No Result
View All Result
Tampa Magazine
  • Local Knowledge
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Moving Tampa
  • Sporting
  • Health
  • Tampa Culture
  • ADVERTISE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
  • PURCHASE A COPY
  • DIGITAL ISSUES
  • EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
  • CONTACT US
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • Your Membership
    • Profile
    • Update Billing Card
    • Login / Logout
Tampa Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Tampa Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Work Out on the Water with a Stand-Up Paddleboard

by Tampa Magazine
May 26, 2017
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Written By Derek Herscovici | Photography By Gabriel Burgos

There’s a way to stay in shape while taking in the city’s waterfront sights, but you won’t be standing on any sidewalks.

Urban Kai, a fitness-focused paddleboard and kayak company, takes guests around the Bay for classes like Yoga on the Water, a core conditioning Kai Water Fitness class, the mixed land and water Warrior Zen Workout and a Better Balance Workout.

“I love getting off the sidewalk and onto the water and just having the space to enjoy the environment,” said co-founder and owner Aimee Conlee. “It’s really pretty out there, especially when a dolphin will come right up by you as you’re paddling by.”

0716_water_subUrban Kai is kid-friendly. Visit urbankai.com to learn about classes and summer camp.

Conlee started Urban Kai in 2010 with her husband, athletic trainer and board-sport enthusiast Mike. At the time, Tampa’s Downtown waterfront was still developing, but the Conlees recognized the potential for water-based exercise classes early on.

“Everyone kept asking where to get boards, but you had to drive all the way over to St. Pete to the beach to find anything. That’s when we decided to start Urban Kai.”

All classes at Urban Kai are taught by cross-trainers and yoga instructors certified for at least 1,000 hours completed. “We just think it’s important to know how your body works when you’re instructing people with activities [on the water].”

Originally located on the Hillsborough River’s western shore near Rick’s On The River, Conlee said the boat traffic and narrow space made paddleboarding difficult. A year ago they moved Urban Kai near the entrance to the Gandy Bridge on Tampa Bay, a no-wake zone perfect for beginning a trip that could go as far as nine miles away.

Urban Kai now has two locations – one by the Gandy Bridge in St. Petersburg and one next to the Sail Pavilion on the Tampa Riverwalk. Paddleboarders embarking from Downtown Tampa can explore along Davis and Harbour Islands. Across the bridge, you can visit the east coast of St. Pete and the Weedon Island Preserve.

“The water by St. Pete Beach and on the east coast can have a lot of chop, so it can be difficult some times in the Gulf, but Tampa Bay is so calm a lot of times, especially on the backside of mangroves or in between buildings,” Conlee said.

Urban Kai’s Riverwalk location is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Monday through Friday by reservation only. The Gandy location is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Next Post
Leader of the (Back) Pack

Leader of the (Back) Pack

Please login to join discussion

INSTAGRAM

Bring fabulous flair to any room with the delightf Bring fabulous flair to any room with the delightful, eye-catching pieces chosen by Tampa-based interior designer Sarit Marcus at the link in bio. Home Design & Renovations get a special pricing discount to advertise in the next issue of Tampa Magazine. Email info@TampaMagazines.com for ad rates.
New York City-based artist rochellefeinsteinstudio New York City-based artist rochellefeinsteinstudio collaborated with the acclaimed workshop USF graphicstudiofl in summer 2014 to create “Research Park Project.” Learn more about Margaret Miller’s May Gallery selection at the link in bio.
What’s your favorite spot for seafood in Tampa? What’s your favorite spot for seafood in Tampa? 🎣 Our annual roundup of the Bay’s top seafood spots is coming soon! Restaurants, to be included 📧 info@tampamagazines.com
Want to know what’s hot in the bay? Here’s som Want to know what’s hot in the bay? Here’s some Local Knowledge from Tampa’s movers and shakers! For more insight, visit the Local Knowledge tab of our website to find out the in’s and out’s of Tampa Bay from those who know it best!
Our 2022 Women’s Edition launch party was 🔥 t Our 2022 Women’s Edition launch party was 🔥 thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the issue and our Women to Watch with us. Swipe through the pics and tap the photos for tags. A special thank you to our event sponsor Celebrity Cruises celebritycruises 
-Photography carolineshorey + elizabethbaxter 
-Venue publicstudiohh 
-Balloon arch socialrevelry 
-catering saltblockhospitality 
-DJ t.couture 
-photo booth xpressurselfmedia 
-flowers pottingshedtampa 
-cupcakes thecakegirl
-Raffle Sponors: richdogmom jaseljewelry meatmarkettampa
Wishing our tampabaylightning good luck as they fa Wishing our tampabaylightning good luck as they face off against the Maple Leafs at 7:30 p.m. tonight and break that tie! Looking for a last-minute place to watch the game? Link in bio to Tampa’s best sports bars. (📷: parkrectpa)
There’s always SO much to do in Tampa Bay. After There’s always SO much to do in Tampa Bay. After a two-year break, Tampa’s Riverfest returned with two days of community, activities and live music. We had a blast. Did you make it out this year? 📸 gabrielburgos2021
Looking for somewhere to take mom this weekend? Ta Looking for somewhere to take mom this weekend? Tap the link in our bio for the newly updated 2022 Best Brunch Guide 🍳
Looking for Cinco de Mayo dinner ideas? Check out Looking for Cinco de Mayo dinner ideas? Check out the 2022 winners for Best Mexican Restaurant at the link in bio.
Women’s issue highlight ⭐️ we have some amaz Women’s issue highlight ⭐️ we have some amazing women working at Tampa Magazine. Swipe through and tap the photos for tags. Can’t wait to see you all tonight at the Women to Watch Launch Party! 
-Shawna Wiggs, Group Publisher
-Kathryn Deen, Managing Editor
-Leah Garcia, Senior Writer
-Jean Caldwell, Advertising Consultant
-Courtney Silver, Advertising Consultant
-Emily Claypool, Advertising Consultant
-Rachel Prevatte, Photography Assistant
Load More... Follow on Instagram

  • Local Knowledge
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Moving Tampa
  • Sporting
  • Health
  • Tampa Culture
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Purchase a Copy
  • Digital Issues
  • Email Newsletters
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2018 Tampa Magazine. All rights reserved. Part of the Tampa Magazines Network.

No Result
View All Result
  • Tampa Culture
  • Food and Drink
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Moving Tampa
  • Sporting
  • Health
  • Local Knowledge
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Purchase a Copy
  • Shop
  • Digital Issues
  • Email Newsletters
  • Contact
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • Your Membership
    • Profile
    • Update Billing Card
    • Login / Logout

© 2018 Tampa Magazine. All rights reserved. Part of the Tampa Magazines Network.