kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i )

Red Bull Flugtag Miami – Paddling to a downtown kayak, boat & plane party!

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The Red Bull Flugtag are a series of summer events held in cities around the world where teams compete to build and “fly” outrageous and often whimsical flying machines in front of a large, live audience. The Miami edition, now in it’s fourth year is held is Biscayne Bay, just off Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, Florida. It brings out upwards of 100 000 people, and the best way to see and enjoy it is on the water, right from the seat of your kayak, canoe or SUP!

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.Paddling out to the Red Bull Flugtag is easy,  you mingle with the boat crowd, and then you can easily get right in front and find the best seat in the house. It’s a fun and festive atmosphere!

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A great place to launch is only a couple of miles away, on the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway, before the big bridge. Sometimes known as “Santeria Beach”, it is as yet “unimproved” (unlike the southern shoreline), thus parking is free-range and there’s ample shade provided by the tall (marked “invasive”) Australian Pines. Best of all, you’re not stuck on land, nor do you have to deal with any boat ramp mayhem!

By launching off Key Biscayne before the big bridge, you also avoid 99% of all motor boat traffic esp. if you cut inside to the mouth of the Miami River.

Paddling out on a fat super-stable sit on top kayak offers comfort, stability and utility for a short paddle like this!

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The Coast Guard has put on some cool demostrations over the crowds. Unfortunately, one year they came down too low, and capsized several kayakers!! At least one person lost his DSLR cam and lens overboard – not fun!

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“What the Flugtag are YOU doing down there?”

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There are lots of media photographers and people taking pics. Sometimes you get lucky and find yourself, like I did in these awesome aerials here and here from MayDayRelay‘s photostream!

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It’s a good idea to leave a little early to avoid the exhaust fumes and motor boat traffic as you weave your way out the the boating area. Then take the same route back!

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Enjoy!

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© 2013 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / digital029art.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved.

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DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

With that said..
Blessings friends!

:)