PADDLE FOR PEACE
SATURDAY MAY 4TH, 2024 GRAYTON BEACH
Join us for the 4th Annual Paddle for Peace!
It’s no secret that in today’s world, our mental health and peace is one of the biggest things that we need to give more attention to. By connecting people to the healing qualities of the water and our amazing community, we hope that paddling can be a healthy mental outlet for many and bring us all together for a good cause.
Funds raised from Paddle for Peace allow us to not only provide more paddle boards to get people out on the water, but also support those that may need additional layers of therapy by collaborating with local mental health & wellness specialists. Gulf Therapy’s goal is to provide a platform to help people both on and off the water. Your donation will help us connect people to a healthcare professional while continuing Gulf Therapy’s outreach in the community.
8:30 - 9:00 ARRIVE WITH YOUR BOARD & CHECK-IN AT BEACH
Parking can be tough in Grayton so if you are bringing your own board plan to drop off and come early so you have time to park at the Grayton Beach gravel lot across from Hurricane Oyster. The county tram will be available for transport to the beach. From the Grayton Dunes beach access on Garfield Street (off of Hotz Avenue), we will be east of the boardwalk bordering Western Lake. We will have coffee and mini pastries & muffins for participants by Black Bear Bread Co. Perfect fuel for a day on the water.
8:30 - 9:00 OPTIONAL SOUND HEALING
For those that truly want to set an intention and get into a calm, relaxed state before the paddle there will be an optional sound healing led by Light Honey Sound and Healing. Beverly Kennedy and Marissa Walker will be gracing us with their sound and presence. This will be at the "bohemian" beach setup and will be a half hour session. The sound area will be set aside a bit so it can be quiet for those participating. Others arriving during this time, please be mindful.
9:00 OPENING CEREMONY
We will kick off the event with a social circle where we explain the mission of Gulf Therapy and connect with the community. There will be some guided breath work in unison to get in the right mindset before getting on the water.
9:30 INTENTIONAL PADDLE
Come join us in the morning for an intentional paddle in the Gulf as a group. We will also take a moment to release anything that you have been holding in, honor a loved one who has struggled with mental illness or set the intention for your future. You can bring your own board or register for one. We will enjoy the water as a tribe and take in the healing qualities of the Gulf. If the Gulf is unruly, we can also paddle the lake. You can paddle and enjoy the board all the way up to 1pm.
10:00 - 1:00 LIVE MUSIC ON THE DOCK
After a nice morning on the water, come and relax at the point of Western Lake where we will have live music on the dock by Theodore Von to kick it off then Hunter & Tony for some reggae jams! Enjoy local musicians playing while you soak up some saltwater.
12:00 - LUNCH PROVIDED AT THE BEACH
We will have lunch at the beach provided for participants to recharge after the paddle. Chiringo will be bringing out box lunches that include a chicken salad sandwich & chips. We will also have a cooler of water & some sodas provided throughout the day.
2:00 - 5:00 LIVE MUSIC AT CHIRINGO
For the finale, we will head on over to Chiringo at 63 Hotz Avenue and switch over to “Party for Peace” with live music and merch & raffle at Hotz Coffee. The headline band will be The Sunshine Wranglers, a 4 piece Funk-Psychedelic-Rock jam band of 30A led by Mike Ingram.
REGISTRATION & RAFFLE
Pre-Registration is encouraged as boards will sell out fast! Registration day of will also be an option but we cannot guarantee that there will be a board available. We will have Paddle for Peace and Gulf Therapy merchandise for sale and also feature our raffle items electronically to raise more funds for the cause AND in person from 9-5 at HOTZ COFFEE. Big ticket items like a chance to win a paddle board, condo comp stay, wellness packages, gift certificates, paddle tours and more!
Online Raffle: https://gulftherapy.betterworld.org/
PARKING & SHUTTLE
Parking is tricky in Grayton so be sure to drop off your board early then park at the county lot by Hurricane Oyster Bar located at 1427 County Highway 283 S, Santa Rosa Beach. The Grayton Beach shuttles will start earlier for us this day and have all hands on deck. Once you arrive at Hotz Ave head down to the main beach access on Garfield Street and we will be setup just east of the boardwalk bordering Western Lake.
SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS
If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event, contributing a raffle item or providing service through volunteering, please reach out to amanda@gulftherapy.org or 850.830.6273 or tk@adventure30a.com or 844-548-3302. We are so grateful for our generous sponsors and donors. You can truly make a difference in our community. We are a certified 501c3 and can offer tax free donation receipts upon request as well as sign off on community service hours.