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middle FL paddling?

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:10 pm
by JeffT
We're planning a vacation to Orlando. Is there anything worth hauling boats for down there?
F150 gets 21mpg and totes boats. Civic gets 38mpg and doesn't tote boats.

Re: middle FL paddling?

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:19 pm
by Cowper
If you're looking for WW, I don't know. Best bet is to hit the surf, and let it pummel you head first into the sand if the waves break too close to the beach. (or so I've heard)

But I loved the beauty of the clear waters in the Ichetucknee River, which is a bit to the North and which you'll drive very close to on the way down and back.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetu ... efault.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In the summer, I think you'll find restrictions in place and need a permit, and you'll still have lots of company. Winter, I don't know - my beta is decades old; use the links and call down there to see what the current situation is in the "off season".

Re: middle FL paddling?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:58 am
by RomanLA
I did some backpacking on the Florida Trail out of Suwannee River State Park a few years back. When I got back, I did some paddling on the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers. There were rocks in the river, but at 2-3kcfs everything was washed out. The best rapids are supposed to be on the Suwannee just north of I-10. I was told the limestone is like coral if you flip though!
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... l/id/3181/

Re: middle FL paddling?

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:38 am
by Mark or Hayden
Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom. :-)

Re: middle FL paddling?

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:32 am
by Mark or Hayden
Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom. :-)