Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers upcoming events

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.

BACK SIDE OF WEEDON ISLAND – LEVEL I PLUS (for distance)--LIMIT 16 PADDLERS (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

BACK SIDE OF WEEDON ISLAND – LEVEL I PLUS (for distance)--LIMIT 16 PADDLERS

TRIP LEADER/CO-LEADER: Al Tillson alberttillson12@gmail.com 813-731-3583; Claudia Veihg claudia.veihl@gmail.com 203-918-9162

We’ll paddle south in the bay and along the eastern edge of Weedon Island Preserve for about 3 - 4 hours and about 6 - 8 miles with a lunch/snack stop along the way. We should have a nice combination of open bay and mangrove areas and hopefully see a decent array of waterfowl, fish, and the occasional dolphin or manatee. There’s at least the possibility of a few recently arrived white pelicans.

Location: We’ll meet on the south side of Gandy Boulevard on the Pinellas side of Gandy Bridge about 200 yards to the east of Urban Kai near the last of a row of palm trees in the middle of the parking area.

Schedule: Saturday October 24th. Meet at 10:30 for a 11AM launch. Return about 3:30PM. The later launch time should get us better tide levels and let us spend some time inside the mangroves.

Additional information: No restrooms on site. Nearest are at the gas station/convenience store on the north side of Gandy or The Getaway restaurant.

Difficulty: Level I Plus (for distance). (See Skills Self Assessment Chart link below for level assignment)

Boats should be at least 14 feet long and have deck lines and/or grab loops, as well as sealed bow and stern flotation. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug repellant, a hat, and shoes that will protect you against oyster shells at take-outs.

See the Skills Self Assessment Chart on the web site and contact the leader with any questions. Please register (or cancel) on the web site or RSVP to the trip leader to allow notification of any changes.

FALL GENERAL MEETING: Summer Kayak Camping on Lake Superior (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

FALL GENERAL MEETING: Summer Kayak Camping on Lake Superior

Let's get together for our first IN-PERSON general meeting in over a year! We'll meet for a 11AM-1PM Sunday brunch on October 25th at Wild Rover Brewing Company, located at 13921 Lynmar Boulevard in Tampa. Our featured speaker will be TBSK member Dana Levy who will give us the highlights of his summer kayaking trip along the shores of Lake Superior in Canada. Dana says it was "an amazing adventure with stunning landscapes, ample opportunities to reflect, and hopefully enhance my camping skillset."

The good folks at Wild Rover allow local non-profits to use their meeting space free of charge with the expectation that we will order food and drinks. So come hungry and ready to sample delicious British pub fare, enjoy a beverage, reconnect with paddling friends, learn what's new with TBSK, and hear all about Dana's cold water kayak camping summer adventures. Click here for Wild Rover's food menu and here for their beer menu.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

TRAINING DAY: Let's keep rolling! (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

TRAINING DAY: Let's keep rolling!

EVENT DETAILS:

Coaches:

Tom Malone, tjmalone@verizon.net, 410-977-7785
Jill Lingard, jill.lingard@gmail.com, 352-665-1776
Scott Jantz, scottjantz2@gmail.com, 386-853-5159
Anthony Sousa, anthony.g.sousa@gmail.com, 727-455-2615

Description: Several TBSK members made great progress in learning to roll at our August training, so let's keep that momentum going! This session is open to brand new rollers as well as those who want to refine an existing roll. Coaches will meet you wherever you are in the learning process. We'll break down the various components of a roll and incorporate balance bracing and sculling.

Location: Gandy Beach near The Getaway restaurant, located at 13090 Gandy Blvd N in St. Petersburg.

Schedule: Tuesday, October 27. Meet at 8:30 AM, unload boats and gear, and be ready to start class by 9:00. We should finish up before noon. After-class lunch at The Getaway is an option for those interested.

Additional information:

If you have a Greenland paddle, bring it. Euro blades are welcome too.
As usual, participants must wear PFDs. Close-toed shoes recommended.
Rollers: Wear a spray skirt. You might also be more comfortable practicing with either nose plugs or a diving mask on.
Pack plenty to drink and snacks if you need them.

If you have any medical issues that might impact your paddling, please notify coaches before the training so that they can be best equipped to assist you as needed.

If your plans change, please cancel your registration on the event page prior to the trip so that others may join. Click on the "already registered" link, then "cancel my registration" on the next page.