The search for a man who disappeared during a paddleboarding excursion over the weekend came to a somber conclusion on Monday with the discovery of his body in Old Tampa Bay, according to local authorities.
The man was last observed at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday as he navigated the waters near the Courtney Campbell Causeway. This causeway serves as a vital link between the cities of Tampa and Clearwater across the expansive bay.
It wasn’t until just after 9 p.m. on Sunday that his family contacted the Tampa Police Department to report him missing, prompting an immediate response from the authorities.
As the sun rose, casting a glow over the Courtney Campbell Causeway—a scenic route connecting Tampa Bay to Clearwater and Dunedin—the search efforts intensified. Conditions had improved sufficiently by Monday morning to enable a more thorough search.
By around 11 a.m., officers from the department’s marine unit made a significant breakthrough. They discovered the man’s paddleboard along with some of his personal items on the west side of Old Tampa Bay, a find that ultimately led to the tragic recovery of his body.
Officers with the department’s marine unit located the man’s paddleboard and other belongings on the west side of Old Tampa Bay at about 11 a.m., police said.
His body was recovered about an hour later near the causeway bridge.
The man vanished around 4 p.m. Saturday near the Courtney Campbell Causeway, a roadway that connects Tampa and Clearwater across the bay. (iStock)
Authorities said the man has not yet been positively identified, pending notification of next of kin.
Foul play is not suspected, police said, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Drone angle view of Clearwater Beach and Bridge. (Getty Images)
The Courtney Campbell Causeway is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike who can enjoy the panoramic views of the Bay.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife, stand-up paddleboards are treated as vessels, which means paddlers are expected to follow many of the same safety rules as boaters.
According to the agency, safety rules for boaters include carrying a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, having a sound-producing device on board and using lights when visibility drops. The agency warns that glare, fog and choppy water can make small craft hard to spot.
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