Team H2O

Formerly known as "Play Hard Florida", we're an award-winning passionate team working to redefine Florida as The Water State™. We plan community events that highlight the importance of our unique water resources and raise funds to support Florida-protecting nonprofits. Jump on board!

A man (CJ) on a boat wearing a 'Play Hard Florida' shirt with an American flag in the background.

Carmine "CJ" Oliverio

Founder & CEO

I grew up in "America's Venice" - aka Fort Lauderdale - spending countless days on the beach boogie boarding, skim boarding, and beach diving.

Wasn't long until I bought my first boat at a neighbor's garage sale - dragging the 12' jon boat across everyone's lawn to get it home. That lil boat was my escape into the maze of canals Fort Lauderdale is known for. Those mullet, snook, tarpon, and blue crabs couldn't escape my aluminum Sea Nymph.

Having captained that (little) boat for years I confidently purchased my first 4x4 truck at just 16. That lifted Chevy Blazer was my city escape humming down the highway on weekends pulling the boat out to the River of Grass - the Everglades.

When I left the nest at 18, I moved up to the Tampa area. If I wasn't flats fishing in Tampa Bay I was strapping scuba tanks on exploring rivers for fossils.

I finally decided to hit the books and continued north up to the University of Florida - Go Gators! Lucky me, I just kept finding more amazing Florida waters. This time it was all the amazing springs and spring-fed rivers pocketing the landscape.

A first-date midnight innertube float down the Ichetucknee River led me to marry a special southern someone. Raising a family in "Springs Country" wasn't long before we were taking the kids to the beaches and waters of the panhandle. My wife's family is from Apalachicola and we've been blessed to be able to show our kids "Old Florida" and the beautiful barrier islands.

Water water everywhere - that's what Florida is all about!

How lucky am I over the course of my fifty-something life to grow up, raise a family, and run a business protecting the most amazing place on earth - The Water State™.

  • A smiling young woman (Addison) with long light brown hair stands outdoors in front of a pond, wearing a gray polo shirt with a 'Water State' logo on the left chest.

    Addison Sellers

    Community Event Planner

    Hello Water State Warriors! My family has been in Florida for generations, so I've grown up with an appreciation for everything our state's waters have to offer. From paddle boarding through Wekiva Springs to surfing the waves off Ormond Beach, being on the water has always been part of my life.

    Now, having moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, I find myself discovering even more freshwater springs and rivers in this part of the state. My appreciation for how unique the springs are grows with every one I explore - there are literally hundreds dotting our landscape.

    They need to be protected. That's one of the reasons I joined The Water State™ team. My degree is in marketing so my role as event planner fits perfectly as I get to showcase the most amazing waters on the planet, while planning water-focused community events.

    It's more than a job, it's an opportunity to help protect the waters that have shaped my life. So welcome aboard and click below to learn more about our upcoming water-inspired events.

    Learn More
  • A smiling young woman (Arwen) with long dark blue hair, wearing a black blazer over a navy top, standing outdoors in front of a brick building and a gator sculpture on UF campus.

    Arwen Dowers

    Web Designer

    Hello Water State Community! I grew up in Florida, developing a strong love for the ocean and our natural environment. I couldn’t get enough of the outdoors, so I joined both the Boy AND Girl Scouts - proudly earning Eagle Scout rank. 

    Over the years, I’ve added to my scuba diving skills and am now a certified PADI Rescue Diver. Throw some tanks on my back and you’ll find me exploring the colorful reefs and blue depths of the Florida Keys and Honduras.

    I’m currently pursuing a master's in Web Design and Online Communication at the University of Florida - Go Gators! I love being a part of the Water State™ Team, helping with designing our website and product development. If you like what you see, be sure to check out my portfolio. Let me build out your vision to help support my continuing education at UF and developing career.

    LEARN MORE

Join the Team

Are you passionate about our water resources and want to protect them? Reach out and let us know how you want to make a splash. Guest author? Adventure ambassador? Nonprofit liaison? Something else in mind?

Contact Us

Our Ambassadors

  • Two men in suits standing in front of a blue 'Visit Florida Flagler Awards' backdrop, with the man on the right holding a trophy.
  • Three women on a boat on a river, with two women sitting on a turquoise and tan inflatable pad in the water, while the third woman is on the boat holding a microphone. A Suzuki outboard motor is visible in the background, along with trees and water.
  • Four people taking a selfie outdoors on a cliffside path at sunset, with green foliage, palm trees, and the ocean in the background.
  • A screenshot of a news article headline reading 'Local tourism and environmental protection company Play Hard Florida wins state award' with body text about turtles and an anhingas in Clearwater Springs, dated Dec 30, 2020.
  • Two women snorkeling underwater in clear turquoise water, each wearing a mask and holding up a white sign that reads 'WE ♥ TAMPA BAY'.
  • Four people sitting on the bow of a boat in the water, wearing matching white long-sleeve t-shirts with a green and blue 'Play Hard Florida' graphic on them.
  • A screenshot of a news article header with the headline 'Florida is H2O: The Water State Festival looks to protect Florida's springs' above a colorful event poster for the 2023 Water State Festival in Gainesville, Florida.
  • Four young adults enjoy a sunny day on a calm lake, paddling in colorful kayaks. The group includes a man in the foreground taking a selfie with a thumbs-up, a woman in a blue kayak, a woman in a red kayak, and a man in a yellow kayak.
  • Five people standing on a beach in front of a pier, with two surfboards visible: one blue board held by a woman in the center and one large white surfboard held by a man on the right. The group is wearing swimwear and casual beachwear.

Our Partners