Extreme Sport Venues and Opportunities in the East Tampa Bay Area

During high school and college, my sport of choice was field hockey. I loved weaving in and out and around the other team, out-maneuvering them while I sped down to the goal with the ball, or ran interference for a fellow teammate who had the ball. I played right or left half-back, which allowed me to play the entire field both defensively and offensively. Ah... those were the days. However, now I dance and do a lot of walking for my job, which requires both ankles to be intact. Any kind of hockey tends to be hazardous to the limbs.

A few years later, I acquired a friend who had a husband, who had a passion for rock climbing. But he needed a partner and couldn't find one.I became that volunteer.Now don't get me wrong, I had no problem with climbing the rocks at Castle Rock,some of which were between 50-100 feet high.I just had a problem with rappelling.
For those of you who're not sure what that term is, it means to traverse down a rock face with the aid of an attached rope in a wholly illogical manner.

The rope is attached through a carabiner, which is snapped onto a piton, which is hammered into the rock.The climber walks over the rocks' edge, backward, holding onto the rope while becoming perpendicular to the rock, as in a 90 degree angle from the rock face, or in layman's terms,the climber's back is supposed to be in the exact same angle as the ground.

Needless to say, every time my merciful and thoughtful partner required that I rappel, I yelled all the way down, while he snickered with glee.

If you are one of those who loves to get your adrenaline pumping, and to challenge yourself, physically,then this area has a lot of different choices for you to choose from, with venues that are indoors,outdoors,on terra firma or in the water.

These opportunities are all over this area, so you don't need to travel very far to get involved with something.The venues and choices are:

Adrenalina

Adrenalina, at International Plaza, has a Flowrider, which is a water ramp that gives you the opportunity to surf in an indoor environment.Water shoots up the soft foam ramp at 38 miles per hour giving you the chance to use specially designed boogie boards or Flow boards to glide, cut and surf your way up and down the incline.

You must be 42 inches tall in order to use the Flowrider. The store has instructors who will help first timers.
Preston Rudie, Reporter 10 Connects,http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92779&catid=8

A 30 minute session with up to 7 other people costs $20. However, the Flowrider can also be rented out for private sessions. A one month package, with six sessions is $100.00,a six month package with eight
sessions per month is $648.00 and a 12 month package with twelve sessions per month is $1,346.30.
http://www.adrenalinastore.com/flowrider.cfm

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding Tampabay
(813) 389-3683
lessons@kiteboardingtampabay.com
9:00 A.M.- 9:00 P.M. (eastern time
Open 7 Days a Week

Kiteboarding, or Kitesurfing is a wind blown sport. Kiters use the wind and water to create the ultimate action sport.

Large, inflatable kites enable the kiter to speed along the water,up to 50mph, and to achieve jumps of up to 40 feet in height. Kites come in many sizes and shapes, but generally kites for kiteboarding,on the water, are called
'inflatables" with air filled bladders, which give structure to the canopy, and allows for relaunching from the water.

Kiteboarding has grown to include specializations, such as course racing, distance racing, freestyle, BIG-AIR, and wave riding.
http://www.kiteboardingtampabay.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=112

PAINT BALL

JUNGLE GAMES BATTLEFIELDS-Two fields

1-Located in Lutz, North Tampa Bay.Their hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.They offer weekday reservations for groups of ten or more gun rentals.

2-Located in Lithia, East Tampa area. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.They offer weekday reservations for groups of ten or more gun rentals.
http://www.paintballtampabay.com/myweb/

ORBITAL PAINTBALL

3 Miles North of Fowler on Hwy 301
12771 North Highway 301
Thonotosassa FL 33592
(813) 789-8159
Patrick Hebert, President
Jeff McDaniel, Manager
Info@OrbitalPaintball.com

They are open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm,rain or shine.Six or more players need to book in advanced. They will open the field for play during the week, day or night if it is reserved in advance.

They offer rec ball,scenarios and tournaments a concession,catered luncheons,corporate functions, teambuilding and birthdays

They have multiple playing fields for Xball,Speedball and AirBall.They also have wooded fields,a spool field, an urban village,HyperBall fields,an Attack and Defend Fort and a two Story Castle.
http://www.orbitalpaintball.com/

Skateboarding/inline skating/BMX

Skatepark of Tampa - Tampa, Florida
4215 E. Columbus Dr.Tampa, FL
Phone: (813) 621-6793
Website: http://www.skateparkoftampa.com

This facility is for skateboarding,inline skating and BMX riding.

Their regular hours are Monday through Thursday with one session from 12 to 9 pm.On Wednesdays, the shop closes from 5:00PM to 5:30PM.On Friday there is one session from 12 to 11 pm. On Saturday there are two sessions,one from 10 am - to 5 pm, then 5:30 pm to 11 pm.Sunday also has two sessions, one from 10 am to 1:30 pm for ages 12 and under, only,requiring full pads, then from 2 pm to 10 pm for a regular session.
BMXers are welcome from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Their summer/holiday/Spring Break hours are Monday to Thursday with two sessions,the first from 10 am to 5 pm, then from 5:30 pm to 10 pm.On Friday and Saturday there are also two sessions,the first from 10 am to 5 pm, then from 5:30 pm to 11 pm.Sunday also has two sessions, the first from 10 am to 1:30 pm for ages 12 and under,only, requiring full pads,then from 2 pm to10 pm for a regular session.BMXers are welcome from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Their non membership admission is:
Monday - Thursday: Each Session - $6
Friday - Sunday: Each Session - $8
Last Hour Of Each Session Is Half Price

Their membership admission is:
$25 for an Annual Pass
Free Skate Day with each Membership purchase (UP TO AN $8 VALUE)
Monday - Thursday: Each Sessions - $4
Friday - Sunday: Each Session - $5
Last hour Of each session is half price

Ladies ride free except for the 12 and under session on Sundays.

BMXers are always welcome on the outside ramps.
http://www.skateboardparks.com/florida/spot/index.html

Mountain Bike Trails

There are several trails in our area which have been designed to range from the experienced beginner rider to extreme experienced rider. These parks are maintained by the SWAMP Club-SouthWest Association of Mountainbike Pedalers,Tampa, Florida USA-SWAMP Hotline - 813-689-5109:

Alafia River State Park trail

14326 South CR 39 Lithia Florida 33547
The Park entrance has a stone entry gate and ranger station.

The admission fee is $3.00 per vehicle or $4.00 for 2-8 passengers. Camping is $18.00 per night including electricity. The bathhouse has hot water showers. These bath facilities are for registered campers only. Call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 to make reservations

There are about 20 miles of trails in Alafia,which are divided into three sections for three levels of skills from beginning to experienced. Skilled riders travel from all over the state to ride the scary drops, hillside ledges, high speed turns and difficult ridge top trails. This single-track is built on the location of a former mine.
http://www.swampclub.org/locations.htm

Wilderness Park Trails

There are about 20 miles of trails divided up into three parks, which intersect. The three parks are:

Morris Bridge

This part of the trail is accessible at the second park entrance on Morris Bridge Rd. This is the most technical of the three and is designed for beginners and intermediate riders.Riders can get lost if they're not careful.

Flatwoods Park

This portion of the trails has two entrances. The first one is further up Morris Bridge Rd. It's the third park entrance on that road. The second entrance to this park is on Bruce B. Downs Blvd past I-75.

This park also has a paved loop for rollerbladers and road cyclists.There are both single and double track trails that connect to the other two parks in the system.

Trout Creek Park

Park entrance is right after Fletcher becomes Morris Bridge road. It's the first of three park entrances on that road.

This park is between the other two. Some of its trails circle two lakes, go along a levee and over a flood structure that serves as a bridge across the Hillsborough River.This location also has several picnic pavilions, a boardwalk and a canoe launch.

All three parks have bathrooms, water and covered picnic tables.There are six parking lots in the park system.All three parks are for multi recreational use.
http://www.swampclub.org/locations.htm

Suncoast Scuba Club

The club holds monthly meetings (2nd Tuesday) throughout the year. Their meetings begin at 7:00 PM. Check out the home page to confirm the location and date of the next meeting. The meetings are usually at Tampa Bay Tech on 6410 Orient Road. Enter the FIRST entrance (most southern), NOT the one near the football field.
The room is EE24, which is upstairs, in the east building.

During the diving season, they take trips and have parties, at least once a month.In the off season, they plan parties and the next season's trips.
http://www.intampaflorida.com/perl/links/tampascripts/about_2frames.cgi?rurl=http://suncoastscuba.net&c=23

Rock Climbing

Vertical Ventures
5402 Pioneer Park Blvd • Suite E
Tampa, Florida 33634
(813) 884 • ROCK
info@verticalventures.com

Hours of operation:
Monday: Closed
Tues - Thursday: 2pm - 10pm
Friday Session A: 2pm - 7pm
Friday Session B: 8pm - 12am
Sat - Sunday: 10am - 6pm

Vertical Ventures is an indoor rock climbing gym.They provide a training environment for climbers of all skill levels, and offer an alternative to a conventional gym.You must complete a waiver to climb at Vertical Ventures. If you are under 18 a PARENT must sign your waiver.
http://www.intampaflorida.com/perl/links/tampascripts/about_2frames.cgi?rurl=http://www.verticalventures.com/&c=23

Ice Hockey/Extreme Power Skating/Lazer Tag

Ice Sports Forum
10222 Elizabeth Place
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 684-7825 Fax (813) 655-0642

The Ice Sports Forum in Brandon has 2 NHL regulation ice rinks which are used for USA Hockey programs and figure skating events. They are the official training facility of the Tampa Bay Lightning and host many of the NHL teams that visit Tampa Bay.

The facility also offers a laser tag arena capable of hosting 24 players at the same time. The LaserStrike laser tag area is available as part of party packages, team building exercises, and walk-ins.

The facility also has the Centerline Cafe, The Power Play Grill with a big screen TV, a pool table, and outdoor patio. They also offer a game room, full line pro shop and a mezzanine and conference room.

The Ice Sports Forum offers public skating, learn to skate lessons, learn to play hockey leagues for adults and youths. They are also available to rent for private functions including group, corporate and birthday events.
http://www.theicesportsforum.com/

They also host:
Weekend hockey tournaments
www.weekendhockey.com
Extreme Power skating
www.extremepowerskating.com

Sky Diving

Skydive City
4241 Sky Dive Ln.
Zephyrhills, FL 33542

Toll-Free: (800) 888-5867
Phone: (813) 783-9399
Fax: (813) 783-2171

They are open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to sunset and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to sunset.They are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

They offer tandem skydiving for beginners and an AFF Integrated Student Program for the more experienced skydiver.

This is one of Florida's number one skydiving centers. They are fully equipped for the first jump on up. They offer multiple training methods, a full-service school, an RV park, a pro shop and excellent instructors and equipment. Spectators are welcome.

The Florida Skydiving League accommodates flat flyers, freeflyers, canopy pilots, CRW and what ever else you are into. You are welcome at Skydive City.
http://www.skydivecity.com/

Ultralight

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.
39450 South Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Phone: 1-813-780-0030 Fax: 1-813-780-0032.
http://www.tampabayaerosport.com/links.html

Sources:

Preston Rudie, Reporter 10 Connects,http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92779&catid=8

http://www.adrenalinastore.com/flowrider.cfm

http://www.kiteboardingtampabay.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=112

http://www.paintballtampabay.com/myweb/

http://www.orbitalpaintball.com/

http://www.skateboardparks.com/florida/spot/index.html

http://www.skateparkoftampa.com/spot/default.aspx

http://www.swampclub.org/locations.htm

http://www.intampaflorida.com/perl/links/tampascripts/about_2frames.cgi?rurl=http://suncoastscuba.net&c=23

http://www.intampaflorida.com/perl/links/tampascripts/about_2frames.cgi?rurl=http://www.verticalventures.com/&c=23

http://www.theicesportsforum.com/

www.weekendhockey.com

www.extremepowerskating.com

http://www.skydivecity.com/

http://www.tampabayaerosport.com/links.html