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In this issue
UPCOMING EVENTS
Moon Over the Mounds
Take advantage of the last Moon Over the Mounds Guided walking tour at the Crystal River Archaeological Park March 27th.
Moon Over the Mounds begins around a bonfire gathering along the river with a series of short talks about the Crystal River Mounds and the technology of the peoples who once lived there. The group is then guided from mound to mound within the complex where park employees, Gary Ellis of the Gulf Archaeological Research Institute (GARI), and FPAN staff will give short talks about the various mounds and the excavations that have occurred at the site. Mound A, the Burial complex (mounds D, E, and F), and the infamous Steale 1 are all part of the tour.
Park Info
20th Annual 
April 16th - 18th. I attend this event each year. It's a great event. Plenty to see and do in Charleston, SC. On and off Water Classes, demos, banquet, vendors, and more...
Link to event
Kayak and Dragonboat Races
On Saturday, April 24th,Captain Mike of Sunshine River Tours is hosting the first Homosassa Kayak and Dragonboat Races. BIG Cash Prizes, Fun, Food, Games, and more. There will also be Dragon Boat racer want-a-bee tryouts.
This event is said to be the biggest paddlesport event Citrus County has ever seen. Come be part of the Innaugural Event.
More...
Crystal River Boat Bash The Crystal River Boat Bash, to be held on the weekend of April 23 - 25, 2010 at the Crystal River Preserve State Park. This Bash will be a celebration of small craft, nautical heritage, and fun on the waters of the Nature Coast.
Morgan will have a booth with kayak rentals at this event. Rent a kayak and join the raid on Crystal River. More Info
A Weekend in My Watershed Workshop
by
Florida Lake Management Society
Saturday June 12 Sunday June 13 Join us and others for a two day, activity filled weekend of food, information, workshops, field experiences, scientific testing samples and a evening guided kayak tour to be held at the Plantation Inn. Sign up ASAP as registration is limited to 40.
Info and Sign up
Print voucher below for $25 off and send with your registration.
Sunset Cruises
The Last Friday of each Month. Depart the Crystal River Preserve Park Visitor Center Docks and enjoy a delightful 2 hour Sunset Cruise on the Crystal River, traveling out into the Gulf for a spectacular sunset. Refreshments and snacks are available. Call for more info and reservations 352-563-0450
12 Annual Paddler's Poker Run Saturday May 15th The Marion County Aquaholics Paddling Club is sponsoring their annual event. This includes food, fun, poker run, prizes, and cash prize for the best hand. The event includes the annual kayak raffle giveaway. This year is a Malibu Stealth 12, ultimate fishing machine. More Info
Check out our Events Calendar for other events, classes, trips, tours, classes, and more. Always adding, so check often.
Flamingo Flyer
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Big Brothers and Big Sisters
A Crystal River Kayak Company is now involved with helping out Big Brothers and Big Sisters with discounts and events including teaching kids about paddlesports. Kids that get involved in BBBS:
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to being using alcohol
- More likely to get along with their families and peers
You too can help support them or get involved. For more info call Shirley in Inverness at: 352-344-0400
BEADS for TRASH
We've started an exciting new clean-up the waterways trash program. Rent a kayak or launch your own from our dock and bring back at least 5 pieces of trash you picked up from the waterways, (honor system), and receive a string of Mardi Gras beads. No flashing necessary!!! We'll supply a mesh bag for garbage pickup if needed. This will provide a year-round waterways cleanup. Note the kayak below on a typical trash cleanup day.
Disgusting!
What's Hot This Month? Now through March 31st, 2010 save on the following:
Freedom Hawk Kayaks Save 10% on both the Freedom 12 and 14, PLUS receive a free seat, paddle and push pole. (In stock boats only).
All in-stock PFD's 20% off
Aqua Blasters water cannons, 30% off while supply lasts. (reg. $21.95, now $15.37)
Seals Inlander Spray Skirts 30% off all in stock skirts
Dragons have been seen in the Homosassa River.
The Nature Coast Dragon Boat Club is in full swing. They practice every Wednesday and Saturday with racing challenges coming more frequently. Thanks to Capt. Mike of Sunshine River Tours for spearheading the program into full swing. Capt. Mike is sponsoring an all out event in the Homosassa River on April 24th with cash prizes and more, so check it out. Also get signed up to participate.
We also thank Terry Johnson the team coach and cockswain. Terry has led teams in Thailand and Asia and now brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to the Nature Coast Dragon Boat Club. Check out more about Dragon Boats on the web. Google "Dragon Boats" and you'll find lots of info. Also go to http://www.youtube.com and search Dragon Boats and there's lot of neat videos. With 22 persons on board what looks like a large canoe with a head and tail, paddling can be quite interesting!
SUMMER SUNSET PADDLES
Kayaks and Beyond will be bringing back the sunset / moonlight paddle trips. Starting in June, the Friday previous the full moon, will be dedicated to this paddle trip. Join us for an evening of sky changing colours, soft evening sounds, and memories to take home and remember.
Archaeological Kayak Tours
Back by popular demand are the Archaeological Kayak Tours. Guided by an Archaeologist from the Florida Archaeological Network we'll explore ancient sites in and throughout Citrus County.
Fireworks by Kayak
We've been getting calls already asking if we are going to do the kayak fireworks show again. Well the answer is yes. Watch the sky! We'll be sending out invites.
A BIG THANK YOU
Morgan and David wish to thank all of you again for your support to Kayaks and Beyond, A-Crystal River Kayak Company. With your help and support it allows us to support: Crystal River State Park, The Preserve, and the Refuge, the Save the Three Sisters program, Friends of the Chazz, Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp and Youth Program, Citrus County Schools, Marine Science Station, Florida Archaeological Network, and more.
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It certainly has been an odd winter season. It's called El Nina, and with it comes colder, wetter than normal weather.
I've been snowed on 5 times in my life, three of them in Florida and twice this year alone. Our Annual Native Arts Festival and Paddling trips in Ochlochonee State Park was cold and wet the first day, but it cleared for the weekend. It was a lot of fun. Stop by and see our artifacts display cabinet. Ask Morgan about her Atatl skills.
Much has happened and much is happening so read on and I'll try to cover as much as possible.
Follow the links for info on the toll the cold took on manatees and fish this winter season.
Manatee Mortalities 1
Manatee Mortalities 2
Fish Kills
New Fishing Regulations
Among The Elderly
On February 19th David went from middle age to old age. Morgan was there to capture it on film. Below we see David the RN at work at 49 years old, just before the strike of midnight.
After midnight when the age set in 
I understand he now waits by the mailbox for his AARP card.
We all had a great time at his surprise B-Day party. It was held at Neon Leon's in Homosassa. What a great place! They specialize in fun. The owners are great people, the food is fantastic, and the music... NON-STOP!
Enjoy:
Mardi Gras Madam 
 Great Time
Bob "mom" Marley
 Now we know where he gets it!
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Highlight: New Changing and Picnic Area!
We have a new changing and picnic area.
- Bring your lunch
- We have picnic tables, umbrella, lounge chaises and chairs.
- BBQ area
- Let us schedule a paddler's party for your next birthday, anniversary, graduation, or family reunion. We'll take care of everything.
Finally, don't forget... with our new changing area, bring your bathing suits, wetsuits, dry clothes, etc. Convenience is for you.
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 TIP OF THE PADDLE
Skeg vs Rudder, the battle continues.
Often, folks come into the shop and ask me which is better... a skeg or a rudder? I also hear, "my friend says... or a guy at this or that shop said..." I've heard all the arguments too: "Can't turn with a skeg", "Got to have a rudder to turn against the wind", "A rudder gets blown around in the wind", and other such sayings. When I hear those things I just figure the person who told them that likes a particular type and is biased. That's fine, but maybe I can help you decide for yourself.
A rudder and skeg are designed to do the same job. That is, they are both used for tracking, or keeping a boat traveling straight.
When kayaking in a wind or current, the hydrodynamic effects on a boat take over and make the boat "pull" or turn against our intended direction. Course corrections must be made by the paddler. Sometimes this can be a challenge depending upon the amount of force of effect. For example, with wind, the effect is called wind-cocking or weathercocking. The boat points in the direction of the wind just like a weather-vane on top of a roof. Because the area in the bow is a high pressure zone, the boat "cuts" through the water forward and is less affected by side winds. That being said, the area in the stern is following the bow, but since it is simply being "dragged" behind, it's known as the low pressure zone. In other words it's not the bow that pointing toward the wind, rather it's the stern that's being blown downwind.
Any object that aids in fighting against the side force would help slow or stop that downwind blowing effect. Hence the skeg and rudder. These are fins that are set down into the water with a surface area large enough to counter the effects of sideways force. To an extent. There's always exceptions like heavy winds, gusts, and heavy currents.
So what's the difference?
A skeg will help hold the boat in a straight direction. Course corrections would be made with paddle, like a paddle sweep, or paddling more than once on the same side. Also the paddler can move his / her hands slightly down the shaft on the opposite side the boat wants to turn, so you're actually paddling a continuous sweep on one side while taking a smaller stroke on the wind or current side.
A rudder will help hold a course. In other words, if you adjust the rudder opposite the opposing force just enough to counter the effect, the boat should hold its course without using your paddle to make course corrections. All too often those with rudders use them exclusively to make turns rather than learn to turn their boat without the use of the rudder. I call these folks "Rudder Dependent!!"
What if the rudder or skeg breaks? Not getting into dangerous situations like heavy winds, currents, and seas only make sense, but those of us who do long trips and expeditions will undoubtedly come across such times. Learning the skills is the way to paddle safely, securely, and have a lot more fun. We can help. Check out our instructions page.
Again, don't forget to visit our website for lots of other great information our website
Fish Rap
Capt. Ken Roy is contributor to this section. Capt Ken takes people out kayak fishing as our guide and is very happy to help show you the ropes, (or reels). You can contact him through us to set up a fishing trip.
January 2010
I cannot remember the last time I caught so many different species from the yak.
I met Al Clements at the launch on Covas Creek at about 1 this afternoon. We planned to launch there and beat up on the Redfish. When I saw how low the tide already was and how hard the wind was blowing out of the East, I said we needed to fish somewhere else. We fished the 'Cooch instead.
We caught 20+Trout, Redfish, 2 Snook, Jack Crevalle, lots of Ladyfish, 1 SW Striped Bass and 1 Largemouth. We anchored just down tide from a big spring in 15-18' of water. The fish were suspended at about 4' or so. I didn't try a top water but we saw lots of striking fish.
None of the fish were very big but I kept a limit of Trout on the small end of the slot. I lost one about 3 pounds. The Snook were about 18" or so and Al caught a 22-23" Redfish. I had a really nice Striped Bass swirl at my jig as I lifted it out of the water. He probably weighted 10-12#. The one I landed was about 20". Whether he was legal or not, I don't have a clue.
This Snook fought about like a small Trout. One of the Snook looked terrible with several skin lesions. One of the biggest Trout had recently run afoul of something with big teeth. The scratches were completely healed but I'd imagine he suffered for a while.
All in all, it was a great fishing day.
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Flying Boats
This is an excerpt from SeaKayaker Magazine April, 2010...
"There was another sound and I caught a glimpse of something moving quickly through my peripheral vision. It was my two month old kayak being dragged down the highway at 55 mph."
I've seen so many "engineered" ways people attempt to load and transport their boats on thier vehicles. I've seen the 16 foot canoe sticking 10 feet behind the bed, or 8 feet over the cab. Imagine the wind that thing must catch. I've also seen kayaks tied down with bungees only. The old thought pattern of "It'll never happen to me," comes to mind. My advice to you if you're driving behind one of these people is to pull over and let them get a big distance ahead of you so you don't end up speared with the boat.
Thule, Yakima, and a number of other rack manufacturers state you must tied the boats down each one individually, (not two or three bunched together), and strapped forward and behind the cockpit, then also use bow and stern ropes to tie down the boat ends.
DOT and the State Patrol can site the irresponsible driver for unsafe load. You're only permitted up to 2 feet behind your tail lights without a flag, then up to 4 feet before you must use accessory lighting. Beyond that it is ILLEGAL regardless of bed extenders etc. Remember, you're responsible for your load. If it shifts or comes loose, you're at fault.
DO NOT MISS!
ST Patric's Day at Burkes of Ireland
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