The Villages Canoe and Kayak Club

03/13/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Members of the Villages Canoe and Kayak Club will meet March 19 at Colony Cottage Recreation Center to show and discuss their favorite accessories for paddling. Come and learn from your fellow paddlers, and share your own favorite accessories.
What should you carry in your kayak? What accessories will you need for your personal safety and the safety of others? Navigation? Hydration and energy? Protection from the sun, wind, rain, cold or hot temperatures? What about those cute and useful gadgets to keep your phone, wallet, and car keys safe? And, once you've identified them, where do you buy them?

Doors open at 2 p.m. for socializing, and meeting with club leaders. Program begins at 2:30. Monthly meetings are open to anyone with a Villages resident or guest ID. The club hosts paddle trips throughout the year, open to members only.

For information on membership, please contact Gloria at [email protected].

01/02/2024

Thirteen members of the Villages Canoe and Kayak Club said good-bye to 2023 and welcomed 2024 with a "crossing over" paddle trip on the Withlacoochee River on January 1. Halfway through their 7-mile trip, the paddlers crossed over the Wysong Dam, pausing atop the embankment for a picnic lunch and a toast to the New Year.

Our paddlers enjoyed the warm and sunny afternoon, after launching in a cool, overcast morning.

Raising a cup of sparkling grape juice are (seated) Stephanie Darling, Randy Darling, Dietra Lott, and Jim Lott. Standing are:
Judy Nast, Linda Morrison, Dave Davidson, Glenn Schaefer, Bruce Varner, Michael Rath, Dave Otis, Jon Hackley.

not pictured - John Holloway

12/10/2022

Lake Griffin State Park is seeking volunteers in the area of visitor services; assisting in the park office / park entrance station. The park would welcome someone interested in helping out a few hours a day, a day or so per week. Volunteers would be trained to greet visitors, collect entry fees, register campers and assist administrative staff.

The Park would also like to increase our interpretive programing and are seeking anyone interested in producing and / or conducting interpretive programs, leading nature walks and assisting with special events. Programs at the State Park shall educate visitors about the park, the eco system, wildlife, history, resource management or related subjects.

Interested persons should contact:

Mark Knapke
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Lake Griffin State Park
Park Manager
[email protected]

08/29/2022

For Sale – Tandem kayaks and trailer
Two tandem “sit on” kayaks.
1. Hobie 14’ Mirage Oasis tandem kayak is speedy, and very comfortable, featuring Hobie’s
Mirage Drive that you peddle. www.Hobie.com/miragedrive/
a. Kayak comes with two sets of Mirage drives – the standard original drives and a
rotating 180 degree set that allows you to peddle in reverse
b. It has four water tight storage hatches and can be outfitted for fishing or sailing
c. Hobie’s twist and stow rudder system can be steered from the forward or aft seat
d. Includes heavy duty wheels with 225lb capacity to dolly your kayak to the water’s
edge
2. Perception Tribe 13.5’ tandem kayak
a. The seats provide nice back support making it very comfortable to paddle b. Includes two super light Werner paddles
3. Yakima light-weight aluminum Rack and Roll 78 trailer
a. Heavy duty suspension increases weight limit to 350 lbs.
b. Five spoke spare tire
c. Tongue extension kit minimizes space for storage
d. J cradle kayak racks for left side and ‘Sweet Roll’ saddle & roller mounts saddles for
right side. Pulls very nicely behind even a small car.
https://yakima.com/products/rackandroll-78-trailer
4. Includes four premium life vests
Kayaks and trailer are in great condition. Invested over $9,000 for all of the above. Asking $4,500. Call 352.233.8685 or email [email protected].

08/09/2022

Elizabeth “Betty” Splaine joined the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, the SPARS, during World War II. She continued her service after the war for another tw...

06/20/2022

Support your Women Veterans

Save the date!

04/29/2022

Today’s Kayak trip from Withlacoochee Nobelton to 48 Hwy. A bit windy so it felt like you were paddling upstream. Good workout.

04/10/2022

A few pictures from Friday’s demonstration on how to get back into your kayak wit Stephanie Hayano.

04/10/2022

Falling out of a kayak or canoe is easy. Knowing how to get back in the boat quickly, efficiently, and safely is a critical skill. Just as you need to know how to do a forward stroke or turn or stop, it's every bit as important to know how to get back into your boat.

VCKC member Stephanie Hayano demonstrated assisted rescue techniques in the controlled environment of the Ezell Pool. (Pleasant water temperature/no vegetation/no current/no alligators.) on Friday April 8, 2022.

While everyone was invited to observe, the active participants were limited to 3 pre-selected.

The basic rescue steps demonstrated included:

Upon falling out of the boat, if possible, hold on to the boat and the paddle. Empty water from the overturned boat (unassisted and T-rescue)
Right the kayak and position the kayaks bow-to-stern to prepare for rescue
Rescuer held the empty kayak and positioned the Rescuee to get upper torso onto the back deck of the kayak; while Helper steadied Rescuer’s boat
Once Rescuee had torso on back deck, they remained face down, swinging a leg to the front and hooking into the cockpit; bringing both legs into the cockpit
Rescuee turned toward the Rescuer to face upward in the kayak and get into seated position
Pumping out remaining water and stabilizing the kayak.

Stephanie has been certified by the American Canoe Association as a Level 1 Instructor, and has completed the American Red Cross certification in First Aid/AED/CPR. She has completed the Florida Safe Boating Course and is a Florida State Parks Certified Paddle Tour Guide. She leads kayak eco-tours and teaches Kayak 101 classes at Lake Griffin State Park, as well as co-leading VCKC paddle trips. Before moving to The Villages, Stephanie paddled frequently in the Hudson, Delaware, and Housatonic Rivers, and Long Island Sound.

03/07/2022

Mar 7, 2022.
Great paddling trip on Silver Springs. We launched at Silver Springs State Park and took out at Rays Wayside. Saw lots of birds, anhingas, cormorants, blue herons, turtles, a limpkin, several alligators and manatees. Life is Good.

02/06/2022

Hello, fellow kayakers!

Army Sgt. Pam Kelly, a Villages resident, was severely injured in a training accident years ago which left her with a significant loss of mobility. Recently members of the Villages bicycle clubs have helped Pam ride an adaptive bike on local routes.

Now the Tri-County Women Veterans are buying Pam an adaptive kayak and would like to help her get back out on the water.

If you have some familiarity or experience with adaptive kayaking, or . . .

if you would like to be part of a team to help Pam when she goes on short kayak outings in the local area, or . . .

if you know someone who can help . . .

please contact Flo Hurlburt at 402-290-2630 or [email protected]. Flo is a member of VCKC and Tri-County Women Veterans, a kayak eco-tour guide at Lake Griffin State Park, and a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Can you help her help Pam?