Water World

The morning started off slow. I warmed up a bit over a cup of coffee as I began to saddle a couple of SUP boards. I was eager to start my day down the thoroughfare into Tampa so I went about my chores as light fog hung over the river. Aside from the slightly cooler tempature, it was about a good day as your likely to see in this part of Florida where the Hillsborough River meets Tampa Bay.

I eased into my morning paddle as it was still on the cool side. I didn’t want to do too much before I had a chance to warm up a bit. However, it wasn’t long before I found a good pace and started letting my paddle go some.  I was making my turn in front of the old Tampa Hotel to head back when I really hit my stride. As I was reaching the dock, the cooler water washing of over the top of the board was a welcomed feeling to my waking feet.

After I carried the SUP’s to the board livery, I jumped in the woodies pick-up and headed west to a venue where the east wind was finding its way on shore. Winds in Florida aren’t like the constant ones out on the left coast of the states and can be down right hard to forecast, but I’ve been reading the winds since a pretty young age and I felt confident that the moderate breeze would keep as the sun reached its highest point.

The breeze held up nicely so I popped up two basic trainer kites and worked with a new kitesurfing student on the rules of the road. The slow criss crosses we made past each other on the soft grassy area later proved to be a great introduction to right of way  rules. A number of kiters found the smooth water on the leeward side of a good sized sand bar the perfect place to stretch their legs as the sun was beginning to set over the Gulf of Mexico.

With the sun beginning to finally fade behind the grass up on the dune that tops the bar, I was beginning to feel the cold starting to settle in under my top.  So the new kiter and I lead the rig back to the beach real slow as we were both feeling played out from the afternoon of working on flying skills. About the time we were getting squared away on the beach, an old friend rolled up and was looking to have a bit of a friendly show down. As good friends who feel a bit of healthy competition between might, we pushed each others riding skills some, but with more power from his kite set up and some fresh legs, I was too tired to keep up with his pace.

After derigging, we shared some old stories and talked some about where future travels might take us in water world. We split  shortly there after, but Im sure our paths will cross again knowing the miles we’re both likely to travel in these parts.

http://floridaboarder.com

old beach Woodies are great!