Wednesday, Aug. 31st : 7:00pm
Sunset Tour: St.Marys Harbor

Thursday, Sept. 1st: 5:45pm
Sunset Tour: Cherry Point Trail

Friday, Sept. 2nd (Two Tours)
Cumberland Island Full-Day 9:00am
Sunset Tour St. Marys Harbor 7:00pm

Monday, Sept. 5th : 2:45pm
St. Marys Rose’s Bluff

Tuesday, Sept. 6th: 9:00am
Cumberland Island Full Day

Saturday, Sept. 10th: 1:00pm
Cherry Point Trail

Sunday, Sept. 11th: 1:30pm
Lofton Creek

Kayaking in Jacksonville: \"No Other Place I\'d Want To Be!\"

The weather was perfect, the water was perfect and the scenery was spectacular. Paddling in Downtown Jacksonville offers a view of the city most people will simply never experience. Our Urban Kayaking Experience began at the city marina next to River City Brewing Company where parked our vehicles and launched our kayaks.

Our trip took us under the railroad bridge — which we followed across the river. As we neared the other side, the bridge operator lowered the bridge for shift change and, from our kayaks, we watched the “changing of the guard” as the oncoming operator walked up the tracks and across the lowered bridge and, moments later, the off-going operator walked across the bridge before it was returned to its upright and locked position.

John then led Jennifer and I under The Times-Union building and into McCoy creek. McCoy creek needs a little maintenance; but the experience is both surreal and beautiful as you leave the concrete jungle and paddle through a tunnel into another world — lined and canopied by lush vegetation and filled with birds and other wildlife!

Returning to the St. Johns River, we paddled East along the North Bank past The Jacksonville Landing, The Hyatt, The Maxwell House plant, the old pier and other points of interest before heading across the river and back to the marina. The entire trip lasted about 90-minutes and was absolutely filled with amazing scenery and interesting history.

The St. Johns River is a natural resource Jacksonville residents can be proud of and one they should be enjoying fully. Thanks to people like John Nooney, the City Council and the members of Downtown Vision, Inc., I believe we will soon see tremendous improvements in water access for human-powered watercraft in the Downtown area — opening up a whole new world for residents and visitors to Jacksonville to explore and play in!

Call us to set up a tour for you and your group! (912) 882-0911

Up the Creek Xpeditions, in St. Marys, Georgia, is pleased to announce that we will be hosting an ACA Instructor training course at Crooked River State Park.  St. Marys is a lovely historic town in close proximity to the Jacksonville  Florida airport (40 min), Orlando is only 3 hours, Savannah is less than 4 hours.  Take a paddling vacation and get certified.

Rick Wiebush (Cross Currents Sea Kayaking) and Tom Nickles (Riverwind Kayak) will be conducting the course, which will take place from Wednesday Oct. 12 through Sunday Oct. 16, 2011. This is a great opportunity for those who have considered becoming an instructor or for those who just want to ramp up their skills. You will have top-notch trainers delivering the comprehensive and proven ACA instructor training curriculum. The St. Mary’s area is a dynamic paddling and learning environment since it offers multiple types of venues e.g., rivers, bays and open ocean. And the air and water temperatures are perfect in mid-October.

This course is intended for those wishing to become certified as ACA Level 1, 2 or 3 instructors. The course is either 3-days (for L1 and 2) or 5 days (for L3).

ACA Instructor Certification is a two-part process: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). In the IDW portion of the course, the trainers: 1) help fine tune the candidates’ personal skills; and 2) explain and demonstrate effective methods for teaching those skills. The candidates are then given multiple opportunities over several days to practice their teaching skills. The final day is devoted to the formal evaluation of skills (ICE). Certification is based upon both paddling and teaching skills and is not guaranteed.

To give you some idea of what’s involved, the following link provides the instructor criteria for Level 3. The criteria for Levels 1 and 2 are also available at this website:

http://www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/sei-courses/l3_ck_instcrit.pdf

The cost of the training is $115 per day. Register with a friend and both will receive a 15% discount.

For further information or to register, please contact Rick Wiebush at 410.788.1241 or email him at crosscurrentsseakayaking@gmail.com.   We hope you can join us for this exciting event and look forward to working with you.

I have personally taken classes with both Tom and Rick and feel very lucky to have this caliber of ACA Instructor sharing their time and wisdom with us.  Jennifer

There are essentially three-things you need to really understand before kayaking to ANY island in ANY ocean: Wind; Weather; and Tides. The waters around Cumberland Island are relatively warm year-round, but weather and tides can turn calm waters into turbulent, choppy seas in a matter of minutes. In addition to these three-things, you will also want to be pretty comfortable in a kayak – and confident in your abilities to navigate and physically complete the journey you’ve chosen. Because paddling to Cumberland Island means paddling in marshes and in the ICW, being able to get back in your kayak in deep water is another essential skill you will need in the event of a capsize.

I realize this seems like a lot to know. I promise you it is. And you aren’t going to learn it in one article, in one book or on one guided kayak trip. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert at all of these things in order to kayak to Cumberland Island; but you do at least need to ask an expert about the factors affecting the kayak trip you’re planning. Check weather forecasts for the area and dates you plan on paddling and know what your limitations are. Strong winds can be very difficult or even impossible to paddle in, so ask local experts about coastal winds and how they affect that area. And check with local kayakers about tidal information. Tidal currents around Cumberland Island can exceed 6-mph – you can’t paddle very far against that. Tides are available online and from any bait or fishing store; but it isn’t uncommon to find different tide charts with somewhat different times – differences that may not affect power boaters, but could have significant implications for kayakers.

I certainly recommend studying these subjects if you plan on kayaking in this environment. But, at least ask a local expert to brief you on these topics and how they could impact your trip – as well as briefing you on projected wind, weather and tide information. But keep in mind: The person giving you information is not responsible for your understanding or decision-making. Also, weather and winds are often difficult to anticipate along the coast; so, even if you have a current forecast, it is still just a guess based on observations and mathematical models and anything can happen. Raise your hand if you’ve never been surprised by the weather… See? No hands. And, finally, you will also want to go over your proposed trip – using a map or chart – with someone who has paddled the waters you are going to be paddling (nobody else has any useful information for you). Ask this person what you will definitely need know and to bring with you; and pay attention to ALL of the advice offered. It won’t help you if you don’t hear it AND use it.

All of these things are important for a safe and enjoyable experience, but the most important thing you will need in order to kayak to Cumberland Island is common sense. If you are not at least an Intermediate-level kayaker, you do not need to attempt this trip without a professional guide – not just a buddy who did it last year. So, if you don’t want to hire a guide, simply take a couple kayak classes and learn the basics and some advanced essential skills for paddling in open-water – like kayak re-entries, assists and rescues, for instance. With this instruction under your belt, you will be more comfortable, confident and efficient on the water, and you will be able to safely kayak – by yourself and with others – to Cumberland Island and to an entire planet full of exciting destinations. Visit www.UpTheCreekX.com for more information about kayaking in Southeast Georgia, Northeast Florida, the Okefenokee Swamp and to Cumberland Island. If you have questions, you can also e-mail us at: kayakutc@gmail.com or give us a call at (912)882-0911. Happy Paddling!

When coming into St. Marys on Highway 40, you’ll notice Highway 40 becomes Osborne Road and then Osborne Street before ending at the Riverview Hotel across from the Waterfront pavilion in St. Marys. The Riverview Hotel, a historic landmark on the St. Marys River, is a favorite among paddlers because of their perfect location, great rates, world-class dining and Seagles Saloon. Standing up between The Riverview Hotel and Up The Creek’s St. Marys location is a 17′ tall, blue sea kayak you simply cannot miss. If you park your car right there, you are only a few footsteps from Cumberland Island Park Headquarters, Up The Creek, the St. Marys Welcome Center, Seagles Saloon, the Riverview Hotel, and several excellent restaurants and shops.

St. Marys is an excellent base for kayaking to Cumberland Island — with boat ramps and docks on the waterfront and Crooked River State Park only a few minutes away. The trip to Cumberland Island, as well as the visit on the island itself, makes this one of those must-do trips for avid paddlers; and the local paddling in the St. Marys River and estuaries is a destination all its own.

St. Marys is within minutes of numerous tidal marshes and tidal creeks as well as black water creeks and swamps. Wildlife is abundant in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida; and you are sure to collect many beautiful memories of our local flora and fauna as you explore the dark waters and natural treasures around St. Marys.

To make your trip a success, make sure to prepare! Make sure to bring and use personal flotation devices; and bring plenty of water and something to eat. Also, dress appropriately for the weather and the activity. The weather and water temperatures in this area are typically mild year-round; but an unexpected storm or cold front can ruin your trip if you aren’t prepared for it. It’s always a good idea to pack an extra fleece top and dry socks in a dry bag with a snack during cooler weather. You may not need it; but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it!

Also, the Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida coast has a dramatic tidal range — sometime as much as a 10-foot difference between high and low tide. The accompanying current can also ruin your day by turning a leisurely sight-seeing jaunt into a sporting event. Check the tides before paddling in or around St. Marys — especially in the Crooked River!

If you are familiar with kayaking in St. Marys, then you’re probably familiar with Up The Creek Xpeditions — and Jen and Pete Koerner. If so, then you already know how willing they are to help paddlers find the information they need to make their kayaking experience a success. Give them a call for some expert advice and accurate information on local waters and tidal information before your next paddling adventure in St. Marys. They can be reached at: Up The Creek Xpeditions, 111 Osborne Street, St. Marys, Georgia 31558. (912)882-0911.

Stay tuned for links to local food, beverage, lodging and entertainment!

You can also e-mail Jen and Pete at: kayakutc@gmail.com

We will be conducting guided kayaking tours in the Okefenokee Swamp — water levels permitting — by March 2011.