A flipper juts out of the water and clasps the paddleboard belonging to one of Denise Palmer's students. Another flipper emerges and hugs the opposite site. At the front of the board, a manatee's head appears, nibbling on the mysterious vessel. After learning the paddleboard isn't food, the manatee remains curious, so it hangs on for the ride.

These moments of connecting with nature make Palmer feel "like nothing else matters." Growing up on the water, she learned to sail from her mom while manning a boat built by her grandfather and adjusting sails sewn by her grandmother. Her passion for the water carried her through to a master's degree in oceanography, and after a layoff at a corporate job, led her back to the sea to launch Barefoot Paddler. Today, she leads lessons and eco-tours in the waterways around St. Pete Beach and downtown St. Petersburg, bringing people up close to wildlife such as dolphins, horseshoe crabs, and sea turtles. For more experienced riders, Palmer also offers paddleboard rentals.