In this issue, we take a look at the important issue of how many of our young people have never experienced life in the outdoors. Then we have a piece about paddling safety and finally, the shocking tale of the capture and euthanasia of an eighteen-foot long, 215 pound Burmese Python in the Everglades. She was carrying 122 eggs! This should give us pause as strategies are being developed to rid the state of this invasive species.

For fifteen years, we have attempted to fulfill our non-profit mission of water conservation, wildlife preservation, restoration of springs and protection of waterways in Florida. But there is another reason we have provided opportunities for over 3,000 paddlers through the years. We have welcomed many first-timers, who learn how to paddle and camp from those who have joined us dozens of times. Looking back, we are most proud of introducing everyone to the best paddling locations in Florida, and watching as lifelong friendships are developed. These friendships are borne of common interests and time spent together in the wild. Importantly, in the peace and seclusion of the natural world, our participants recognize in each other what and why they love the camaraderie that occurs when a group of like-minded people are engaged in inspiring, meaningful adventure.

A lot of them ‘have never been on a boat before’ or visited a beach.

We expect so much from our teachers these days. I blame Harry Potter for this.

Harry’s teachers at Hogwarts use wizardly magic to make things happen and never have to worry about running out of supplies. Clearly, we expect the same from the humans working in Florida schools, despite the distinct lack of sorting hats and snowy owls. Some people act as if our teachers are so powerful they must be stopped from passing along their secret knowledge. No talking about racial inequities! No “inappropriate” books in the school library! No mentioning anyone’s sexuality!

Why, those insidious wizards might even snap their fingers and turn our kids into some creature wrapped in rainbows! (Newsflash: That is NOT how being LGBTQ works.)

But if there’s a gunman around, one so scary even the cops won’t go after him, let’s give these same teachers guns to shoot at him. Even though we don’t trust them to teach straight, we trust them to shoot straight. No to talking about race, yes to racing to fire back!

As we’re all debating the caliber of our teachers, and the caliber of weaponry they should be packing, I just want to make one small point about our educational system.

I think that one of the things we should be teaching our kids in Florida is…Florida. Specifically, the part of Florida that lies outside the classroom. [Read more…]

Photo credit: Nature’s Classroom

With a nearly endless list of possible paddle destinations in Florida, we want to help to ensure you both understand the local waterways and plan accordingly. 

With  your bestie or group of friends, being properly prepared will set your adventure up for success. Preparation is the most important aspect of planning a multi-day trip. Your group’s safety depends on it!

Here at aflote, the world’s first practical resource and social hub for paddlers, we love to see you having fun on the water, so we prepared a quick four step guide to planning your next paddle  trip.

READY TO SET-OFF? LET’S DO IT! [Read more…]

Photo credit: aflote.com

A giant Burmese python—the biggest ever found in the Florida Everglades—was found with hoofs in its stomach and to be carrying 122 eggs.

The snake measured nearly 18 feet in length and weighed 215 pounds, National Geographic reported. Burmese pythons can reach an average size of 8 to 10 feet, however they can grow much larger in rare cases.

After its capture, a necropsy found that the female snake had hoof cores in the digestive tract, meaning her last meal was likely a white tailed deer.

The snake was also carrying a "record number" of 122 eggs, meaning she was a reproductively active female—just what researchers were hoping to find. [Read more…]

Photo credit: Maggie Steber, National Geographic

How To: Basic Kayak Strokes
By Paul Kuthe

Kate and Paul introduce three essential kayaking strokes and demonstrate the proper technique for them in this video.

Click here for article and video.