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Kayaking in Black River Cypress Preserve

On November 9, Coastal Expeditions invited our entire school to go paddling on the Black River in the Peninsula Tract of the Black River Cypress Preserve. This tract of protected property is located on the other side of Andrews. We packed our water bottles and lunches and headed out to our destination in teachers’ cars. It looked like it might rain but it never really did.

Our guides greeted us and told everyone to put on a life vest. Then they handed everyone a paddle. We got a quick lesson then headed down to the boat ramp, where about twenty colorful kayaks were waiting. We had to sit two by two in the kayaks as the guides adjusted the rudder to the length of the front person’s legs. Then they started pushing the kayaks into the water and we paddled across the river and hung on to low branches until everyone was out. Then the group headed up the river.

The paddle was very interesting. We saw a kingfisher and a bald eagle down close to the water, then stopped to admire an ancient cypress that the guides estimated was 800 years old. The current was not too strong and it was easy paddling up the river. The guides eventually told us to turn around and head back. Since we were a well-behaved group of strong paddlers, they let us do a race at the end!

Thanks to our strong and knowledgeable guides and to Coastal Expeditions for a memorable day!

Photo credit: Marsh Deane, MLNL Media

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Our 2025 Kayaking Adventure

We finally got to go kayaking on Thursday, March 13 at the Black River Cypress Preserve! The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. The BRCP is located just on the other side of Andrews. It boasts 1000 acres of undeveloped river land covered in cypress trees.

Our guides for the day were four young women from Coastal Expeditions: Meredith, Morgan, Claire, and Madison. They met us at the parking lot and we trooped down to the boat landing. First, they divided us into pairs so we could use the tandem kayaks: a big kid with a little kid. Then we put on our life vests and grabbed our paddles. The guides gave us a short lesson on paddling in a small field near the boat house. Finally we went down to the landing where colorful kayaks were bunched up on the ground pointing at the river.

The guides told us to get in the kayaks while they adjusted the foot pedals. We had to sit up very tall, bracing ourselves with our knees. “This will help you become one with the kayak,” Madison told us. Soon it was time to launch. We got out of our boats and helped drag them down to the water when it was our turn. We all paddled across the Black River and massed on the opposite bank by clinging to branches until everyone was ready.

What a beautiful day and what a beautiful river! We went to see a bunch of old cypress trees and then explored a new part of the Black River. Hannah saw a giant spider on a tree and Dr. Gates saw the first swallowtail kite of the season. The students paired together cooperated with each other (more or less) and we all got back to the landing at the same time. The guides allowed us to have a race at the end. Corrin and Josh won, with Morgan and Jamie in second place.

Mr. Marsh came with us for the day, bringing all his fancy camera gear so his media students could practice using it. Gracin got to wear a Go-Pro while Bryan was allowed to use an underwater camera. Marsh himself took his big camera, his drone, and several plastic bags for picking up trash. He and all the teachers got to use single kayaks.

Kingfishers impressed the guides with their kayaking skills, which many of us probably acquired at River Day (thank you, Mrs. Crosby!). One guide told Dr. Gates that we were so good at paddling, they were able to add an extra leg to the trip. The guides were also very happy at how fast we put away the boats, paddles, and life vests. “You guys are great!” Morgan told us.

When all the gear was stowed, we ate lunch together at the picnic tables. Madison quizzed us about the seven rules of being in the wilderness. And so we took away nothing but photos and memories (except for Mr. Marsh, who had collected several bags of trash) and we left nothing but our footprints. Thank you, Coastal Expeditions and BRCP, for an awesome day on the beautiful Black River!