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Ever wished that you had a place where you can enjoy almost every paddle board condition? Lucky for us a Bare Life, Tampa offers some of the best waters. Stand up paddle board in Tampa is unique to say the least. Being a peninsula, Florida is surrounded by water on three sides. On the West coast we have the smooth, flat, and chill Gulf of Mexico. On the East coast, we have the waves, beauty, and party atmosphere of the Atlantic ocean. To the South we have crystal clear waters and amazing fishing found in the Keys. Between the three, lies countless river and springs. Truly the best of both worlds. For days that we are tight on time, we love traveling on the Hillsborough River. Being only 5 minutes away from this peaceful body of water, we are on it at least three times a week. Tampa is not known for our rapids. Instead we have slow moving rivers that are filled with amazing wildlife. I always find it a little unsettling when I am on the river with me 12 foot paddle board and I see an alligator close to the same size. I have a very healthy respect for these giants and alligator attacks are scarce. Along with gators, we see countless fish, birds, snakes, and deer while on the river. As the seasons change, so does the wildlife. The spring months are my favorite time to hit the river. There are hundreds of species of birds, including the Green Heron, Nighthawks, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Osprey, and my personal favorite, the Roseate Spoonbill. As much as I love stand up paddle boarding on the fresh water, I always visit the salty treats that Tampa offers. A short trip from Tampa is the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, a favorite spot for us at Bare Life. These waters are crystal clear with unique paddle board conditions. Often times these waters are flat and glassy. During the summer months one needs to be careful of late afternoon storms that role in almost always on schedule. The Gulf of Mexico has some amazing wildlife, including dolphins, fish, stingrays, manatees, and the occasional shark. Some of my best experiences of paddle boarding on the Gulf is when I find a pod of dolphins. These friendly and curious mammals often swim and play next to my paddle board. When lucky, they will show off their intense ariel tricks with breathe taking jumps, spins, and flips. While the Gulf of Mexico is not known for its surf, we do get the occasional storm that will bring waves that are perfect for stand up surf. Lucky for us, great surf is located on a tankful of gas just East of Tampa, on the Atlantic Ocean. Located all over Florida, and just North of Tampa are fresh water springs. Most famous are Crystal River, Blue Springs, and Silver Springs. For those that remember, Silver Springs is the location of the 6 original Tarzan movies and scenes from James Bond movies as well. The best springs are the ones off the beaten path. Not always ideal for hauling around a huge paddle board. Lucky for us, with adventures that require hiking, we carry our inflatable paddle board. The paddling conditions of these springs are very similar to our rivers, expect the water is crystal clear and always 72 degrees. Manatees will collect near these springs to stay warm during the winter. Paddle boarding near these peaceful animals is truly a once in a lifetime experience. These herd animals are very friendly and social. They will often swim aside a paddle boarder love to get gentle rubs! Every time I paddle board within the waters of Tampa I fall in love with the sport all over again.

Rio Grande Racecourse Half Day

River
Rio Grande
Duration
Half Day
Price
$70 Adult
$60 Child
Age
5

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Rio Grande Gorge Rafting Full Day

River
Rio Grande
Duration
Full Day
Price
$110 Adult
$95 Child
Age
5

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Rio Chama River Rafting 3 Day

River
Rio Chama
Duration
Multi Day
Price
$545 Adult
$450 Child
Age
6

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