Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department offers so many programs for young kids and teenagers to do over the summer and being in or around the water are on everyone’s to-do list.
Penny Oliver, an HCRD staff, on her second year organizing Kayak Fridays, has traveled the Weeki Wachee River over sixty times. Her familiarity helped the campers adjust and face the challenges of navigating the river, but the overall experience these campers have and the excitement they share with their parents is what this camp is all about. “Not all parents are water adventurers… this way if their child has that inclination to do something like this; it’s possible to do this on their own” Oliver said.
The eight campers along with Penny’s four volunteers gathered around the picnic tables for a safety meeting with Greg Stephens. Stephens has been a part of the Paddling Adventures coming up on two years in October and working a variety of responsibilities and positions. Each camper is paired up to experience a great adventure paddling down the Weeki Wachee River in a tandem kayak. These kayaks are the sit-on-top style. The tricky part is the paddling and requires patience and cooperation as well as understanding the roles of each paddler.
Synchronized paddling is finding the rhythm by dipping the paddles in the water at the same time, however those winding turns in the Weeki Wachee River can be challenging for even the experienced kayaker. “Everybody goes into the trees” Stephen said during the campers’ safety meeting. Once the kayakers get a good rhythm, it’s all smooth paddling from there on.
The overall experience is to bring kids together and get them outside. This is where campers are meeting other kids from different schools in Hernando County as well as those on vacation from other states. During this adventure down the Weeki Wachee River, the campers make a few stops, along the five mile trek to Rogers Park. There are areas along the route shallow enough to bank the kayaks. These stops are the best part of this adventure. Campers can get out and swim in the most refreshing clear spring water. This gives the kids the opportunity to start building new friendships as well as getting that summer exercise.
Virginia Williams has been with Weeki Wachee Paddling Adventures for the past four years. Being the second year of Kayak Fridays, Williams stated, “This is their very successful program… the kids do benefit a lot.” There are still so many kids that have yet to experience this. To travel in a tandem kayak along that beautiful river is something every young traveler should consider. For the kids that participate in the HCPR Kayak Fridays, they experience more than just nature, they build friendships and learn the importance of teamwork.
“It’s a nice self-esteem builder.” Williams said.
The head of the springs pushes out 170 million gallons of water a day at four to five miles an hour, which helps keep that nice flow going, especially while kayaking in the Weeki Wachee River. The river’s water temperature is a steady 74 degrees and if you keep your eye out you might even see some of Florida’s manatees swimming upstream.
For more information about Kayak Fridays call 352-754-4031 or email: recreation@hernandocounty.us
