Paddle Punta Gorda
Paddle Punta Gorda 2019 was well attended with 120 registered paddlers. Each had a choice of seven local waterway trails. The morning of November 9th saw a light rain which quickly gave way to clear skies and a great morning!
Each trail featured a lead a sweep and a Florida certified naturalist. Following an enjoyable morning on the water, paddlers assembled at the Laishley Park community room for conversation and lunch, many looking forward to next year’s event.
Let’s give a round of applause for our 2019 sponsors:
Beef O’Brady’s Downtown Bait & Tackle Enterprise Car Rental Freedom Boat Club Holidaze Boat Rentals Kayak Eco Tours Nino’s Bakery & Restaurant Peace River Distributing Publix Grocery Punta Gorda Rent-All Rapid Grafix Seatow Water Life Magazine Windmill Paddlers
As a part of TEAMs Maritime Committee, Paddle Punta Gorda emphasizes that while Punta Gorda is a “water community,” that means even more than being adjacent to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor. The event premiered on November 12, 2016 with naturalists guiding 90 kayakers through five tours on the Peace River, Shell Creek, Alligator Creek, Lettuce Lake and Ponce de Leon Park waters.
The event was such a success that 100% of those responding to the survey (which was most of the paddlers) said they would recommend the event to a friend. As one paddler put it, the benefit was “Going where I’d never been. Learning all of the paddling venues in the area that I was unaware of.” One lucky paddler won the grand prize, a carbon fiber kayak paddle.
TEAM’s 2018 Paddle Punta Gorda kayak event was a great success. We had over 80 registered paddlers who enjoyed accompanied trail tours by 8 Florida-certified naturalists. Four local trails were used: Alligator Creek, Peace River, Ponce de Leon, and Shell Creek.
Marina Community Room for lunch, sharing of experiences, and tee shirt distribution. A special shout-out to our many sponsors and volunteers.
