This all started with a couple random Facebook posts.
I kept seeing people asking where to go paddleboarding in the Pensacola area. Questions like, “Any good launch spots around here?” or “Where is somewhere beginner-friendly I can take my board this weekend?” The answers were scattered, vague, or based mostly on word of mouth.
Naturally, I checked the App Store to see what already existed. What I found did not really solve the problem I was seeing, so I started wondering what it would look like to build something myself.
Starting as a Passion Project
I was still pretty new to paddleboarding when I started PaddleSpot, but that was part of the reason the idea made sense to me. I liked getting outside and being on the water, but finding places to launch was frustrating.
That is where PaddleSpot came from. The goal is simple: help people discover paddle spots without having to hunt down launch information, parking tips, reviews, or basic details across a bunch of different places.
It is for beginners who want to get into paddling but do not know where to start, and it is also for people who have lived here for years and just want somewhere new to explore.
Why I’m Taking My Time
Most projects I start, I tend to go full speed. This one has been different. Building an app by yourself takes time, and I would rather build something useful than rush it just to say it launched.
Living in Gulf Breeze puts me right next to the water and the Emerald Coast, which makes this a pretty ideal place to test the idea. It also gives me a good excuse to call going paddleboarding “field research.”
What You Can Expect
The first version of PaddleSpot is focused on making discovery easier. Users can:
- Explore paddle spots with details such as parking, difficulty, and water type
- Save favorite spots
- Share locations with friends
- Leave reviews and photos
- Discover new places to get on the water
Weather, tides, and more planning tools are part of where I want the app to continue going.
If you are someone who wants to paddle more but needs help figuring out where to go, PaddleSpot is being built for you.