Solar Eclipse Seen From Huntington Harbor
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By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Katie Buttine was hard at work Monday afternoon, assisting both kayakers and paddleboarders as they ventured into Huntington Harbor to witness the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse event.
Buttine, owner of Huntington Stand Up Paddle, and more than 30 others looked up to the sky from the harbor to witness the eclipse.
“We wanted people to have a good time and get to see it outside and not on their iPad,” Buttine, of Huntington, said. “It’s not something you see often and it’s a beautiful time of the year so we might as well take advantage of it.”
The 300 West Shore Road business also gave out “Eclipser Safe Solar Glasses,” and rented out both kayaks and paddleboards.
One-by-one, and equipped with the solar glasses, kayakers and paddleboarders floated into the harbor and watched the dark circle of the moon inch closer to the bright sun.
Alex Wakhale, of Huntington, said he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to witness the rare phenomenon.
“I thought I would be really cool to go out in the harbor and see if from the water,” Wakhale said. “It was really cool because you don’t see anything like it and in the middle of the day when it’s usually really bright in the summer, it got dimmer than it usually does so it was cool.”
Ed Kelly, of Royersford, Pennsylvania, was visiting Huntington and decided to witness the the event in the harbor. Although he expected it to get darker than it did, he said, the eclipse was amazing.
“This is science in action and we know exactly to the minute when the next one will occur,” he said. “It’s really cool.”
After the eclipse, spectators ventured back to land and enjoyed some barbeque food and drinks in the picnic area of Huntington Stand Up Paddle.
