A hawk the Fury crew rescued from the ocean. Photo courtesy of Fury Girl Annabelle McLeod.

By Shayne Benowitz

The headline hit the Key West Citizen on Thanksgiving Day: “Dog Rescue Makes for Many Thanks: 20-year-old blind dachshund tumbles off owner’s sailboat.” The story goes on to tell about a couple who lives aboard their sailboat in the Key West anchorage. They were in Key West on shore during the day, and when they returned to their vessel at dusk one of their two pups, Mickey, was missing. Panicked, the couple searched the boat and the surrounding waters hopelessly. No dog was in sight.

A lucky twist of fate earlier in the day got Mickey ashore safe and sound. During an afternoon jet ski tour, our crew member and guide Lyndall Canter spotted something in the ocean near Boca Chica Channel. “At first I thought it was a baby manatee,” he told The Citizen. He put the tour on hold at a nearby sandbar and everyone pitched in to give the dog fresh water and to dry him off.

Once they returned to the Westin Marina, other crew members on hand helped to wash the dog off, feed him, and try to rehydrate him before shuttling him to a nearby animal hospital. We’re happy to report that Mickey survived and was reunited with his owners through the coconut telegraph. We’re very proud of the sharp eyes and generous nature of Lyndall and the rest of the crew for getting the little pup to safety.

Coincidentally, in the last week or two, we’ve rescued a couple of feathered friends from the marina and nearby waters including the adorable hawk in the picture above, and a pigeon. This happens from time to time, and we always call the Key West Wildlife Center who promptly picks up the animals and brings them to their center for rehabilitation.

At Fury, we’re lucky to spend every day on the water observing the amazing animals and nature that make up this unique ecosystem. It’s no wonder our crew is full of animal lovers and rescuers whether it’s a furry friend, a feathered friend, or any animal!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz

The couple who parasails together, stays together! Congratulations Kim & Ronnie!

by Shayne Benowitz

Recently on the parasail boat we’ve had some guests celebrating special occasions. I love talking to our passengers and hearing about what brought them to Key West. For many, it’s just the annual family vacation or a break from school. For others, though, it’s birthdays, wedding anniversaries, family reunions, or an annual girls trip! I love the idea of traveling for a special occasion. It makes life that much more of a celebration!

Johnnie Smith celebrating her 77th birthday!

Last Saturday, Captain Marius and Jumah parasailed Johnnie Smith who was celebrating her 77th birthday! They reeled her out on 600 feet of line with her daughter and they soared through the air at 300 feet. She was so sweet and said that it was an absolute thrill to be up there.

About a year ago, we had an entire wedding party consisting of two newlywed couples reserve a parasail boat to “trash the dress.” This was a trend I had never heard of until then that involves trashing your wedding dress in a creative way after your wedding.

This week, Kim and Ronnie  joined us fresh from the altar in their wedding attire ready to do the same thing. We took them up in the parasail and gave them a nice dip in the water. Kim told us that it was the perfect end to a perfect day and that every bride should “trash the dress” this way! We posted their pix on facebook and got a huge response with lots of “likes” and comments.

We’re happy people think of us when they think of celebrations in their lives. We hope you’ll join us for your next big day!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follower her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz

And they're off! Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

By Shayne Benowitz

It was an exciting weekend for standup paddleboard (SUP) racing in Key West with the annual Key West Paddleboard Classic 12 Mile Race around the island. This was the second year that Fury’s own Captain Westy served as race coordinator. Easily the fastest growing water sport today, Westy has been a vanguard in popularizing paddleboarding in Key West.

Capt. Westy keeping his eye on the race. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

This year’s race nearly doubled in its number of entrants to almost 300 racers ready to battle the current, the wind, and the hot sun in a grueling circumnavigation of Key West. Some of the top paddlers around the country turned out to compete in what is becoming one of the hottest races of the season.

Along the racecourse. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

Not only standup paddleboards, but also kayaks, dories, sea cycles, surf skis, and prone racers took to the starting line at Smather’s Beach. Among them was Fury’s own Eliza Warren who competed for the first time and finished in 5:02:15. Quite an accomplishment!

Fury owners Scott & Marius at the races. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

Fury’s friendly check-in-gal-cum-fabulous-photographer Megan Ellis was there with her camera snapping hundreds of photos to create a stunning photo journal of the event. And of course, Fury’s dynamic duo, owners Scott and Marius cheered the racers at the start line while the lovely Nicole and Annabelle encouraged them on at Mallory Square.

At Fury, we’re proud sponsors of the Key West Paddleboard Classic and very excited to see the sport continue its evolution. Congratulations to Westy for another great race! If you want to test out your skills on a paddleboard while in Key West, Westy has recently launched Paddle Republic offering clinics and instruction from Smathers Beach. Also, check out Lazy Dog for rentals from Hurricane Hole.

Shayne Benowitz is a freelance writer and Fury crewmember. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Snorkeling. Courtesy of Fury Fan Karla McAllister White

By Shayne Benowitz

I certainly don’t know how to explain it. I’m no meteorologist after all, and I don’t pretend to be. Somehow, though, while one of the largest winter storms swept the nation, we experienced the most beautiful weather of the season. Clear skies, sunshine, temperatures pushing to 80 degrees…

Yeah, that’s what I call paradise! This weekend, I actually felt a little bad for everyone freezing in the snow while I was on the Key West parasailing boat sweating in the sun. Our year round beautiful weather is definitely why I love living in Key West!

Parasailing. Courtesy of Fury Fan Alicia Leelee Campitelli.

Last week, while I was updating Fury’s facebook page, my newsfeed was filled with winter weather pictures. And let’s face it, they’re beautiful, and certainly not something we get to see down here in the tropics.

I made a call to action and asked you all to share your snowy pictures with us, and of course, our wonderful Fury fans came through. First, mother of the cutest (and only ) parasail crew couple Kenna and Eli posted a picture of Kenna’s brother in snowy Kansas. Henry D. Pawlus directed us to his page full of snowy pix! Amy Nykiel-Bacon posted a picture of her snowed-in front yard and Chris Shields posted a gorgeous picture of a frozen tree branch.

Ice ice baby in Indiana. Courtesy of Fury Fan Chris Shields.

The pictures are a veritable winter wonderland, and you should really check them out on our facebook page. But then I started to get a little cold and realized that we weren’t doing our beautiful Key West weather justice. So again, the fans came through posting dozens of sunny vacation pix aboard Fury!

Sunsets in paradise. Courtesy of Fury Fan Dorothy Such.

Remember, if you’re freezing your little tush off dreaming of diving into the warm, blue waters in Key West, we’ve got some pretty rockin’ contests on our facebook page right now. Enter a sweepstakes for an all-0expense paid trip to Key West and enter our photo contest. We’re giving out prizes every month. Keep the pix coming and see ya soon!

XO,

Fury Girl

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Fury Girl in action at Blue Heaven.

By Shayne Benowitz

The email came in Thursday morning from Comcast’s Keys Information Station: “Are you available this weekend to be our host for the Key West Food & Wine Festival?” I had to think fast.

I decided to get my shifts covered, give it a go, and eat, drink, and be merry in front of the camera all weekend long. I have some performing/on-camera experience, and I’ve definitely tuned into channel 5 and wondered how I could get one of those gigs. I have to admit, it was kind of a dream job.

Bess & Harry Truman greeting attendees at the Little White House.

I arrived to the Truman Little White House Friday evening for the Grand Wine Tasting. It was absolute bacchanalia! Harry and Bess Truman directed us to their special double barrel bourbon whiskey (apparently that was Truman’s drink of choice). The front yard was lined with tables full of wine, bread and cheese, and canapés. I had a wonderful time interviewing winemakers and revelers alike, and of course sampling all there was to offer!

We moved on to Azur’s Spanish-themed street party next. They had amazing food on the grill such as giant prawns, sausages, and quail, as well as a delectable Mediterranean spread. The highlight was a giant wine cask to pour your drinks from!

Saturday afternoon was coconut bowling at Blue Heaven. The vibe was Key West laid back and cool for this quirky sport. There were coconut cocktails and a coconut cook-off to raise money for the Wesley House. Fantasy Fest royalty abounded, and I interviewed the reigning king and a former queen.

Coconut bowling at Blue Heaven.

I took a quick nap and then hit Duval Uncorked. We visited bars, inns, and galleries, all pouring wine and specialty cocktails. The Tropical Garden Inn featured a pastry chef with champagne infused cheesecake. It was absolutely decadent!

The grand finale was Sunday night at the Westin Resort & Marina for the premiere Master Chefs Classic, a fundraiser for the Marc House. It was nice to be in familiar Fury territory! We interviewed a few chefs, and then grabbed a wine glass and plate to dig in. I have to say, Latitudes at Sunset Key won the blue ribbon in my book. They had an amazing tuna amuse bouche, wagyu beef, and a guava pot de crème with blood orange caviar. The flavors and their presentation were superlative.

Overall, it was such a fun weekend with lots of wine, food, and conversations! The footage should be up and running on channel 5 within a few weeks, and will be running throughout the year from Key West to Key Largo, so next time you’re in town, tune in and look for me! Or, just swing by the Westin and find me on the docks before your next big water adventure with Fury!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Parasailing, courtesy of Fury fan Sheridan Kushner.

By Shayne Benowitz

Dear Fury Fans,

We’ve been doing a lot of reflecting in the New Year. We are so fortunate to do what we do every day on the water in the Key West sunshine. And we know that none of this would be possible without YOU! It’s been so fun over the years meeting people from all over the country and around the world aboard our snorkel trips, our parasail boats, and our sunset cruises, not to mention the Ultimate Adventure!

"It doesn't get better than this!" courtesy of Fury Fan Cathy Pauly.

It’s also been great to keep in touch! We’ve received letters and cards from our dearest fans expressing what a memorable time they’ve had with us. And trust me, those cards hang in the Surf Shack for everyone to see! It’s also a thrill when someone hops on board and says, “Hey, you were the parasail mate last year when we were here!”

When we jumped on facebook and twitter a few years ago, everything changed. Now we can have daily conversations, share pictures and memories, and really keep in touch. It’s like you never left the island (well, sort of!)! From a weeklong conversation about Captain Chuck to amazing fan photos of the powerboat races and more, I’ve been thoroughly entertained!

Celebrating 50th birthday aboard the Commotion with Capt. Chuck, courtesy of Fury Fan Kim Lunsford Schadle

We thought it was about time we gave back to our loyal Fury fans because, well, that’s how we roll! If you haven’t visited our facebook fanpage in a while, you’re going to find some great new features. If, for some silly reason, you’re not already apart of our facebook community, simply “like” our page, and you will immediately be entered into our new fans reward program along with the rest of our fans.

Every month starting in February we’ll select a fan at random for an awesome giveaway. You could win a trip with Fury or sweet Fury swag like crew shirts, hats, and other accessories. Click on the “Win A Trip” tab and fill out the quick form to sign up for our eNewsletter (written by yours truly! Come on, you know you want to!) and you’ll immediately be entered in an all-expense paid 3 day, 2 night trip to Key West with luxe accommodations at the Ocean Key House, spa treatments, dinners, and of course, trips galore aboard Fury!

Honeymooning, courtesy of Fury Fan Julie Carty.

For the more creatively inclined, and I know a lot of you are, we’re also starting a Fan Photo Contest. We already receive awesome pictures from you guys, and now we want to reward one fan every month with an Ultimate Adventure for two just for sending your vacation pictures our way. Check out how the contest works on the “Photo Contest” tab of our facebook page, and keep the pictures coming in!

This is just the beginning of how we want to give back to you, so stay tuned for more offers, deals, and contests in 2011. Oh yeah, and don’t be shy about sharing your Fury love with your friends on facebook (and in real life!). The more the merrier!

"Having a blast on the Ultimate Adventure," courtesy of Fury Fan Daron Blake.

Here’s hoping your 2011 is off to a rockin’ start. We’re certainly enjoying ourselves in Key West. And, of course, we hope to see you down here soon! Next time, maybe it’ll even be on us!

XOXO,

Fury Girl

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Inside the beautiful San Carlos Institute.

By Shayne Benowitz

Wow, is this year ever off to a breakneck pace! I’ve spent a good chunk of my January inside the auditorium of the San Carlos Institute on Duval Street for the annual Key West Literary Seminar. This is the third year I’ve attended, and the second year I’ve contributed to the social media efforts.

Key West draws people to the island for a number of different reasons. For me, it was definitely the water and also the island’s storied literary past. The Key West Literary Seminar has been integral in carrying on this tradition for almost 30 years. I spend almost every day of the year on the water at Fury, so this seminar has become an absolute highlight of my year.

I trade in my board shorts and bikini for a notebook and pen, and allow myself to be transported by the brilliant speakers at the seminar. This year’s theme was The Hungry Muse: Food in Literature. In attendance was Judith Jones, the legendary editor of Julia Child’s The Art of French Cooking, Madhur Jaffrey who is singlehandedly responsible for bringing Eastern cuisine to the West, New York Times & LA Times food critics and writers Ruth Reichl, Frank Bruni, Molly O’Neill, Julia Reed, and Jonathan Gold. And many more writers and humorists, such as Calvin Trillin, Adam Gopnik, and Roy Blount Jr, who incorporate food into memoirs and fiction.

The panel discussions and readings were enlightening and inspiring, as usual. And some of them were downright hilarious. Each year, the Sunday afternoon session is free and open to the public, so if you’re around early January, you’ve got to swing by.

Next year’s seminar is Yet Another World, Literature of the Future which has an all-star line up. I personally can’t wait. If you’re interested, it’s never too early to register. Miles Frieden, the seminar’s Executive Director expects it to sell out by the end of the month. For more info, check out kwls.org and also take a peak at their Littoral Blog (where I’ve contributed) run by the seminar’s Media Director, Arlo Haskell.

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

The Key West Fury being lifted out of the water.

By Shayne Benowitz

Fresh starts and new beginnings in the New Year… This can meet a lot of different things to a lot of people. At Fury, we’re sprucing up our fleet with a rotating schedule of yard work and Coast Guard inspections.

Inside Nicole’s office is a huge dry erase board with a grid featuring all ten of our boats. The chart keeps us on top of inspections, certifications, etc for all of our vessels.

The clock hardly struck midnight ushering in 2011 before Fly Girl came out of the water. The Key West parasail crew spent a week in the yard waxing, bottom painting, and performing routine maintenance on the old girl.

Marius in the yard with Fly Girl.

Next up was the Key West Fury. I’ve spent my fair share of time in the yard for both the catamarans and the parasail boats, and those massive 65’ catamarans are quite an undertaking. The boat has to be lifted out of the water using a giant crane. This time around, the mast also had to be removed for inspection.

Key West Fury.

In the yard, the more hands on deck the better. Captains Chuck and Steve have been laboring hard with their crew all the while Boss Man Bubba Marius has been keeping everyone on task. The deck is being repainted along with most of the interior, as well as the bottom and the hull. The crew has been waxing, sanding, scraping, priming, painting, acetoning, etc, etc.

Right now, we’re ahead of schedule, and the Key West Fury should be back in the Westin Marina by tomorrow afternoon. More haul outs and inspections are scheduled for the next month ensuring all our vessels are in tip top condition and at their sparkling finest for all of you to enjoy. Speaking of which, an afternoon Reef & Rita snorkel trip sounds pretty good right about now!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

The last sunset of 2010.

By Shayne Benowitz

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: New Year’s is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. It’s a chance to reflect on the year that passed and to set goals for the year to come. Not to mention, the potential to have the best party of the year. It’s a time to celebrate with the ones you love!

At Fury Key West, we have a daily tradition made all the more special on New Year’s Eve, and that, of course, is a Key West sunset cruise. We loaded our catamaran with revelers and party favors to toast the last sunset of 2010. Cory Heydon Band was there to rock the night away, and there was free-flowing margaritas, beer, wine, and of course bottles of bubbly!

The Key West sunset was spectacular and the party on board matched it. By 7pm, we were back on shore and it was time to hit Duval Street. While some crewmembers opted for a quiet night at home anticipating work in the morning, others painted the town red!

Fury boys on the prowl!

Rumor has it some of the Fury boys were out until the wee hours at Rick’s, the Lazy Gecko, and more! It’s a new year, after all! We are anticipating happiness and success in 2011 at Fury Key West and we wish the same to all of you. Make it a great year!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Fury Girl with Stephen, the best dressed man of the night!

By Shayne Benowitz

You really have to try not to have a good time at the Fury Key West Holiday Party, and this year was no different. The crew was out dressed to the nines ready for a celebration at the rooftop bar at La Concha.

As the company keeps growing, the turnout for the party grows exponentially. I arrived with Nicole, Annabelle, and Westy. When the elevator doors opened, Scott and Marius were there to greet us, and the bar was absolutely bustling. We made our way into the ballroom with a delicious buffet spread, a DJ, and of course, more of the Fury crew!

Outside on the rooftop terrace, it was a gorgeous night with the best views of the island. La Concha is the tallest building in Key West at 6 stories high—a fitting place for Fury to celebrate the holidays!

Scott took a moment to recognize members of the team whose longevity and commitment to the company is truly commendable. Everyone was in good spirits. A new twist to the holiday party was a raffle. Fury got its hands on some great prizes including hotel stays and resort credits at La Concha, the Doubletree, and the Ocean Key House.

I’m never lucky when it comes to raffles, so I had no expectations of winning, but Nicole, Jenna, and Lana all walked away with “staycation” packages. The grand prize was a dinner date with the one and only Mr. Scott Saunders and that went to Fury Catamaran crewmember Deanna!

Andy Saunders wins a Fairvilla prize package!

After the presentation, the party kicked into full gear. We crowded the dance floor and the DJ rocked the house with great, new music! Of course, after the party was the after party, and we paraded down Duval Street to wreak a little bit of holiday mayhem.

At Fury, we hope your holiday parties were as memorable as ours and we certainly wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas this weekend! Feliz Navidad!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.