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Whichever floats your boat

A pair of weekend events can help educate you so you can paddle or sail to get out on the area's waters on your own.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published April 28, 2006

An aspiring sailor?

Or maybe the nature-loving ecotourist type?

Whatever floats your boat, Saturday brings opportunities to get you outdoors and sparkling with sea spray.

On the bay side, Safety Harbor hosts its fourth annual Canoe and Kayak Festival, featuring races and recreational tours.

Head west to the Dunedin Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway for the city's inaugural Anchors Away - Community Sailing Day. An optional island hop follows this free sailing clinic for novices.

No boat?

No problem.

You can rent a kayak from Tocobaga Tours for Safety Harbor's paddle fest. In Dunedin, the city's recreation department will provide a pram or Sunfish (both itsy bitsy sailboats) at no charge.

So grab that hat, sunscreen, and a pair of rubber-soled shoes because this weekend, you can enjoy your day off, one ripple at a time.

Fourth annual Safety Harbor Canoe and Kayak Festival

The Pier at the Safety Harbor Marina is the launching point for this event, geared for both racers and nature lovers.

"We used to call it a race, now we call it a festival," said Joe Cooper, Safety Harbor's special events coordinator. "The emphasis is that kayaking is a fun and healthy thing to do. And it's a great way to get out past the shoreline and see the beauty of Safety Harbor the way many don't get to see it."

The races begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and an ecotour leaves shortly after that. While the competitors will head south toward the Courtney Campbell Parkway and loop back a couple of times past the Pier, the ecotourists will likely turn north, taking in the fish, flora and fauna that live in the bay, mangroves and grass flats.

"We've seen dolphins, manatee and a lot of mullet jumping out of the water," said Ken Bambery, owner of Tocobaga Tours and tour guide for the event. "Just cross your fingers that it's not too windy out there. Last year the event was postponed for a week because of the strong winds."

Safety is always a concern and the races will be held under the supervision of the 180-member Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers club.

Awards will be given three deep in 11 divisions for kayaks, canoes and the new outrigger class.

Paddlers can go solo or tandem. Distances include 5- and 7-mile races and a 1-mile sprint. There will be a post-race party with food, entertainment, awards and raffle prizes.

Dunedin's first Anchors Away - Community Sailing Day

Landlubbers of all ages can learn to rig and sail a city-owned pram or Sunfish for free on Saturday at the Dunedin Marina. The city has a small fleet of these learn-to-sail boats: about 45 prams and 15 Sunfish.

Prams "aren't the fastest boats, but they are pretty hard to tip over," said Keith Tickner, event organizer and head lifeguard for the city.

The sailing clinic begins at 11 a.m. Aspirants will learn the rules of navigation and how to rig and sail a pram and to tie sailing knots. They can talk to members of the Windlasses women's sailing club and learn the history of the pram.

A hot dog lunch will be served and after the clinic, those who are ready can venture out for an island hop.

"Generally it takes about four lessons to be proficient enough to get out to an island and back," said Rob Tuttle, aquatics coordinator for the city. "But if they have a little experience and a lot of confidence they can go. It will be decided on a case-by-case basis."

Prospective sailors should park in the Edgewater Park parking lot and walk over to the west side of the marina.

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 07:51:41]