Sean Fitzgibbon is a founding partner of Liquid Rhythm Kayaking and the founder of Solid Ground Survival and Bushcraft. Based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, he brings experience in surfing, expedition kayaking, adaptive outdoor instruction, park ranger work, and orthotics and prosthetics to his teaching.
Sean and Jeffrey Fabiszewski joined forces in April 2001 at Osprey Bay Outdoors. Sean brought his surfing background; Jeff brought his experience in backpacking and Scouting. Their shared work grew into Liquid Rhythm Kayaking, combining paddling skills, wilderness knowledge, and a commitment to helping people become more capable outdoors.
Solid Ground Survival and Bushcraft
Sean created Solid Ground Survival and Bushcraft to teach primitive wilderness survival skills, plant identification, and practical outdoor knowledge, alongside gear testing. His work is shared on Instagram through @solid_ground_sb and through the private Solid Ground Survival & Bushcraft Facebook group.
This initiative extends his teaching beyond the kayak cockpit, helping learners develop the skills and judgment needed for time in the woods and at camp.
WYLD Camp 2026
ReWyld Outdoors has announced Sean as a returning instructor for WYLD Camp 2026, October 23 through 25 at Doe Lake Campground in Umatilla, Florida. Its instructor spotlight identifies him as the founder of Solid Ground Survival and Bushcraft and describes him as a certified survival instructor.
His two announced classes are “Bear with Me,” on handling wildlife encounters in camp, and “Get a Grip,” a bushcraft and camp knife class. These are scheduled classes, rather than a record of completed instruction. See the organizer’s instructor spotlight for the announcement.
Park Ranger and Outdoor Instructor
Sean’s professional profile lists park ranger work beginning August 13, 2023. It also records his former role at Osprey Bay Outdoors as a kayak instructor, stand up paddleboard instructor, and survival instructor. These roles connect his experience on the water with his interest in wildlife, outdoor safety, and wilderness skills.
Adaptive Experience and Limb and Brace Work
Sean’s experience as a paddler with a prosthetic limb informs his approach to adapting equipment and instruction. He understands that students arrive with different bodies, abilities, and levels of confidence.
He formerly worked in orthotics and prosthetics at St. Petersburg Limb and Brace, fitting limbs and braces. His professional profile lists the credentials L.O.F. and C.P.O.A. This background adds practical experience with mobility and equipment fit to his outdoor teaching.
A Waterman’s Background
Sean’s outdoor background includes competitive surfing, expedition kayaking, and mountain biking. His life on the water helped shape the transition from surfer to kayak guide and outdoor educator.
His paddling history with Liquid Rhythm includes the Florida Keys, a circumnavigation of Pinellas County, the Great Calusa Blueway, and youth expeditions on the Suwannee River. These journeys brought together navigation, campcraft, equipment care, and the everyday decisions that keep an expedition moving.
Challenge by Ability
Sean’s teaching philosophy, “Challenge by Ability,” starts with the person in front of him. Instruction can be adapted to a learner’s experience, mobility, and goals while keeping safety and sound judgment at the center.
For a beginner, that may mean developing confidence at the launch. For an experienced paddler, it may mean refining technique or adapting equipment. Around camp, it means learning to handle tools and wildlife encounters with care.
Education and Home
Sean’s profile lists studies at Oklahoma State University and attendance at Pinellas Park High School. Saint Petersburg, Florida, is both his hometown and current city.
Learn with Sean
Sean and Jeff are accepting kayaking students through Liquid Rhythm Kayaking. Explore the Liquid Rhythm teaching team and contact us through this website to discuss instruction, accessibility needs, or group arrangements.
Follow Sean’s outdoor education work at @solid_ground_sb, his personal Instagram at @sean.fitzgibbon.129, and the Solid Ground Survival & Bushcraft Facebook group.
In the news
- St. Petersburg man says flesh eating disease almost killed him, but he survived to guide others, By: Linda Hurtado, abc Action News, On air Oct, 31, 2012
- Disability Doesn’t Faze Kayak King, By STEPHEN THOMPSON, The Tampa Tribune, Published: May 12, 2008
- Kayak Journey Around Keys Is To Turn Tide For Disabled, By STEPHEN THOMPSON, The Tampa Tribune, Published: May 6, 2008
- Ripple Effect by Brian Kelly
- Amputee Kayakers Raise Funds for Extremity Games, May 17, 2007, http://www.oandp.com
Hey Sean –
It was great meeting you, and spending some time with you at the Sweetwater Symposium this past weekend. Thanks for testing my SOF kayak, and giving us a good evaluation of it – I appreciate it, and value your opinion. I’m sending Russell a CD containing the pics that I took, and you’re in a bunch of them. I look forward to paddling with you in the future!
Don McCumber
Thank You Don! I had a blast paddling the new prototype 17.6 skin-on-frame Kayak by 21st Century Kayaks! You and Mike are a blast, hope we can get together in the future for some paddling- something tells me our paths will cross again!!!!
– Sea Turtle Sean
Do me a favor, and tell “B. G.” Jeff that I think he’s a real sport, for putting up with your joking at his expense all weekend. He seems like a nice guy.
YA THINK??!!
Sean…
The only bad part of meeting you at Oscar Scherer State Park, last Sunday, is that you were leaving. I wish I would have met you guys sooner and gotten to spend some time on the water with you. Small world, Don McCumber – 21st Century is a good friend of mine. I emailed photos of Kevin’s two wood boats to Don, because I knew he would appreciate the workmanship. Maybe he already knows Kevin too. You are an inspiration for sure and an even more verbose “talker” than I. ;o) Hope to see you on the water soon. I really want to try stand up paddling… As my new friend said “Smooth Waters”
David
239.634.6141
Wow! I don’t know how I missed your bio before but how impressive! Skating, surfing, sailing, paddling – bloody hell mate, you’re a superstar!!! Keep up the good work, and love the site. Cheers – FP
Hey Sean, Just read the most recent article and news cast on you, great job, it put a huge smile on my face 🙂 Hopefully I make it home sometime in the near future and we can get together for a beer. Cheers!