Here’s a chance for canoe and kayak adventure and commeraderie. From November 8 – 15, 2008, Paddle Florida’s “Big Shoals to Branford” event promises to be a great trip. Up to 200 registered participants will paddle an average of 13 miles per day and camp out each night along Florida’s beautiful and historic Suwannee River.

If you can’t do the full week of paddling, the organizers are offers a “lite” package, which lets you join the trip for just a few days at almost any point.

This is only the second event of its kind to be held on the Suwannee and registration is limited at the 200 number, so if you’re interested, we suggest you get registered soon.

If you’d like more information, see the route map, or find out how to register, visit the event’s comprehensive web site: PaddleFlorida.org.

If you have a great Place to Paddle that you’d like to share with the BornToPaddle.com community, just send us the information using our handy Contact Us form.

Or if you’re looking for a Place to Paddle in your area or in any part of the U.S., just go to our Places to Paddle page, where we have awesome spots for canoers and kayakers listed by state.

Also be sure to check out our Kayak and Canoe Events and Races page, our listing of Whitewater Kayak Parks, and our Kayak and Canoe Trip / Adventure Travel page.

BornToPaddle.com is here for you – to help you get started paddling whether your favorite boat is a canoe or a kayak, to give you some tips for safe and happy paddling, and to offer you some great deals on paddling equipment, kayaks, canoes, clothing, books, magazines, DVDs and gifts for paddlers, and paddling gear just for kids too. If there is some paddling information that you don’t find here, please use our Contact Us form to let us know about it. We’ll do our best to find the info you need. We want to be your source for all things paddle!

Did you know that when you are thirsty you are already partially dehydrated?

It’s true! It is very important to drink water when you are paddling to make sure you stay hydrated. If you get dehydrated it could lead to serious illnesses and sometimes even death.

What exactly is dehydration? Dehydration is when your body loses more bodily fluids than you take in, and can not carry on its normal “everyday” functions. When you notice dehydration in its mild stage you may just need some rest and fluids but some times in more serious cases you may need to head to the hospital.

“What are some symptoms of dehydration?” you say. Good for you for caring! Here are some of the symptoms of MILD dehydration:

· Dry, sticky mouth

· Tiredness or sleepiness

· Thirst

· Muscle weakness

· Headache

· Lightheadedness or dizziness

If you are experiencing the symptoms above simply drink some water, get out of the sun and take a breather. You may want to ( if you are paddling near a bank or on a river) take a break under a shady tree on the shore or just float along for awhile.

If your symptoms are worse and you think you might have severe dehydration, which IS a medical emergency, you might want to head to the hospital. Here are some symptoms of SEVERE dehydration:

· Extreme thirst

· Irritability or Confusion

· Very dry mouth

· Lack of sweating

· Little or no urination

· Dry and shriveled skin with hardly any elasticity

· Low blood pressure

· Rapid heartbeat

· Fever

AND IN VERY SEVERE CASES

· Delirium or unconsciousness

If you are experiencing the symptoms above, you would want to drink some water and head to the hospital.

The best way to prevent dehydration is to not get it in the first place! That is very simple-just by bringing water with you and drinking it regularly. It is a good idea to bring extra water on the river because you may not know if you would get delayed. You could also get one of those fancy “portable water treaters” if you are doing a long race or just don’t feel like lugging around all those bottles.

But wait! “Once I have all the water – How much should I drink?”

Generally women should drink 2.7 liters of water and men should drink 3.7 liters total. But that’s without the exercise – add that in and you should drink about 13 to 26 ounces an hour unless the weather is sweltering then you need to drink more. But…..during long bouts of exercise it is best to drink a sports drink that contains sodium because when you sweat you lose sodium and water can’t replace that. Just don’t go chugging sport drinks because nothing can replace the calorie, fat, and sugar free goodness of water.

SO remember! WATER WORKS!