Cancelled due to weather forecast.
Location/Schedule: Meet Al Tillson (813-832-3961; altillson@yahoo.com) at the northeastern end of Fort DeSoto Park at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday September 9thth for a 10:00 a.m. launch.
Description: Due to the COVID19 crisis, we will practice social distancing on and off the water and prioritize towing in the event of a capsize. To facilitate this, we will spend a few minutes before launch learning an easy method of getting into our boats that makes it possible to handle slightly deeper water.
We’ll be paddling about 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace out and back along both sides of eastern Mullet Key with a break somewhere around midway for lunch/snack and maybe a quick dip and a little skills practice if there’s interest. Should see nice views of the Skyway Bridge, some commercial shipping in the Egmont Channel, lots of mangroves, a variety of fish, a fair array of water birds, and hopefully the occasional dolphin or manatee.
Required: Be sure to bring plenty of water, a face mask, lunch/snack, sunscreen, repellent, and footwear that will protect you against possible oyster shells at take- outs. A waterproof outer shell is also a good idea. All boats should be at least 15 feet long and have sealed flotation and bow and stern grab loops and/or deck lines.
Please RSVP on club website. Detailed directions to launch spot will be sent to those who register.
Limit: 8 paddlers.