For anyone who canoes or kayaks along the Calusa Blueway, here is a writing contest that is as easy as falling out of a boat. Paddlers with humorous stories can share their funny adventures in the Calusa Blueway Humor Writing Contest.

The contest is open to paddlers of all ages. Submissions must be previously unpublished works, fewer than 500 words in length and written in English.

Three winners will be selected based on the submission’s humor, originality and appeal to a broad audience. Winners will each receive a gift basket packed with goodies and a $100 gift certificate for Estero River Outfitters. All entrants who fulfill the minimum contest criteria will also receive prizes.

This new contest is sponsored by Estero River Outfitters located on Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) just north of Corkscrew Road in the south part of Lee County. Since 1977, Estero River Outfitters has offered kayak and canoe rentals and sales, apparel, accessories, a full fishing tackle shop and live bait.

Selected and winning entries may be published in magazines, newspapers or online at the Calusa Blueway site,www.calusablueway.com, the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival site, www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com, Lee County Parks& Recreation’s site, www.leeparks.org or the Estero River Outfitters site, www.esteroriveroutfitters.com

Winners will be recognized on the final Saturday of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, which runs Oct. 29 – Nov. 7 throughout Lee County.

Entries may only be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT, Oct. 1, 2010, to esteroriver@gmail.com Submissions must include the writer’s name, address, e-mail address and daytime phone number. All work must be original and submissions are final. Stories with profanity or inappropriate content will not be judged. Judges’ decisions are final.

The fifth annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival celebrates Southwest Florida's 190 mile marked paddling trail, The Great Calusa Blueway. Paddlers, competitors, families and outdoor enthusiasts from around Southwest Florida, the state and the nation attend this one-of-a-kind eco-event. For more information about the festival, visit www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com or contact festival coordinator Betsy Clayton of Lee County Parks & Recreation at bclayton@leegov.com or (239) 533-7474.

For more information about the writing contest, call Estero River Outfitters owner Paula Stuller at (239) 992-4050 or esteroriver@gmail.com.