Wekiva Island, one of Central Florida’s most beautiful natural reserves, where paddlers can enjoy paddling on tranquil waters, fed by a natural spring. It is exactly why stand up paddling was invented. On Wekiva Island, paddlers can explore the lush surroundings, whilst spotting nature below and around the water. TotalSUP talks to Ned Johnson, owner of Paddleboard Orlando, while he enjoys his home spot from his Red Paddle Co quiver. Read on and you will be immersed in Floridian nature, and ready to book a ticket to Wekiva Island!
I’m Ned Johnson, born under the sign of water, I have loved all things H2O for as long as I can remember. My first memory was a raft that floated on milk jugs, but not to well or to long. In my friskier days, I competed for about 20 years nationally and internationally in wakeboard amateur divisions. In 2009 I transitioned from kayak racing and longboard surfing to all things SUP. 6 months later, in 2010 I quit my 19-year corporate job and opened (Florida) Orlando’s first full-time Paddleboard business, Paddleboard Orlando
.Since then Paddleboard Orlando has put 10 of 1000’s of folks on SUPs in the form of rentals, tours, board sales and out-of-the-country adventure SUP trips. We have multiple seasonal tours and locations but today we are focusing on our favorite spot, Wekiva Island, it’s unique setting allows it to be run year round as a do-it-yourself rental adventure or on a guided tour with a certified SUP instructor.
There are several routes available: heading upstream towards rock springs, turn right at the conjunction of Wekiva and rock springs and venture upstream till you run out of steam. Another option is going downriver past Wekiva island, there are inviting sandbars and old growth islands as the river widens. The most preferred route is upriver from Wekiva island to the state park. Once you arrive at the state park, about 1.5 miles upriver, tie off your Red paddle co board and go ashore. If you are feeling froggy, there is an amazing natural swimming hole built around the spring head. On our tours, a PBO instructor will teach you how to “ shoot the crack “.
Essentially swimming through a crack and getting pushed out by the spring flow. Safe but scary the first few times! After your state park swim, hike or chill, load back on your board and ride the gentle current 1.5 twisty miles back to the start at Wekiva island!
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