Kayaker Who Drowned In Dunedin Had Just Enlisted In U.S. Navy

Dunedin FL

17 February, 2020

11:39 AM

Description

DUNEDIN, FL — A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for the 20-year-old Hudson man who drowned Feb. 15 after his kayak capsized near the Dunedin Causeway. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies, Dunedin Fire Rescue and officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were called to the west bridge on the north side of the Causeway around 2:45 a.m. after receiving reports of man struggling in the water. Deputies learned that Kyle Zachary Bobb capsized his kayak and had not returned to shore. From the shore, deputies were able to locate Bobb off shore and requested assistance from helicopter and marine units but rough conditions on the water made a rescue impossible from land and prevented the helicopter from keeping Bobb in sight. Eventually, rescue boats located Bobb's body about 200 yards off shore. Investigators learned Bobb and a group of friends were shark fishing from shore at the Dunedin Causeway. According to the friends Bobb paddled his kayak into the water to set the bait. His kayak capsized and he was unable to swim back. He was not wearing a life vest. Bobb had just enlisted in the United States Navy. A friend, Ashleigh Goforth of Holiday, has set up a GoFundMe page to help Bobb's family raise funds to offset funeral expenses. So far, $5,420 has been donated. Funeral services will take place Saturday, Feb. 29 from noon to 2 p.m. at Dobies Funeral Home, 4910 Bartelt Road, Holiday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Veterans Alternative in Bobb's name. Veterans Alternative provides alternative therapies for veterans. Bobb is survived by his mother, Jessica, father, Chris, brothers, Jeremy, Cody, Chris and David, sister, Alexis, and girlfriend, Kaylin.