Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers upcoming events

PADDLING A FLORIDA GEM: JUNIPER SPRINGS RUN (02 Jul 2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Trip leaders:

Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776

Description: As heat indexes soar above 100, we're willing to drive a little farther to find cool spring waters! We'll explore beautiful Juniper Springs Run, one of Florida's top paddling destinations. Juniper Run is a narrow spring-fed stream that winds for 7 miles under a dense canopy of old-growth forest through the heart of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Towards the end, we'll even encounter a short "rapids" section for a little thrill. After the paddle, you're welcome to head back to the head spring for a swim.

Location: Juniper Springs Recreation Area, 26701 E Hwy 40 in Silver Springs. Day use admission: $14.50 + tax.

Schedule: Meet at 8AM on July 2 to set up our shuttle and prep for launch by 9:00. We'll aim to finish up around 1-2PM.

Difficulty: Level 2 due to mileage, but it's all downstream. This twisty run will give you lots of practice with turning strokes. See TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact the trip leaders if you have any questions.

Gear Requirements/Recommendations:

Any kayak will do. Shorter plastic boats generally work better on this winding river, but we've taken sea kayaks down it before too. The park does not allow inflatables. Kayak rentals are available.
Paddlers must wear a PFD.
Pack lunch snacks and bring plenty to drink. Do NOT pack disposable or glass items. Park rangers often inspect bags and will require these items be left behind.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify the trip 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, or contact a trip leader.

TBSK TRAINING DAY: "Rescue Me AGAIN!" (26 Jul 2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 11:30:00 GMT

TBSK TRAINING DAY: "Rescue Me AGAIN!"

Coaches:

Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776
Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159

Location: Fort De Soto Park, located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde. As you enter the park, turn left at the flagpole and drive past the sign to East Beach to park at the end of that arm of the peninsula. (Note: East Beach has the closest restroom facilities to where we'll be.)

Date/Time: Sunday, July 26. Arrive by 7:30 a.m. to gear up and be ready to launch by 8:00. Early start is an effort to beat the heat and summer thunderstorms. We'll finish between 11:00-noon.

Description: This is Part Two in our summer of rescues and attempt to stay wet in hot summer conditions. We'll focus more on various SELF rescues this time, utilizing assistive tools like paddle floats and stirrups as needed. As time and interest permits, we may get to the "ultimate self-rescue"--the roll or re-enter and roll.

This session is open to paddlers of all skill levels and sit-in or sit-on-top kayaks. No worries if you didn't attend our June training--we'll start where you are.

What to bring: The usual paddling gear, plus a spray skirt, stirrup, and paddle float if you have them. Nose plugs or a dive mask may be useful for those looking to practice rolls. Coaches will bring some extra paddle floats and stirrups to lend out as needed. Participants must wear a PFD, closed-toed water shoes, and bring plenty to drink.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your rescue practice, please notify leaders before the training so that they can be best equipped to assist you as needed.

If your plans to participate change, please cancel on the website so that people on the waitlist can join the class.

JULY GENERAL MEETING: JOHN SHINNER, PADDLER & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER (28 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

JULY GENERAL MEETING: JOHN SHINNER, PADDLER & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER

We're so pleased to have TBSK member John Shinner joining us for our July General Meeting. John is both paddler and photographer extraordinaire! He is the 30th kayaker to have completed the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. Having grown up in Tampa Bay, it was fitting that he finished those 1,515 miles with a paddle across Tampa Bay. The photo above is from the Fort Clinch State Park terminus of the CT in Fernandina Beach. John is also a talented professional photographer, often sharing his beautiful images of birds and other wildlife on social media.

Tune in at 7PM on Tuesday, July 28 to hear more about John's CT adventures, enjoy his lovely photos, and maybe even learn how to take better photos from our kayaks!

Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89145235982?pwd=toZ1Sod5E6ausLcMszOKxfAjjgM9aT.1

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 1 - Silver River (31 Jul 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 1 - Silver River

Trip leaders:

Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776

Description: Let's beat back the heat in beautiful cool spring waters! We'll launch from Ray Wayside Park and paddle up the Silver River and back. If we make it all the way up to the head spring, it'll be about a 10-mile round-trip paddle. We can turn back at any point the group chooses to. We can also practice rolls, rescues, swim, float--anything to keep cool. Expect to see lots of beautiful birds along the way and maybe some monkeys.

Location: Ray Wayside Park, 9564 NE 26th Lane in Silver Springs. Please note that there is a $7 per vehicle parking fee (cash only).

Schedule: Friday, July 31 Meet at 9AM to prep for launch by 9:30. We'll aim to return around 2-3PM.

Difficulty: Level 2. The trip may creep into Level II territory due to round-trip mileage if we paddle all the way to the head spring and into every nook and cranny along the way. Our upstream journey will be a little more challenging since we'll be paddling against the current, but it's manageable...and our reward for a little more exercise on the way up will be a relaxing float downstream. See TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact the trip leaders if you have any questions.

Additional information: This trip is the first day of a three-day "Summer of Springs" exploration. You can sign up for one, two, or all three days. If you plan to make a weekend out of it, we urge you to find lodging in the area to avoid driving back and forth from the Tampa Bay area. The towns of Ocala, Silver Springs, Dunnellon, and Crystal River have lots of hotels and are in the region that we'll be paddling each day. Scott & Jill will be staying in a rental house on the Rainbow River on Friday and Saturday nights. They have room in their rental house for 6-7 additional people. Contact Jill or Scott if you'd like to stay with them and share rental costs.

Difficulty: Level 2 for distance and a bit of current on the upstream paddle. Review TBSK's Skills Self-Assessment Chart and contact trip leaders with any questions.

Gear Requirements/Recommendations:

Kayaks at least 14 feet long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation.
Paddlers must wear a PFD.
Pack a lunch and bring plenty to drink.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify the trip 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.

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 2 - Rainbow River (01 Aug 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 2 - Rainbow River

Trip leaders:

Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776

Description: Day 2 of our Summer of Springs trip will take us to the aptly named Rainbow River. We'll launch from Blue Run of Dunnellon Park and make our way up the Rainbow River to the head spring. Along the way up or back down, we can snorkel, swim, practice rolls and rescues, and check out side springs like Gissy. With its lush underwater eelgrass, diverse fish species, turtles, and otters, the Rainbow is a wonderful snorkeling experience! A round-trip paddle from Blue Run to the head spring is about 10 miles.

Location: Blue Run of Dunnellon Park, 19680 E Pennsylvania Avenue in Dunnellon. Note that there is an overflow parking area off San Jose Boulevard. You can drop your boat/gear near the launch, park there if needed, and it's a short walk back to the launch.

Schedule: Saturday, August 1. Meet at 8:30AM to prep for launch by 9:00. We'll aim to return around 1-2PM.

Additional information: This trip is the second day of a three-day "Summer of Springs" exploration. You can sign up for one, two, or all three days. If you plan to make a weekend out of it, we urge you to find lodging in the area to avoid driving back and forth from the Tampa Bay area. The towns of Ocala, Silver Springs, Dunnellon, and Crystal River have lots of hotels and are in the region that we'll be paddling each day. Scott & Jill will be staying in a rental house on the Rainbow River on Friday and Saturday nights. They have room in their rental house for 6-7 additional people. Contact Jill or Scott if you'd like to stay with them and share rental costs.

Difficulty: Level 2 for distance and a bit of current on the upstream paddle. Review TBSK's Skills Self-Assessment Chart and contact trip leaders with any questions.

Gear Requirements/Recommendations:

Kayaks at least 14 feet long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation.
Paddlers must wear a PFD.
Mask, snorkel, fins, and a line to tow your kayak with if you plan to snorkel.
Pack a lunch and bring plenty to drink.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify the trip 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.

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 3 - Crystal River (02 Aug 2026)

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT

TBSK WEEKENDER TRIP: Summer of Springs 3 - Crystal River

Trip leaders:

Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776

Description: Interested in deepening your understanding of Florida springs? Join SpringsWatch volunteers Jill Lingard and Scott Jantz on a citizen science paddling trip that will encompass seven springs around Kings Bay in Crystal River, including the crown jewels of Three Sisters Springs. Our paddle will be a slower-than-you're-probably-used-to 5 miles as we stop at stations to take measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, light attenuation, water clarity, and submerged vegetation. Paddlers who enjoy snorkeling can also participate in an optional fish count at two springs. We'll also keep tabs on birds, turtles, manatees, and other wildlife. Jill and Scott will provide on-the-job training on the various meters used for water quality monitoring.

Location: Port Hotel & Marina, located at 1610 SE Paradise Circle in Crystal River. We will launch and return to this spot.

Schedule: Sunday, August 2. Meet at 8:00AM for an 8:30 launch. We usually finish up around 1-2PM.

Difficulty: Level 1+ based on mileage and a possible chop on the bay if winds build. The springs are mostly located along protected canals, but we paddle in the more open bay to reach them. See TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact the trip leaders if you have any questions.

Required gear: Kayaks of at least 14' in length with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation. Sit-on-top kayaks are actually very useful for this activity as you may be carrying extra SpringsWatch equipment. PFDs must be worn. Bring snorkel/mask/fins plus a line to tow your boat if you plan to participate in the fish count.

Gear Requirements/Recommendations:

Kayaks at least 14 feet long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation.
Mask, snorkel, fins, and a line to tow your kayak with if you plan to participate in a fish count.
Paddlers must wear a PFD.
Pack a lunch and bring plenty to drink.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify the trip 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.