Paddling near the Canaveral Barge Canal
A balmy weekday in September found 2 hardy paddlers seeking the edge of their paddling limits as well as the features of the Indian River Lagoon near Cocoa, Florida.
The purpose of this trip was to explore and to try new paddling techniques. One paddler was learing to kayak sail. Another paddler was simply trying to increase speed. One met success, one met failure.
Kayaks with sails are an enigma. If you want to sail, but a sailboat. The advantage of the sailing kayak is flexibility. It is not as fast under sail, however, if the wind dies, the kayaker can paddle, and in the case of the peddle boat, peddle as well.
This trip began at Lee Wenner Park (300 River Edge Boulevard, Cocoa, FLorida, 32922). Rain threatened inauspiciously at the outset, however, the dark couds passed without event. This stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway is wide and beautiful. The houses lining the edge are palacial. Dolphin activity was nearly continuous for 4 miles. A single dolphin entertained the paddlers with 5 consecutive arcing jumps out of the water. The park has a boat ramp, bathrooms, picnic tables, and free parking.
The next stop was Bennet Causeway. This pair of huge arcing spans does not have boat access or a landing.
Immediately to the east, the opening for the Canaveral Barge Canal is easily located. The paddling pair proceeded happily into the canal. It is straight and wide. Wildlife sightings included manatees, dolphins, great blue herons, great white herons, ibis, pelicans, cormorants, and little blue herons. Sykes Creek is easily located on the right (south) however an exploration of this area was delayed to another day. After 2 miles , the pair returned to the west, having failed to meet their goal of Ski Island. The sail-less kayak could not keep up and the paddling threatened to end in darkness.
There are 4 spoil islands where the canal meets the Intracoastal Waterway. One is roomy and suitable for swimming, camping or picnicking. The others are covered with birds. If you go. be respectful of the birds. They waste energy needlessly flying about if disturbed. They are very beautiful to observe from about 30 feet.
The return trip was pretty and fun. There was, however, very little wind. The sail-less kayaker failed to increase speed over the usual 2-3 mph. Oh, well.
If you go, take friends, fluids, sunscreen, insect repellant, nourishment, and an extra paddle. More sfety information here. Have fun, take your time, do not get in a hurry. It is not about speed, a lesson learned by the paddlers of this event.
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