Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers upcoming events

Robinson Preserve Rec Paddle (21 Jun 2026)

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Robinson Preserve Recreational Paddle

Trip Leader: Robby Bieber - (941) 744-6620, robinson_june_21@bieber.dev

Description: We'll meet at the South entrance (not the main entrance!) to Robinson preserve and depart from the kayak launch. Plan A will be a loop out through the mangrove tunnel to Perico Bayou then North and East around the outside of the park, coming back in under the boardwalk and passing the observation tower on the way back to the launch. Total distance about four and a quarter miles at an easy pace. Expect an outgoing tide for most of the trip, but at a level that should still make Perico Bayou passable. If conditions are rough the day of, we can do a back-and-forth paddle within the protected waters of the preserve instead.

This isn't an official picnic paddle, but feel free to bring a lunch. I'll plan on eating at one of the South entrance pavilions after the paddle with anyone who cares to join me.

Robinson Preserve is a nature preserve in Northwest Bradenton covering more than 600 acres with its latest expansion (which isn't really new at this point, but I will continue to think of it as such for at least another decade or two). The park includes walking and paddling trails throughout where you may see osprey, spoonbills, white pelicans (seasonally), and all manner of shorebird along with the occasional manatee. The walking trails connect to Perico Preserve to the West, and the waterways in the park connect to Tampa Bay to the North, Perico Bayou to the West, and Palma Sola Bay to the South. You can also catch spectacular views of Tampa Bay and the Skyway bridge from both the North shore of the park and the observation tower.

Location: Robinson Preserve South Entrance at 10299 9th Ave NW, Bradenton, FL 34209

Please note that this is not the main entrance off of 17th Ave that most TBSK paddles have launched from. This is the newer entrance to the park expansion on 9th Ave about half a mile to the South. If you see the big blue Valentine house you're at the wrong entrance, look for the sign pictured here:

Take the road into the park and turn right where you'll find a large parking lot with pavilions and a kayak launch by the water.

Schedule: Sunday June 21st. Meet at 9:30am for a 10:00am launch. Expect to be back around noon to 1pm depending on group pace.

Difficulty: This will be a recreation level paddle targeting a comfortable pace for the entire group. All TBSKers and guests of all skill levels are welcome. This is a smooth flat water paddle with minimal current.

Requirements: All types of kayaks are OK and should have a closed hull, closed hatches, or bow and stern flotation. SUPs are welcome on this paddle and should have a leg leash attached.

All participants must wear a PFD and carry a whistle or other sound-producing device. Also make sure you bring sunscreen, sun hat, other sun protection, bug repellent and plenty of water and some snacks and/or lunch if you like.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify the leader before the trip so that they can be best equipped to assist you as needed.

Currently the registration is limited to 6 participants. If another trip leader is available to assist, we will increase the participation limit. Contact Robby to volunteer to co-lead or assist.

JUNE GENERAL MEETING: PADDLE FLORIDA (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

JUNE GENERAL MEETING: PADDLE FLORIDA

Have you ever enjoyed a multi-day paddling trip in Florida? Paddle Florida can help make it happen! This non-profit organization supports multi-day paddling adventures which highlight our state's natural beauty and promote water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection.

Logistically, Paddle Florida takes the work out of kayak camping. They'll feed you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They'll carry your camping gear from site to site while you paddle. They'll even light the campfire and provide evening entertainment beside the river, springs, or ocean waters you paddle each day. The best part though are the friends you'll make along the way--the Paddle Florida experience is equal parts expedition and family reunion.

Executive Director Janice Hindson will join us for our general meeting at 7PM on June 23rd to share details of the 2026-27 season of trips, which will encompass waterways from the western Panhandle to the Florida Keys. Tune in to find out how Paddle Florida can connect you to an inspiring, meaningful adventure with fellow outdoor enthusiasts!

Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83293487138?pwd=P2e725MIBooTsdEq3dMFh0xoHYzcIr.1

TBSK PICNIC DAY TRAINING: "RESCUE ME!" (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Coaches:

Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776
Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Additional coaches will be on hand to work with pods as needed.

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.)

Parking Fee: Unless you have a yearly pass, the daily fee is $6 per vehicle payable by mobile app.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 27. Arrive by 8:00 a.m. Class will start at 8:30. Early start is an effort to beat the heat and summer thunderstorms. We'll finish up by noon in time for a picnic gathering on the beach.

Description: It's hot as blazes out there--LET'S GET WET! Kayak rescues are perishable skills—even if you’re familiar with them, it’s important to practice them regularly to keep your proficiency up. We’ll facilitate practice on any kind of rescue that paddlers are interested in--assisted or self, incorporating assistive tools like stirrups and paddle floats as needed. This session is open to paddlers of all skill levels and sit-in or sit-on-top kayaks. While we hope everyone will participate, newcomers to rescues are welcome to paddle out with the group and watch the action.

What to bring: The usual paddling gear, plus a spray skirt, stirrup, and paddle float if you have them. Coaches will bring extra paddle floats and stirrups to lend out as needed. Participants must wear a PFD, wear 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.

Please register (or cancel) on the website or contact the trip leaders to notify them of any last minute changes to your plans to participate.

TBSK June Picnic - Fort De Soto Park (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

It's summer and several of our trip leaders have flown the coop to cooler climates for a while. So we're doing something a little different this month and attaching our monthly picnic to a training session instead of paddling trips. It's a training topic that all of us should be familiar with--RESCUES. No matter the level of our kayaking skills and experience, "we're all between swims!" This is a good time to beat the heat by falling out of our boats on purpose...and eventually getting back in with a little help from our friends. We hope many TBSK members will join our rescue practice even if it's just to watch. The more members familiar with rescue techniques, the safer all of us are on every trip.

PICNIC DETAILS:

When: Noon, Saturday, June 27

Where: 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.)

Parking Fee: Unless you have a yearly pass, the daily fee is $6 per vehicle payable by mobile app.

Bring your lunch, plenty to drink, and a camp chair and we'll enjoy a picnic lunch together on the beach with a beautiful view of the Sunshine Skyway.

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

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.

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.