SEBASTIAN — Manatees, dolphin, rays, and fellow conservationists accompanied Justin Riney, founder and CEO of Mother Ocean during his 165-mile long trip to bring awareness to the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon.
“This area in particular was one of the geneses of the initial idea for this paddle because of the declining seagrasses,” said Riney.
The trip is planned for the length of the lagoon.
Tuesday afternoon, as Riney passed through the waters of Sebastian, Mayor Jim Hill met him on his journey, paddling out on a stand up paddle (SUP) board for the first time.
“I am so getting wet,” said Mayor Hill as he contemplated his first trip on a SUP.
Kristen Beck, of Florida Outdoor Center, supplied the SUP for the Mayor. Beck only for a brief moment considered giving him the lesser stable board, but in the end gave him a beginner SUP.
“It’s going to be like on a treadmill,” said Beck.
The meeting, where Mayor Hill presented Riney with a laminated proclamation, took place north of the twin piers near Riverview Park.
“Sebastian was one of the first communities to jump on board with this paddle,” said Riney.
Riney began his journey at Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach and will finish it Oct. 20 at the Jupiter Inlet.
During his trip he also camped on spoil islands, dealt with unfavorable winds, encountered moon jellyfish, and cleaned up trash as he went.
From his leg, Tittusville south, Capt. Don Voss, of Marine Cleanup, Inc. served as a support, both with lights at night and a place to put trash found along the way.
To follow the rest of his journey and get a recap of his trip visit https://www.facebook.com/XF500.
Many of the paddlers were glad that today was much better than the weather Riney experienced on day three with 28 mph winds, and knee- to waist-high swells.
“Once the seagrasses go, the fisheries go, the birds go, the local economy suffers,” said Riney.”
