CLUB NEWS

By Monica Woll

It seems like old news to write about the all the hurricanes we had in August and September now. But that was definitely the big story the end of summer/beginning of fall. Not much paddling was going on with the club or at FBO as we prepared for one storm after another and became glued to our televisions. We ended up being one of the few parts of the state that didn’t get hit which was amazing but we have many paddling friends to think about and support.

Becky Bragg, President of the Florida Professional Paddling Association and owner of Canoe Outpost Peace River was one of the hardest hit. All four hurricanes affected the Peace River and her business, as well as Canoe Safari next door to her. Since our canned food drive didn’t amount to much (thanks to those of you who did bring stuff by), we voted to send them up Winn-Dixie gift certificates. They have finally re-opened the 16-mile Gardener to Arcadia run. Look for a trip in the newsletter soon! Canoe Outfitters of Florida on the Loxahatchee is re-opened having finished their main river clearing after Frances hit them hard. Club member James Bryan is going to help owner Eric clear some of the smaller stuff on Saturday November 13 (see Bulletin Board). Please support all the outfitters around the state and offer to lend a hand if you go out to paddle on the rivers they serve (bring a saw with you where ever you go!) Next time you come to FBO, pick up the FPPA brochure if you haven’t yet. It is a map of the state with all the member canoe and kayak outfitters.

The Paradise Paddler table at the Sierra Club Harvest Moon Dinner and Silent Auction was a lot of fun and may have to become a tradition. We were close to getting together two tables of ten but only managed the one so next year, call earlier! Our group besides myself, included Sharon Alvarado, Keith & Nancy Wellman, Roxanne & Troy, and the News: Jonathan, Gina, Danny and grandma. It was a lovely affair held at Fairchild Tropical Garden with sunset tram tours, delicious appetizers and a very healthy dinner buffet topped off with calorie-rich deserts. I got Gore-tex hiking boots for a bargain, Roxanne got a bike and Nancy started her Christmas shopping early. As a sponsor, it was good to see heaving bidding on FBO’s kayak tour for two!

We had a pretty good turnout for our 3^rd annual Adopt-A-Shore cleanup in October: myself, Cynthia Boerner, Lou Greenwell, Rick Bartoli, Christine Clarke, Sharon, and the “west coast boys” that came with James Hessler, Tom and Dave. After cleaning up Garden Cove, we headed out to clean a future trail campsite on El Radabob Key. When James said he was coming down to the cleanup so he could “get trashed” for his birthday, he got his wish come true. As is the case along most of the uninhabited shoreline in the Keys, the trash is so thick you can stand in one place and fill a large bag!

After cleaning a good section of beach, we decided to save some for next time and most of us paddled back to the shop through Shark Creek. In appreciation of non-club members joining us and coming from so far away, we let Tom enter first. He was treated to at least 3 shark sitings and was thrilled. Those of us that followed at least saw one or two. By the time we got to FBO, the buffalo burgers and Italian sausages were ready. Thanks Frank & Nick! We topped off the day with an ice cream birthday cake for James.