
SB 2080 was initially supported by the environmental community because of its provisions for Florida-friendly landscaping
that would reduce outdoor water consumption. However, this bill was amended late in the session. The final bill, if signed in
to law, will drastically reduce public comment on wetlands permits and water management land acquisition by allowing the
executive directors of the state’s five water management districts to make permit decisions in private where they are subject
to intense lobbying outside of public view and transparency. This is in stark contrast to the current process of having these
decisions made by the governing boards in open meetings, where they must consider comments from the public, before
rendering their public decisions.
SB 360, The Community Renewal Act, is a growth management bill initially intended to encourage growth in existing “dense
urban areas” by lessening development restrictions in urban settings. Amendments added to SB 360 late in the session
would allow land use changes to occur via comprehensive plan amendments without the detailed oversight of the
Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Instead, DCA would give projects only a cursory review. DCA’s oversight is a key
component of growth management in Florida, and circumventing the agency’s input could prove catastrophic for Florida’s
environment.
What You Can Do: Click Here to Send an Online Letter to Governor Crist
Manatees
This from the Florida Wildlife Commission JUNE 4th at Plantation Inn (PDF)
Notice of Meeting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 4, 2009; 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. PLACE: The Plantation Golf Resort & Spa
9301 West Fort Island Trail
Crystal River, Florida
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: This will be a "listening session" to gather information on
human / manatee interactions in the Crystal River area and review harassment laws as they apply to these
interactions. Among other possible outcomes, we hope to gather ideas on ways to better manage human / manatee
interactions. A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Bonnie Dunson at 850-488-5600, ext. 17158
or by sending an e-mail to: manatee.interaction@myfwc.com.
| Aardvark's Adventures in Kayak Land June / July 2009 2nd Edition |
| ANCK Club Trip List |
| Group paddles are Aardvark's time to socialize and paddle with both old and new friends. Skill levels vary so the trips are typically not very strenuous unless so noted (Advanced/Long/Offshore). Join us at no charge if you have your own boat. Need a rental? We'll bring one for you at base rental rates. ($35 single/$45 tandem). We now require that you pre-pay for rentals. Sign up early. You can always cancel out and that way you are in the loop from the beginning. If you decide you don't want to go at the last minute, just let us know so we don't wait on you. Don't expect an immediate response when you sign up. The e-mails go into a bin and a message is generated, usually the Friday before the trip. |
| Interactive Trip Selector is now located here: Group Paddle Trips 1. Make sure to fill in the contact info box with an e-mail address so that we can contact you with trip details. 2. Check the boxes next to the trips that interest you. 3. When everything is filled in hit the Send Button. I have to ask that you please sign up through the webform using a valid e-mail address and please check the waiver. In order to keep these trips free, I have to keep it as simple as possible. |
| That's all for now folks. See You on the Water Aardvark's |
| Copyright ©2003 Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company All Rights Reserved |
| Upcoming Events Call Matt or Sue for details at 352-795-5650 |
The Environment
| Take an online boating safety course for free. Click here to Start then click on Florida on the Map |
| Spoil Islands |
| Sunday |
| Intermediate |
| Sunday |
| Chassahowitzka |
| DATE |
| NOTES |
| Long |
| ALL |
| TRIP |
| SKILL LEVEL* |
| July 19 |
| ALL |
| Bennett's Creek |
| Gum Slough |
| June 28 |
| Sunday |
| DAY |
| June 14 |
| Sunday |
| Sunday |
| July 26 |
| Strong Beginner |
| Ozello Scalloping |
| Rainbow River |
| Sunday |
| Beyond Beginner |
| June 21 |
| July 12 |
| Beyond Beginner |
Paddling Tips
| SPOT MSRP $169.95 Aardvark's Price $149.95 From June 1 thru August 3, you can get a spot for free (mail in rebate) with a two year subscription to the services. More info Here |
| Long 6 hours |
* Skill Level. Please Note: None of these are float trips which means you will need to actually paddle. These
classifications are meant to give you some idea whether you should consider going on the trips. All generally means that the
trip is suitable for any skill level, including first timers but as with any outdoor activity, you may encounter unexpected conditions
that can make the trip more strenuous than you thought. Kayaks must be at last 10' long. Beyond Beginner means that you
should at last have some idea of how to paddle and have been on at least a few outings or taken a basic class before trying this
trip level. Kayaks need to be at least 12' long. Strong Beginner means that in addition to having some basic skills, you need to
have the endurance to paddle distances longer than 6 miles, spend up to 4 hours sitting in a kayak and handle less than
optimal conditions (wind/current). Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long. Intermediate means that in addition to having some
basic skills and physical ability, that you have some knowledge of basic rescue techniques and can perform at least an assisted
rescue as both rescuer and rescue. Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long. Advanced means that in addition to the
intermediate skills you can successfully perform a self rescue in adverse conditions and have the proper equipment necessary
for offshore paddling. Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long.
classifications are meant to give you some idea whether you should consider going on the trips. All generally means that the
trip is suitable for any skill level, including first timers but as with any outdoor activity, you may encounter unexpected conditions
that can make the trip more strenuous than you thought. Kayaks must be at last 10' long. Beyond Beginner means that you
should at last have some idea of how to paddle and have been on at least a few outings or taken a basic class before trying this
trip level. Kayaks need to be at least 12' long. Strong Beginner means that in addition to having some basic skills, you need to
have the endurance to paddle distances longer than 6 miles, spend up to 4 hours sitting in a kayak and handle less than
optimal conditions (wind/current). Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long. Intermediate means that in addition to having some
basic skills and physical ability, that you have some knowledge of basic rescue techniques and can perform at least an assisted
rescue as both rescuer and rescue. Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long. Advanced means that in addition to the
intermediate skills you can successfully perform a self rescue in adverse conditions and have the proper equipment necessary
for offshore paddling. Kayaks need to be at least 13.5' long.
| Tsala Apopka Kayaking Series Every Wednesday June thru August in conjunction with Inverness Parks & Recreation |
| $40 per session or $99 for the whole series of three classes/trips 1. Intro to Recreational Kayaking 2. Refresher Class and Lake Henderson 3. The Inverness Chain of Lakes |
| SPOT Messenger Sale! MSRP $169.95 Aardvark's Price $149.95 From June 1 thru August 3, you can get a SPOT for free ( with mail in rebate) with a two year subscription to the services. More info Here |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1 American Cancer Society HOPE FLOATS Kayak Classic |