Take your FREE online ACA Paddlesports safety course here (gators not included): americancanoe.org/paddlesports-online-course/

Welcome to what's left of Florida.

That river is chock full of fat bass! Fished there often in the 90's-2000's when I lived in Sarasota. Gators don't bug you, just sit there or run away.

I've been in Florida for my 80 years. I have paddled almost every navigable river and camped on a lot of them. I have always seen gators when paddling. All they do is move out of my way or sink to the bottom and let me go by them. You want to see Gators , try the Okefenokee Swamp , they are thicker then fleas on a hound dogs back. A 4 night , 5 day paddle across it is something to see.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

I agree! I did a 3-day trip on the Okefenokee last year, from East to the West side. One of the best paddling trips of my life. You can watch it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mpZ817psmpjPZbQ.html

@drivebyquipper

Ай бұрын

It's hard not to get lost. Ha!

@heathen_7

Ай бұрын

Agreed, gators always move out of the way. It’s pretty cool to be tolerated so well by them. I too paddle all over Florida weekly!

@keithfaulk1354

Ай бұрын

I love that place but for what you see they really over charge to get in !!

@drivebyquipper

Ай бұрын

@@keithfaulk1354 You paid? Lol!

I grew up in the Sarasota area and paddled Myakka and Peace Rivers growing up. Florida nature at its best.

@paulsmith5611

Ай бұрын

I'm from the north and my only trip to FL I rented a canoe and paddled around Lake Myakka. I saw a fair amount of gators on the lake and even more in the river (standing on the shore). I'm glad so many people from FL say it's a great place. I wanted to see FL nature and get away from the tourist stuff.

@hotlanta35

Ай бұрын

@paulsmith5611 A park ranger told me about a woman who was eaten by a 15ft alligator there back in the mid 80s

Great video! I've lived in Florida for all but 10 of my 62 years. I've enjoyed paddling for a chunk of those years. Gators can be intimidating but I've never had a bad experience around them. A couple of things you shouldn't do, like get too close to the bank if there is a gator on the bank. The water is their safe place and they will go through you to get back to their safe place. Be careful paddling into areas with a lot of plant life or floating sticks or logs. As a photographer, I've gotten myself into situations I shouldn't have just to get THAT shot. It's always turned out okay but in hind sight, probably pretty foolish. I have a favorite little tidal river, the Waccasassa. It often gets overlooked because it is very small and not that nice if you go out towards the Gulf but absolutely beautiful if you paddle upriver, away from the gulf, Can be pretty active in places with gators. Regularly has manatees and dolphins, both much more playful than gators. I've had manatees lift me up because they love to scratch their backs and play with kayaks. The first time it happens it can startle you pretty bad. LOL Florida has such a diverse eco system, so many gorgeous places to paddle. Enjoy your travels!

@Unfluencer

Ай бұрын

really, dont get to close to the bank of theres an alligator there? great advice clownboy.

Close encounters of the biggest, and most kind in Florida. Thanks Ken for highlighting the Myakka River. A true " to do" paddle in Florida.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

It really is a must-see river! Cheers!

You’re a brave man! I’m from central Florida but I’d go visit my grandparents down near myakka state park. It was always fun to visit/camp there and see the obscene amount of gators. There were always so many and I’d watch in awe and horror as people would go out on the tour boats. No way would I ever want to be in the middle of that water! But it was fascinating to watch!

@paulsmith5611

Ай бұрын

Rent a canoe at the state park and go out there! Be prepared to work hard if it's a windy day though. I got blown over to the shore and had to get out and push off a few times. I was a bit concerned about that but it was fine. I did poke around with my paddle before getting out to make sure nothing was laying on bottom of the lake 🙂

I used to paddle the myakka all the time one of my faves in Florida. Florida has the most diverse paddling i ever seen. Thanks for sharing. Great video!! Hope your parents are enjoying your visit

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Cheers!

Wow, at 50 lbs that's super compelling. I just bought a 14' Eddyline Carribean that without seat in it weights about 48 lbs and it's just fine for lugging back and forth to the water. However, not easy to use in all cases due to transport so I can see myself picking up one of these also. Nice.

Thanks for another great video. A lighter Pakayak is a great development for us paddlers that are getting older. The modular 3 piece Stellar S14 G2 looks interesting and light but doesn't pack down nearly as compact. So many boats, so little time, and money.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

:)

Your a brave man my friend. Love that kayak. Will look it up .. Thanks!

You are very brave to kayak on Myakka River

Such a gift, Ken! We live not far from where you were paddling, yet had no awareness of what you experienced. So again, thank you. IMO you are 'spot on' about 'weight'. I took measurements in our small motorboat's cockpit today, folding in our kayak research over the weekend. It's do-able in feet and inches...but weight adds a complication, for sure.

Gatorville. Wow. I am sure you were glad when that paddle was done.

That is THE place to see alligators! This river is a great place to learn to overcome a fear of paddling with them. I paddled for 4 years before I gathered the nerve 😵to paddle there. You really feel as if you've entered Jurassic Park. I would not paddle board or go in a kayak less than 12ft. The wake of gators getting in the water could be an issue. Its not a place to linger or go thrashing about in the water 🤔 I am excited that you have gotten a chance to see the area. Alligator mating season is just starting and you can hear big males bellowing and see them posturing. That side view when they leap from the bank 😳 That does get your attention 😂

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

It really was an all-time memorable day trip. I'd go back and do it again in a heart beat... although there's more rivers to explore in the area too! Have you done the Alafia River?

@slighwentwalking2024

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV Not yet...there are so many places to go. In a week or 2 Im heading back to Okefenokee but to paddle the canals on the Stephen Foster State Park side.I'll be camping and doing an overnight. Its an international dark sky park....very little light pollution and star gazing is optimized.

Used to canoe there and on the Peace, in the late 70's and early 80's. Both were packed with Gators back then...

@321gates

2 ай бұрын

Grew up camping along the Peace river (80's). So many great spots to camp along that river.

@susancedio3801

Ай бұрын

Same thing with the Estero river!

You can do this as long as everything goes fine. If it doesn’t it could hurt!

Skunk Ape lives there. He's real, and hesTHERE!

@jaystarr6571

Ай бұрын

What about Beak-Man?

So jealous thanks Ken for sharing....

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

There is a place they call “the hole” on the Myakka River where gators are so populated that they lay on top of one another. It’s where a giant sink hole happened in the river, so it is so deep that there are many turtles and fish for the gators to eat. I live in Florida and I have never seen so many alligators in one place. Gators tend to be solitary and chase other gators out of their territory. You must get a pass from the ranger station when entering the park to get the permit to walk the trail down to The Hole. This is so they know how many people went down the trail and to come after you if you don’t return before sundown. That is how dangerous it is. You have to walk down a long trail before coming to the Hole. Certain times of the year that part of the river overflows, so you won’t see as many gators. If you go when it is not overflowed, you will see more gators than you can imagine. There are many gators along the river, but nothing like the population at The Hole. There are hundreds piled on top of each other. They’re all very large because gators will eat any smaller gators in their territory, so any that hang there are too large for the others to eat, making them all large, over 12 feet or more. There are gators up to 15 feet long. If you have a fear of gators, don’t go down that trail. Gators are not aggressive like crocodiles and usually won’t mess with you as long as you don’t mess with them. That’s why gator attacks on people are rare and there has never been an attack by a gator more than five foot from the shore of a lake, river, pond, creek or run. Stay more than five foot from the waters edge and you will be safe.

I would be more worried about the 9' bull shark

great video and awesome kayaking!! thank you for sharing, hope your parents are enjoying your visit.. have a good evening and weekend.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Cheers!

If you don’t want to paddle with gators the bridge inside the Myakka State Park bridge lets you park and stand at the bridge and look.

My wife is terrified of gators! About 30 years ago when she lived in Florida for a couple years, at work she was chased by a gator snapping at her legs many times one day while she was on a golf cart trying to press the gas pedal while without being bitten. We were in Florida a couple days ago, but live more than 1000 miles away. My kayaking adventures are limited to places where it would be unusual to see gators. I have my Sea Eagle Paddleski 435ps with us. I took it to the Ponce Inlet between Daytona Beach & New Smyrna Beach. No gators, but near the shark bite capital of the world. LOL. Turns out to be a beautiful spot. I couldn't get my Torqeedo motor to power on, but was able to paddle around for an hour or so as we were meeting a relative for lunch.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

What a terrifying experience for your wife! I've never paddled in your part of Florida. I can only imagine it's beautiful there.

Nice trip, thank you for sharing!

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

I live on the this river. Its great to see dolphins, gators, manatees daily. We took the kayaks and.canoe out yesterday for a few hours. Paddle around the canals and main river is.a great way to.spend.a.day.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

What a backyard you have!!

@PongoZydeco

2 ай бұрын

Ever see skunk ape?

This is why I don't take a kayak when I go to Florida, all the dam Gators (You're crazy lol) I spotted straight away when you were putting it together that the boat was the new one. Because the lower cot pit is a bit different, and talking about PakAyaK and this new boat, they have really enjoyed me. I only picked my up 5 months ago and if I had known this one was coming out I would have waited. Great video once again Ken, keep them coming. 👍👍

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

:) Floridians say the same thing about us camping in bear country! :)

@THE-RIVER-RAT

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV lol

Great video Ken! We were just there, walking trails..Hope you got to go across the suspension bridge in the State Park.. An idea for future video: best kayaks and techniques for seniors. Feature maybe portable kayaks and lightweight kayaks. And easy ways to load kayaks and enter into boats.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

I didn't get to the suspension bridge! Next time... Good video idea by the way! Thanks.

That's a dope kayak

That was a very entertaining video! Great camera work too!

@PaddleTV

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

God man, your prostate must be in good shape. I mean, 20 km without a rest stop - because I would never try to berth there 😂

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Ha! I hopped out once for a lunch break, but the spots I could/would hop out were very few.

I live less than 2 hours from here. I’ll definitely be checking it out now

Avid Florida outdoor man here. Gatos don’t even mind us I always pass by them with just feet between us when cycling and they don’t flinch or open their eyes if they’re basking they simply don’t mind us at all, but I still wouldn’t recommend swimming in any open large body of water in Florida

Eh, gators are fine. If you hear banjos paddle faster...

@russtpecker10

2 ай бұрын

Good one

@johndemello9746

2 ай бұрын

I tell that to my girlfriend all the time when we’re kayaking. 😂

@hogdog2013

Ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂

@Flownthecoup23

Ай бұрын

🤣😂🤔😂

@mikelee9516

Ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂

Ooof, as soon as I saw the weir I remembered a radiolab(?) episode called "the drowning machine". Thanks for the post-hoc warning.

What a paddle! Putting kayaking with gators on my bucket list.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

:)

As a big dude with a small car... one day I hope pakayak starts making a larger volume. I'd definitely pay for one!

@aubreyweber6547

2 ай бұрын

I own one. The cockpit is pretty roomy - you may be surprised. You can find someone to show you their boat on the Pakayak site. I helped someone fit a Pakayak in a Ford Mustang and a Toyota Corolla. Again, you may be surprised :)

I have hiked around the east side of the south lake. It is the wildest place I have ever seen. The number of wild hogs is unbelievable and feral cows are screaming all through the woods. Where did you get out?

Omg! You brave soul! 😅

We're going on a kayak camping trip for memorial day. I think we're going down into Choctahatchee bay. My brother is a marine biologist for the department of the interior and kayaks all over the S.E. USA!

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Have an amazing trip!

Yea, Robby!!!

I sold my Pakayak shortly after buying it in the Kickstarter campaign. It is too heavy for me to carry in the backpack. The company would not take it back even though it had never been used. My brother got me a cheapo walmart kayak that weighs less than half.

You were aware that March and April is mating season for them. You might want to avoid the river in June-July when female gators will attack if you come near their nest mound...😃🐊

Growing up here we floated over gators regularly. It’s the Crocs that are cooler. Got to Flaming before it’s to hot.

i did the coast to coast adventure race back in the day with adventurous concepts. i paddled that river at night. it was crazy!!! i had a head lamp on and there were thousands of eye shines the whole time😅

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Yikes!!

Kayak one step above an inter tube. This is Florida. News Flash they are wild. So you can't predict what they will do. The way to ensure a good trip is to tie Chicken parts on a short rope behind your log your on.

Learned to swim there off the circus boat ramp

It's the gators you didn't see that are scary. Lots of them.

I think I have always found gators in any river in Florida when canoeing. Big ones!

That is one ungainly looking kayak, but it seems to perform well. (And that's a lotta gators!)

Great videos Ken. Can you share any noticeable differences between the previous 142s and the new lightweight model? Is the wall thickness change obvious? Are the stress points robust enough, etc?

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

It's the same boat overall. They've simply refined the rotomolding process to remove excess plastic where it isn't needed. Yes, it's a little thinner plastic overall. This would probably make a typical rotomolded kayak 'flimsy' feeling, but since the Pakayak has natural bulkheads or ribs at the ends of each section (there's no long span of plastic), it maintains good stiffness. The only time I felt a difference was when I paddled over some logs. It seemed as though the bottom of the kayak flexed a little more than before, but I might have simply noticed it because I was looking for it. Other than that... I didn't notice anything different, although I was a little distracted by all the gators! :)

@user-rb9ou3xf4g

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV Thank you for responding!

That’s pretty ballsy. Gators are likely to leave you well enough along but crocks? I hear Florida also has some native crocodiles. They’re not as aggressive as the saltwater ones found in Africa and Australia but, well….

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

I wouldn't be doing this type of trip with crocs!!!

I’d want a bigger boat

To be paddling among that many gators I think you need a bit of crazy in you as well.

Bet there is Bull sharks too.

Counted 56 gators last time I paddled from the bridge to Upper Myakka

Been down to lower lake just before the last bend and seen at least a 15’ gator on the bank sunning.thing looked as big as a dragon .his paws looked 10” wide and from his nose to his jaw was3’

@hhazelhoff1363

Ай бұрын

The biggest gator ever recorded what’s just over 14 ft fyi. I think a crocodile can get a big bigger fyi

Nice that's Robby Bieber out in the P&H Volan 160 lightweight I sold him. 🤘🤙🤘

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Yeah.. beautiful boat. I love the color.

so beautifull nature, but i would be to scary paddle there :)

Hopefully you can paddle some clear water springs and see some manatees

Where did you laugh from and where did you get out. Love to do the trip. Live in Sarasota, thx for a great video

@PaddleTV

Ай бұрын

Launched in Myakka River State Park - there's a kayak launch about a mile after you go through the main gate. I pulled out at Venice Myakka River Park. It also has a canoe/kayak launch. Have fun and be safe!

@hhazelhoff1363

Ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV awesome, i assume the launch by the state park is somewhere by the first bridge you cross in the park. Don’t ever recall seeing a launch there? Also when did you do the trip. I’m planning on doing it this weekend. Just making sure there is enough water in the river. I know at times it can be low and you have to do some portaging. In a two man canoe with two healthy adults paddling can you do it in under 10 hours? Looks like bugs were no real issues? Thx again for all the information. Much appreciated

Should always pick the beginning of alligator mating season to navigate Florida's waterways if you're looking to see some.

Can you put an electric Trolly motor on the kayak?

Still waiting for your promised ph Scorpio review.....

Was this your first time out in this lighter version? Is the construction just a strong? How exactly have they achieved 10 lb reduction? That's a lot of plastic to get rid of if that is all they have done surely that would make the walls of the kayak a lot thinner. Everyone is really dying to know is it just as good in all other ways. Are there any other differences other than the weight?

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

It's the same boat overall. They've simply refined the rotomolding process to remove excess plastic where it isn't needed. Yes, it's a little thinner plastic overall. This would probably make a typical rotomolded kayak super 'flimsy' feeling, but since the Pakayak has natural bulkheads or ribs at the ends of each section, it maintains good stiffness. The only time I felt a difference was when I paddled over some logs. It seemed as though the bottom of the kayak flexed a little more than normal, but I might have simply noticed it because I was looking for it. Make sense?

@thomaspaine5601

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV thank you that detailed reply.

Watch out for the skunk apes!

It’s the gators you don’t see that you have to worry about…

New to Florida here in Santa Rosa Beach. Choctawhatchee Bay is just down the street, so I can paddle close to home. Haven’t ventured to the Intercoastal waterway yet, but gators are beautiful but still potentially dangerous. Not sure where you put in and pull out there. Hopefully gators don’t like to stay there too. Gotta sign posted about black bears around so even the land predators can show up. Worst of all, Hwy 98 is more of a concern. Bad drivers are the most dangerous thing around here.

Headed to Florida in a few weeks for a family thing and I'm gonna bring my pakayak just in case i can fit in some paddle time! (If weather allows) If anyone has favorite spots around Clearwater/Dunedin let me know!

I've paddled that river and it is definitely full of gators

Oh hell no!

Did Pakayak mention if they would be making a smaller/even lighter model?

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

I haven't heard anything about a smaller version.

@evanm4995

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV thank you. Also great video once again! You have inspired me to buy the Pakayak Bluefin 142. I am 32 years old and live close to a large lake, but I don't have any outdoor storage space where I live. The creator of Pakayak has done something truly wonderful, but I think the 2k price point won't appeal for many unfortunately.

I'll take speed over faith any day!! LOL

Try the Indian river.

How do get home?

Still waiting for the tandem pakayak thing 😅

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Ha! Me too!

@Zuschauer9

2 ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV Did you have a sneak peak yet behind the scenes? :D

Hitting a sandbar would be a nightmare...

Don’t get in tea colored water if ya ain’t ready to throw hands with a dinosaur

Where did you pull the boat out from? We live near there too.

@PaddleTV

Ай бұрын

I pulled out at Venice Myakka River Park. Great backyard run you have!!

@goneeuro

Ай бұрын

Awesome. I can walk there. My wife and I talk about doing that paddle ourselves. Loved the video.

@DavidClarke-xf1rd

5 күн бұрын

​@@PaddleTVGatorville and you're the Starters called Dinerville 🙏😋🍲🐊🤯

I paddled with someone that had an older Pakyak and yeah the weight was an issue. He needed at least another paddler to help him get in and off the water to his car. Senior paddlers need less weight above all.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Yup. All 14-foot or longer plastic kayaks are quite heavy, and so it's great to see them cutting as much weight as they can.

where did you put in?

@PaddleTV

Ай бұрын

I put-in in Myakka River State Park. There's a canoe/kayak launch only a mile into the park, right before a bridge.

I think we need a bigger boat.

I thought the alligator will take kayaker though. I watched a show on Netflix, Two kayakers caught the horrific moment their friend was eaten by an enormous crocodile on camera! Is crocodile same as alligator?

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

No. Paddling with crocs would be terrifying!

Bro‼️‼️‼️😳

If there is a puddle there are gators, just the way things are in FL.

It’s more extreme than the white water 😅

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

I would agree that I was more nervous at times on this day than I am on most whitewater days. :)

Nope, nope, nope, nope!

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Oh yes! :)

I would never take a kayak in myakka. Ive seen guys get attacked & rushed by territorial big male gators.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Yikes! I think of alligators like black bears - they're not looking at you as a food source, but if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can be trouble. Mating season isn't a great time for that reason.

Have you been targeted by a shark in one yet? I've always wanted one until I saw how often they are targeted by sharks.

Speaking of upgrades to lightweight kayaks, I believe you have the Hobie iTrek 9 Ultralightweight (hull weight 20 pounds) which this year has added a socket for sail or bimini sunshade. That's a proper, large, upwind going sail for the ultimate kayak experience.

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

That's cool to hear about! Perfect for your type of paddling, isn't it?

Pronounced ‘My’ akka

Wait until you get to the deep hole and you’ll see tones of gators 🐊 😅 You shouldn’t be recommending this kayak trip to everyone and any type of kayaks as it is a dangerous paddling due to the amount of alligators in the water! That’s is the reason why you have to pull a permit to kayak these waters or even access the deep hole by hiking trail. Certainly not a safe place during alligators mating season!

I have had a few near death experiences with Gators in canoes, and plastic rafts. And my recommendation is Stay away from them unless you’re in a sizable boat or airboat. If you ever encounter them in a canoe or raft, you better know what you’re doing, because if you’re not experienced with them, you’re basically an opportunity for a Meal. Be Warned.

Been in this area for 40+ years. They won't mess with you if you do the same.

That kayak is nearly the size and shape of a territorial gator. NO THANKS 🤣

Rule #1 in Florida. If a body of water is big enough to conceal a gator, then there is a gator in it. (Puddle gators are a thing.) Rule #2 If you see one gator. There are more you do not see.

If you don't bother them, they won't bother you.

nope.

Soo... only the weight has changes ?! What about outfitting ?! Still the same very basic backband and very thin seat and no thigh/knee braces or hip padding ?! Suitable for tall people ?! It's really hard to justify spending € 2999 on the current model after paddling it for a bit at a local store !! :( IMHO if you want to spend a lot of cash (€ 4200) then get the TRAK 2.0 and forget about the rest! And if you want something like the Pakayak for less money then the Point 65°N models might be a better option... (Still need to find a chance to test one of those!)

@PaddleTV

2 ай бұрын

Interesting... the Pakayak is only $2000 USD in North America. I'm not all that surprised though, as there are often big price differences between Europe and NA.

@GTN355

Ай бұрын

@@PaddleTV Do you have plans to review NatSeq or Point 65°N kayaks ?