Sports & Leisure

Amber Smith, center, took gold at the American Taekwondo Association World Expo. (photo submitted)

Amber Smith, center, took gold at the American Taekwondo Association World Expo. (photo submitted)

Ponte Vedra karate instructor wins world championship

Beaches1
Friday, July 29, 2016
Amber Smith, chief instructor at Karate America in Ponte Vedra Beach, recently won the world championship in the forms division at the American Taekwondo Association World Expo in Little Rock, Ark.
Emma Pugh shows off her 28.45-pound kingfish with the help of her dad. (photo submitted)

Emma Pugh shows off her 28.45-pound kingfish with the help of her dad. (photo submitted)

Ponte Vedra angler takes top prize in tournament

Beaches1
Friday, July 29, 2016
The kingfish tournament was a great success. The juniors competition produced some incredible fish. The top junior angler award went to Nathan Manning aboard the Ms. Bonfield IV out of Jacksonville. Nathan weighed in a stunning 45.5-pound fish.
Participants and instructors pose for a photo following the last Super Grom Surf Fest in Jacksonville Beach on June 25. This weekend marks the third and final Super Grom Fest of the summer. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Participants and instructors pose for a photo following the last Super Grom Surf Fest in Jacksonville Beach on June 25. This weekend marks the third and final Super Grom Fest of the summer. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Summer's final Super Grom Festival is Saturday

Beaches1
Friday, July 29, 2016
This Saturday, several young surfers will hit the waves during the summer's third – and final – Super Grom Festival. The popular event geared toward future surfers will be held on the south side of the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

Melt the butter; spiny lobster seasons start soon

Beaches1
Thursday, July 28, 2016
The 2016 spiny lobster season opened with the two-day recreational sport season July 27 and 28, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31. Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans?

Hunting Pokémon is a great way to meet many in the community

Beaches1
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
If you’ve been outside at all during the past few weeks, you have probably seen more people than usual staring at their phones. They may have been spinning around in all directions, giving a triumphant fist pump, or grumbling a few choice words that aren’t quite fit to print.
Farmer’s markets offer a wide variety of goods, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade crafts and prepared foods. (photo by Jessica Fondo)

Farmer’s markets offer a wide variety of goods, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade crafts and prepared foods. (photo by Jessica Fondo)

Farmer's markets offer fresh, local fare

Beaches1
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
For Beaches shoppers in search of seasonal and regionally-sourced produce, local farmer’s markets offer a spread of fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods. Atlantic Beach holds a weekly Mid-week Market in Bull Park every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Ponte Vedra High School senior Mackenzie Morris during a match in St. Augustine Beach in the Bud Light Beach Volleyball event. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Ponte Vedra High School senior Mackenzie Morris during a match in St. Augustine Beach in the Bud Light Beach Volleyball event. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Ponte Vedra volleyball player digs the sand game

Beaches1
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Ponte Vedra High School senior Mackenzie Morris, who is set to begin her senior season in high school and plays volleyball for the Sharks, will be attending Florida Atlantic University to play beach volleyball. Beach volleyball just completed its first year as an official sport at the NCAA level.
Surfer Fletcher Schaier rides a wave during the HEAL Riding the Wave of Autism event in Jacksonville Beach. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Surfer Fletcher Schaier rides a wave during the HEAL Riding the Wave of Autism event in Jacksonville Beach. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Riding the Wave of Autism event held in Jacksonville Beach

Beaches1
Sunday, July 24, 2016
The HEAL Riding the Wave of Autism event was held recently in Jacksonville Beach. The event raises awareness for autism while giving autistic children of all ages the opportunity to experience the freedom of riding a wave. The two-day event was held at 16th Ave. S.

A fishing tournament for kings

Beaches1
Friday, July 22, 2016
Every summer as the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament approaches, I can’t help but reminisce about my childhood and being on a boat during the tournament. This was back when the GJKT was still in the single digits.
Sadie Butler of Marsh Landing watches a tee shot during the final round. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Sadie Butler of Marsh Landing watches a tee shot during the final round. (photo by David Rosenblum)

Junior golfers take on Atlantic Beach Country Club

Beaches1
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Many of Northeast Florida’s top junior golfers took on the Atlantic Beach Country Club golf course during the 25th annual Greater Jacksonville Junior Golf Championship.