71 Years Old and Ropeless: Wakesurfing, Wildlife, and the Spring Fling Skim Jam in April 2026

Some months on the water just have everything. April was one of those months.

The Brightmore Wakesurf Club

Our most memorable charter in April came from a group of guys who call themselves the Brightmore Wakesurf Club out of Welland Park. Every one of them is 55 and up, and every one of them showed up ready to surf.

The standout of the day was Todd Larson. At 71 years old, Todd not only got up on the board but rode completely ropeless. No handle, no rope, just him and the wake.

That's something a lot of people half his age haven't done.

There's a version of wakesurfing in Southwest Florida that exists only in people's heads where it's a young person's sport. Todd and the Brightmore Wakesurf Club put that idea to rest. If you've been telling yourself you're too old to try it, Todd would like a word.

The Water Was Something Else in April

April also gave us some of the clearest water we've seen since launching. On top of that the wildlife was out in full force.

We had dolphins jumping alongside the boat, mating manatees doing their thing nearby, and at one point a giant marine hermit crab made an appearance. Southwest Florida has a way of reminding you how special the waterways out here are, and April was a perfect example of that.

No two charters are exactly the same out here, and moments like those are a big part of why.

Sponsoring the 2026 Spring Fling Skim Jam at Nokomis Beach

We also had the opportunity to sponsor the 2026 Spring Fling Skim Jam hosted at Nokomis Beach. We had the boat parked right off the beach for the entire weekend and spent the time taking skimboarders out to try wakesurfing for the first time.

The crossover between skimboarding and wakesurfing is a natural one, and it was fun to watch people make that connection in real time.

World champion skimboarder Gerardo Valencia got on the board and excelled immediately. No surprise there. Kate Warrington hit the water for her very first wakesurf ride and was absolutely loving it by the end.

Getting to introduce skimboarders to wakesurfing at an event like the Skim Jam was exactly the kind of thing we had in mind when we launched Saraboca Wave Co. The two sports share the same soul. We just bring the waves.

If you've ever wanted to try wakesurfing in Englewood, Venice, Sarasota, Boca Grande, or anywhere in Southwest Florida, come find us on a Saturday or reach out to book a private charter.

See you out there. Saraboca Wave Co. — Bringing the Waves to You

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