What we’re about
- Suncoast Outdoors is a hiking and camping group at its core. Throughout the year, we do many day hikes as well as a number of overnight backpacking trips- in Florida and out of state. We host many paddling and casual cycling events! We do group camp outings as well.
- Suncoast Outdoors has activities for the beginner/intermediate, the experienced long distance trekker, and everyone in between.
- Suncoast Outdoors Event Hosts share a deep well of experience within our ranks. We are happy to share this with the outdoor community.
- Suncoast Outdoors is for those who share our passion for the great outdoors, and want to experience the benefits that being actively immersed in nature provide.
- Suncoast Outdoors is family friendly. We encourage youngsters to join and get outside with us.
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees, drowning
Currently, Suncoast Outdoors has NO annual membership fee. We collect NO per event fees. On occasion we will ask for donations to offset out of pocket costs associated with particular events. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Lenny
lenny.d.chew@gmail.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 🙂Lake Kissimmee BUSTER ISLAND LOOP PADDLE TRAIL activities (Stress Relief Wknd)Lake Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales , FL
Here is description of the paddle trips being held during our 🙂 Lake Kissimmee State Park!🌀Helene and Milton Stress Relief Weekend!🥲🏕
Reference and the entire weekend schedule: https://www.meetup.com/suncoast-outdoors-tampa-meetup-group/events/299111728/You do not need to attend the main event if you only want to paddle and you don't have to both paddle trips...
Welcome to the BUSTER ISLAND LOOP PADDLE TRAIL!
The 11-mile Buster Island Loop begins and ends within Lake Kissimmee State Park. For a map of the loop and more information, visit https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Buster%20Island%20Guide_0.pdf.
2 trips will be provided -- a 7 mile (partial loop) and an 11 mile (full loop). The 11 mile trip is suitable for intermediate paddlers only. On each trip, I will need a couple volunteers to help guide and keep the group together.
As far as I know, the loop is new to all of us so our trips will be an adventure. More good news, there are no obstacles in the water post-Helene & Milton, so we only need be concerned with current, wind, and rain (if any). Here is the plan, which might change once we have some experience:
Durations are estimates.
Trip 1: Friday - Noon to 330 - 7 miles - Zipperer Canal to Lake Rosalie and back. The canal should be easy unless there's wind from the east or west.
Trip 2: Sunday - Advanced Paddlers Only/No Renters - 900 to 400 - 11 mile - Zipperer Canal to Lake Rosalie to Rosalie Creek to Tiger Lake to Tiger Creek to Lake Kissimmee and back to the launch site. The 11 trip is suitable for intermediate paddlers due to the distance, tight turns on Rosalie Creek and potential winds encountered on the large lakes.
For each trip, please be in the water, ready to start kayaking at the start time (or let someone know you are delayed and we will wait 5 to 10 minutes max). On the day of the trips, I can be reached at 813-713-2492.
Rental info:
If you are renting, don't forget your ID. The 2 hour price list is provided below for those who don't want to partake in either of our trips. There is a penalty if you bring your rental back later than a few minutes. We can’t take the rentals off the property or into Lake Kissimmee. For more info about rentals, visit https://lakekissimmeesp.com/; to rent a kayak, call 863-696-0886. Here are the rates:
2 hours
Single Kayak - $20
Double Kayak - $25
Canoe- $40All day -
Single Kayak - $55
Double Kayak - $55
Canoe- $80Notes for everyone:
We will meet at Access Point #1** (see the uploaded map), which is next to the road bridge that accesses the traditional cowboy camp, a short distance from the marina parking lot. If you bring your own kayak, drop your kayak in the launch area and move your car to the parking lot near the marina. If you are driving from our camp area, leave our camp parking lot, go past the Cracker Shack, make a left and go over a small bridge and the launch is on your right side. This road is a dead end so no one should get lost getting to the launch.
**Please check back as the access point might have another name. And do not launch at the boat docks by the Cracker Shack as there’s a darn dam.
Items that you may want to bring; plenty of water, snacks, lunch, a good hat, sunglasses, closed toe water shoes, sunscreen, bug repellant, towel, camera and anything that will make your day on the water comfortable. It's your responsibility to be USCG compliant.
FOR YOUR SAFETY--Paddlers should pay attention to approaching airboats, especially on Tiger Creek, as they have limited vision of kayaks around blind corners. Cling to the outside banks and wave paddle overhead to alert them to your presence.
A paddle trail map is available in the Cracker Shack but there are no markers on the trail. I will have a couple of paper maps available and will also use my paddle app to help with navigation.
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.I am not a professional guide but a volunteer for the group.
Thank you! Patty
- Paddle to Horseshoe IslandPop Stansell Park, Palm Harbor, FL
There are a few excellent events that are happening this weekend for Suncoast Outdoors. Here is another option for those that like to paddle & want to stay a little closer.
This is a BYOK and no rentals available. It will be a relaxed and casual paddle from a protected cove out to Horseshoe Island. Which is one of the many spoil islands in St. Joeseph Sound. Expect to paddle between 6-7 miles.
The plan will be to wet our paddles right at 9am from Pop Stansell Park. The park has no entrance fee and there are restroom facilities available. Depending on the tide level. A kayak kart would be helpful to get to the water. We will paddle straight out towards Horseshoe Island over shallow grass flats & passing by other small islands. We will land on Horseshoe Island and take a nice break. The island has a few landing spots, a lot of shade, and views of Honeymoon Island State Park. It is also a popular overnight destination. From here, we'll swing by Bird Island and then start paddling back. There are a few smaller islands that we'll pass and if the group would like. We can land, get out & check them out. Once we get closer to shore there are a few coves that are nice to paddle and wind down before ending our journey.
Afterwards, for those that may have interest. We can stop and enjoy some drinks and grub at the Thirsty Marlin, 1023 Florida Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 which is 5 minutes away. The Thirsty Marlin - Palm Harbor, FL
Items that you may want to bring; plenty of water, snacks, lunch, a good hat, sunglasses, closed toe water shoes, sunscreen, bug repellant, towel a chair. Remember, it's your responsibility to be USCG compliant
YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.I am not a professional guide but a volunteer for the group.
