Cancelled due to wind.
When: Tuesday October 19. Meet at 5:30 p.m. for a 6:00 launch. Traffic may be a problem. Text me if you're running late and we will wait.
Where: Davis Island Seaplane Basin sand beach. If you haven't been there before, enter 'Davis Island Yacht Club' into your GPS and it will bring you there.
Event Details: This is a NIGHT paddle! Meet Andy Bartley and Mary Mangiapia for a NIGHTTIME paddle from Davis Islands to downtown Tampa and back.
Tampa has a number of historically and architecturally significant bridges. At night these bridges are lit with color-changing lights that vary according to seasons. We will pass through these bridges on our way to our turnaround point at Waterworks Park (or Curtis Hixon for a shorter paddle.). Frequently there are concerts or other events along the river that are interesting to paddle by.
***We will have a near full moon coming up at about 7 p.m. just as the sun goes down!
We will launch and head up the shipping channel on our way to downtown. Be prepared to paddle the entire distance without getting out of the kayak. (Actually, there are a couple of places but no nice beaches.) We will stop in the area of Waterworks Park for a quick snack on the water, then return. On the return trip we will go down the west side of Davis Island to enjoy the moonrise over the bay. Distance is about 7-8 miles depending on route. If we finish in time, there is a pizza place on Davis Island for 'debriefing'.
Requirements: Minimum boat length of 15 feet, and no inflatable PFDs. The Coast Guard requirement for kayaks at night is the MINIMUM of a hand-held white torch. This can be a flashlight or a headlamp. We may have extras if you need one. Let us know. This is a Level 2+ paddle.
**This is NIGHT paddling and it will get dark. There will be SEA MONSTERS, GIANT SQUID, MAN-EATING ALLIGATORS, Halloween WITCHES and GOBLINS to contend with. The absolute most dangerous however, are the idiots in power boats. BE ALERT! We will give guidelines on how to react to boats at the launch.
*** This will be a FUN and interesting paddle! If you haven't paddled at night, here is your chance.
**** If Andy and Mary don't know you, please contact them beforehand.
Andy Bartley
sailonbear@hotmail.com
813-263-4906 call/text