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Current Happenings
Sep 2009
1 EXTRA SPECIAL Event in Sep - The NEW SHOP IS OPEN 1 SPECIAL Event in Sep 8 Public Paddling Trips In Sep 4 Public Classes in Sep Everyday Information, including Rentals New Shop is OPEN as of SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Special Events 
Featuring: P&H, Valley, Venture, NDK, Eddyline, Malibu & Rotomod kayaks. E-mail us at Russell@sweetwaterkayaks.com or call 727-570-4844 for all the details!
Little Manatee River 
Lots of shade the first part of this tour
Here is a fun trip we do not do very often, and it includes the somewhat famous "LOOP". Most of this trip is quite pristine, yet near the loop we do find some interesting evidence of civilization. There is this one home with a wonderful array of yard decorations. Donna hates for me to go, because after the trip I want to buy lots of stuff to decorate our yard, too. She is lucky, though, as Home Depot doesn't have anything nearly as much fun. Expect the usual array of critters. We will surely see our share. If we get really lucky, like a couple of years ago, we'll find a good sand bar near a turn with a log in the water. We'll set up lunch there and have a real hoot watching all the rental canoes totally out of control trying to dodge the obstacle. We all laughed a bunch during lunch, including the canoe crashers. Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted. Bring Insect Repellant.
 Alafia River Downstream In-The-Shade
If there is such a thing in central Florida, this river is fairly swift. It even has small sets of rapids. Okay, okay, okay. Maybe they aren't really rapids. Maybe we should call them "quickens" instead of rapids. At any rate, if the water level is just right, we'll find as many as 10 sets of class 1 whitewater rapids. Don't get too excited, class 1 is the lowest class of white water. Even without any "quickens" this is still a wonderful river to go down. Event Review of June 14 trip on the Alafia. Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted.
Weeki Wachee River
The lazy, easy way. 
Crystal clear water, wildlife, and a current to push you. What a dream. You can see all the way to the bottom in this river, more than any other within several hours of driving. While it is never guaranteed, we often see manatee year round in this river. When the adults head out to sea in late winter, they usually leave some juveniles behind with an adult to grow in the relative safety of this magnificent river. We can be the beneficiaries of this behavior if we are lucky enough to spot them on this trip. Photos and maps. Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted.
Hillsborough River Sargeant Park to Trout Creek
This is one of my favorite day tours. Lots of tree canopy provides cooling temperatures in the summer. Plus there is great drama in the ever changing view. Dark tree trunks meshed in with many varieties of green, some with a fun dose of sunlight. And then, all of those cypress knees. (I often imagine they are little gnome villagers out to greet us.) And best of all, there are a couple of tighter and twistier sections that provide a wonderful opportunity for a kayak dance upon the waters. Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted.
Hillsborough River Sargeant Park to Trout Creek Yes, the same trip 2 weeks in a row
This is one of my favorite day tours. Lots of tree canopy provides cooling temperatures in the summer. Plus there is great drama in the ever changing view. Dark tree trunks meshed in with many varieties of green, some with a fun dose of sunlight. And then, all of those cypress knees. (I often imagine they are little gnome villagers out to greet us.) And best of all, there are a couple of tighter and twistier sections that provide a wonderful opportunity for a kayak dance upon the waters. Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted.
Withlacoochee River Exploration Part Of A Florida River Safari
The ADVENTURE continues. In June, July and August we had fine weekday adventures on this river near Dade City. In September, we'll have one more weekday trip on a section of the Withlacoochee River I have never paddled. Our adventure in June was so beautiful we've been going back to nearby sections each month - and not been disappointed. And, by my standard this has been a long journey, taken over several days. So I've used the Swahili word for our adventure - Safari. Safari Sections planned were:
Bring water cannons. Or borrow one of ours. Unarmed paddlers may still be squirted. Bring Insect Repellant. We may need it as we kusafiri down stream.
(Not a typo - look it up, it you like.)
 
WEEDON ISLAND ECO TOUR
Join Sweetwater's in-house Marine Biologist, David Camp,
(with the Florida Marine Research Institute for 30 years) on a
guided kayak tour through the enchanting mangrove forest. You will get
the insider view of this incredible ecosystem of mangroves,
crabs, oysters and
other marine life. You will also encounter the amazing array of birds that
reside there. RSVP (727) 570-4844 Back to Happenings 
Egmont KeyIntermediate Paddle
This is an intermediate paddle. It may be longer and we may paddle farther than on our other day tours. And, any wind and waves may make it feel even farther. Sea kayaks with skirts are required. We'll start at The Gulf Pier and paddle over to the island where we'll have lunch, tour the park and the old fort. Then we'll head back. We will have an incoming tide on the return trip to make the return a little easier.
Meet one half hour before your class starts. Fee includes
kayak, paddle, and PFD. Semi-Private Classes – up to six students
Get started in this class designed with the beginner in mind. Learn to launch your boat, basic paddle strokes and safety tips. And, we will have fun, too. The class is up to three hours long. More information . . .
BCU Two Star - Part II also called
Beyond BEYOnD FUNdamentals (Alias step 3 of the Flat-water Curriculum) - Get Ready for Three Rooker Bar
Take your skills to the next level. We'll sharpen the skills you bring, and add new skills in this, the second step in our flat-water skills curriculum. Is this for you? Probably! No matter what skill level you believe yourself to be, you will probably benefit from this course. Want to improve? Focus on your fundamentals
BCU Three Star Training
Take your skills to a new level as we move from sheltered to open water. Basic gear, navigation and boat control in wind and currents are explored. This is the old BCU 4 Star training. Please review the skills covered in the flat-water curriculum to make sure you are ready for this class. Pray for wind!
Links to:
Everyday Information, including Rentals Book your own private tour Special rates are available for both guided and unguided trips at the venue of your choice. For Day Tours - Call Big D's at 727/403-7046 or send us a message at Don@BigDsKayaking.com. For Everglades Trips - Call Russell at 727/570-4844 or send him a message to Russell@SweetwaterKayaks.com. 
General Tour Information Many paddlers find they have more fun if they take our 3 hour FUNdamentals Class first. More information . . . Your trip will be more fun if you bring:
All tours will happen unless dangerous weather stops us. No group is too small. 
This class is tailored to your needs. First time roller –
this is for you. Refining an existing roll – this is for
you. Want to learn an off-side roll – this is for you.
Individual hourly sessions will be scheduled on this day.
Get started with the basics in S-O-T kayaking. Learn to launch your boat, get out & in your boat in deep water, basic paddle strokes and safety tips And, we will have fun, too. The class is about three hours long.
Kayak classes at Sweetwater Kayaks and Big D's Kayaking are taught by trained and certified (American Canoe Association and British Canoe Union) coaches. Many classes are taught at Snug Harbor, centrally located in the Tampa Bay area. Others are taught at various venues including Ft DeSoto. Our classes are kept small to ensure quality and safety. Most classes have one coach for every four students. And, no class size is too small. If Big D schedules it, it will happen, unless dangerous weather is forecasted. So call today so you can become a better paddler.
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Whether with classes ,
free clinics, presentations from world famous paddlers,
trying out paddles and kayaks from the best manufacturers or
renting kayaks, Stand Up Paddle boards or canoes right here at the shop.
Or just coming by for free advice and maybe a cold drink.
