Kitesurfers on Pass-A-Grille Credit: Chris Girandola

While there was plenty of mayhem and destruction during Tropical Storm Debby's lingering presence since last Saturday, local kitesurfers and surfers took advantage of the wind and high waves associated with the weather. The damage from the high surf and winds caused extensive beach erosion throughout Pinellas County. County officials indicated that several beach areas were hard hit by the storm, extending from south Pass-A-Grille to areas along Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores. “We have a beach nourishment project already in place,” said Pinellas County Coastal Coordinator Andy Squires, “but we’ll need additional permitting and additional funding to be able to extend the beach nourishment project to include additional affected areas.” USF Dept. of Geology is in the process of doing beach surveys to assess exact sand volume losses.

Amidst all the chaos, local surfers and kitesurfers — the bravest ones — took advantage of waves that reached eight to 10 feet at times. Indian Rocks Beach native and professional surfer Shea Lopez told Surfline.com that the surf were some of the best he's caught in the area since he began surfing. "You wouldn't believe some of the waves I caught. Four legit head-high to overhead days, two of them glassy. That's never happened."

St. Petersburg native and resident Billy Parker, who is a professional kite surfer, became an internet sensation when he launched himself over the Redington Shores pier on Monday. Jay Gartner, a tourist visiting the area, shot a video with his phone of Parker jumping the pier in 50-mph wind. The video instantly went viral and Parker's stunt became the hit of the Internet.

Parker, who appeared on ABC Action News, said he spent seven hours on the water along with girlfriend, Tiffany Schrader, and best friend, Will Palmer. Parker attempted to jump the pier two years ago during a day with high winds similar to the ones felt during Tropical Storm Debby, but the conditions were not as favorable as on Monday. "The winds (on Monday) and the conditions were ideal because we were the only ones on the water and no one was on the pier," Parker said. "I've jumped as high as 60, 70 feet so I knew it was possible because the pier is 30 feet high."