The challenge of Paddle Around the Bay is to complete a kayak fishing trip of about 100 miles in roughly twenty days. Why take twenty days you may ask, well I could probably complete it in four to five days, but that would be without any fishing involved. I have broken the trip up into separate routes or legs, on each route I hope to document the fishing and environmental conditions I encounter through pictures and commentary. By documenting this unique event I hope to create interest and support for my cause, which is to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

With the help of a good friend, Jay Place at Cooper James Advertising, we have developed a web site, www.paddlearoundthebay.com where people can make a donation directly to the American Heart Association and track my progress by reading my trip logs. There they can also learn about our sponsor, one of which is Wilderness Systems. Through the Andy Thornal Company in Winterhaven , Florida , they have donated a brand new T160i for use in this trip. Once completed we plan on holding a raffle for the kayak, which will comes completely rigged out, to include a stakeout pole, paddle and pfd. This raffle will be held during a banquet with all the proceeds going to the American Heart Association. Check the website at a later date for updates on our sponsors and the banquet date.

A start date of Febuary 2 nd has been set for the start of the Paddle Around the Bay. The first route will leave from the South Sky Way rest area and proceed north to Bishops Harbor . With good weather and fair winds, I hope to finish twenty days later.

Bill "Heywood" Howard is an avid kayak fisherman in the Tampa Bay area. He is also President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Central Florida Kayak Anglers. Information on this club can be found at www.centralfloridaangling.com Bill can be contacted at heywood- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text42617 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Long Distance Kayak Trek Scheduled to Raise Donations for American Heart Association

Tampa Bay, Florida. January 12, 2008 - A unique event to benefit the American Heart Association will be kicking off February 2 nd with Paddle Around the Bay. Undertaken solely by Bill Howard, or "Heywood" as he is known in the local kayak fishing community, the trek will cover over 100 miles of Tampa Bay coastline, and take nearly 20 days to complete.

By documenting his travels, Bill hopes to create interest and support for a cause that hits close to home. Both his parents suffered from congestive heart failure, and now, his sister is battling the disease. According to Howard, he has always wanted to undertake a personal challenge. But why paddle around the bay?

"Two things influenced me. First, I read about a group of kayakers that paddled the Wilderness Waterway in the Everglades and I thought it would be a great adventure. Second, of all things, a TV reality show entitled "Long Way Round" about Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's epic motorcycle trip from London to New York."

To make his own epic trip, Howard turned to the thing he loves: kayak fishing. While planning the trip and getting feedback from friends, he realized the trip could be used as a platform to promote a worthwhile cause. And Paddle Around the Bay was born.

To fit the trip into his work schedule, Bill will be paddling on the weekends. The first route will start from the South Skyway rest area and finish up in Bishop Harbor. The second and third routes have been determined as well and will take him as far North as E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. Each route must be carefully planned to account for tides, boat traffic, and port security zones among other considerations. The remaining routes to complete the quest will be announced soon.

An event website, www.paddlearoundthebay.com has been created to capture the action and will feature a trip log-photos and commentary from each route­-as well as recognition of sponsors who are helping to make the event a success. And, most importantly, there is a link to make donations directly to the American Heart Association.

Upon completion of the trip, Howard will hold a celebratory banquet for friends and supporters. Additionally, the kayak he'll be paddling, donated by Wilderness Systems and Andy Thornall Company, will be raffled along with other sponsor donations, including fishing equipment and guided fishing trips. All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. Details will be posted on the website when available.

Bill "Heywood" Howard is an avid kayak fisherman in the Tampa Bay area and President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Central Florida Kayak Anglers. He is active within the environmental community and reports regularly to local fishing forums on issues regarding water quality, habitat restoration, waterway access and fishing regulations.