3nd Annual New River Loop for a New Year

Description: (click here for chart) SK2-SK3 (distance 17-19 miles / speed 3- 3.5 mph) Why not start off the new year with a nice long trip! The New River Loop forms a 25-mi.-long circle that links a series of conservation areas, parks, and cultural and historic sites--all within metropolitan Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. It encompasses almost all of Fort Lauderdale's New River's north and south forks, the Tarpon and Stranahan Rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Dania Cut-off and New River Canals. This loop is part of the Broward Urban River Trails. Why SK2-SK3? There are three challenging areas of this trip. 1. Dania cut-off US1 underpass - narrow bridge and swift currents. 2. Port Everglades - can be very choppy at times and a lot of boat traffic. 3. Total paddle distance will be between 17-18 miles. It's left to your own accord if you are capable of doing this trip. The most important rule to keep in mind is to know your abilities! Can I do a self rescue in choppy water? Am I the master of my kayak or does it master me? Am I comfortable sitting in my kayak for 4-5 hours? If you have any questions email the organizer. TRIP DETAILS Launch point is next to the boat launch ramps (click here - it's next to the pavilion in the top left corner) in John U. Lloyd Park in Dania Beach. This site gives us the best chance to have the current with you most of the trip, and for those who have done this trip can attest that it's best to have the current with you or slack tide. We should be on the water by no later than 6:30AM. We will head south on the ICW to the Dania cut-off canal, then west to near US-441, then north the the South Fork of the New River, then back east down the New River to the ICW, then south under the 17th Street Causeway, through Port Everglades, and back to the launch site. WEATHER Rain will not stop this trip but, lightning and thunder will. There needs to be no evidence of lightning and thunder for at least a half hour before the trip start, and if it moves in we will seek appropriate shelter. ADMISSION Admission to the park is $3 per car single occupant or $5 per car with 2-8 people. This trip launches from the boat launch area inside John Lloyd Park - get directions to the launch area from the nice folks in the gate house when you go in. We generally launch from the little rocky beach off to the left of the launch ramp area, but the ramps themselves are usually pretty good if you like that sort of thing. There is grilled food available at the concession at the entrance to Whiskey Creek but not sure if they will be open on New Years day? GEAR/OTHER: PFD, VHF radio (if you have it), whistle, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, lots of water, bug spray, sun block, a good pair of water shoes, a wide brim hat and your (waterproof) camera. Sense of fun and adventure.