so was it crossing the shipping lane (which is probably the busiest outside of maybe Miami or Jacksonville), or having to rescue the kyakers that pissed CG off the most?

Isn't Skyway park almost caddy-corner to Desoto Park? They could cross under the Skyway bridge and the shipping lane a little more spread-out than the current mass exodus from the beach right into the channel.

Also, there is some sort of park right at the west end of Manatee River (two, actually.. one on each side.) The north one could be a good launch point, giving competitors a good jaunt across Tampa Bay while remaining south of the shipping channels entirely

But yes, this could make for major changes to the EC (or drive it underground)...