LEVEL 2 PICNIC DAY PADDLE AT FORT DE SOTO (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

LEVEL 2 PICNIC DAY PADDLE AT FORT DE SOTO

Trip Leaders:

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

Description: We'll launch from the unglamorously named Far North Restroom near the northwest corner of Fort De Soto Park. We'll head through Bunces Pass, paddling north along Shell Key to Irma Pass. We can stop for a break on the inside of Shell Key, go for a dip, practice rescues, rolls, etc. From there we'll paddle to through some mangrove tunnels on Sawyer and Sister Keys on our way back to our launch. We can make route adjustments in response to weather conditions and group needs.

Location: Fort De Soto Park is located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde.Park in the most northerly section of the North Beach lot. (Do not drive down the dirt road--that's just for park vehicles.) We'll carry our kayaks around the restroom north of the parking lot down a sandy path to a small beach. If you have kayak wheels, bring them. Scott & Jill will also be on hand to help carry boats.

NOTE: We are NOT launching from Arrowhead Picnic Area. While this new spot will require a little further walk to the put-in, we think a beach launch is safer than scrambling over a seawall.

Schedule: Meet at 8:30AM on Saturday, October 17. Be ready to launch kayaks by 9:00. We'll aim to return no later than 12:30 to give everyone time to reload boats and gear before the picnic in Shelter #3 at 1PM.

Difficulty: Level 2. This is a mostly open water paddle of about 7-8 miles. Review TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact trip leaders with any questions that arise.

Requirements/Recommendations:

Kayaks at least 14' long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation
Paddlers must wear a properly fitted PFD with whistle, spray skirt, and water shoes.
Bring plenty to drink and snacks if you need them.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify trip leaders so that they can best prepare to assist you.

If your plans to participate change, please cancel your registration on the website or app so that others on the waiting list can join us.

OCTOBER PICNIC: FORT DE SOTO PARK (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

OCTOBER PICNIC: FORT DE SOTO PARK

Let's gather at 1PM on Saturday, October 17 for a picnic after our morning paddles. TBSK has reserved Shelter #3 at Fort De Soto Park, located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde. Grillmaster Extraordinaire Scott Atkins is available to cook hamburgers and hotdogs for us. Feel free to bring a side dish to share with the group. Members and guests are welcome to join the picnic whether or not they participated in our morning paddles.

Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers upcoming events

LEVEL 2 PICNIC DAY PADDLE AT FORT DE SOTO (17 Oct 2026)

OCTOBER PICNIC: FORT DE SOTO PARK (17 Oct 2026)