Expeditions & Trip Reports
An expedition is a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose. There is no distance or time restriction to an expedition. So, one could argue that a day-paddle or day-hike could be an expedition if it was undertaken for a specific purpose. Sometimes we tend to focus just on the water; the reality is water is the tie that binds us and the confusion is what vehicle you use to find your happy place. Wind power, to human power, to engine power, the choices are as bountiful and beautiful as the stars in the Milky Way. “The best type of kayak is the one that fits the water, fits the body and fits the purpose of why the paddler is on the water” March 1, 2011
Kayak camping is like backpacking just without the knee pain.
Presently Sean and I are working on the logistics of a thirty day “mid life crises” expedition. We are keeping the details secret due to the uniqueness of this adventure. And there are ever changing factors that we need to deal with. The timelessness and forward thinking aspects of our “mid life crises” kayak expedition will broaden the imagination of future generations of young adventurers, explorers, and scientists. — Jeff 2024
Below are many posts that will help inspire you to create your own kayaking adventure.
Everyone in your group will bring something different to the kayak expedition experience. That might be leadership on the river, cooking skills, even a sense of humor can be an asset. The group should ideally all be around the same ability level too, so you can all take care of each other.
If you are managing the trip solo, you may need to work with a local or a professional guide to organize permits.
Skill Training: does everyone in the group have paddling and safety skills suitable for the grades of water you will be undertaking?
Five traps to avoid to stay safe: Familiarity, Commitment, Expert Halo, Conformity, Scarcity. https://liquidrhythmkayaking.com/2009/05/10/paddlers-sometimes-take-avoidable-risks/
Pack the right equipment: You will need all your standard safety gear and first aid items:
• Do you need any special medications?
• Will you need cooking equipment?
• Will you need camping equipment?
• Will you need to carry water purification tablets or a filter?
• Will you need spare clothing?
• How will you keep everything dry?
• Will you need a satellite phone or GPS beacon for emergencies?
• Who has copies of your FLOAT Plan?
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The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail expedition
The 2011 Great Calusa Blueway Expedition: The Journal Editor’s introduction, added in 2026. The dated reports and original photographs below remain part of the 2011 archive. On September…
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expedition kayak safety
There are a lot of books, periodicals, and web information on the simple topic of safety for people on kayak expeditions. After all of that information is distilled…
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Tribal Tides 4 : Lost Thoughts!
This post is to inform our readers on the final updates before Jeff and Sean leave for the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail Expedition as TEAM Sweetwater on…
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Tribal Tides 3 : “Native Gear, well not quite”
In this post Jeff and I will discuss what gear we are taking on our expedition to the Great Calusa Blueway and the reasons for what we are…
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CROW the Chosen ONE : TEAM Sweetwater Charity!!
Here it is Everyone! TEAM Sweetwater has formed a unique partnership with CROW as our Chosen Charity for the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail Expedition: Floating on Tribal…
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We have a Name!
Its official Jeff and Sean are doing the Calusa Blueway Expedition as TEAM SWEETWATER after the shop we work for! That means that we will be Team Sweetwater…
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Tribal Tides 2 : “Natural Flow”
Hello All, This is the long anticipated 2nd post in the Tribal Tides series. In this post I will discuss the actual route and “natural schedule” that Jeff…
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Tribal Tides 1 – “Whats a Calusa?”
As promised paddlers/readers post #1 in the series Tribal Tides, and now on with the post. Whats a Calusa? Pronounced “kah-LOO-sah”, and sometimes spelled Caloosa; as in Caloosahatchee River…
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Great Calusa Blueways Expedition : Floating on Tribal Tides!!
Raatatatat-Rata-Tatat-Ratatat-Ratatatat-Tatatatat-Ratatatat-Tatatatat-Tatatatatat- (drum roll) – Jeff & Sean are proud to announce an upcoming 2 week paddling expedition to the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail in Lee County, Florida.…
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Oklawaha river
We have paddled this river many times and every time something new occurs. In the past we have heard deep cat like guttural sounds, found a leg of…
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escape to tip a canoe on the Suwannee River
After a long week at work (>## hours) due to my involvement with our Environmental Film Festival, I looked forward to hanging out, coaching, and paddling. Saturday the…
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Mountain Hardwear Skylight tent 1997
“How long does gear last?” I am asked this a lot. I have spent more money on constantly replacing cheep stuff than I have replacing expensive stuff. Granted…
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Test paddling NDK Greenlander Pro
We are getting in shape for an interesting paddle and we are testing out some new pieces of kit. The most dramatic change will be the type of…
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Power made Perfect in Weakness.
Hey Fellow Waterlovers, Just wanted to post a quick rundown of my 30 mile training run from Saturday January 15th. First let me start by saying I had…

