Many here in the Tampa Bay Area have no idea where Upham Beach is. When you tell people it is a place with great surf when the conditions are right they think you are crazy. Well trust me, Upham Beach is an awesome place. The restaurants and bars around the area give locals and tourist a place to go wind down after a day on the beach or out riding waves.

Upham Beach however has been a source of controversy for quite some time, and now it is time to do what is right for the beach. Upham is located in an awkward position (see below) and that position causes beach erosion. For years the erosion was combated by beach renourishment which cost about $1.5 million each time it is done. The last time they got sand with oil in it from Blind Pass which resulted in an oil spill cleanup, the final price tag was $6.3 million. The city legislators decided to find a more economical way to keep the sand in place, after much research they decided on Geotubes or T-Groins as the solution. Since then the Geotubes have done nothing except screw up the beach break, destroy the aesthetics of the area and have become a safety hazard.

The locals, surfers and the Surfrider Foundation chapter in the area have united to “FREE UPHAM” from the Geotubes. There is a petition in place that lets your voice be heard. Visit the Petition site and let your voice stand united. There are many other alternatives out there and for the sake of one of our beautiful beaches and our legacy we need to thoroughly check them out.

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Links and more info on Upham:
Free Upham! petition
Gulfster
Article from the St. Pete Times from 2002 warning about the Geotubes.
Info from the local Surfrider Foundation Chapter and how to get involved.

How T-Groins Work: