Festival includes a variety of festivities

On Oct. 10, 2013, Canadian stand up paddler Boby Purdy paddled his stand up paddle board down Holmes Creek. What makes this special? Purdy has been paddling every day for the last 1,014 days on a mission to bring environmental awareness to the world.

In its second year, Purdy is the host of a four-day festival, Paddle For the Planet. The inaugural festival was held in his hometown of Kelowna, British Columbia. This year it will be held along Lake Powell in Panama City Beach Oct. 10-13.

As part of the activities during a four-day festival, Purdy will hit a new record, and paddle his board for continuously for 24-hours. In addition to local teams paddling with him on Lake Powell, there will be satellite teams across the globe in Europe, South America, Australia and the U.S.

Purdy’s message is simple. He wants people across the globe to care about something and do something about it. Whether it be environmental, social or economic, he hopes to change the way we think about our planet.

“Pick a change and actively work to make it a reality,” Purdy said.

The festival will be presented by The Stand Up Paddle Radio Show and hosted by Walkin’ on Water Paddleboards and the Village of Carillon Beach.

Schedule:
Thurs., Oct. 10 – A meet-and-greet with Bob Purdy and Justin Riney of Expedition Florida 500 at 6 p.m. at Castaways Bar and Grill in Carillon Beach.

Fri., Oct. 11 – 10 a.m. Round table discussion at the Carillon Meeting House with Planet Paddler’s Bob Purdy and Justin Riney of Expedition Florida 500 the beneficiary for the event.  Come hear and share your ideas about changing the way we live on the planet.

12 Noon – The festival begins on the shores of Carillon Lake, with educational booths presented by Henderson Beach State Park, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, St. Andrews State Park, Friends of Camp Helen State Park, South Walton Turtle Watch, Lake Powell Community Alliance, and other groups known locally and nationally. Festival booths and the farmers market will line the main street of Carillon Beach, while plein air artists capture the sights on canvas.

5:30 p.m. – A family world paddle with be on Lake Carillon until 7 p.m.  Bring your own boards, canoes, kayaks to the deck behind Walkin’ on Water Paddleboards for this event.

6 p.m. – Musical performance by Gabe Gomez.

7:30 p.m. – Screening of the award-winning documentary film “Stand” by Canadian Norm Hann (seating is on the lawn, please bring low back chairs or blankets).

Sat., Oct. 12 – 9 a.m. The morning will start at Camp Helen State Park with gates opening at 9 a.m.  For this event park fees have been waived.

10 a.m. – Mandatory safety meeting for all paddlers in front of the lodge.

11 a.m. – A very special opening ceremony lead by Leslie Kolovich, Bob Purdy and by the Maskoke People (Muskogee).

Noon: Ceremonial paddle out led by the Maskoke Indian Tribe in a two person canoe will start the 24 hour paddle.  Paddlers in canoes, kayaks, and on standup paddleboards will launch from the shores of Camp Helen State Park to paddle, solo or in teams, a course on the lake for part or all of the 24-hour period from noon on Saturday, October 12, to noon on Sunday, October 13.  Lake Powell Community Alliance will have a boat on the Lake to provide water, support, and emergency service.

Sun., Oct. 13 – Noon: Be at Camp Helen at noon on Sunday for the final paddle strokes of the 24 hour paddle to cheer on these planet paddlers!

The festival will close with a recognition ceremony and event videos.

To register for to paddle or for more information, go to the event website, www.worldpaddlefortheplanet.com.