By Jamye Durrance, Hometown News Staff writer | View Source

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A lot of Floridians probably know the name New Smyrna Beach and have a vague idea of where to find it on a map.

More will know it as “the shark bite capital of the world.”

But, as any resident will tell you, there’s a lot more to this area than shark bites.

Orlando television producer Chad Crawford agrees. There are certain things you have to do to fully experience New Smyrna Beach, or Florida, for that matter.

That’s why New Smyrna Beach will be featured in the premiere episode of “How to Do Florida,” a new television show set to air throughout the state beginning May 3.

Mr. Crawford is the owner of the Crawford Group, a media company that does commercials, documentaries and TV shows.

A third generation Floridian, Mr. Crawford said he has always vacationed in New Smyrna Beach and found a comfort in using the city for the first show.

“I love New Smyrna Beach,” he said. “A lot of people, especially from Orlando, go there to go to the beach. There is so much more to New Smyrna Beach and I wanted to show that to people.”

And it’s working.

“I’ve already had three people who have seen the show tell me that they learned something new about New Smyrna Beach,” he said.

On the show, Mr. Crawford teaches viewers (as well as himself and his crew) how to shrimp, cook that shrimp, kayak, make a surfboard, use that board to surf and, after all that, relax.

“I think we did justice to the area,” he said.

Local people, businesses and landmarks are featured prominently.

The relaxing segment is about the Marine Discovery Center’s two hour sunset cruise. Local surfboard maker Erie Peeples shares his knowledge and the chefs at Flip Flops Chill & Grill spice up the screen with their cuisine.

The concept of the “How to Do Florida” series has been a long time coming for Mr. Crawford, an avid outdoorsman.

In talking with both natives and newbies, he found that most people are not as familiar with natural Florida as they are with Walt Disney World and the malls.

“I really saw a need,” he said. “I wanted something that shows them the Florida I know and love.”

Mr. Crawford said Florida is so wild that people tend to be afraid.

“There’s this mystique element to Florida,” he said. “There is a danger element. It holds a lot of people back. We have (a lot) of natural spaces and that is the culture. There aren’t operas or art galleries. We have a very wild and untamed history.”

So, the idea for the series was born and Mr. Crawford said the goal is simple.

“It’s in an instructional format,” he said. “It’s about empowering people. The ultimate goal of the show is to give instructions on how to actively engage their state.”

Mr. Crawford said he modeled the show after something a viewer might see on the Discovery Channel, like “Dirty Jobs.”

“We wanted that professionalism,” he said. “It’s really great TV. I am combining my two passions of media and Florida.”

In addition to the featured segments on New Smyrna Beach, Mr. Crawford said there will be “bumpers,” or small segments leading to or back from commercial, that will showcase the area’s history or trivia.

“How to Do Florida” will premiere on Sunday, May 3 at 9:30 a.m. on WRBW My 65, Brighthouse Cable channel 6, digital cable channel 41 or HD Cable channel 1165. It will also show on Sun Sports, Brighthouse Cable channel 31 and HD cable channel 1000. Check local listings to verify.

Mangrove Lesson

Marilyn teaches Chad about mangroves while out kayaking