Indian River Lagoon Paddle Adventure to Launch December 1

Nov. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- On December 1 ten intrepid paddlers will launch their boats from JB's Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their destination? Jupiter Light, in Jupiter, Florida, a straight-line distance of 160 miles.

Why are they doing this?

-To raise public awareness of the Indian River Lagoon system’s incredible diversity and immense value while highlighting the increasingly difficult challenges facing North America’s greatest estuary.
-To raise $100,000 for an educational trust fund to be administered by the Marine Resources Council (http://www.mrcirl.org).
-The IRL Paddle Adventure will be a social event. Included in the plans are a seafood boil, a beach festival, the Lagoon Palooza, and a Meet and Greet. Have fun and make some new friends!
-It’s an adventure. We all need some adventure in our lives.
-It will be fun! They’ll be fishing, watching stars and sunrises, observing wildlife, and telling stories around the campfire.

Trip spokesman Rodney Smith says, "Many other people will be paddling with us for shorter segments of the trip. We want as much participation as we can get. Come and join us and show your support for the Marine Resources Council and the Indian River Lagoon!"

The mission of the Indian River Lagoon Paddle Adventure is to generate more excitement, passion and awareness for our nation’s greatest estuary. Participation in this adventure will help increase levels of IRL awareness, stewardship, and education; it will also create the building blocks needed to better secure the foundation of the IRL’s conservation community. Today we’re increasingly living in a world full of demanding schedules, timelines, deadlines, appointments, etc. With this in mind, we have designed an IRL Paddle Adventure float plan (itinerary) for those folks who can join the paddle for a portion of the trip.

The “Bon Voyage Party” will be held at New Smyrna Beach’s Marine Discovery Center, November 30, 4-6 pm. Holiday Hor d’oeuvers and beverages will be served by Orlando’s Fish on Fire. Captains/Authors John Kumiski and Rodney Smith, leaders of the 2013 IRL Paddle Adventure will also present a short Indian River Lagoon Powerpoint Presentation for all those who attend. Donations will be accepted at this event.

The paddle kicks off early the next morning in south New Smyrna Beach, with the paddlers heading toward Haulover Canal, riding a strong incoming tide, at dawn, Sunday, December 1, 2013.

You can become an important part of this unique event in several ways. Of course, donating cash, merchandise or services is a great way to support our effort, but we also need volunteers to help us accomplish our mission to increase the awareness and education of this one-of-a-kind and extremely valuable estuary. Volunteers can help set up logistics, work associated events or help deliver food and water to those of us paddling and camping!

For more information, to volunteer, or to sponsor, contact Rodney Smith or visit the IRL Paddle Website at http://www.irl-paddle-adventure.com.