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What do we mean by “paddle yourself to a better place”? It’s all about experiencing something new, enjoying our unique Keys environment, hanging out with friends and family, and making incredible memories. On land and on the water–we want you to have a blast! This video says it all. What's it like to paddle with us? A whole lot of awesome. Check it out! #ptfk #paddleboard #kayak #keyslife Posted by Paddle the Florida Keys on Thursday, June 30, 2016  

Looking for manatees in the mangroves of the Florida Keys? You’re not alone! “Where can I see a manatee?” is definitely one of the most common questions we get at PADDLE! the Florida Keys, and we’re always out looking for them ourselves. But how much do you know about this elusive sea mammal? Here are 10 fun tidbits to bring up on your next paddle excursion. 1. The word “manatee” has roots in the Carib word manati, meaning “breast” or “udder,” as manatees have mammary glands under their flippers. It’s also close to the Latin word for “having hands,” manatus, which may refer to the manatees’ fingernailed flippers that resemble hands. 2. Fingernails? Yes! The manatees’ two forelimbs, called flippers, each have three to four nails. They use their flippers to steer and crawl along the bottom. 3. Manatees have…

At PADDLE! the Florida Keys, we’re always trying to stay on top of the latest technology to connect customers to our shop. From our mobile-adaptive site, you can book rentals, deliveries, and tours, and now, from Google, you can launch into a tour of the inside of our store! See just how many steps it takes to get from our front door to our paddleboard launch. Check out the beautiful stand up paddleboards and graphically charged skateboards we have for sale, not to mention swimwear, apparel, and all the gear you need. Now, this being PADDLE!, we’ve already made some changes to the store layout since we had it photographed. And of course, you’ll have to come visit to see the absolute latest models and newest items, since we’re always getting new items. Even so, we are extremely excited to…

It’s not unusual for people to express anxiety about going paddleboarding or kayaking in the Florida Keys — whether it’s the wildlife, the wind or rain or waves, or the fear of falling off the paddleboard. We get asked about these things a lot, and we are quick to explain that the fear is all in your head. Our sharks are too small to attack you. The weather will more than likely blow over in a few minutes. And if you fall off, well, you get wet, and then you climb back on. But there’s one thing that people really should be afraid of when they go out paddling around here, and we almost never get asked about it. And that is… THE SUN. This is Florida, of course. The sunshine state. You probably came here because of the sun,…

The Florida Keys Longboard Alliance sent four local residents to Homestead Speedway to participate inUltraskate, a 24-hour skateboard race. They joined about 120 other distance skateboarders from as far away as the Netherlands and France. PADDLE! the Florida Keys had offered up a bounty of $250 to the Keys resident who put in the most mileage. La Hatchet (Team PADDLE) went home with the cash after completing 84 laps for a total of 122.64 miles. Other Alliance members participating in the event were Jeff Weinstock – 82 laps/119.72 miles, Scott Baste – 77 laps/112.64 miles, and Chris Barnes – 36 laps/52.56 miles. A big congratulations goes out to Andy Andras of Miami Beach, who completed 212 laps for a total of 309.52 miles, a new world record.  Also congratulations to DJ Pascua from Fontana California who won the Street Stand Up Paddle division with 152 laps for…

You’ve just bought a new stand up paddleboard (SUP), and it’s perfect. Long and sleek, flawless and gleaming. Now, you want it to stay that way for as long as possible. What do you do? Here are some tips for how to use and take care of your paddleboard to extend its longevity and ensure your safety. Storage and Maintenance Never sit or stand on a SUP while it is on land, as this will damage the board. Always store the paddleboard on its edge, or with the fin up, in a shaded spot, out of the wind. Hose down the board and paddle after use. Do not store your board in a board bag in the full sun for extended periods of time. This will “cook” your board, much like it was in a microwave, leading to dents all…

These are the 5 most important considerations for buying a paddleboard: 1. What else does the shop sell? Look for stores that are truly focused on paddleboards, and not just looking to cash in on the latest craze. You wouldn’t buy a motorcycle from a car dealer or vice versa, because usually one has so little knowledge about the other. You want someone who can guide you through the options. 2. Do the shop owner and employees go out paddling for fun or compete in races? The paddleboarding enthusiasts will be actively participating in and supporting the sport –- promoting races and other events — to insure that it has a future. They can tell you all about their boards and the other ones they’ve tested and owned. They’ll know how the board behaves in different conditions, for different paddlers,…

Some of Florida’s fastest paddleboarders were among the 82 racers (and one dog) from across the state and beyond who descended on PADDLE! the Florida Keys and Tavernier Creek for the Midwinters in Paradise on February 13. Midwinters was the second competition of eight races in the new Fastest in Florida Points Series. The course went into Tavernier Creek and then back out to the Atlantic Ocean. Elite racers completed a 10k course that included Kalteaux Key and Tavernier Key roundings, while the open class did a 5k race which only rounded Kalteaux Key. Local racer Seychelle Hattingh won the womens elite 12’6″ division. Garrett Fletcher placed first overall and in the 14′ mens elite division, while Mark Athanacio took first for mens 12’6″. Amy Carden won the 14′ womens elite, Bill Whiddon the prone paddle, and Emily Davis the short course. Download the full results. Kids races followed the adults, with a…

Shark River tide chart Jan7 Hi 12:12pm Lo 18:10 Hi 23:10 Jan 8 Lo 7:00 Hi 12:49 Lo 18:51 Jan 9 Lo 7:38 Hi 13:27 Lo 19:32 Jan 10 Lo 8:17 Hi 14:05 Lo 20:14 Jan 11 Lo 8:57 Hi 14:44 Lo 20:57 Thursday – paddle from Coot Bay Pond through coot bay into whitewater bay then northward to Oyster Bay 16.5 miles finished at 3 left at 9. Fog till 11 10 knot cross breeze till 12 then light and variable. Hundreds of coots in Coot bay. At Oyster Bay, I met Mike and Dave from Detroit heading south. They had been out for 6 days and had one more night to go.

Up and down the Florida Keys, more and more businesses are joining in on paddleboard and kayak rentals and eco-tours. If you’re visiting the area, you have options, from other outdoor sports companies to hotels and other vendors. So why should you choose PADDLE! the Florida Keys? We want to earn your business through stellar service, quality equipment, and a good price. Whether it’s a rental, a tour, or a purchase at our store, the PADDLE! team is trained and dedicated to make your experience a positive one. Because you’re looking for a fun time out on the water or a relaxing day on the island, and that’s what we want you to have. We make sure that all of our customers learn how to use our kayaks or paddleboards by providing a brief lesson when we deliver or before…