After 13 Years Red Bull Flugtag Is Coming Back To Tampa

Red Bull’s craziest event is coming back to Tampa. So start building those homemade flying machines and get ready for takeoff because the iconic Red Bull Flugtag is coming to Tampa Bay later this year. 

If you’re not really sure what Red Bull Flugtag is, it’s a huge event that will bring over 100,000 people to the Tampa Bay area to watch team’s of five push their homemade vehicle’s off of a 27-foot-tall flight deck to see which team will fly the farthest.

The 40 teams of five will be judged on the design of their craft, creativity of their pre-flight skit, and the distance of their flight. The winners not only win bragging rights from this awesome event, they’ll win exclusive Red Bull experiences, meet-and-greets with Red Bull athletes, and more. 

In a press conference from today, Mayor Jane Castor expressed how excited she is to bring back the Red Bull Flutag to Tampa. “We can’t wait to watch these daring pilots take flight, or maybe more accurately, take a plunge, right outside the Tampa Convention Center. It's going to be an epic day, and most importantly, an economic boost of over $3 million to our city. It’s a win-win.”

Red Bull Flugtag Tampa Bay will take place on Saturday, November 9 at the same place it did in 2011, the Tampa Convention Center. If any locals want to sign up for the competition, registration opens up on July 8^th and runs through September 19^th. You can register at RedBull.com/redbullflugtagtampa. Teams will be announced on September 23.

The winners will be determined by an incredible lineup of judges that will be announced at a later date.

This will be the third Red Bull Flugtag held in Tampa. The last two occurred in 2008 and 2011. Team Tampa Bay Watch (2008) and Willy Wonka's Amazing Flying Flugtag Adventure (2011) were the past winners and were comprised of the same teammates.

If you're a thrill seeker who wants to take on this challenge, you may need to know a few things on how to build a flugtag. Not everyone who participates in the Red Bull Flugtag is an engineer or professional stuntman. First you'll want to come up with a good theme for your aircraft and build a sketch of your idea. Most flugtags are homemade and use tools and parts that you can get at your local Home Depot or Lowe's. And it will definitely take some time and trial and error, so don't wait till the last minute. A team that competed in the 4th Red Bull Flugtag in Instanbul wrote a really helpful guide on how to build a themed aircraft. Check it out here.

One of the best parts about living in Tampa Bay is there is no shortage of things to do. Whether you want to take a day trip down south, over to Orlando, or hit the beaches, there’s always something to do. Here are the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay.

Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP for short, has exploded in the last few years for many reasons. It is one of the easiest sports and hobbies to pick up and it’s a great activity for the whole family, no matter how old. 

With so many great natural waterways to visit, some of the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay are very easy to access. Unlike other board sports, stand-up paddleboarding doesn’t cost much so once you buy a board, you’re set.

Like classic TV shows such as Friends or The Office, stand-up paddle boarding is known for its cult-like following. Those who SUP, love to SUP. Its “laid-back culture” is what makes it a great activity for fitness lovers, fishermen, enthusiasts, or outdoorsmen, and the best part? Your dog can join you on the board.

Paddleboarding in Tampa Bay is one of the best ways to get outside and explore what Florida has to offer. With warm weather and sunshine year-round, you can ditch the treadmill and make paddleboarding part of your routine. 

Stand-up paddleboards are everywhere. There are so many options when it comes to choosing the board that’s right for you. From hardboards to inflatable boards, there are many different options to choose from.

Two of the best paddleboard brands are headquartered in Florida with one even right here in Clearwater. LIVE Watersports started right here in Clearwater, Florida, and makes some of the sturdiest boards on the market.

LIVE Watersports boards might be on the pricier end, but they’re durable, sturdy, and offer a unique shape that other manufacturers don’t. Another Florida-based brand is BOTE Boards. BOTE makes inflatable boards as well as hardboards and many different price points and skill levels.

You can find boards at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, and other local sports stores in the area. 

Weeki Wachee Springs is one of the best spots to paddleboard in Tampa Bay area. Weeki Wachee is about an hour north of Tampa and offers miles of crystal-clear water with manatees and other wildlife to see.

Weedon Island Preserve is just across the bay from Tampa and is located in St. Petersburg. Weedon Island has over 3,100 acres of natural mangroves. It’s a great spot to fish from your paddleboard or catch a glimpse into the wildlife of Florida. 

If you’re looking to encounter manatees up close, why not do it in the manatee capital of the world? Crystal River is one of those small towns with endless activities to do. Crystal River has some of the clearest blue water you’ll ever find and is a great spot for a relaxing paddle board cruise with so much to see. 

Fort De Soto is home to over 1,100 acres of beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks and more across 5 keys. This makes it the perfect spot to grab your paddle board and spend the day in some of Pinellas County's best wildlife parks. You won't find any high-rise condos out here so there's plenty of space to get escape for the day.

Caladesi Island State Park is one of the last remaining untouched islands along Florida's Gulf Coast. Caladesi is only accessible by boat which makes it the perfect way to spend the day paddle boarding through the white sand beaches and mangrove forests.

If you're looking to paddleboard with some gators, the Myakka River is the place to be. With 60 miles of great fishing and wildlife to see, Myakka River is perfect for an all-day adventure off-grid.