Video Coast Lines: Paddleboard Plunge

I never thought anything I’d do on the water would give me bruises.

On Sunday, I learned otherwise.

I had learned this weekend about the putting on a demonstration at Pass-A-Grille beach on Sunday. The event was perfect for my whole family. Skateboarding for my stepson, Ollie, and a classic Volkswagon show for my wife, Candy.

Of particular importance to me was that that the surf shop was going to bring out paddleboards for people to try for free.

Ever since I got the job as the editor of Pinellas Beaches Patch, I’ve wanted to try paddleboarding. I’ve and have wanted to find someway to incorporate me riding a paddleboard into a story. Now, I had the chance to do so.

On Sunday morning, I rushed my family out of the house and arrived at Pass-A-Grille beach with my helmet camera strapped on and ready to go.

I quickly signed all of the paperwork removing Suncoast Surf Shop from any injury that might happen and got ready to hit the water.

Far from the normal, tiny Florida waves, Sunday had choppy water and huge waves crashing against the shore.

I quickly learned that it might have been a smarter idea to try out paddleboarding on a calmer day first.

As I approached the first wave, I was thrown from the board. No big deal. I got back up and tried again and fell again.

After ten minutes of struggling to break past the waves, I was assisted by one of the workers at the surf shop in getting to calmer waters.

Once I was at smoother spot, I attempted to actually stand up on the paddleboard. I fell within a second.

It became a repeated process. Balance on the board. Stand up. Fall. Get back on the board. Repeat ten times over.

I ended up becoming so tired by the process, that when I tried to get back on the board after falling, I’d get on it wrong and flip the board over, effectively falling twice in one try.

Don’t get me wrong. I got better as time went on. I even managed to stand on the board for ten seconds coming in!

When I got back to shore, I was tired and bruised. I had fallen on the board once, leaving a nice blue mark on my thigh to remind of the adventure.

I’ll definitely be out to paddleboard again and I’m 100 percent sure I’ll fall again. Even if the water is completely calm, I’ve learned that I need to work on my balance.

If I’m going to fall and hurt myself, I can at least say I had a blast doing it though.

What I had intended as a video of casual paddleboarding became a compilation of greatest splashes. I’ve taken the courtesy of editing together the best water hits and slowing it down for your pleasure. Hopefully, you get a chuckle out of it. My family and I sure did.