What if your kid is not into soccer?
By PJ Goetz
Tampa with Kids

What’s a mom to do? Worry not! Plenty of things to get the kids involved abound! I’ve spent the last few months uncovering great activities for kids that you may have overlooked.


North Beach Wind Surfing School: Britt Viehman founder of North Beach Wind Surfing School loves to windsurf! And he loves to teach kids how to windsurf. This 34- year old Florida native can be found most days in the waters off of Terra Verde teaching somebody to windsurf. He teaches kids 8 and up the basic and has them up and surfing in about 3 hours. He compares it to downhill skiing- most kids can start skiing the bunny hills in one afternoon but it takes practice and more skill to be able to ride down the black diamond- Same with windsurfing- in an afternoon most kids will be able to windsurf in calm waters with a light breeze but it takes skill and practice to windsurf in choppy waters with a strong wind. And he loves to help kids of all levels; whether it’s to improve on their windsurfing skills or to start windsurfing. And once kids get the hang of it he has a wind surfing team that meets twice a week at the Clearwater Community Sailing School. He offers private lessons, group lessons and summer camps for kids. www.nbwindsurfing.com or (727) 656-6569


Dance & Circus Arts of Tampa Bay: Do your kids have a passion to move? Then you need to take them to see Beth Brier @ Dance & Circus Arts of Tampa Bay. Two years ago she started a “cirque” training facility in Clearwater. It is the only dance studio in the entire country to offer cirque art training and it’s our own backyard! At her studio kids ages 5 and up train in Trapeze and other aerial equipment, Chinese acrobatics and contortion. If you think this might be something your kids will like they have a show that will highlight the “cirque” training of her students coming up in November. “The Snow Princess” will have two performances Sat. Nov 24 @ 7pm and Sun. Nov 24 @ 2pm. Tickets are available at the Largo Cultural Center Box Office (727) 587-6793 or Ticketmaster. For more information www.thesnowprincess.com or www.bbsdancefactory.com call Beth @ (727) 587-6793


Tampa BMX: I showed up to write a story and my kids got hooked. A few times up and down the track and they wanted to sign up. BMX is a fast, action-packed sport that really gets kids moving. The BMX tracks start at the top of a small hill and the bikes are held in place by a starting gate, once the gate is dropped the riders tackle a winding course that has lots of jumps and turns. BMX began in the early 1970s by a group of kids in California just looking to have some fun with their bikes and now is the newest Olympic sport. If you think your kids might like to try Tampa BMX is ready to welcome them. We showed up without a clue and within an hour my boys were riding and having a blast. Wednesday and Friday night starting at 5 pm the track is open for practice. Tampa BMX offers a free trail for 1st time riders who show up with a parent. www.tampabmx.com or (813) 265-1269 Thanks Julie for making this a great time for the kids.


McCormick Ski School: Since 1956 the McCormick Family has been teaching kids how to water-ski. Through the years they have coached 30 world champions and more than 200 national champions. Because of our great Florida weather they are open year round. And even through they coach world champions you don’t have to be one to ski here. 60% of the people who attend the school are beginners. You just need to show up. The school provides everything you’ll need. You can bring the kids out for a Sunday afternoon and make it a family event or send them for the whole summer. While I was there a man was down from Vermont to stay at McCormick’s and ski. His kids are in high school. He told me that through the years water skiing was something the whole family could do together and that they still love being on the water together. www.skimccormick.com or Call Mike at (813) 681-4441


Quarter Midget Racing: Gentleman start your engines! I had never heard of quarter midget racing but I can tell you that my kids are nuts about it. Pint size racers ages 5-16 years old race specially designed cars that are ¼ the scale of a full adult midget racecar. Ambassador Racing School in Balm is the only track in the United States that allows for an hour private lesson with a quarter midget car to see if your kids might be the next NASCAR champions! J.R. Garcia the instructor at Ambassador had been racing since age 7. He holds many titles and can instruct kids as young as 4 ½. Tampa Bay Quarter Midget Racing Association is the areas youth racing organization. They have two races a month at Ambassador Racing School. www.racingkarts.com or (813) 634-1076


Jr. Personal Training at the YMCA: What if your kid wants to get fit but isn’t really into sports. Jr. Personal Training at YMCA is great opportunity for kids 8-17 to get in shape by working one on one with a trainer. Endurance, coordination, balance and core muscle strength are the focus. Under the watchful eye of a trainer kids can set their own fitness goals and work to reach them. Exercises that are used are fun and get the kids moving without them realizing they are working out. Call your local YMCA for details or log onto www.tampaymca.org