My first kayaking adventures were launched with a May 2013 birthday gift from Sean and Hana - my very own Perception Swifty 9.5'! I chose to paddle around the pristine Dutton Island Preserve in Atlantic Beach, Florida since it is close to home and is part of the Jacksonville Intracoastal Salt Marsh Paddling Guide. The paddling guide provided a clear navigational map between access points along the Intracoastal Waterway and there are clearly marked guideposts so that the novice paddler doesn't get lost in the marshes or stranded amongst the oyster beds at low tide. It is also part of a preservation project spearheaded by former Mayor John Delaney who was an early pioneer of environmental stewardship in Jacksonville politics. The paddling guide is a must-have for the novice kayaker of the Intracoastal Waterway and can be downloaded and printed for free. A picture montage of the maiden voyage(s) from Dutton Island Preserve with paddling pals Sean, my husband Steve, and Hana is included here as well as a must-see video tip guide for the first-time paddler of these waters. Happy paddling!