Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State [Paperback]

Sandy Huff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2001

"A thorough, comprehensive guide to canoeing and kayaking in Florida. . . . It is a necessary as well as an entertaining guidebook for every paddler’s library."--Brad Manley, <i>Paddle Florida</i>

"Do you yearn for a glimpse of Florida as it was a century ago? This book shows you how to move silently down the Sunshine State’s many rivers and creeks and coastal flats, all the while enjoying scenery and wildlife of all kinds. The best paddles from Pensacola to Key West are described in detail, along with specialized instructions."--Richard W. Bowles, <i>Florida Sportsman</i>

<i>Paddler’s Guide to the Sunshine State</i> is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information on paddling in Florida—bound so that it lies open at each page for easy reference or photocopying--and is fully indexed. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or a whitewater veteran, whether you're looking for an easy going two-hour tour with your family or a week-long solo adventure, this book lists the most delightful destinations to explore in a state famous for its scenic waterways.
From the vast flats of the Florida Keys to the rivers and springs of the Florida Panhandle, <i>Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State</i> gives directions to 91 Florida waterways, separated into 271 individual canoeing and kayaking excursions. For each of the 91 destinations, veteran paddler and outdoor writer Sandy Huff
· tells her readers where to rent or buy canoes and kayaks,
· evaluates the difficulty of each trail,
· supplies emergency phone numbers and a customized map showing launch and take-out sites, average length, and paddling time for each leg,
· and presents a candid discussion of the waterway.

  In introductory chapters, she offers safety tips on camping basics, dressing for comfort, coping with insects, sunburn, and power boats, and reading the weather and water currents. She describes Florida flora and fauna that paddlers might encounter--birds, alligators, manatees, snakes, plants, and trees—and lists paddling clubs around the state as well as Internet web addresses for additional paddling information.
Sandy Huff’s down-home, anecdotal writing style has appeared in more than 800 magazines and newspapers, including <i>Canoe and Kayak Magazine</i> and <i>The Saturday Evening Post</i>.  A Florida native and resident of Safety Harbor, she has traveled the length and breadth of the state, paddling every major waterway and numerous side streams, and has 25 years of experience as a canoe instructor.  This book is a compilation of Huff’s all-time favorite trips, and it includes contributions by six guest writers, all expert paddlers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thorough, comprehensive guide to canoeing and kayaking in Florida. . . . It is a necessary as well as an entertaining guidebook..." -- Brad Manley, Paddle Florida

"The best paddles from Pensacola to Key West are described in detail, along with specialized instructions." -- Richard W. Bowles, Florida Sportsman

From the Publisher

Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information on paddling in Florida--bound so that it lies open at each page for easy reference or photocopying--and is fully indexed. Whether you're a first-time paddler or a white-water veteran, whether you're looking for an easygoing two-hour tour with your family or a week-long solo adventure, this book lists the most delightful destinations to explore in a state famous for its scenic waterways.

From the vast flats of the Florida Keys to the rivers and springs of the Florida Panhandle, Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State gives directions to 91 Florida waterways, separated into 271 individual canoeing and kayaking excursions. For each of the 91 destinations, veteran paddler's and outdoor writer Sandy Huff

--tells her readers where to rent or buy canoes and kayaks,

--evaluates the difficulty of each trail,

--supplies emergency phone numbers and a customzied map showing launch and take-out sites, average length, and paddling time for each leg,

--and presents a candid discussion of the waterway.

In introductory chapters she offers safety tips on camping basics, dressing for comfort, coping with insects, sunburn, and power boats, and reading the weather and water currents. She describes Florida flora and fauna that paddlers might encounter--birds, alligators, manatees, snakes, plants, and trees--and lists paddling clubs around the state as well as Internet web addresses for additional paddling information.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida; 1st edition (December 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813022827
• ISBN-13: 978-0813022826
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Kayaking
  • #7 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Canoeing
  • #28 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Canoeing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy, January 14, 2002

By 

John A. Kumiski (Chuluota, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State (Paperback)

Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff

Coming from a whitewater paddling background, my first thought on looking at the river descriptions in Huff's book was, "Hm, not very detailed." On further reflection, though, this makes sense. Details of how to run rapids aren't needed in Florida, and the lack of details makes visiting the waterways described much more of a voyage of discovery- as paddling should be.
Huff has logically divided her book into three major sections. The first part contains tips for paddling in Florida, and includes chapters on gear and clothing and how to pack it, staying healthy, staying safe, and camping in Florida with sections on cooking and camp activities, all delightfully written by someone who clearly has had an abundance of paddling experience.
The second section describes in detail all the wildlife you might encounter on any trip on Sunshine State waterways, and your best strategies for safely dealing with those critters (Do NOT feed the wildlife!). Aunt Sally from Ohio will survive her first alligator encounter if you follow Huff's advice. There is even a short chapter on fishing.
Finally, the last section contains descriptions of over 200 trips on 91 waterways across the state. Every description contains all the information you'll need to make that trip: a map, where to put in, where to take out, the length of time and/or mileage involved, skill level needed, and local emergency phone numbers (great idea!). The descriptions are also keyed to the corresponding DeLorme atlas page numbers, and include a brief outline of what you can expect to encounter, all written in a tastefully understated manner.
It's difficult to find any flaws in this book, or figure out how to improve upon it. For every Sunshine State paddler or anyone who wants to become one, Huff's book is a must read.

-John Kumiski

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful information, December 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State (Paperback)

There is a lot of good information in this book, but most of it can be found toward the beginning. The tips on predicting the weather alone could be worth the price of the book. However, the maps of the various waterways were absolutely terrible. I would recommend this book for a general overview and lots of tips and tricks for paddlers, and the two "Canoeing and Kayaking the Streams of Florida" guides for detailed information on specific waterways.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State, January 16, 2002

By 

marty (Dunedin, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State (Paperback)

If you want to have just one book on paddling in Florida then this is the one to get!! It has easy-to-read maps, web sites, addresses and phone numbers for further information. Paddling a river or creek is more than just knowing where to put in and take out. Sandy gives you all kinds of information on the area, fishing, wildlife, weather, safety and much more. I must have every book there is on paddling in Florida but they're going on the bottom shelf because this is the one I'm going to reach for when planning my next adventure!!