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There's something always soothing about sitting with the sand between your toes. A cool drink... the latest good read...
Except sometimes, from within, you hear a call to action. Sometimes the glint of the sun off the ocean and the echo of the waves ignite an adrenaline rush. Sometimes that sand needs to be kicking up behind you as you run for the water or bike along the coast.
When beach time means play time, there's option after option in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. There's parasailing, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing or kite flying, whatever gets your blood pumping.
View from above
If the scenery inspires you from your beach towel, take a peek from 1,400 feet up. At Smile High Parasail, you can arrange for as many as three people to soar side-by-side to that height.
The Smile High crew leads "sailers" through the experience; there's no need to run the beach or steer. After a take-off from a custom-built boat, the signature "smiley-face" parachute lifts you up for a breezy, sky-high view of this beautiful beach.
You can stay dry as you come back down, or opt for a cooling dip in the water. The Smile High pros say they can accommodate people of any age (past 4 or 5 years old) or physical condition.
In the water
Ready to surf? The first step is to check the conditions. No matter the hour, call (904) 471-1122 for a round-the-clock surf report from The Surf Station. If the waves are calling, check in at The Surf Station or at Aqua East, Blue Sky Surf Shop or PIT Surf Shop to get yourself ready. If you're a vet, that might mean just picking up an extra stick of wax and heading out. But the newcomer might need to buy a wetsuit, rent a board or arrange a lesson. And who doesn't want to come away from their experience with an authentic Florida surfing T-shirt?
If you want to bring another element into the equation, there's windsurfing or kiteboarding. For windsurfers, the "wind-catching" apparatus attaches directly to the board. A kiteboarder gets tugged by a tethered kite. In either case, the object is to get some ocean spray in the face and catch some air. The folks at Windsurfing St. Augustine and Extreme Kites can get anyone going with equipment or instruction.
On the water
Motorized power cranks things up even further. Raging Water Sports can set you up with boat or Jet Ski rentals, and has guided tours available to take in the area's well-known heritage and wildlife.
Or, for a different perspective, take a step back in history. The Schooner Freedom charter provides a look at life aboard the blockade runners that cruised the area in the 19th century. It's a 72-foot topsail replica that offers day sails, romantic evening sails, and a ghost cruise (with the Ghost Tours of St. Augustine).
Drinks and snacks are available. You can relax and watch for dolphins, or, for those who want the full experience, the crew also welcomes help raising sails, heaving lines and steering.
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