[Paddlewise] Another lurker coming out, Florida paddling

Guess it's time I make my presence known.  I am a 60 year old male (that no
doubt qualifies me as an "old fart".  I live Southwest of Albany in upstate
NY.  This summer will be my third season of paddling in an Eddyline, Merlin
XT so I'm relatively new to this sport.  We (My wife and I) own a summer
cottage on Sodus Bay.  Sodus bay is off Lake Ontario between Rochester and
Oswego. My summer paddling is split between these two areas in NY.  I have
taken BCU Star 1 through Star 3 Training (so far no assessment) and do not
have a solid roll so I have some definite goals for this summer.  This
brings up a question.  Where are the pool sessions offered in the Albany, NY
area? I'm relatively new to this area and have not been able to find one.

Paddling experiences include BCU Training and some regular paddling in the
Hudson River.  At our other Home, have made several acquaintances and have
thoroughly explored Sodus Bay including its marshes and feeder streams.  On
one occasion we made some interesting surfing attempts on a day when seven
foot waves were rolling down the channel from Lake Ontario into the bay.  We
would head into the channel until fear would overcome then make a turn and
try to ride back.  These waves had a fairly nice shape and  were not
breaking except for a small section where the depth was reduced to about
three feet due to a sand bar on one side of the channel. Because of the
rough conditions, there was very little boat traffic into the lake.

On a few occasions we have done 12 to 15 mile trips along the shoreline of
Lake Ontario sometimes venturing a mile or so from shore in order to
experience the four to five foot waves depending on wind conditions. Wind
conditions have usually been calm for the lake trips.  On one relatively
short trip the wind was at the high end of the 10-20 kt reported by NOAA.
Getting out and in through the channel was interesting on this trip.  The
waves are amplified by the channel with an even larger standing wave at the
lake end of the channel. A Coast Guard boat followed us out.  Don't know if
he was watching us or just going out at the same time we were. Managed to
keep the open side up.

So much for the introduction, now for the rest of the story.  We are
planning a trip to Florida to visit family in Ormond Beach and Leesburg.  We
will be at one or the other of these locations between April 17-26.  On past
trips, I have looked longingly at the Halifax River every time I have
crossed the Granada Avenue bridge on the way to my daughter's house in
Ormond Beach.  After a rather weird ski season this winter and since we are
driving this trip, I am having a great deal of difficulty resisting the
temptation to take the old yak along.  I have charts and tide tables of the
Halifax River from St. Augustine  to Ponce Inlet.  I could not find
information on currents any place on the www. I have read the trip reports
on Clyde Sissler's web page with a great deal of interest. The ramp at the
Granada Bridge or a ramp at Flagler Beach look like good launch sites even
if I have to take short solo trips. Tomoka Basin and State Park also look
interesting.  Any suggestions regarding events or groups that I could join,
other possible locations that I could explore, advice on currents, wind, how
to behave around alligators, sources of other information would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks

Arden Dockter

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