By Paul MacInnis

Sometimes kids need a good paddling. No, I’m not talking about that kind of paddling, I’m talking about the kind of paddling that propels a small boat through the water. I don’t need to lecture anyone reading this on the benefits of getting kids outdoors, away from video games, computers and televisions. I doubt there’s a better way to do this than by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

With this in mind I jumped at the opportunity when Danny Trosset from the Seminole County CVB invited my family on a 30 mile paddling and camping adventure on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. These waters were designated a National Wild and Scenic River by the United States Congress in October 2000. Only a short drive up I4 from Disney World, this river system is a million miles away in ambience.

I brought a fishing rod on our paddle but never used it. It wasn’t due to lack of fish. I saw plenty of bass and brim darting about in the crystal clear, 72 degree, spring fed waters. I didn’t fish because every twist in the river brought another incredible vista or amazing wildlife and I was too anxious to see what was around the next bend to think about picking up a fishing rod. When we did stop I immediately got into daddy play mode with our daughters Anna and Lily. There were so many shallow white sandbars to explore, deep holes to dive into and bank side trees to climb.

You will see very few signs of human development on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River.  They run through state parks and preserves for most of their length so what you see is pretty much the same as what the Timucauan Indians saw when they paddled these rivers hundreds of years ago.  Hawks wheel about overhead, squirrels dart through the trees, deer and turkey forage in the forest, otter play in the water and water birds of all types pick through the lily pads and eel grass for minnows, shrimp and snails. 

With everyone making New Years resolutions I urge you to resolve to take a kid on a paddle trip this year.  If you find yourself in central Florida try my favorite paddle, the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run.  You can download a pamphlet titled Paddle Wekiva at http://wekivawildandscenicriversystem.com/.  The pamphlet provides you everything you need to know to take your own Wekiva paddle adventure including launch and take-out sites, campsites, canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle services and trip distances.