Kayaks abound from the Spirit of Suwannee arrived at Ivey Memorial Park in Branford on Monday afternoon in the Paddle Florida trip on the Suwannee River, en route to Manatee Springs State Park.

“It’s the first group of people with one common purpose–being on the water,” said Paul Westberry, of Naples, who has been on six of the 12 Paddle Florida trips.

Founder and executive director Bill Richards said that Paddle Florida was originally started as a sole proprietorship but in the last year it has been formed into a 501 C.3 and now has a board of directors.

According to Paddle Florida, Inc., “it is a non-profit corporation organized to promote and support paddling in Florida through the creation of paddling events and the promotion of water conservation, wildlife conservation, springs restoration and waterways protection in Florida. Paddle Florida also seeks to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism in general, and paddling in particular.”

Paddle Florida emerged in 2007 under Richards’ guidance. This is the fourth annual fall trip for the Suwannee River that started on Oct. 13 and will finish on Oct. 20. The Suwannee River Paddle trip is 123 miles from Spirit of Suwannee to Manatee Springs State Park.

For the safety of the group, there is a lead boat and a sweep boat. The lead boat stays at the front of the group and the rest remain behind. The sweep boat is responsible for bringing up the rear and making sure that no one falls behind. The Suwannee River trip started with 35 kayakers and canoers Richards said, but will end with about 20 because some people chose to do Paddle Lite, which is a modified trip.

With its increasing popularity, Richards said that the paddle trips went from one river to to five with trips on the Suwannee River, the Florida Keys, Peace River, Ochlockonee River and Wekiva/St. Johns River.

Scott Keyes, of Naples who has been on nine of the 12 trips, said, “Where else can you go on a three to 10 day trip and your only responsibility is to paddle, enjoy yourself and make new friends? Every trip I have been on has been carefully planned, organized and executed. Their excellent staff and volunteers shuttle you and your boat, transport your camping gear, provide excellent meals and even entertain you at night. Each trip has had a great group of people and many good stories were told around the campfire.”

To find out more information on upcoming trips please visit PaddleFlorida.org.