I've never paddled anywhere near Florida, but I paddle regularly in the tropics, so I guess hot-weather paddling is within my turf. Not really that different, except that you have to bring plenty of water and use industrial quantities of sunscreen. You don't always notice the heat, especially if there's a decent breeze and enough chop to wet you down now and then, but the sun is there and it can hurt you. A big hat helps too. If there are mangrove swamps or wild coasts, you might want to try something I do, though some might find it a little extreme for a vacation. I like to get up way early, paddle out to the forest coast in the dark, and poke around as the sun rises. It's cool, there is more wildlife than you'd see any other time, and sunrise on the water is beautiful.
Necky makes good boats, though we don't see many around here. Mine is by Seaward, also a real pleasure to paddle. I'm a big believer in quality boats; a couple of times I've been traveling and grabbed a rental, and I always end up feeling like I'm paddling a tugboat. Now I try to bring mine along, though that isn't always easy with 17 feet of fiberglass.
White water trip coming up this weekend, long drive, but a lovely river, one I feel a certain attachment to, as I found it and did the first descent on it, 2 years back. Been back a few times since, but always had lower water levels than on that first trip; it's been raining regularly, though, so hopes are high. Lovely river; the run is 18km, and most of that is through original forest, with no people or habitations in sight. Will report on Monday....
Steve |
