It was my first night on the water for the season with Island Spirit Kayak. The wind was nonexistent and the glassy water was lit with the bright pink and orange sunset as we brought the new boards down to the water. With the new LED lights attached to the bottom, we placed the clear paddle boards into the water and slowly climbed on. Once my feet hit the water, summer was finally here.
With the click of a button the water beneath each of our boards was illuminated with bright blue light. In no rush, we casually paddled out into Sengekontacket pond over the shallow waters, and observed the wild life below. The clear bottom was our window into the sea as we floated over small crabs and hundreds of minnows. As the night grew darker we were greeted by the big fish and the most incredible stars. The hunt was on as the stripers chased the smaller fish around our boards and jumped out of the water. The lights attracted all kinds of marine life as we drifted through the night.
We switched the board into “party mode” and watched the lights change colors. The mood changed from a peaceful paddle to a fun moment of dancing and laughing as the boards switched from red to green to blue. The clear paddle boards and the LED lights are the perfect duo; they give both visitors and locals a new glimpse into what lies beneath Vineyard waters. Each tour this summer has brought a new surprise, from mating horseshoe crabs to large striped bass, to live eels, squid, and our biggest visitor yet; a 4 ft sand shark!
We were a bit nervous when we saw the shark because we didn’t know how our customers would react, but everyone stayed very calm as the shark swam circles under the LED lights. It was such a special moment and definitely an unforgettable experience for both the paddlers and our guides.
The night sky really brings an energy of excitement and an air of anticipation to the water. By my 5th summer with Island Spirit Kayak I had been on every tour possible and this is by far our most unique adventure yet. I’m excited to be able to enjoy this experience with our paddlers this summer. It really is the best way to experience the island. Happy Paddling!
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