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Florida O.A.T.S.

Florida O.A.T.S.

Outdoor heritage, Florida waterways, the backcountry kitchen, and stories worth passing on. Learn. Preserve. Share.

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  • Journal & Storiesread my thoughts on several Florida things from the water to the palmetto and pine woods
  • Heritage & the Old WaysWhere the canoe builder, camp cook, Sea Scout skipper, wilderness medic, recipe keeper actually live — profiles, oral histories, interviews on applying Bushcraft, Scouting, oral stories, camp traditions, old Florida culture, and conservation history
  • Florida WatersExplore Florida’s rivers, coastal waterways, forgotten passages, and maritime heritage. Discover the people, traditions, and historical journeys that shaped life along the Sunshine State’s waters.
  • Backcountry KitchenDiscover traditional campfire cooking, Dutch oven recipes, cast iron techniques, and the stories behind outdoor meals. Explore culinary heritage, time tested equipment, family traditions, and the wisdom shared around the fire.
  • Outdoor ReflectionsPersonal essays exploring fatherhood, family, faith, philosophy, and the deeper meaning of outdoor life. Discover reflections on adventure, solitude, gratitude, stewardship, and the wisdom gained through time spent in nature.
  • Self Reliance & StewardshipExplore traditional wilderness skills, outdoor safety, emergency preparedness, and responsible adventure. Learn how sound judgment, practical knowledge, conservation, and Leave No Trace principles help us care for ourselves, others, and the natural places entrusted to future generations.
  • About the AuthorMeet Jeffrey Fabiszewski, outdoor writer, expedition paddler, educator, and founder of FloridaOATS. Discover how his experiences in Scouting, Florida’s waterways, family adventures, history, and philosophy inspire his mission to preserve traditional outdoor knowledge for future generations.
  • Contribute a StoryHelp preserve Florida’s outdoor heritage by sharing personal stories, traditional skills, family memories, and local history. Nominate a waterman, camp cook, Scout leader, craftsman, or community elder whose experiences and knowledge deserve to be remembered and passed to future generations.
  • Paddling LessonsLearn practical sea kayaking skills with Liquid Rhythm Kayaking. Explore group classes, private lessons, Greenland paddling, rescue techniques, and expedition training on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Category: Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

Florida rivers, coastal history, maritime traditions, natural places, and the people whose lives are shaped by water.

Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🛶Suwannee River, Florida

20 Jun 202214 Oct 2026
If you have five days to relax check out the 91 miles section of the Suwannee River. Start at White Springs and paddle to the town of Branford. Sean Fitzgibbon…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🥾Hiking on water

12 Sep 202114 Oct 2026
Brooker Creek Preserve 2021 September, Pine Flatwoods The beauty of the Brooker Creek Preserve is in a few hours a person can experience four unique Ecosystems. Most of us with…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🛶Silver River, Florida

4 Feb 202114 Oct 2026
Silver River is located east of Ocala Florida fed by Silver Springs. Most paddlers, us included, access the river via Ray Wayside Park 3 miles past the Silver Springs Attraction…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🏕️How to Camp from your Kayak or SUP

7 Oct 202014 Oct 2026
The Kayak is a means to move you from one location to another.  Just as hiking (backpacking), automobile, an ATV, mountain bike, horse, et cetera, are ways to move you…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🛶Why SUP?

7 Oct 202015 Oct 2026
Sometimes the smallest adventures leave the longest memories. A stand up paddleboard is like a flying carpet on the water. There is something wonderfully simple about standing on a board…
Florida Waters & Forgotten Places

🛶Trade in your Hiking boots for a kayak

7 Oct 202015 Oct 2026
From the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania to Florida's wilderness waterways, discovering that the old outdoor skills still work when the trail disappears beneath the water. Editor's note, October 2026: Originally…

Florida Trail

The Florida Trail is calling you

Posts On:

  • Florida Waters & Forgotten Places
  • Heritage & the Old Ways
  • Outdoor Reflections
  • Self Reliance & Stewardship
  • The Backcountry Kitchen

Often I am asked “why take a class” when retailers, people, and electronic media give information away for free. There is a lot of misleading, bias, and misinformation that can confuse and cause harm. A class allows for guided discovery and opportunity to practice skills without causing damage or harm to oneself.

My goal is to share the love and knowledge of the outdoors with others. I focus on you. Information can be lost in large groups and often there are questions left unanswered. Having a personal understanding of our local and unique parts of Florida enables me to customize a class to a student’s needs.

I can use the knowledge, training, and certifications I earned, and the school of hard knocks to enhance a fun learning environment for the new and experienced student. Being outside is a dream, passion, and means of relaxation for all.

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