This page includes announcements of upcoming club trips and will be updated often. If you are planning a trip and would like to post it on the site, email me the details.  ckrut@cox.net.

August 23, Canoe Clinic for New Paddlers, Club Members Only

 This is a one day 6 hour clinic covering basic paddle strokes, river reading, safety, and boat transportation techniques.  The location for this Saturday class is still to be determined; it is being held the day before the Turkey Creek paddle. Clinic participants may paddle as a group on the Turkey Creek trip for additional practice and instruction. Pre-registration is required.  Call Jim Goff for further information at 850-432-1829.

August 24, Turkey Creek, Easy to Moderate

 It seems to be the norm this summer that it is going to rain every day.  We still would like to brave the elements to paddle a summer favorite. Turkey Creek is crystal clear with a sandy white bottom, which becomes more of a swampy lowland in the last hour before Niceville. It is narrow and twisty. The upper section tends to be shallow. This is a good creek to practice the draw stroke you might have just learned. (See article about canoe clinic on the 23^rd.) Multiple species of animal life have been seen on this creek: Beaver, hawks, owls, wild pigs, osprey, otter and gator. A black bear was seen several years ago. I can’t guarantee any of these.  But what I can say I have never had a bad day on Turkey. Even in a driving rain. I never tire of this creek.

We will be meeting at the Hardees south of Interstate 10 at the Highway 85 Crestview exit at 8:30 AM on Sunday Aug. 24^th. We will put in at the “Hippie Hole.” I will accommodate people to run the long (5-6 hours) or the short trip (3-4 hours).  The take-out at the culverts is no longer open. If you decide to go past the first bridge (short trip take-out) please know you will be paddling to Boggy Bayou or about 90 minutes more.

Paddling times may be somewhat shortened if the creek is up and its’ current is faster than normal.  We took this trip about 4 weeks ago and it was great to stop at the Culverts for a traditional swim “Thru the tube” 

So gather all the canoe stuff. Pack a lunch and all the other sundries and join us for a great paddle!  An Eglin pass is required to paddle this creek and can be obtained from Jackson Guard in Niceville. The cost is five dollars. If only used once, well worth the cost.

Please contact me with any concerns. Hope to see you on the river soon.  Sonia

Phone: 478-0496        Email:  cmcanoe200@aol.com

September 14, Past-Presidents Juniper Creek Cleanup, Easy – Moderate

 Juniper Creek is the West Florida Canoe Club’s adopted stream to keep clean. We will meet at the Shell/Subway Shop across from Milton High School at the intersection of highways 87 and 191. The shuttle will leave at 9:00 AM.

 We will be picking up trash along the creek between Red Rocks and Indian Ford.  Bring your boat, some plastic trash bags, a rake or mechanical gripper, and gloves.  Also bring your PFD, lunch, water, and sunscreen.

 This won’t be all work…plan to have some fun paddling and talking to fellow club members. For information call Marion Carrier at 850/484-0927.

October 25-26, Hurricane Lake Annual Campout & Paddle

Plan to join the Club for our annual campout and creek paddle. This is one of the best-attended events of the year and there’s no doubt about why…lots of food, fun, and fellowship.  Folks will be paddling creeks and lakes all around northeast Santa Rosa County. We will be camping in the Blackwater River State Forest; at 190,000 acres it is the largest state forest in Florida. Look for more information in next month’s newsletter.

TRIP RATINGS : Trips are rated according to their level of difficulty.  The following are the official NWFCC ratings assuming “normal” weather conditions and water levels:

Easy –         Beginners; slow, safe river.

Moderate – Experienced paddlers; river maybe swift, twisty or have obstacles

Rambo –     Strenuous; pullovers, portages or long paddle

Jimmy Trip – Conditions unknown, be prepared for anything.