Author: Scott Le Roy

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is calling on all boaters to celebrate responsibly this 4th of July weekend and social distance appropriately. This includes wearing a mask when entering or exiting marinas, boat ramps, fuel pumps, and dockside dining locations. Boating is one of the safest ways to relax with friends and family this summer, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practicing safe and considerate habits will ensure that everyone can continue boating this summer and beyond.  NMMA is counting on the boating community to spread the word by sharing health and safety tips on social media. Here are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Don’t raft up your boat. Anchor a safe distance from other boaters, and don’t mix boating families together. 2. Wear a mask. We know it’s hot outside, and a mask isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world to wear, but contracting COVID-19 is significantly more uncomfortable. Be diligent about covering your face when entering and...

Due to the coronavirus, the annual 4th of July fireworks show over the Manatee River has been postponed until Labor Day (September 7th). However, there are other ways to celebrate Independence Day! Dozens of restaurants around Bradenton will be open to customers. Some of them include: Red Lobster, PIER 22, Riviera Dunes Dockside, Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano, Duval’s Fresh. Local Seafood., Cafe Amici, Selva Grill, Veronica Fish & Oyster, Cafe Baci, Off The Hook Seafood Co., Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, C’est La Vie, Cork & Kale, and so many more! If you’re unsure of a particular restaurant’s hours, give them a call to confirm when they open and close.  If you plan to attend the Labor Day fireworks, plan to get there before 8pm. The show will be best viewed on the Green Bridge and on both sides of the river. It might seem like Labor Day is far away, but it’s something to look forward to, and it’s also...

After sheltering in place for a few months, are you ready to get out of the house and do something fun? Consider visiting the Manatee County Agricultural Museum! Located at 1015 6th St. West in Palmetto, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum is excited to welcome visitors back on Tuesday, June 23rd. Hours will be limited, and visits are by appointment only, Tuesday through Friday. Available time slots include 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30. You can book a time on EventBrite.com or the Manatee County Agricultural Museum website. Maximum time inside the museum is 1.5 hours, and you must leave 30 minutes before the next scheduled appointment to allow time for cleaning and sanitizing. Appointments can hold up to 8 visitors, and all visitors are required to maintain social distancing. Visitors over the age of 2 are required to bring and wear a mask. Staff will also be wearing masks. If you have any questions, feel free to call the museum at...

Life is too short to tolerate warm food and drinks when you’re out on the boat! That’s why packing your cooler correctly is essential. Whether you’re fishing or hanging out at the sandbar, a cooler filled with cold beverages is necessary. If you want to perfect the art of packing your cooler, keep reading. 1. Choose your cooler.Coolers have drastically improved over the last few years. YETI, RTIC, Pelican, Engle, and Mammoth have some amazing products for sale. It may be wise to invest in two coolers: one for food, and one for drinks. The drink cooler will inevitably be opened more frequently, which means the contents will warm faster. It’s also a pain to dig around under food to retrieve the coldest drinks. Two coolers will ensure your food stays colder for longer and remains safe to eat. 2. Prepare your cooler.Before you pack your cooler, make sure it’s clean. Pre-chill your cooler with a bag of ice the night before...

Every June, Floridians can take advantage of a license-free fishing weekend. This opportunity is a great time for people to try fishing for the first time and see if it’s a hobby they’d like to explore more seriously.  During this pandemic, people are getting outside now more than ever. Why not try a new activity? If you live in Florida (the fishing capital of the world), you might as well give it a shot.  This year’s license-free saltwater fishing weekend is June 6 & 7, and the license-free freshwater fishing weekend is June 13 & 14. During this time, a fish license is not required for Florida residents or visitors. If you plan to fish on either of those weekends, remember to stay by checking your local weather forecast, wearing a lifejacket at all times, and paying attention to the water. And don’t forget to continue practicing social distancing! ...

Warm, sunny days are just around the corner! Fill your beach bag with sunglasses, a towel, flip flops, a portable speaker, and plenty of sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Because of this, sun-lovers should be well versed on sunscreen and how to choose the best brand and SPF.  Which sunscreen should you choose?The American Dermatology Association recommends one that’s labeled “broad spectrum” because that means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause wrinkles and age spots and UVB rays cause sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. Should you choose spray, lotion, stick, or gel?This mostly boils down to personal preference. The best sunscreen is one you actually use. What’s the deal with SPF?SPF is a measure of how much UVB light a sunscreen can filter out. It’s typically suggested to use at least 30 SPF, which blocks about 97% of UVB rays. If you’re going to be outside for a...

Boating safety awareness is extremely important. In 2019 alone, there were 58 boating accidents and 65 fatalities in Florida. You don’t want to end up in a boating accident that could’ve been prevented. So, what can you do as Memorial Day approaches? Stay vigilant, practice patience, and be smart.  The leading cause of boating accident fatalities is drowning, according to the 2019 Boating Accident Statistic Report. In order to combat this preventable type of death, always wear a lifejacket.  Some other valuable safety tips include:  Maintain 360-degree awareness at all timesKnow the dangers and penalties for driving a boat while under the influenceAfter swimming, count your passengers to account for everyone before starting the engineCarry a first aid kit, a toolkit, a fire extinguisher, flotation devices, and radio devices onboard Always check the weather before you leave the dockDevelop a float plan and always tell someone on land where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone Check out MyFWC.com/Boating for even more boating safety...

With boating season comes the need for an increased awareness surrounding large sea creatures, such as manatees and sea turtles. Boat collisions are the leading cause of sea turtle and manatee strandings, injuries, and death. Both of these animals are endangered and must be protected at all costs. However, it’s not always easy to see animals lurking beneath the ocean’s surface. So, what can you do? Drive cautiously, be ready to slow down or avoid animals in your pathway, and if you do happen to hit a sea turtle or a manatee, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) (the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). You won’t be penalized if the collision was an accident, and you may even save the animal’s life. If you think sea turtles only inhabit the ocean, you’re incorrect. They also occur in sounds, estuaries, and tidal creeks. As for manatees, they migrate from Florida to Georgia each spring and gravitate towards marsh grass and aquatic vegetation. They’re extremely large...

Everything has changed in the wake of COVID-19. It’s no longer safe to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities with friends and family. However, it’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves and our mental health. So, what do we do? Fortunately, some outdoor activities can be safely enjoyed solo. One of these activities is surfing. Before you rush to the ocean, check with your local authorities to figure out how you can access local beaches without violating quarantine rules. Many beaches are temporarily closed to the public. If surfing is allowed, do so respectfully and responsibly. Here’s how.  1. Put on your gear at home.Wax your surfboard and put on your wetsuit in the safety of your home. This reduces time in parking lots and allows you to avoid interacting with other surfers who may not be following social distancing rules.  2. Surf alone.Surfing with a friend is ideal, but during a pandemic, social interaction must be limited. Just be...

MarineMax is now offering virtual classes to allow customers to expand their boating knowledge. One of their most popular classes, MarineMax Women on Water, is designed to inspire confidence on the water and get women behind the helm. The course allows participants to learn boating basics such as line handling, how to tie proper knots, boat terminology, and boating safety techniques. Classes are taught by U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains and are appropriate for both brand new beginners and experienced boaters who need a refresher course. While everyone is social distancing during COVID-19, take advantage of these online offerings! They’re a great way to continue learning while you’re stuck inside. ...