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Richard Barrett

A Florida native. Richard was born and raised in Orlando and spent most of his outdoor time in the Ocala National Forest and surfing near New Smyrna Beach.  He spent six years at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where he was on the collegiate sailing team and an active research diver for the university. He earned a B.A. in biology and a M.Sc. in Biology Neuroscience in between surfing, spearfishing, and mountain biking. He was also a Graduate Research Assistant at the UCF College of Medicine, where he is working on his PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Outdoor adventure is how he recharges after endless hours in the lab.

Good news: One of Florida’s favorite kayak runs, Juniper Springs, is open again. It might be the most pristine spring-fed river in Florida. It’s stunningly beautiful, a narrow twisty stream, best for experienced paddlers. It had been closed since 2020.

Read More about Juniper Springs in Ocala Forest: One of the best kayaking runs is open again