Stand-up paddle boarding, declared an official Special Olympics sport in Florida for the first time last year, has made its way to Pasco County.
- 29 Florida counties compete in Special Olympics paddle boarding
- Athletes practicing on 800-yard course
- 1st competition is July 9 in Winter Haven
With all the water in and around Florida, stand-up paddle, or SUP, seemed like a perfect fit for Special Olympic athletes in the Sunshine State.
“It's peaceful, fun, enjoyable. It's relaxing," athlete Christopher Cahoon said, during a recent practice in Port Richey.
It can also be pretty tough.
“I get myself up on the board, put the leash around my ankle and start paddling,” Cahoon said. “I listen to what the coaches tell me, where to go and how to do it."
The athletes, many of whom have been part of the Special Olympics for years, are practicing an 800-yard competition, going out and around buoys and back. The athletes have been practicing a couple times a week.
Chip Smith might have the edge on most of the athletes in terms of experience. He’s been competing for 22 years.
“I've done flag football, bowling, swimming, soccer," Smith said. And now he's competing in paddle boarding.
“It's about the spirit of the game. We fail, we get back up. Nobody cares who's winning who's losing,” Coach Phyllis Crane said. “We all want to win, and we get there, but they all never stop trying. That's the best part about Special Olympics."
Twenty-nine counties are now competing in Special Olympic paddle boarding in Florida. The first SUP competition of the year is this weekend in Winter Haven.
For more information, contact Special Olympics Florida at (352) 243-9536.