Labor Day Not End to Beach Days

As summertime slips into fall, there are still plenty of beach days to come here on Amelia Island. On this Labor Day holiday weekend (a time that often marks the “end of the summer season” in many northern beach destinations), there’s still time to enjoy the beaches of this northeast Florida barrier island. Pictured are beachgoers in force at Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach, Labor Day 2009. (Temps this coming week are expected to be in the 87 to 90 degree range.)

Growing up in the northeast, two 3-day weekends highlighted the beginning and end of the summer season each year. People really looked forward to the May Memorial Day weekend, the “big” holiday ushering in summer. It was anticipation of summer fun. It was a time for family get-togethers, picnics, and heading to the beach (or the lake), if you were within a 2-hour driving range. Packing up the station wagon in the wee hours of the morning, trying to beat the traffic to the water.

The September Labor Day holiday at the end of summer was met with a bit less enthusiasm. It meant the end of warm summer nights, drive-in movies, fire flies, barbeques and beach days. It was the end of summer vacation. It meant the cold weather would soon be upon us. Although it is more seasonal here in northeast Florida than our southern counterpart, there’s still at least another month of hot beach weather to enjoy on Amelia Island.

For me, the Labor Day holiday weekend started with the Amelia Island Turtle Trot, a 5K/10K run (and 1.5 mile walk) organized by the Amelia Island Runners Club, benefiting sea turtle conservation efforts of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, Fort Clinch sea turtle patrols, as well as youth running programs.

It was the first time I ran in a race, ever. It turned out to be a rewarding experience. There were runners of all ages and abilities participating. The turnout was their best for this annual event, with over 430 “finishers” who rose early Saturday morning, heard the cannon shot, and ran west on Atlantic Avenue at the 7:30 am start time. Kudos to the runner’s club for a “well run” community event, promoting wellness for all, man and turtle. (See more about the Turtle Trot at www.AmeliaIslandRunners.com )

I had visitors over the holiday weekend who came up to this northern neck of Florida from Jupiter. We took a walk on the beach, passing by Seaside Park near Sliders. Lots of people flocked to this popular beach access on this holiday.

While I’ve seen ocean kayakers many times (as well as surfers and boogie boarders), today there were a bunch of people with paddles and super-sized surf boards. When we passed by these paddle boarders, I heard from my Jupiter house guests that standup paddle boarding (SUP) is now very popular in south Florida.

A quick “Google” this evening about paddleboards gave a bit of insight about what is apparently “the fastest growing water sport in the country.” It reportedly began in Hawaii, spread to California and now to Florida. It appears standup paddle boarding is a great workout and ideal for “flat water,” including calmer days at the ocean, and rivers and lakes.

I think we’ll be seeing more people around Amelia Island trying out “SUPs” (although the boards are pricey for casual use, at around $1,000 to $1,600). It looks like fun (perhaps an easier sport than traditional surfing on a regular-sized board).

P.S. Fishing is another fall bonus around here. While I don’t fish, I’ve been told the fall inshore fishing starts to “really heat up” in the area’s waterways. It’s an especially good time for larger flounder and sea trout. A good time to shore fish off Fort Clinch and the southend (in the Amelia Island State Park).

W.B.L.