SUP Englewood concession now at Don Pedro
State Park has offering for kayak and paddleboards
SUP Englewood is the new paddling concession at Don Pedro State Park. The paddling and kayak concession works in partnership with Florida State Parks and are located at the park’s mainland side.
They established an exclusive multi-year agreement with the park in February of this year, so they can formally post their own signage and have an office building on site, Nicole said.
“This has opened up a whole new doorway for us to do more out of the park,” she said.
Nicole Killian reopened SUP Englewood in March of 2021. It was originally founded in 2012. The firm was recently awarded Partner of the Year 2024 by the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau.
“We are so blessed and grateful to have been selected for this award. We work very hard and it’s beautiful to be supported by tourism leaders and the community.” said Nicole Killian, owner of the stand-up paddle board and kayak outfitter, SUP Englewood. They offer tours and rentals across Boca Grande, Manasota Key and Don Pedro Island.
The award was presented at the 2024 Annual Tourism Convention held on in May. The event brought together key tourism partners, including local restaurant owners, vacation rental agencies, hotel and resort representatives and local attractions.
The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau recognized SUP Englewood
for its exceptional contributions to promoting the area and providing environmental education.
SUP Englewood’s mission is to blend the thrill of paddling with a deep respect for the marine ecosystem, ensuring that the joy of adventure coexists with ethical tourism.
SUP Englewood is a member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program, which is a non-profit specializing in saving the manatee population, Killian said. The Guardian Guide Certification offers training workshops and continuing education to ecotourism providers in Florida.
“We are certified and follow all of those principles, such as not exploiting animals by chasing them down during tours, and explaining the concept of passive viewing to groups.”
Nicole Killian, along with her husband Raymond Killian, owns and operate SUP Englewood.
Both are natives, with Nicole having grown up in Englewood and Raymond in Punta Gorda.
“When people come to us, a lot of times this is their first interaction with this wildlife, so we show them the best way to view these mammals,” Nicole said. “We’re hoping this promotes other tour providers to do the same.”
SUP Englewood is open in the park seven days a week, and a portion of its sales goes back to the park operations. They also have a drop off location at Stump Pass Beach State Park, and have a call to request dropoff in Boca Grande.
“It’s been a lot, but it’s been so exciting,” Nicole said. “I’m excited for more people to know that we’re there.”
For more information about SUP Englewood, please visit supenglewood.com.
