Why I Started Building PaddleSpot (Even Though I’m Kinda New to Paddleboarding)
This all started with a couple random Facebook posts.
I kept seeing people asking where to go paddleboarding in the Pensacola area. Like, “Any good launch spots around here?” or “Looking for beginner-friendly places to take my paddleboard this weekend.” The answers were scattered, vague, or just nonexistent. Everyone seemed to be guessing or relying on word of mouth.
Naturally, I checked the App Store to see if something already existed. But there was only one app that looked half-dead — no updates in years, barely any content, and zero trust factor. Not exactly what you want when you’re looking for a spot to explore solo with a $300 inflatable board from Amazon.
So I thought, why not just build it?
Starting as a Passion Project
I’ve only been paddleboarding a few times, but I really liked it. I live alone, and getting outside can be hard when you’re not sure where to go or who to go with. Paddleboarding gave me something calm, peaceful, and different. But finding places to launch? That part sucked.
That’s really where the idea for PaddleSpot came from. It’s a free app that helps people discover paddle spots — whether you’re brand new or have been doing this for years. The goal is to help people actually get outside, without the stress of trying to find launch info, parking tips, or safe places to paddle.
PaddleSpot is meant for beginners who want to get into paddling but don’t know where to start. It’s also for folks who’ve lived here forever but want to explore new spots. There’s a lot out there — and the app’s meant to help you find it.
Why I’m Taking My Time
Most projects I start, I go full speed. Then I burn out. This time, I’m pacing myself. Building something like this — especially when you’re doing it solo — takes time. And I want it to be right, not rushed.
Living in Gulf Breeze, I’m surrounded by beautiful water, tucked just next to the Emerald Coast. It’s kind of the perfect place to test and launch something like this. Plus, fun fact: my favorite beach bar also happens to be a great paddleboard launch spot. So yeah, I’ve been calling that “field research.”
What You Can Expect
The app hasn’t launched yet, but it’s almost ready. I’m planning a soft launch focused on the Pensacola area first. Users will be able to:
Explore paddle spots with real details (parking, difficulty, water type)
Save their favorite spots
Share links with friends
Leave reviews and photos
And eventually — see weather, tides, and route planning tools
I’ll share updates here as we get closer. For now, if you’re someone who wants to paddle more but needs help finding where to go, PaddleSpot is for you. Whether you’re brand new or just looking for somewhere new.
App’s coming soon.