Stand Up Paddleboard Ban
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, has banned SUPs from the headwaters of the Rainbow River. Now those of you who know me, also know I’ll support pretty much any environmental cause there is. If there is a poster child for liberal environmentalist, (aka “wacko” as Capt Mike would say) that would be me. I cannot however support this ban. If you choose to enter and are stopped for being on an SUP in the headwaters area of the park (that’s the headspring and 1700′ downstream to the sign), I would challenge it based on their ban’s language about USCG approval. The USCG, in fact, does classify SUPS as well as canoes and kayaks as vessels.
The Park manager tells me that ” To have a standard to use to be able to apply fairly and universally, we have taken the position that only USCG approved vessels are allowed within the 1700 feet boundary within the park. And unless specifically authorized in advance by park management, these vessels are prohibited from using any type of motor. It has been our experience that many visitors attempt to use a variety of “vessels” and other equipment in this area. We are also concerned that poling will impact the many small fissures and spring boils on the bottom. And of course, like any sport, there are varying degrees of skill. Unfortunately, if one falls off a paddle board, then they often end up stepping on the sensitive vegetation on the bottom.”
While that is true to some extent, the same can be said of canoes or kayaks which they themselves rent via a concessionaire. If you tip over a canoe or kayak, don’t you end up in the same place as you would if you fell off a paddleboard? Beyond that, it’s much quicker and easier getting back on, which should make the impacts less. Keep in mind too, that this is not shallow water grassflats, but rather deep(er) water except at the edges. If they (DEP) really want to protect the river and the Aquatic Preserve, they should stop launching tubes from the campground or work to limit the impact of divers downstream. But no, that would take political guts.
