Skyway South Kiteboarding

In June, 1982, construction began on this 4 mile, 6.4 km. bridge across Tampa Bay, Florida.  This massive bridge was equipped with a bridge protection system, designed by Parsons Brinkerhoff.  This protection system was developed to withstand an impact from an 87,000-ton tanker traveling at 10 knots due to prior issues. 

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has a main span of  1200 ft., 365.7 m. and a vertical clearance of 193 ft., 58.8 m..  Completed in April, 1987, at a construction cost of approximately $245 million, the bridge safely carries four lanes of traffic (20,000 cars a day) back and forth from Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) to Manatee County.   

PRECAUTIONS: Intermediate to advanced riders. There are a number of oyster beds and rocks so booties or water shoes are recommended. At high tide it can be very difficult to rig and launch. Low tide is necessary for rigging and launching.

WIND DIRECTIONS: NE, NNE, N, NNW