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In Polk County, Windsurfers Ride Out The Storm

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Windsurfers Mike Kieffer, left, and Kurt Templin, both of Lakeland, glide along Lake Parker today.

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 19, 2008

LAKELAND - Serendipity is preparing for a powerful storm the day before school starts and, when the storm arrives, finding it's little more than a great opportunity to windsurf.

With winds around 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph, Florida Southern College math professor Allen Wuertz saw a chance to catch windsurfing speeds that he rarely experiences in the summer.

"Mother Nature does crazy things," said Wuertz, reflecting on damage Tropical Storm Fay could have inflicted on a county that suffered through three hurricanes in 2004.

Instead, the storm afforded an afternoon opportunity to windsurfers such as Wuertz and three others on Lake Parker in Lakeland.

Polk County emergency management officials reported no power outages and only a few areas of minor flooding today.

As Fay cut a northeasterly path through the state, its outer bands dumped rain on the southeastern part of Polk County. By late afternoon, however, the rain in Lakeland was clearing, though the wind was strong.

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