Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers upcoming events

RECreational/level 1 Picnic Paddle - WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

RECreational/Level 1 Picnic Paddle -

WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Trip Leader: Bob Morris, 727 804 3636, rcmorrisfa@aol.com

UPDATE on MEETUP LOCATION: Within War Veteran Memorial Park, we will meet in vicinity of the kayak/canoe launch at Turtle Crawl Point, near Shelter #5. Upon arrival trip leaders will inform you of which launch we are using, either the dedicated canoe/kayak launch left of the pavilion, or the small beach to the right.

PICNIC REMINDER: We have Shelter #1 reserved, so we will need to load up and relocate to the picnic spot after our paddling trips. Please register for the picnic in the separate event announcement here.

CLEAN-UP DAY: This picnic paddle day, is also the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup Day. We will participate by declaring the picnic and paddles a cleanup event. The idea is to remind ourselves that any paddle is a collection opportunity; between your vehicle and the launch, around the launch, during the paddle, at any landing, and around the picnic spot. The level of participation is up to each paddler. With the Clean Swell app, you can record collections for organization “TBSK”, event “Veterans” and the date. Or just hand your collections to the trip leader for total weight entry. Bring a reusable collection bag or we will have a few. The no-prep method is putting it in your cockpit or under a bungee.

Trip Description: The plan is to take a leisurely tour of Boca Ciega Bay in the Johns Pass area. The tour will include multiple islands and a historical site. We will pause for observation or photography when anyone in the group spots something of interest. We will return to launch in time to load and have lunch.

See the links below for examples of a waterproof case and leash for secure cell phone use on the water.

Requirements:
- Kayaks must be 14’ or longer with sealed hatches or flotation, able to sustain speed of about 2 mph. Contact trip leader if in doubt.
- Participants must have wet exit skills and must wear a PFD.
- Please bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing.

Time and Details:
- Meet time: 8:30 AM
- Launch time: 9:00 AM
- Distance: 5 miles or less, round trip
- Pace: 2 mph average

See TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact the trip leader if you have any questions.

Amazon.com: Rogue Fishing The Protector Phone Tether - Retractable Phone Leash for Kayak, Skiing & Hiking - Phone Security Strap Anti Theft - Anti Pickpocket Accessories for Cellphone (Red) : Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: xiwxi for Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Case Waterproof,[IPX8 Underwater Case][Full Body Shockproof & Military Dropproof] Clear Sound Quality Built-in Screen Protector for Samsung Note 10 6.3 inch-Black : Cell Phones & Accessories

Level 2 Picnic Paddle - WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Level 2 Picnic Paddle -

WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Trip Leaders:

Bob Gallo, 312-515-7963 1bobgallo@gmail.com
Anthony Sousa, 727-455-2615, anthonygsousa@gmail.com

UPDATE on MEETUP LOCATION: Within War Veteran Memorial Park, we will meet in vicinity of the kayak/canoe launch at Turtle Crawl Point, near Shelter #5. Upon arrival trip leaders will inform you of which launch we are using, either the dedicated canoe/kayak launch left of the pavilion, or the small beach to the right.

CLEAN-UP DAY: This picnic paddle day, is also the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup Day. We will participate by declaring the picnic and paddles a cleanup event. The idea is to remind ourselves that any paddle is a collection opportunity; between your vehicle and the launch, around the launch, during the paddle, at any landing, and around the picnic spot. The level of participation is up to each paddler. With the Clean Swell app, you can record collections for organization “TBSK”, event “Veterans” and the date. Or just hand your collections to the trip leader for total weight entry. Bring a reusable collection bag or we will have a few. The no-prep method is putting it in your cockpit or under a bungee.

Trip Description: The plan is to take a tour of Boca Ciega Bay in the Johns Pass area. The tour will include multiple islands, a historical site and observe a potential future launch site. Possible stretch & snack break on a sandy island beach. Trip length 5-6 miles R/T. We will return to launch in time to load and have lunch.

Requirements:
- Kayaks must be 14’ or longer with sealed hatches or flotation, able to sustain speed of about 3 mph Contact trip leader if in doubt.

- Participants must have wet exit skills and must wear a PFD.
- Please bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing.

Time and Details:
- Meet time: 8:30 AM
- Launch time: 9:00 AM
- Distance: 5 - 6 miles, round trip
- Pace: 3 mph average

See TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact the trip leader if your plans change

SEPTEMBER PICNIC: WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

SEPTEMBER PICNIC: WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Let's gather at noon on Saturday, September 19 for a bring-your-own picnic meeting after our morning paddles. TBSK has reserved Shelter #1 at War Veterans Memorial Park, located at 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard in St. Petersburg. Members and guests are welcome to join the picnic whether or not they participated in our morning paddles.

Reminder: The picnic paddling trips are listed as separate events. Please sign up for your desired paddling trip using one of the following links:

LEVEL 2 PICNIC DAY PADDLE AT FORT DE SOTO (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

LEVEL 2 PICNIC DAY PADDLE AT FORT DE SOTO

Trip Leaders:

Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776

Description: We'll launch from the unglamorously named Far North Restroom near the northwest corner of Fort De Soto Park. We'll head through Bunces Pass, paddling north along Shell Key to Irma Pass. We can stop for a break on the inside of Shell Key, go for a dip, practice rescues, rolls, etc. From there we'll paddle to through some mangrove tunnels on Sawyer and Sister Keys on our way back to our launch. We can make route adjustments in response to weather conditions and group needs.

Location: Fort De Soto Park is located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde.Park in the most northerly section of the North Beach lot. (Do not drive down the dirt road--that's just for park vehicles.) We'll carry our kayaks around the restroom north of the parking lot down a sandy path to a small beach. If you have kayak wheels, bring them. Scott & Jill will also be on hand to help carry boats.

NOTE: We are NOT launching from Arrowhead Picnic Area. While this new spot will require a little further walk to the put-in, we think a beach launch is safer than scrambling over a seawall.

Schedule: Meet at 8:30AM on Saturday, October 17. Be ready to launch kayaks by 9:00. We'll aim to return no later than 12:30 to give everyone time to reload boats and gear before the picnic in Shelter #3 at 1PM.

Difficulty: Level 2. This is a mostly open water paddle of about 7-8 miles. Review TBSK's Skills Self Assessment Chart and contact trip leaders with any questions that arise.

Requirements/Recommendations:

Kayaks at least 14' long with deck lines and bulkheads or bow/stern flotation
Paddlers must wear a properly fitted PFD with whistle, spray skirt, and water shoes.
Bring plenty to drink and snacks if you need them.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify trip leaders so that they can best prepare to assist you.

If your plans to participate change, please cancel your registration on the website or app so that others on the waiting list can join us.

OCTOBER PICNIC: FORT DE SOTO PARK (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

OCTOBER PICNIC: FORT DE SOTO PARK

Let's gather at 1PM on Saturday, October 17 for a picnic after our morning paddles. TBSK has reserved Shelter #3 at Fort De Soto Park, located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S in Tierra Verde. Grillmaster Extraordinaire Scott Atkins is available to cook hamburgers and hotdogs for us. Feel free to bring a side dish to share with the group. Members and guests are welcome to join the picnic whether or not they participated in our morning paddles.