Solo Kayak on the Silver River from Ray Wayside Park

[@Fishaholicboy]

I always love watching kayaking video with in this area.. it’s so clean, clear, and blue!

[@floridayakadventures5844]

Nice video! The Silver River is one of my favorites as well! Looks like you had some great weather for paddling!

[@KLR.Camper]

We just paddled the springs last month. We were gonna go all the way to Ray Wayside but the line to put in at the springs was so long and crazy we didn't get on the water till late. It was still a great paddle doing Fort King and the spring head. Only the river traffic was horrendous and it was a Wednesday in February. I have the video posted on my channel. Great video Sir!

[@chrischapline6678]

Well, I did it! Not at your pace. 😳 I got in the water at 10:30, I paddled 5 hours and 26 minutes and did a round trip of 10.23 miles. I was so close to the bridge but my arm (old injury from mountain biking) started to really ache and I was getting short in water so I caved. It was so beautiful. No monkeys, but I saw a couple of manatees, lots of turtles and fish and an alligator crossing the river. Thanks for the video and the information about the area and what to expect.

[@everydayexplorer5228]

Well done dude! Yeah, definitely one of my favorite rivers to paddle. Glad you enjoyed it. What kind of kayak are you paddling?

[@chrischapline6678]

As I was thinking about how long I was on the river, I wanted to add, I did stop at a boat/kayak ramp (I think you mentioned this in your video) and took a break for about 40 minutes so I wasn’t quite as slow as it seemed but still not fast. Oh and I’m a dudette. is that a word? Oh well, anyway, didn’t want to misrepresent myself. So my kayak is a Oru foldable kayak. I looked at a lot of different kayaks to try to find the lightest one because I am strong but little, as in 5’2”, 110lbs and I have an SUV so the idea of me getting a kayak in the roof rack easily was daunting. So even though the Oru was a higher price range than I wanted, I bit the bullet and have been very happy with my purchase. I can put it in the back of my SUV and it usually takes me about 10 minutes to snap it together and be on the water. It is the Bay ST, which is 12’3” and weighs 26lbs. I will say there are times when I think I wish I could have a hard shell kayak for ease of getting in and out of the water faster (no assembly or disassembly) and the fragility of the Oru as far as sharp edges and rocks. But so far, I bought it last year, I have no other complaints. I might buy a hard shell, if I see one that is priced right, just to have it and also if I have someone who wants to go with me who doesn’t own a kayak, I can provide that for them.

[@everydayexplorer5228]

The Oru kayaks look very intriguing. Eventually I would love to try one and compare it to a traditional kayak. Definitely solves a lot of transportation issues. Still liking it?

[@chrischapline6678]

Yes. I still like it. As I haven’t had a whole lot of experience with “regular” kayaks I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I would be willing to let you test drive mine and give me your opinion of comparison.

[@everydayexplorer5228]

Thank you. I’ll let you know if I get down that way soon.

[@FrankLadd]

Great video! If you keep the spare one out of the sun it will appreciate like real estate.

[@chrischapline6678]

Nice video! You have a great cadence to your paddling. I am going to Silver River tomorrow. I want to launch out at Ray Wayside because of what you said about paddling upstream first and cruise back. I hope my plan works out. Debating about what time is best to arrive to get in the water before it gets crowded. Any advice?

[@everydayexplorer5228]

I always look to get out early in the morning. I don’t think it will be too crowded on Friday but the morning would guarantee that there will be less people on the river. Besides, I always love paddling when the sun is closer to the horizon so I get more shade. Let me know how it goes!

[@chrischapline6678]

I just had someone on Facebook say later in the day is better because all the kayakers coming down the river will be gone by then. I guess I’ll figure out a plan by morning and I will give you an update of how it went. Thanks.