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For Kayak Tour Information Only
For Kayak Tour Information Only
By accessing this page, you accept that all information provided herewith is for personal and informational purposes only. Nothing included on this page is related to any business transaction past, present or future. Nor is any information provided intended to be used for the purpose of setting value to this activity or assessing whether this activity is safe for you. If you have any specific personal concerns regarding your own physical, mental, or spiritual ability including any of which you might potentially hypothesize, we require that you identify such concerns to your host prior to accepting your boat so that we may properly assist you.
NOTE: "Kayaking with Friends" IS NOT A BUSINESS! We're all volunteers... No one makes money on this. We have fun, and make friends. However, please remember...Friends don't sue each other. :) Besides, we have no assets except for our good intentions. That being said, we do encourage donations to help support the people we try to help. We support a 501(c)3 charity that feeds people and provides basic essentials for life...so you may receive a tax deduction if you wish to donate... Regardless, it's your choice. If you are interested in learning more about the charity we support, the menu bar at the top of the page will provide access to that website: ENTONCES.ORG There is probably more kayak information included below than you need, but our goal is to be over-prepared.
What’s the relationship between Kayaking and a “Disaster Relief Charity”?
- Maybe it’s just a shared appreciation for life. It’s true. This is the right web page.
Kayaking and Disaster Relief may sound like strange companions… There is no real “tie-in” with these two things except that many of our volunteers share an intense passion and appreciation for both Humans and Nature.
We plan trips and talk about life while we kayak. We have fun. A few of us get together and do this pretty regularly…and we thought: “We have a few kayaks we can provide if we take friends out…why not?” There is no charge. We talk about what we see and life in general so why not make more friends? Why not make our own Unexpected Difference?
Internationally, ENTONCES.ORG operates in places where many UNESCO World Heritage sites exist and in places already frequently visited by tourists. We take “tourist/volunteers” to see places such as Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, Chichén Itzá, and Tikal, to name a few notable examples. We promote “Social Tourism” to support local communities with the goal of bringing Hope to the larger community we all share. We use the money we raise from these "Support Trips" to buy food for the friends we make. We share food with them "Then", and our Mission is to have food when they need it - "Always".
VERO BEACH isn't usually where our volunteers provide assistance, but many of us live here. We have friends, enjoy the outdoors, and live in the Community. So... The reason you are reading this is our attempt to make new friends. Come with US! Maybe we'll make new friends together.
Call: 215-896-8902 to Reserve Your Trip. You can also e-mail us below, and we'll get back to you right away.
Is it Safe?
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Nothing is safe, but here are some smart things we thought about.
• Each boat is manufactured by Pelican Marine according to US Coast Guard approved standards and fitted for our intended use.• These boats are customized “anglers” with a hard shell, designed for prolonged stationary fishing. This means that they provide increased stability and will not flood if capsized. Scupper holes will drain any accumulated water. Plugs are not necessary but are available at launch.• A common misconception regarding “kayaks” is that a person is “strapped-in” to a kayak and that the boat will trap the occupant inside if capsized. This is FALSE. You will sit on top of our kayaks. There is no way for you to be “strapped in” or to be trapped. If your boat tips over, you will fall in the water and most likely just stand up a little embarrassed. The boat will not sink.
• Maximum weight capacity of each boat is 275 lbs. The boat won't sink, but paddles better above the water.
• Each boat includes 1 US Coast Guard Certified Type II Life Jacket (bright orange Gilligan’s Island type) along with an emergency whistle. Additional life vests (for fit, style, and comfort) are also available at launch.
• Note: In the majority of places we go, the water is no more than 4ft in depth. HOWEVER, we still need to know if you can or can’t swim. If you can’t swim, you will need to wear the life jacket, or you we won’t let you come.
• Each boat is equipped with an individual GPS locater. You won’t be out of sight, and you likely won’t need it, but if some natural disaster does spring up, we’ll find you.
• Each boat is equipped with one (1) Abahub 90.5” Kayak Paddle with aluminum alloy shaft, Paddle Leash, and soft Yak Paddle Grips. Shorter size paddles are available. All paddles float.
• All boats contain bow and stern couplings with an on-board tow line if an occasion arises where you need a bit of a pull or even a full-on tow.
• Running lights are provided during night-time moonlight excursions.
• Lead and Rear boats contain simple First Aid trauma kits for cuts and scrapes.
• Our Host and many of our guides have over 50 years of boating experience along with certification from Florida’s Safe Boating Program.
What Should I Bring?
• Your invitation. This is the business card with the QR Code that you used to enter this website. It also includes the phone number to call to confirm your attendance and to call if you have any questions.
• A clean towel. Not necessary, but helpful.
• Water shoes. It’s simple enough not to get your feet wet, but it sure makes it easier when you don’t care if you do.
• Sunscreen, bug spray. We’ll have some, but more is always better. We don’t really go where there are mosquitoes, but the sun is apt to shine everywhere in Florida.
• Watertight bag for your phone. Note: Each boat has a luggage area with netting (you can tie a T-Shirt or small item) and a center console compartment (like an armrest in a car). Your boat console will already include a few snacks, a sandwich*, and a pair of binoculars for you to use while admiring the wildlife…There’s not much room left until you eat the sandwich. A Ziplock sandwich bag will work too.
• Hat, Sunglasses.
• Alternative consumables. If you want Twinkies, you’ll need to bring them. We’ll have assorted drinks…usually Aquafina, San Pellegrino (on the water) and Iced Tea, Sparkling Water, some low carb Beer, (on the shore). Healthy snacks, dried nuts n’ berries, and protein bars throughout. Sandwiches* usually include Turkey and Brie on multi grain or French baguette, but no guarantees that they might not be something else even better There’s no charge for these…so you don’t need to bring money, but please do bring a smile.
* NOTE: Sandwiches & gourmet boxed lunches are subject to availability except when already included with gift certificate excursions or with private group bookings.
What Should I Expect?
When you arrive, leave your vehicle in a designated parking spot close to the location GPS “Pindrop” we have designated. We'll text you this Maps "Pindrop" upon confirmation of your reservation, which you can then use with your Waze or Maps app to find the launch site.
Parking is at your own risk, but if you follow reasonable precautions and don’t leave any gold or jewelry on your seat, your car will likely be there upon your return. The other cars in the lot will all be there for the same reason as you and some may leave their trailers or boats behind as well.
We’ll all gather at the shore and go through a brief orientation on what’s in each boat and on “how to paddle”. The boats are all easy to sit in, and one of our guides will make sure that you are snuggled safely in your seat before pushing you out on the water. We’ll let you glide a little and get the hang of things in the shallow water while the rest of the group assembles.
Once we are all gathered on the water, one of our guides will lead the way while another guide follows in the rear. That’s it. There’s a little more detail about the specific places we go below… but you should plan to be on the water for about two hours.
Will I get Burnt, Bit, or Sore?
People tell us that the paddling required for where we go is not too strenuous. The water we see is pretty calm and only very limited effort or skill is required. The act of paddling typically does not coincide with overhead lifting. However, it is still exercise in the Florida sun and should be respected as such.
Most wildlife is more wary of you than you are of it. It is extremely unlikely that you will see or interact with alligators or sharks where we go. However, these predators can and sometimes do navigate these waters. Unless you antagonize our primordial friends, they are more likely to startle you as they swim away in fear.
You are likely to see dolphin, manatee, or both. Both are friendly and curious. Be calm, and you will appreciate the experience even more. An occasional crab or spider does require the greatest respect. Remember this.
The overall expectation is that you will have fun, see some really great flora and fauna, learn a little about the history of Florida. … and, likely see a dolphin smile or a manatee snort. It’s up to you to stop and smell the roses.
Most wildlife is more wary of you than you are of it. It is extremely unlikely that you will see or interact with alligators or sharks where we go. However, these predators can and sometimes do navigate these waters. Unless you antagonize our primordial friends, they are more likely to startle you as they swim away in fear.
You are likely to see dolphin, manatee, or both. Both are friendly and curious. Be calm, and you will appreciate the experience even more. An occasional crab or spider does require the greatest respect. Remember this.
The overall expectation is that you will have fun, see some really great flora and fauna, learn a little about the history of Florida. … and, likely see a dolphin smile or a manatee snort. It’s up to you to stop and smell the roses.
Wabasso Beach
This is a perfect area to see dolphin, manatee, and explore the mangrove “caves”. We’ll meet at the picnic table near the parking area and next to the bathrooms. There is a small beach to launch and a place to shower.
We’ll launch from the beach on the South side of the bridge, circle around to the left and under the 510 roadway, where we’ll spend about an hour in the area to the North side of the bridge. We’ll have a good chance of seeing dolphins and manatees there. The dolphins tend to push fish…so look for the fish jumping and the birds following above.
We’ll circle back under and through the shade of the bridge pilons and return to the area of our departure beach. Anyone needing restrooms can stop for a quick break at this point. After that, we’ll head across the open water on the South side of the bridge and explore the waterways under the shade of the mangrove trees.
We’ll spend about an hour exploring the mangroves and then return to our launch site and parking area.
St. Sebastian River
Explore the serene waters of the St. Sebastian River and find appreciation (without the mosquitos) for the first adventurers who braved the hostile unknowns of the Florida Peninsula. You’ll discover the beauty and complexity of this fragile ecosystem and learn about the history of Florida beginning with its’ separation from the African continental plate and its’ eventual emergence from the ocean to become the Orange State we know today.
We’ll meet at the picnic table under the pavilion just below the parking area. There is a floating dock and a small beach area where we will launch and ample parking for all. We’ll explore both directions of the river, initially heading inland and then doubling back toward the coast. We can stop at the floating dock on the return for a quick break if needed. Although there are quite a few trees and bushes to conceal oneself, there are no actual restrooms at the launch site. On many days, The River offers a wide variety of bird songs and varied movement within the trees. Your can use a pair of our 15x25 Waterproof Binoculars (with Low Light Night Vision) if you see something interesting. We’ll be sure to point out the things we see as well.
Equally common are moments when the calm and eerie silence conceals the vibrance of life moving just below the water’s surface. One never knows what will make the day special, but something always does.
Average time on the water is about two hours. We’ll return to the floating dock and parking area upon completion.
We’ll meet at the picnic table under the pavilion just below the parking area. There is a floating dock and a small beach area where we will launch and ample parking for all. We’ll explore both directions of the river, initially heading inland and then doubling back toward the coast. We can stop at the floating dock on the return for a quick break if needed. Although there are quite a few trees and bushes to conceal oneself, there are no actual restrooms at the launch site. On many days, The River offers a wide variety of bird songs and varied movement within the trees. Your can use a pair of our 15x25 Waterproof Binoculars (with Low Light Night Vision) if you see something interesting. We’ll be sure to point out the things we see as well.
Equally common are moments when the calm and eerie silence conceals the vibrance of life moving just below the water’s surface. One never knows what will make the day special, but something always does.
Average time on the water is about two hours. We’ll return to the floating dock and parking area upon completion.
Wabasso Beach and Mangrove Waterways w/ Guides
Group Outing at Wabasso Beach and Mangrove Waterways 8.21.24
Group Outing at St. Sebastian River
