Paddleboarder on Yearlong Journey Stops at Caladesi Island

Afternoon walkers on Dunedin Causeway would have had no indication of the epic journey unfolding in their very presence on Monday.

Just across the street between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. a large group of high school students appearing to be goofing around on Stand-Up Paddle boards were actually waiting for a speck on the horizon to arrive.

The speck, their coach and teacher Dave Sica told them, was a paddler named Justin Riney, founder and CEO of Mother Ocean, a non-profit group dedicated to empowering ocean advocates around the world.

Sica, a history teacher at Countryside High School and Pinellas Surf Organization coach, brought his family, along with 35 of his Pinellas Surf students, to meet Riney after school on Dunedin Causeway. It was day 56 of a 365-day paddle and camping journey of Florida's coastline and waterways.

Riney's Expedition Florida 500 is described as a modern-day exploration of Florida’s coastline, waterways, and aquatic ecosystem commemorating the 500-year anniversary of Ponce De Leon's arrival and bringing awareness to environmental stewardship efforts around the state. He is partnered with Quicksilver, Tahoe SUP and Viva Florida 500.

The students held a quick beach cleanup in his honor.

After awhile, Riney became more of a figure apparent on the horizon, and Sica paddled out to help guide him to their location on shore. When he finally pulled onto the beach aboard his Tahoe Stand-Up Paddle, the students enveloped him. 

It was rough paddling from the Anclote River. The wind was against him all day. But Riney was all smiles and handshakes on shore.

He spent the night on Honeymoon Island before setting back out on his journey.

Camping on Caladesi Island was next.

Track Riney's Expedition Florida 500 (XF 500) on Facebook.

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 2: 

Ocean Hour Clean-up at Weedon Island Preserve, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 3:

Meet Team Expedition Florida for a group paddle at Davis Islands Seaplane Basin, 864 Severn Ave., Tampa, 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Monday, March 4:

Expedition Florida presentation with Justin Riney, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 199th St. West, Cortez, FL, 2:30 to 4 p.m.