(CAPE CORAL, FL) – Sept. 4, 2009 – The First Annual GEO PADDLE, the premier, professional and amateur on-the-water geocaching treasure hunt for Lee County, is a first-time festival slated for October 25, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Resort at MarinaVillage located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, Florida. According to organizers, this event is slated to become a one-of-a-kind, signature event for the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, just as the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail has been certified and recognized for its uniqueness, and as a “must do” for Lee County visitors and residents alike.

Geocaching is a term given to the sport of seeking out objects at specific coordinates. The term Geo refers to the Earth and Caching refers to placing something to pick up later. It’s the newest outdoor adventure activity and has become popular in Southwest Florida. Geocaching is similar to a scavenger hunt, but with a modern, digital twist. It begins when someone hides a treasure and then posts the GPS coordinates for people to search for it.

The First Annual GEO PADDLE will consist of two separate water courses, one for beginner geocachers – includes map directions – and one for advanced geocachers – includes GPS coordinates (please bring your own GPS unit). The beginner course will use a multicache principle – directions lead you to a location that provides new directions to the next location and eventually to a cache. The advanced course will use classic GPS coordinates that lead from cache to cache encouraging participants to complete the course for prizes from The Resort at MarinaVillage.

The GEO PADDLE has been designed for those canoe and kayakers who are more interested in a leisurely approach to the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, whether it be families, couples, teams or individuals. Kayakers and canoeists can revel in the variety of their natural surroundings; paddle alongside playful dolphins; view some 300 species of birds including egrets, bald eagles, pelicans, herons, ospreys, ibis, roseate spoonbills and wood storks; disappear into the rivulets of countless inland waterways and gnarled mangroves. They will undoubtedly paddle next to dolphins or manatees. It’s inevitable.

Back on dry land, attendees are invited to preview the latest and greatest outdoor gear, boats and equipment from Bass Pro Shops®. Representatives will be on hand answering questions and conducting clinics and workshops. Music and promotions are compliments of Cat Country 107.1 who will be broadcasting throughout the day. In support of the waterway clean-up efforts of Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc., The Resort at MarinaVillage has been designated as an official Monofilament Madness drop-off location. Monofilament Madness is an annual event during which volunteers go out in boats, kayaks, canoes and jet skis to remove monofilament fishing line and other harmful debris from the mangrove areas of Lee County. And topping off the variety of things- to-do, The Resort at MarinaVillage will be holding an open house “sneak peak” with scheduled guided tours of the newest luxury resort in Southwest Florida.

The Resort at MarinaVillage is a luxurious full-service condominium resort located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, Florida. With 19 stories of sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, The Resort at MarinaVillage offers all the amenities of Tarpon Point Marina plus hotel-style luxuries such as room service, housekeeping and professional concierge services. Studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences range up to 2,225 sq. ft., with grand rooms, master suites, guest suites, dining terraces and access to amenity decks. The resort features 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space, the award-winning Esterra Spa & Salon, waterfront dining at Marker 92 Restaurant & Bistro, the Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill, tennis, outdoor pool and whirlpool spa, fitness center and retail shopping.

The Resort at MarinaVillage, one of SunStream Hotels & Resorts’ distinctive properties in Southwest Florida, is located at 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, Florida. For more information on SunStream Hotels & Resorts or to make a reservation, please call 888-372-9256 or 239-463-2559 or visit MarinaVillageResort.com.

Grosse Pointe Development is a diversified company that has earned a strong reputation in the field of planning, development, sales, and management of master-planned communities and commercial developments. Offerings for whole and 1/12 fractional ownership are available through the residence club at the Resort at MarinaVillage. Grosse Pointe Development is the developer of Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, the location of The Resort at MarinaVillage; The Residences at Bell Tower Park and the Palmas del Sol community within Gulf Harbour in Fort Myers. More information on Grosse Pointe Development can be found at www.GPDevelopment.com.