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Fort De Soto/Egmont Practice Participants Trip with Leader Candidates

When
10 May 2026
8:30 AM
Location
Fort De Soto Gulf Fishing Pier, 3500 Pinellas Bayway South Tierra Verde, Florida 33715
Spaces left
4

Registration

LCW Practice Participant

Come support TBSK Leader Candidates on the last day of their Paddlesports Leader Certification Workshop at Fort De Soto + Egmont Key

What does a Practice Participant do?

Practice participants add value to training programs by giving the leader candidates a group of people to lead, instead of candidates just leading other candidates.
You get benefit from exposure to the training candidates are receiving from instructors, and you'll gain learning from the candidates as well.
You provide valuable outside perspective feedback to our candidates they may not have heard from instructors or each other.

What is expected of Practice Participants?

Have fun and follow the instructions and briefings from the leader candidates.
Role play scenarios with coaching from the instructors. That can include being rescued from the water.
Provide feedback to candidates on what they did well and where they can grow.

Suggested Skill Level

Level 2 or higher, comfortable with open crossings of ~1 nautical mile

Trip Details

Point of contact: Anthony Sousa, 727-455-2615
Location: Fort De Soto Gulf Fishing Pier (near the fort), near the snack shack
Time: 8:30am meetup and unload. 9:00am is the first meeting with candidates. They'll have some on shore things to do, and we may launch closer to 10:00am.
Return: We aim to be off the water by 2 p.m. for debrief and wrap-ups. Practice participants can depart then or hang out. Your choice.
Access/parking at Fort De Soto is $6/day. Annual passes are available online.
Tolls near Fort De Soto are $1.75, payable by SunPass or plate.

Recommended Items:

Kayak, 14' or longer, with closed decks, bulkheads and/or floatation.
Spray skirt, paddle, PFD w/whistle
Sun protection
Food, snacks and hydration. Plan to take lunch during a beach break.
Foot protection against oysters, shells, etc.
You do not need much extra kit for rescues, comms, etc. The candidates will cover that.

Registration Limit:

We are capping the practice group at five participants. Email Anthony if you get waitlisted and we will discuss options.

Assisting Instructors:

If you are a current trip leader and/or ACA instructor, we are open to your assistance. But, please don't register for a practice student spot. Contact Anthony to volunteer as an assisting instructor on this or other days during the three-day workshop. Thank you!