First Sunday Paddle - Odd Numbered Month - Clam Pass Park

We will hold First Sunday Paddles in odd-numbered months (01-Jan, 03-Mar, 05-May, 07-July, 09-Sept, 11-Nov) at Collier County's Clam Pass Park. Below are the basic points you'll need to know. For more details, keep reading after the bullet points. * **Paddle at your own risk. You are 100% responsible for yourself** * **CHECK THIS PAGE THE MORNING OF THE PADDLE FOR POSSIBLE WEATHER CANCELLATION! POSTING BY 7:30 AM AT LATEST** * **For the Fall and Winter Month First Sundays, launch time is 9:00. Be there by 8:30 AM to unload and stage boats** * **Clam Pass Park requires a Collier County Beach Parking Sticker (details below)** * **We will launch into South Clam Bay from the park and paddle to North Clam Bay, possibly stopping at Clam Pass on the return** * **Direct any questions to Tom Long** * **Participation REQUIRES you to wear a lifejacket - properly fitted, properly worn** * **Kayakers must be able to paddle 8 miles and be able to re-enter their boats with assistance from another kayaker to get out of water that's over your head, should you capsize. Kayaks under 12 feet long are strongly discouraged** * **Bring PLENTY of water, sunscreen, and bug spray** Clam Bay and Clam Pass makes for a beautiful venue and paddling with the club is an excellent social atmosphere. One never knows what wildlife will show itself, but we normally see plenty of pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, the occasional bald eagle, herons, egrets, ibises, and other shore birds. Small fish will likely be jumping. Sometimes we see manatees or dolphins. And once in a while we get a glimpse of a tarpon, a small shark, or even a ray leaping from the water. There is a series of long mangrove trails, including some wonderful mangrove tunnels. You'll launch from the extreme western end of the parking area at Clam Pass Park. You can unload and reload your boat at the closest possible point to the launch before moving your vehicle to allow others access. Clam Pass Park requires a valid Collier County Beach Parking windshield sticker, or you can use your smartphone to go to the county's Parks and Rec site to pay $10 per vehicle for the day. An on-site sign will give you directions to pay online, but you can also do it prior to arriving. You cannot purchase the parking fee until the day you need it. There is no additional launch fee at Clam Pass Park. To participate, you must do the following: 1. **Properly wear your properly fitted lifejacket (otherwise, you will not be welcomed)** 2. **Be aware of your surroundings and stay with the group** 3. **Be respectful to everyone and the environment** To participate in the paddle, you need to know your paddling limitations. There aren't likely to be difficult conditions on the trip, with none of it actually in the Gulf (unless you choose to), but it can be as long as 7.5 miles. All paddlers should be practiced at re-entering their boats with an assist from a fellow paddler, in case they fall out! By clicking the RSVP Attend button in Meetup or Facebook, you acknowledge that you accept full responsibility for any consequence which occurs as a result of your participation in this activity. If your equipment becomes damaged or lost, or you are hurt; even killed, you agree that it's not the fault of the event Coordinators or the Paradise Coast Paddlers Club. Bring AMPLE DRINKING WATER, serious sunscreen, and bug repellent. Dont apply the bug repellent and then leave it in your car. It won't help you there. Be sure to check this posting the morning of the paddle, before you leave home, to make sure there isn't a weather cancellation or some other issue. If you have questions, post them in the comment section and a Coordinator will reply, or you can text or call Tom Long at 239.963.6162.