Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2020

COAST NOTE
PADDLE THE
GULF
Adventure with a Purpose
PADDLE PARADISE, Diamondhead
September 26, 2020.
story by Becky Allee photos courtesy of Paddle the Gulf
P addle the Gulf is connecting new paddlers to coastal streams and rivers that ow into the Gulf of
Mexico so they can nd their “adventure with a purpose.”
The Paddle the Gulf initiative was the inspirational thinking of two ladies who wanted to inspire citizens to take up paddling and learn about the abundant coastal resources throughout the ve U.S. Gulf of Mexico States. From Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles along the Texas
coast to alligator snapping turtles in Louisiana, Gulf sturgeon in Mississippi, the endangered Alabama beach mouse and the Florida panther, the ve Gulf States have a plethora of wildlife and spectacular ora paddlers can experience.
The initiative created a network of
over 30 paddle trails or “blueways” and made these trails available on a mapping application so paddlers could have easy access to trail head coordinates and information on trail amenities, such as availability of rentals, shuttle services, nearby restrooms and more.
Through the Paddle the Gulf initiative, organizers hope to educate the public about our coastal resources, thereby promoting ownership and making the paddlers better stewards. Along with the mapping application, paddlethegulf. org is full of information about the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico, the ve U.S. Gulf States, happenings in the Gulf, opportunities to get involved, and tips on safety to keep in mind when out paddling. Additionally, users can read about
featured paddle trails and even submit a write up about their own favorite paddle adventure for inclusion as a featured trail.
On September 19, 2020, Paddle the Gulf hosted a virtual event across the Gulf of Mexico with partners posting to social media of their kayaking adventures while kicking o National Estuaries Week and the International Coastal Cleanup Day. Paddle the Gulf held their rst o cial live event, Paddle Paradise, on September 26 on Rotten Bayou Blueway. This event was co-hosted with the City
of Diamondhead. Paddle Paradise was free to attend and open to the public and drew over 100 participants! We anticipate hosting events throughout the Gulf States in 2021.
Sponsored by Clean Gulf Associates
This story is part of the Embrace the Gulf 2020 campaign, which aims to highlight the value and vitality of the Gulf Coast Region through daily posts. Join the movement by following the Alliance on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
20 | November 2020
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