TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area man has turned his love of kayaking and fishing into a nonprofit. Mario Cruz loves to pass along his passion for the open water to young people.

Cruz said he grew up fishing with his father in Puerto Rico and then in the Bay area when his family moved to Safety Harbor.

“We would go fishing every afternoon when he would get off of work,” said Cruz. His father passed away at the age of 42, and Cruz said he continued to fish to keep his father’s memory alive.

What You Need To Know • Mario Cruz developed his love of fishing from his father • Cruz started kayaking about 25 years ago • Cruz and his wife, Tatiana, started a nonprofit to help teach kayaking and fishing • The nonprofit also helps out with projects to keep Bay area waterways free of trash

Cruz sa

See Full Page