Paddle Punta Gorda
Name:
Paddle Punta Gorda
Date:
November 17, 2018
Time:
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Website:
http://www.teampuntagorda.org
Event Description:
Sign up for Paddle Punta Gorda and experience a kayaking adventure on one of seven area waterways. You’ll be guided by a local naturalist. The Nov. 17 event is sponsored by TEAM Punta Gorda and its Maritime Committee. Registration can be made online at the TEAM Punta Gorda website, http://www.teampuntagorda.org. Participation is limited to 20 kayakers per waterway, 18 or older, for a total of 140. The event will begin at 8 a.m. An after-party will be held at Laishley Park and will include lunch, free beer and a “Paddle Punta Gorda” tee shirt. There also will be a raffle and guest speaker. Cost is $30 per paddler (to be paid in advance only through PayPal or by check sent to TEAM, 227 Sullivan St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950). Proceeds will support the Maritime Committee’s conservation and new kayak launch initiatives. Participants are encouraged to bring their own kayaks. Rental kayaks will be available at only one location. Life jackets are required. “While Punta Gorda is a water community, that means more than being adjacent to Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River,” said Tom Gramza, Maritime Committee cochair. “Kayaking is going where you’ve never been, learning all of the paddling venues in the area.” Participants will be assigned to a waterway by preference and order of registration. Waterway maps and driving directions will be provided. All have ample parking and restrooms nearby. The waterways are: #1 Alligator Creek -- This is a 2-hour paddle. The waters are tidal and offer open water, adventurous mangrove tunnels and open coves. Eagles, ospreys and herons are among the many species of birds that frequent the area. Dolphin and stingrays are common in the creek. The launch is located within Windmill Village, 215 Rio Villa Dr., Punta Gorda. #2 Lettuce Lake -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle for all skill levels. You will paddle through tidal water on the south side of the Peace River and areas of lake flat water. The area surrounds islands of vegetation, with birds, turtles and alligators. The launch is located at 8801 SW Reese Street, Arcadia, to the west of a manufactured home/RV community. #3 Peace River at Nav-A-Gator -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle. It is slow-moving tidal water, wide open around woody and marshy islands. Interesting flora and fauna surround the waterway as well as many species of birds. It is suitable for all skill levels. The launch is located to the west of the Nav-A-Gator Grill, 9700 SW Riverview Circle, Lake Suzy. Kayak rentals are available at this location for $20. #4 Ponce De Leon Park -- This 2.5-hour paddle meanders through beautiful mangrove tunnels. It is tidal and borders on Charlotte Harbor. Birds, crabs and other wildlife are abundant. Occasionally dolphin and manatee have been spotted. The park is located at 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda. #5 Shell Creek -- This 2-hour paddle is a favorite of many local paddlers. The creek is wide and slow-moving. Vegetation is lush and varied. There is an abundance of birds and turtles with an occasional alligator sunning on the banks. Picnic area available. Shell Creek launch is located in Hathaway Park, 35301 Washington Loop Rd., Punta Gorda. #6 Sunrise Park – Two hours on Little Alligator Creek / Sunrise Waterway. This is a protected water paddle with a good opportunity to see birds. The water is considered brackish with a typical tidal influence. This trail will involve a portion of Florida’s Blueway Trail system. The park features a dedicated kayak launch. The park is located at 20499 Edgewater Dr., Port Charlotte. #7 Webb Lake Babcock -- This is a 2-hour paddle on a long, smooth fresh water lake surrounded by pine trees, wildflowers and wildlife. The lake is stocked with fish, which attracts many birds. Sighting eagles and alligators is common. It is a state park with restrooms and picnic area (fees may apply). It is located at 29200 Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda. More information is available by contacting TEAM Punta Gorda at team@teampuntagorda.org or 941-637-TEAM. |
Location:
Seven Punta Gorda area waterways:
#1 Alligator Creek -- This is a 2-hour paddle. The waters are tidal and offer open water, adventurous mangrove tunnels and open coves. Eagles, ospreys and herons are among the many species of birds that frequent the area. Dolphin and stingrays are common in the creek. The launch is located within Windmill Village, 215 Rio Villa Dr., Punta Gorda.
#2 Lettuce Lake -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle for all skill levels. You will paddle through tidal water on the south side of the Peace River and areas of lake flat water. The area surrounds islands of vegetation, with birds, turtles and alligators. The launch is located at 8801 SW Reese Street, Arcadia, to the west of a manufactured home/RV community.
#3 Peace River at Nav-A-Gator -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle. It is slow-moving tidal water, wide open around woody and marshy islands. Interesting flora and fauna surround the waterway as well as many species of birds. It is suitable for all skill levels. The launch is located to the west of the Nav-A-Gator Grill, 9700 SW Riverview Circle, Lake Suzy. Kayak rentals are available at this location for $20.
#4 Ponce De Leon Park -- This 2.5-hour paddle meanders through beautiful mangrove tunnels. It is tidal and borders on Charlotte Harbor. Birds, crabs and other wildlife are abundant. Occasionally dolphin and manatee have been spotted. The park is located at 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda.
#5 Shell Creek -- This 2-hour paddle is a favorite of many local paddlers. The creek is wide and slow-moving. Vegetation is lush and varied. There is an abundance of birds and turtles with an occasional alligator sunning on the banks. Picnic area available. Shell Creek launch is located in Hathaway Park, 35301 Washington Loop Rd., Punta Gorda.
#6 Sunrise Park – Two hours on Little Alligator Creek / Sunrise Waterway. This is a protected water paddle with a good opportunity to see birds. The water is considered brackish with a typical tidal influence. This trail will involve a portion of Florida’s Blueway Trail system. The park features a dedicated kayak launch. The park is located at 20499 Edgewater Dr., Port Charlotte.
#7 Webb Lake Babcock -- This is a 2-hour paddle on a long, smooth fresh water lake surrounded by pine trees, wildflowers and wildlife. The lake is stocked with fish, which attracts many birds. Sighting eagles and alligators is common. It is a state park with restrooms and picnic area (fees may apply). It is located at 29200 Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda.
#1 Alligator Creek -- This is a 2-hour paddle. The waters are tidal and offer open water, adventurous mangrove tunnels and open coves. Eagles, ospreys and herons are among the many species of birds that frequent the area. Dolphin and stingrays are common in the creek. The launch is located within Windmill Village, 215 Rio Villa Dr., Punta Gorda.
#2 Lettuce Lake -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle for all skill levels. You will paddle through tidal water on the south side of the Peace River and areas of lake flat water. The area surrounds islands of vegetation, with birds, turtles and alligators. The launch is located at 8801 SW Reese Street, Arcadia, to the west of a manufactured home/RV community.
#3 Peace River at Nav-A-Gator -- This is a 2- to 2.5-hour paddle. It is slow-moving tidal water, wide open around woody and marshy islands. Interesting flora and fauna surround the waterway as well as many species of birds. It is suitable for all skill levels. The launch is located to the west of the Nav-A-Gator Grill, 9700 SW Riverview Circle, Lake Suzy. Kayak rentals are available at this location for $20.
#4 Ponce De Leon Park -- This 2.5-hour paddle meanders through beautiful mangrove tunnels. It is tidal and borders on Charlotte Harbor. Birds, crabs and other wildlife are abundant. Occasionally dolphin and manatee have been spotted. The park is located at 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda.
#5 Shell Creek -- This 2-hour paddle is a favorite of many local paddlers. The creek is wide and slow-moving. Vegetation is lush and varied. There is an abundance of birds and turtles with an occasional alligator sunning on the banks. Picnic area available. Shell Creek launch is located in Hathaway Park, 35301 Washington Loop Rd., Punta Gorda.
#6 Sunrise Park – Two hours on Little Alligator Creek / Sunrise Waterway. This is a protected water paddle with a good opportunity to see birds. The water is considered brackish with a typical tidal influence. This trail will involve a portion of Florida’s Blueway Trail system. The park features a dedicated kayak launch. The park is located at 20499 Edgewater Dr., Port Charlotte.
#7 Webb Lake Babcock -- This is a 2-hour paddle on a long, smooth fresh water lake surrounded by pine trees, wildflowers and wildlife. The lake is stocked with fish, which attracts many birds. Sighting eagles and alligators is common. It is a state park with restrooms and picnic area (fees may apply). It is located at 29200 Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda.
Date/Time Information:
Nov. 17, 2018, starting at 8 a.m. and ending by noon.
Contact Information:
TEAM Punta Gorda 941-637-8326
Fees/Admission:
$30 per person
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