Trip Leaders:
Robby Bieber - (941) 744-6620, ft_hamer_may_16@bieber.dev
Cheryl Bollman Taskey - (724) 713-0207, cheryl.taskey@gmail.com
Description: We'll meet at Fort Hamer park at the shoreline in front of the rowing facility, to the right of the fishing dock. We'll paddle East on the Manatee river, then turn North onto Gamble creek and follow it up to an isolated island hidden back in the mangroves. We can take a break there, then turn around and retrace our path for just a bit over 5 miles total. Expect to encounter shallows along the way, with occasional sandbars that we may need to cross on foot.
Location: Fort Hamer Park. 1605 Fort Hamer Rd in Parrish.
A brand new TBSK picnic location, Fort Hamer is a public park on the Manatee river and home to the Manatee rowing program. The park is free to enter, with ample parking for vehicles with and without trailers. Situated just West of the spectacular Fort Hamer bridge, the park and boat ramp provide a convenient access point to the stretch of Manatee River between East Bradenton and Rye Preserve.
Schedule: Meet at 8:30am on Saturday, May 16th. Be ready to launch kayaks by 9:00. We'll return around 11:00-11:30.
Difficulty: Level 2, mostly due to distance. This is a fairly sheltered river paddle with minimal current for a distance just over 5 miles. Review TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact trip leaders with any questions.
Requirements: Boats must be at least 14 feet long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation. Paddlers must wear a PFD with whistle, a spray skirt, and appropriate water shoes. Bring plenty to drink and be sure it's accessible while you paddle.
If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify leaders before the trip so that they can be best equipped to assist you as needed.
If your plans to participate change, please cancel on the website or app so that people on the waitlist can join us