Weeki Wachee Eco Adventure: Mermaids and Merriment!!

One of our favorite downriver SUP runs is the fast flowing crystal clear Weeki Wachee river! Weeki Wachee proudly bills itself as "The Only City with Live Mermaids". While we're not sure if you'll see Live mermaids we can guarantee and awesome SUP adventure and experience! This amazing spring run has lots of twists and turns as it makes it way towards the gulf of mexico. We'll go down river for about 3 hours stopping along the way for taking pictures and taking in the scenery as well as taking a break or 2 on one of the sandy beaches along the river's side.

Immerse yourself in the crystal clear beauty of the weeki wachee river with the perfect perspective, standing up on a paddleboard getting gently pushed down river thru a lush oasis of waterous wonderment! While not guaranteed, regular sightings of manatees are fairly common, along with an array of other wildlife including racoons, otters, birds, turtles and fish of all kinds. The one way down river push from the springs makes this enjoyable and doable for beginner paddlers. The great part is if you get tired of standing you can always sit and paddle!

DETAILS: 
Float with the current and pilot your board 5 miles down the famous Weeki Wachee river! We'll start our float and paddle down river, for the first 1/2 mile there is a pretty good push from the spring, we'll quickly review cross bow turns before we set off as this is a great way to steer when you have a lot of force pushing you on your board. As we make our way down river we'll keep an eye out for any manatees that are out cruising around the river. During that 5 miles down river we'll take several breaks to take pictures, watch wild life or pull off to a sandy beach area for a drink or snack break .

Check In - 10:30 AM 
Meet at and park your car at Weeki Wachee State Park, your entry fee to the park, launch fee for vessel and transport back to car after the paddle via 15 passenger van are included in the price. 
Also included: high quality properly sized paddle and paddleboard. Based on your height and weight we will provide a board that is best suited for you. Per coast guard requirement a type 3 Personal Flotation Device is also included, this must be on the board but can also be worn if preferred. Additionally, for safety and guidance, SUP instructors will accompany the group along the way. No paddlers are left behind, all particpants are required to stay with the group. The benefit of the off months for these trips is the greatly reduced river traffic as this is a boat navigable waterway it can be busy during the spring/summer months with boats and crafts of all sizes.

What do I need to bring: 
Dress appropriate for the weather, if its cool or cold wear layers that you can peel off as you warm up from paddling. For cooler weather paddling, tennis shoes and socks can keep your feet warmer and comfortable. Likewise a wool hat for your head and some cheap work gloves from a convenience store will go along way to keeping your body heat for yourself! 
In Florida sunscreen is always advisable, as is a hat and sunglasses with safety cord. Brings snacks and water and whatever you need to keep yourself hydrated and your energy up. Its nice to have a snack and a drink when we stop for a break. 
A small soft sided cooler works great, all the boards have tie down points on the nose with bungee cord so you can secure your cooler to the nose of the board. 
If your bringing your phone to use make sure you have a floating waterproof bag to carry it in. Even if your phone has a case and is waterproof, it will still sink, if it falls out of your hand chances are good you won't find it . 
Bring all your valuables with you, since we will be gone an extended length of time you dont want to leave anything of value in your car. As usual we'll have a mid size bag for keys, you may want to bring your own waterproof bag for your wallet, purse, phone etc. These can be had for less than 15 bucks on line or at local retailers. 
For after the paddle, bring a change of clothes, socks and towel, just in case. For shoes, sandals if its warm, sneakers you don't mind getting wet if it cold or cooler out. These can be secured under the nose bungees if not in use.

Experience and age required: 
13 and older with prior experience. 
Probably a good idea for ALL if you have had some prior sup experience. It is a longer in length paddle with some turning and stopping required. 
Must know how to swim.
click link at bottom to sign waiver for weeki wachee

Time: 
Check in is at 10:30, we'll size everyone up for gear and que up for our launch at 10:45 till 11:00 am. be advised don't be late, they can only launch a certain amount of boats each hour, you don't want to miss your time slot. Be considerate of the others in the group. We can't hold the group to wait for late arrivals. If there is some last minute issue call the trip leader at 407 592 3489

Length: 5 miles down river can be as short as 2 hours non stop or 5 hours with lots of stops. We'll shoot for a leisure 3.0 hours so we can stop and smell the lilies along the way.

What's included for $65.00: Reserved Launch time and shuttle for a ride back to your car at the trips end. A properly sized high quality SUP board/ paddle and life vest are included. Lastly, this is a guided river trip, SUP instructors will accompany the group along the way, leading the way and offering help and assistance when or if needed. No paddlers are ever left behind, all particpants are required to stay with the group. SUP instructors will take pictures and post a photo album online, pictures can be downloaded for free.

BYOB !!! IMPORTANT !! 
Got Your Own Board ? 
Want to join our group ? Please do !! there is no charge from us to join our group! There are 3 things you'll need to do and know!

1) You will need to go online or call and pay to reserve a launch time, PBO launch time is 11am Jan 26, there are limited spots available each hour by law. You'll also need to pay for a shuttle service. 
https://weekiwachee.com/kayak-rentals/rentals/ 352-592-5656

2) You should be familar and well aquainted with your board and paddle, don't make this your first trip with your new board. A 3 hour trip on gear that has never been used, is not a good idea. Make sure you have some basic sup experience with your board and paddle before joining this kind of paddle. A great warm up paddle are the Saturday morning beginner lessons at dinky dock. Those are free with your own board as well.

3) You are responsible for the transport/ unloading /carrying/ loading /launching of your own board. We'll gladly help if we can but with 20 boards and guests we have a lot to manage. Be advised to park to the far side of the lot as the carry in is quite lengthy. There are some carts available sometimes.

all paddlers must click and sign or arrive early to sign waivers on the day of the paddle.