

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Gerry Blackstone 8th Annual New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 01 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 am
- **Event Description**: Like to be on the water by no later than 10am.

We will be paddling the New River Loop that is about 18 mile long.  This loop is part of the Broward Urban River Trails that was created back in 2000 (https://web.archive.org/web/20030808133953/http://www.burt.org:80/Home.htm)  This paddle started back in 2007

TRIP DETAILS
Launch point is the boat launch ramp at Griffin Marine Park. This site gives us the best chance to have the current with us most of the trip, and those who have done this trip can attest that it's best to have the current with you or slack tide. We should be on the water by the times indicated above. We will head east on the Dania cut-off canal to the ICW, then north crossing Port Everglades.  West on the New River then south on the South Fork New River to Bill Keith Preserve Park where we will stop for a break.  We will pass Secret Woods Nature Center and Pond Apple Slough on our way back to the our launch point.

KMZ file (Google Earth) link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19igAYcjy-3FNFdN0WRN7Uk508qM9Mx_m/view?usp=sharing

TRIP RATING 
This trip has a SK2 - SK3 rating (see following chart guide link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MLqnKzcZUYLv6-uwojLuTvi5KqLVPTJF/view?usp=sharing)
Why SK2-SK3? There are three challenging areas of this trip.

- Dania cut-off US1 underpass - narrow bridge and swift currents.

- Port Everglades - can be very choppy at times and a lot of boat traffic.

- Total paddle distance will be between 17-18 miles. Paddle speed 3 to 3.5 mph)

It's left to your own accord if you are capable of doing this trip. The most important rule to keep in mind is to know your abilities! Can I do a self rescue in choppy water? Am I the master of my kayak or does it master me? Am I comfortable sitting in my kayak for 4-5 hours?

WEATHER
Rain will not stop this trip but, lightning and thunder will. There needs to be no evidence of lightning and thunder for at least a half hour before the trip start, and if it moves in we will seek appropriate shelter.

PARKING
Free Parking! Do not park in the diagonal "Trailer Parking" spaces unless we can assemble enough cars to totally fill a space. Use the straight-in car spaces on the west side of the lot.

GEAR/OTHER:
PFD, VHF radio (if you have it), whistle, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, lots of water, bug spray, sun block, a good pair of water shoes, a wide brim hat and your (waterproof) camera. Sense of fun and adventure.

WHO IS GERRY?
Gerry was was a very colorful presence in the South Florida Paddling scene when he wintered here from New York and was co founder of this paddle.  In 2018 Gerry Passed and this paddle was renamed in his honor.  Below link is more about Gerry.
https://www.yprc.org/latest-news-blog/gerry-blackstone-tireless-advocate-for-yonkers-youth-and-the-hudson-river-passes

KAYAK FLEX TRIP REPORT FROM 2022
https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/events/the-2022-gerry-blackstone-new-years-day-memorial-paddle-around-ft-lauderdale/
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/dania/gerry-blackstone-8th-annual-new-year’s-day-memorial-paddle/200029403079231
- **Event Categories**: new-year, trips-adventures, entertainment
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 10

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029403079231?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=dania-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Dania
- **state**: FL
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Griffin Marine Park
- **lat**: 26.066555330371
- **long**: -80.182197400015
- **full address**: Griffin Marine Park, Dania, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/b432ae8a9cad90972b218713ff93d85738ea55889e3dd189ecc6b75d821fab27-rimg-w600-h450-dcaabcd5-gmir?v=1767145844
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://dyn-image.allevents.in/generate-image?v=4&title=Gerry+Blackstone+8th+Annual+New+Year%E2%80%99s+Day+Memorial+Paddle&date=01+Jan

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Thu, 01 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 am
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Griffin Marine Park, Dania, United States
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** new-year, trips-adventures, entertainment
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Gerry Blackstone 8th Annual New Year’s Day Memorial Paddle ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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        "description": "Like to be on the water by no later than 10am.\n\nWe will be paddling the New River Loop that is about 18 mile long.  This loop is part of the Broward Urban River Trails that was created back in 2000 (https://web.archive.org/web/20030808133953/http://www.burt.org:80/Home.htm)  This paddle started back"
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```