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Christmas Lights NIGHT Paddle - Level 2

When
16 Dec 2022
5:00 PM
Location
Davis Island, Tampa

Registration

Christmas Lights Paddle
Night-time paddle in downtown Tampa

Registration is closed

NOTE - Date has changed.
From Andy - "Unfortunately, Tampa has scheduled the Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday night. Feeling the spirit of the season, I have humbly decided not to ask them to re-schedule their parade and have offered to move our paddle up a day to Friday."

Trip Leaders - Meet trip leaders Mary Mangiapia and Andy Bartley for the last night-time paddle to see the Christmas lights in downtown Tampa.

Location/Schedule - Sand beach at Davis Island Seaplane Basin (GPS Davis Islands Yacht Club for directions.)

We will meet at the sand beach on the right just before the Davis Island Yacht Club at 5:00 p.m. for a launch at 5:30. Feel free to text/call Andy if you are running late. (813-263-4906). We will wait for you! We should be back to the launch site by 9:30 or 10:00.

Description - During the Holiday season, the City of Tampa puts on a tremendous light show in, on, and near the Hillsborough River. Last year there were barges covered in lights anchored in the river, light displays along the river and live music at several different locations ashore. There was even a waterfront Carnival! This could be the most unusual and exciting paddle of the year.

The paddle will be 8 to 10 miles depending on route taken and desires of the group. Leaving the launch site, we will travel up-river either by the commercial shipyards (longer) or straight up the river (shorter). The turnaround point is Armature Works. The return trip will be either straight down the river, or down the west side of Davis Islands.

Requirements - This is a NIGHT PADDLE! The rules are different. The Coast Guard required MINIMUM is a hand-held white torch. What I highly suggest is a headlamp with fresh lithium batteries that has a red-light option. The red light allows us to keep track of each other without a blinding white light. If needed, the light can be easily switched to white to flash a nearby power boat. Another very nice option is a waterproof hand-held light for signaling. A very fun option is to add battery powered Christmas lights to your kayak. Several paddlers put on quite the show last year. Those lights can be found at Walmart.

Kayaks must be 15 feet or longer with bulkheads. No inflatable PFDs. There are no bathrooms at the launch, however, there are public bathrooms at Peter O. Knight airport just before the launch area. Depending on return time, there are restaurants on Davis Islands.

If you have any questions or concerns, TEXT ANDY! 813-263-4906