Stay Dry, Learn Smart: Paddle Sports Safety Demo Set for May 17 in Fort Myers Free Family Event Hosted by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at the Fort Myers Aquatic Center

Curious about kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in Lee County? Want to learn how to stay safe on the water—without getting wet? Join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for a Paddle Sports Safety Demonstration on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fort Myers Aquatic Center, located in Sam Fleishman Regional Park (1750 Matthew Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33907).

This free, dry-land-friendly event features live safety demonstrations conducted by trained Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors in the pool—while you watch safely from poolside.

Attendees will learn:

• How to properly fit and wear a life jacket
• Safe launching and paddling techniques
• How to recognize hazards and avoid getting lost
• How to call for help in an emergency
• Basic self-rescue and re-entry techniques (demonstrated by instructors)
• How to follow local and federal paddlecraft regulations

“This event emphasizes the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s dedication to public safety and education,” said Flotilla 91, Fort Myers Beach Commander Robert Guenthner, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. “As paddle sports continue to grow in popularity, it’s essential to equip our community with the tools and knowledge to stay safe on the water.”

In-water demonstrations will be led by Donna Hornsby, Flotilla Commander of Flotilla 94 (Franklin Lock) and a certified instructor with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Program (AUXPAD).

Visitors can chat with certified vessel safety examiners, take home free boating safety resources, and register their paddlecraft with the Auxiliary’s Paddlecraft ID Program—no paddling required.

Free admission – No registration necessary
Open to all ages – Children must be accompanied by an adult
Where: Fort Myers Aquatic Center, Sam Fleishman Regional Park
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.