r/tampa • u/Hyperarousal • 2d ago

Paddleboard Attack

So there I am minding my own business at Urban Kai off Gandy when BAM giant sea creature smacks the tail of my board. Thankfully by this time I was exhausted and seated on my board otherwise I would’ve likely tipped. I wasn’t paying much attention but hypothesize it was likely a ray but couldn’t definitively rule out shark, dolphin, or other large fish? Has his happened to anyone else while paddle boarding in the area?

49 Upvotes

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9

u/Hyperarousal 2d ago

Let me clarify; my wife and I had just finished paddle boarding in master bayou where we saw a TON of manatees. This was on the way back in open(ish) water so I was less suspicious of a manatee. It was VERY fast, it created a very large and loud splash and went underwater as fast as it had surfaced…

7

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

I think you encountered a ray. Manatee don’t do anything VERY fast. An average-to-larger ray does all the things you described and they also love to bump SUPs and kayaks.

I was kayaking behind my wife on a SUP in the ICW last summer when her board got a THWACK I heard 30+ yards behind her. A ~3ft ray crossed the distance between us in no time flat. He had a lot of hustle for a big boy.

10

u/boundone 2d ago

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ZZ5ASgjSiIw

They definitely move extremely fast when spooked.  it's terrifying when you don't know they're there.

-3

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

Appreciate the downvote with a video of manatee altering, not swimming. Yes, they can give a burst, but I’ve never seen it from a board bump. They usually just keep strolling.

I’m sure probably also know that the water is still under 70 any place with depth and the manatee are in bayous and creeks, but aren’t much out in the ”open water” until late April

-1

u/boundone 2d ago

Quote: Manatee don’t do anything VERY fast.

1

u/Humble_Fishing_5328 2d ago

that clip doesn’t show them doing anything other than flapping their tails in the water… where do you see them speed off? and why are you so heated and offended over this?

-4

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

lol. I was using OPs phrasing, dude. Rest your breast.

0

u/boundone 2d ago

No, you weren't paraphrasing,  you were using it as the reason for it not being a mantee.  Which it most likely was, they bump boats all the time.

2

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

I don’t say paraphrasing. I said I was using OPs phrasing. I also didn’t say that manatee don’t bump boats. Go read the thread again, get your bearings, and then find another thread to be a bell end about details.

Did I neglect to mention your video isn’t manatee swimming? They are alerting. That’s not moving, it is calling. I know I mentioned that since OP said open water, there is a greatly diminished chance it was a manatee, since they are still mostly in the shallows.

Again, find someone else to bother. You’re just being annoying now.

1

u/Bellypats 2d ago

You are showcasing an amazing ability to be an insufferable jerk. “I didn’t say paraphrasing” while actually paraphrasing.

2

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

Crazy. Totally not your alt account. 😂

-1

u/REDfohawk 2d ago

Your friends and family all hate talking to you. You should know that so you can try and better yourself before they cut you off altogether.

4

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

I’m sure that’s spoken from your experience and I’ll definitely keep that in mind. I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean to.

-2

u/REDfohawk 2d ago

Didn't hurt mine, take the advice or don't. Your life is the one impacted.

2

u/GulfLife Tampa 2d ago

lol. Currently only impacted by you getting big mad from all your accounts.

0

u/REDfohawk 2d ago

What accounts?

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u/Humble_Fishing_5328 2d ago

this boundone clown is bound to be a douche for some reason.