Paddling Overview
My lifetime on the water, from New England whitewater to Florida springs and Gulf passes.
This is a growing collection of my Florida paddling stories. Some were easy sunset paddles close to home, while others involved swift current, blocked river channels, changing tides, open Gulf water, or long days covering many miles. Use the menu to jump directly to any destination or browse the featured paddle stories below.
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All Florida Paddle Pages
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Allen's Creek
Five years of paddling and sharing quiet neighborhood water from Allen’s Creek.
Anclote River
Exploring the Anclote from the Perrine Ranch Road launch near New Port Richey.
Aripeka
Jenkins Creek, Aripeka Harbor, an inland spring, and the character of a tiny Gulf town.
Brooker Creek
A wooded creek flowing toward Lake Tarpon, with access from John Chesnut Senior Park.
Caladesi Island
Hurricane Pass, Caladesi sandbars, dolphins, Gulf chop, and unforgettable evening light.
Chassahowitzka River
Seven Sisters, Baird Creek, The Crack, spring runs, and fish camps toward the Gulf.
Clam Bayou
A compact Gulfport route through mangroves, sheltered coves, and Clam Bayou Preserve.
Cotee River
Paddling the Pithlachascotee through New Port Richey toward its Gulf-side neighborhoods.
Cross Bayou and Long Bayou
Tide-dependent loops among mangrove islands in Cross Bayou and Long Bayou.
Fisheating Creek
A wild cypress-lined creek with changing water levels, current, and deep Florida solitude.
Fred Howard Park
Gulf paddling around the Fred Howard Park causeway, beaches, and nearby mangrove shoreline.
Gandy Beach
Tampa Bay shallows, mangrove shorelines, and the wide Hole in the Hedge tunnel.
Hillsborough River
Many faces of the Hillsborough, from broad upper river to narrow, fast Seventeen Runs.
Juniper Springs
A clear, swift spring run winding tightly through dense Ocala National Forest vegetation.
Little Manatee River
Tea-colored water, forested banks, and a winding run near the Canoe Outpost.
Rainbow River
Exceptionally clear spring water, long underwater views, wildlife, and steady flow.
Robinson Preserve
Mangrove tunnels, open Tampa Bay water, and preserve trails near northwest Bradenton.
Rock Springs Run
Fast, clear water from Rock Springs through a narrow, twisting subtropical corridor.
Seventeen Runs
A demanding Hillsborough River route of blind bends, swift current, trees, and alligators.
Shell Key
Open-water crossings, shifting sandbars, birds, and bright Gulf water around Shell Key.
Tarpon Springs
Paddling near the Anclote, Gulf islands, working waterfront, and Tarpon Springs sponge docks.
Turner River
An Everglades route through sawgrass, cypress domes, mangrove tunnels, and alligator country.
Weedon Island
Following Weedon Island’s marked trail through narrow mangroves and sheltered Tampa Bay.
Weeki Wachee
Clear spring water, a gentle current, wildlife, and the popular run to Rogers Park.
Withlacoochee River
A forested Florida river of limestone banks, springs, wildlife, and long quiet reaches.
RockADock
Seven October days of camping, daily paddles, instruction, stories, and paddling community.
2023 Santa Fe River
A 2023 river trip combining dark water, clear springs, limestone banks, and good company.
2023 Merritt's Mill Pond
Clear blue water, submerged limestone, springs, and cypress reflections in the Panhandle.
2024 Holmes Creek
A 2024 Panhandle paddle beneath live oaks and cypress, with springs along Holmes Creek.
September 12, 2023 Weeki Wachee
A September Weeki Wachee run through clear water before the river’s busier lower reaches.
Photo preview coming
Weeki Wachee Scalloping
Four boats and about two dozen people searching the Gulf grass flats for bay scallops.
Aripeka & Jenkins Creek
Diana, David, Jenkins Creek, an inland spring, and a tropical storm churning offshore.
Werner-Boyce
A quiet November exploration of the salt marsh and winding channels at Werner-Boyce.
Werner-Boyce
A solo paddle deep into Werner-Boyce marshes beneath broad autumn skies.
Hillsborough River
A September outing from Sargeant Park through the shaded upper Hillsborough River.
Aripeka
Exploring Aripeka Harbor and nearby coastal water with Claudia and Brandt.
Hillsborough River
A springtime Hillsborough paddle from Sargeant Park beneath oaks and Spanish moss.
Chassahowitzka River
Seven Sisters, Baird Creek, The Crack, Potter’s Spring, and old Gulf fish camps.
Clam Bayou
A February paddle through Gulfport’s sheltered mangrove coves and Clam Bayou.
Lower Hillsborough River
Upstream from Lowry Park past riverfront homes to lunch at Rowlett Park Dam.
Puppy Paddle
Dogs in kayaks, exposed low-tide sandbars, and shrimp afterward at Old Bay Cafe.
Gandy & Hole in the Hedge
Pinellas Paddlers through the broad Hole in the Hedge tunnel, followed by lunch.
Chassahowitzka River
A warm June return to Chassahowitzka springs, side creeks, and clear-water swimming holes.
Brooker Creek
Launching at John Chesnut Senior Park to explore Brooker Creek and Lake Tarpon.
Caladesi & Hurricane Pass
Warm Gulf water with Kym and Buddyboy beneath towering clouds and a brilliant sunset.
Montezuma
An April 2024 paddle exploring the distinctive waterway and scenery around Montezuma.
Photo preview coming
Seventeen Runs to Morris Bridge
Seventeen miles to Morris Bridge with Gary clearing blockages and a welcome downpour.
Seventeen Runs
A late-May passage through narrow bends, faster current, sandy bottom, and gator habitat.
Gandy Beach with Robbie
An easy November Tampa Bay paddle with Robbie through familiar Gandy mangroves.
Seventeen Runs
Fast current, blind corners, new blockages, and wild country deep in Seventeen Runs.
Weedon Island
Helping Lighthouse for the Blind participants seine, handle, and identify marine life by touch.
Caladesi
Extreme low tide, Caladesi sandbars, a shelf cloud, and Buddyboy playing near Honeymoon Island.
Alafia River
A shaded downstream run from Alderman’s Ford to Lithia Springs and Miss Sybil’s takeout.
Layne's Birthday on the Chassahowitzka
Celebrating Layne’s birthday on the clear Chassahowitzka with springs and friends.