Bobcat
Founding Member
Port Saint Lucie man to attempt to kayak from the Keys to Bahamas
STUART -- A Port Saint Lucie man, 21-year-old Kyle Jackson, is preparing to attempt the first Florida to Bahamas kayak voyage, leaving Florida from somewhere in the Keys. The arduous task has never been attempted due to the Gulf Stream current and a number of other factors.
The exact location in the Keys is to be determined as Jackson computes current and trajectory. He will kayak from Stuart to the Keys, then cross to catch the most favorable stream. The exact location will also be withheld until several days prior to launch to avoid copy cats.
"Crossing from Florida to the Bahamas will require extensive planning and preparation," said Jackson. "I am an experienced kayaker, know the waters between Florida and the Bahamas, and know I have the physical and mental stamina required to be the first person to accomplish this feat."
As part of his preparation for the first ever kayak crossing, Jackson has trained by kayaking on local waterways. More importantly, he has conducted extensive research into the logistics and navigation that will be required to successfully make the crossing. "I have consulted with local charter captains about the currents and eddies I will run into. And, I will be consulting with a major marine school about the validity of my calculations on the currents before actually making the attempt," added Jackson.
Jackson plans to make the journey sometime this summer when seas and currents are most favorable. "This will be a Green crossing. No fuel except for manpower. I will be using solar panels to power a laptop and GPS equipment I will have on board my kayak. Literally, we can all go Green and never use gasoline if we put our minds to it," noted Jackson.
A number of sponsors are lining up to become part of the first ever kayak crossing between Florida and the Bahamas. "I do have a sponsor for my kayak, which will be a fast 18-foot craft. I am reviewing other sponsors but will be very selective in choosing them based on their commitment to our environment and how their products match items I will require for the crossing," said Jackson.
STUART -- A Port Saint Lucie man, 21-year-old Kyle Jackson, is preparing to attempt the first Florida to Bahamas kayak voyage, leaving Florida from somewhere in the Keys. The arduous task has never been attempted due to the Gulf Stream current and a number of other factors.
The exact location in the Keys is to be determined as Jackson computes current and trajectory. He will kayak from Stuart to the Keys, then cross to catch the most favorable stream. The exact location will also be withheld until several days prior to launch to avoid copy cats.
"Crossing from Florida to the Bahamas will require extensive planning and preparation," said Jackson. "I am an experienced kayaker, know the waters between Florida and the Bahamas, and know I have the physical and mental stamina required to be the first person to accomplish this feat."
As part of his preparation for the first ever kayak crossing, Jackson has trained by kayaking on local waterways. More importantly, he has conducted extensive research into the logistics and navigation that will be required to successfully make the crossing. "I have consulted with local charter captains about the currents and eddies I will run into. And, I will be consulting with a major marine school about the validity of my calculations on the currents before actually making the attempt," added Jackson.
Jackson plans to make the journey sometime this summer when seas and currents are most favorable. "This will be a Green crossing. No fuel except for manpower. I will be using solar panels to power a laptop and GPS equipment I will have on board my kayak. Literally, we can all go Green and never use gasoline if we put our minds to it," noted Jackson.
A number of sponsors are lining up to become part of the first ever kayak crossing between Florida and the Bahamas. "I do have a sponsor for my kayak, which will be a fast 18-foot craft. I am reviewing other sponsors but will be very selective in choosing them based on their commitment to our environment and how their products match items I will require for the crossing," said Jackson.
That's some funny sh*t right there !
