Sonic 5000 SUP Race

Left to Right: Packet Casey (Jimmy Lewis) 3rd Place, Matt McDonald (Team GUSU)1st Place and Justin Cook (Team YOLO) 2nd Place.


Matt's broken paddle

The Sonic City 5000 Race took place in Fort Walton Beach, Fl this past Saturday. It was a 15 mile downwind race that turned into an endurance race in the middle of a downpour. The weather definitely didn’t cooperate, but due to strong determination and dedication from all participants it was a race we’ll all remember.

Matt McDonald, representing Team GUSU, actually broke his paddle at the first 5 miles but continued the next 10 miles to finish the race in 1st place. Matt travels all over to race and has more will to train than anyone I know. Due to Matt's paddle breaking his hands were really messed up, but the only thing he complained about was not having his paddle to continue his training on Monday getting ready for his next race. Matt is an awesome racer, and highly recommends the products he uses to others. We have an awesome paddle community here on the Emerald Coast and we highly recommend this sport to anyone and everyone who enjoys the water.

Matt McDonald (Team GUSU) placed 1st, Justin Cook (Team YOLO) placed 2nd, and Packet Casey (Jimmy Lewis) took 3rd.

Way to go guys.....Paddle On!

Sponsor a Destin Lifeguard for the 2010 National Lifeguard Championship

The 2010 USLA National Lifeguard Championship will be held August 5-7 at Huntington State Beach, Huntington Beach, California. Destin Lifeguards assemble a team to compete in this championship each year, and they train very hard to make a name for our small town. This year Destin was chosen to host the Regional Championships which was to be held July 15-17. Due to unforeseen circumstances with the Oil leak threatening our gulf waters the competition was cancelled. Most of the businesses in the Destin area have seen a decrease in their profits over the last couple of months, so fundraising to support our lifeguards going to competition was put on hold.

Destin Lifeguards competed last week in relay races in Jacksonville, Florida, where they took 2nd place out of 17 teams. They actually placed 1st in 5 of the 7 relays so needless to say I think they are definitely ready to represent Destin in the National Championships.

Competitions can get rather costly when there is travel involved and the lifeguards pay for this on their own. They also train hard on their own time. Airfare, hotel, food, gas and misc. is needed for the trip to Huntington Beach. Some lifeguards will be able to fly, but some will have to drive so that they can get their equipment out there safely.

If you are interested in sponsoring a lifeguard to compete in the National Championships please give Beach Safety Chief, Joe D'Agostino, a call at 850-685-0408. Any donation is greatly appreciated and we look forward to seeing our Destin Team on Top.

Day 62 BP Oil Spill

It's hard to believe that we are at Day 62 and the oil is still leaking away in the Gulf. The media has ruined alot of travel plans for people wanting to visit the Gulf Coast, and many of the local businesses are feeling an impact from bad publicity. Yes there is oil in the Gulf, but the beaches in Destin, Florida are open and ready for business. They are just as beautiful as ever, and thanks to the media there is even more room on the beach to run and play and place your chair any place you want.

Please don't let the media keep you away from the place you've always vacationed. Pick up the phone and call local businesses to ask what's going on. I have read many tweets and facebook posts that are simply UNTRUE, so I encourage you to call and ask before you change your plans.

YOUTOPIA is one of our local shops in Destin, Florida that's selling BP SOB (Save Our Beaches) T-Shirts so get yours today at http://YoutopiaDestin.com or call 850-424-5047.

Destin Full Moon Paddle

Our monthly Full Moon Paddle's are the perfect place to be. We always have a great turn out, and it's just a nice time to hang out and visit with friends, and meet new ones. May's Full Moon Paddle took place on the Destin Harbor, and it just so happened that it fell on a Thursday night when the Emerald Grande was kicking off their Summer Fireworks Series. What an amazing night to paddle and watch the fireworks from the best seat in the house. It started off as a beautiful night, but shortly after we all got settled in a down pour came over us, and we were soaked in a matter of seconds. Oh well....no one left, we just decided to hit the water because if was actually warmer...lol! It lasted for a good 15 minutes, but then we were back in business. A beautiful rainbow appeared, we paddled, enjoyed the air show and watched a beautiful fireworks show on the water.

Life doesn't get much better than this, so stay posted or check out http://watermangulfcoast.com to find out more information about our next Full Moon Paddle.

Paddle On!

YOLO Race Series 2010

The 2nd Race of the YOLO Race Series took place today at Watercolor Baithouse. What a great place for a race! There was plenty of room for all of the racers, and a great viewing area for the rest of us Stand Up Paddle Fans. This is the 2nd year for the race series, and it has really grown due to the overwhelming popularity of this great sport. It's FUN....It's EASY, and most of all it's a great sport for the entire family.

Most of the teams are sponsored by local businesses, or just a great group of friends wanting to have some extra fun.

Here are the Race Standings after 2 Races:

Women's
1. On the Coast Magazine 38
2. Unbalanced 32
2. Kitty Hawk Kites 32
3. Salon Twist 29
4. Bentley's on the Bay 28
5. Four Play 27
6. SUP'per Club 24
7. Seaside Beach 23
8. Kitty Hawk Kites 22
9. Drift 19
10. iwdff YOLO Angels 18
11. Swantree Concierge 15
12. Independents 14
13. Group Therapy 13
14. Destin Real Estate Co. 10
15. 4 Non-Blondes 6

Men's
1. Grayton Beach Fitness 40
2. Billabong 36
3. Laser Awesome 32
4. Sandestin 29
5. R & L Outfitters 28
6. Tops'l 24
7. Destin Real Estate Co. 23
7. Gulf Coast Paddle Club 23
8. 360 Blue Properties 19
9. YOLO Jrs. 14

Elite
1. So Wal Lifeguard YOLO 40
2. GUSU 34
2. Sunset Beach Services 34
3. Boyer/Serrato/Nail 30

Good Luck Everyone on your next race and Paddle Hard!

BP SOB T-Shirts

The news is out and the BP SOB 'Save Our Beaches' T-Shirts are a hit. They are only available at YOUTOPIA Gift Shop in Destin, next to McGuires Restaurant. You can stop in or make your purchase online at http://YoutopiaDestin.com . This is a one of a kind T-Shirt that can't be purchased any place else, so don't wait....get yours today!

Save Our Beaches

The BP SOB Save Our Beaches T-Shirts can be purchased at Youtopia Gift Shop in Destin, but don't wait....purchase yours online now at http://youtopiadestin.com or call them at 850-424-5047. They will be happy to ship your purchase. Youtopia is an awesome gift shop located at the Harbor next to MCGUIRES Restaurant. They sell many wonderful items, but I love their beautiful hand-painted Collegiate Wine Glasses (ROLL TIDE), the stretchy rings, the Wine Woozie and the Tyler Candles just to name a few. Please be sure and check them out and make sure you tell them Kim sent you.

BP SOB - Save Our Beaches Destin

Well, as much as we don't like to talk about it I know you all have heard about the BP Oil Leak. The media rushed in and told everyone that everything would basically be black and ugly for years to come. Rule #1....NEVER listen to 100% of what the media is telling you because my thoughts are that they are usually lucky if they are half right. Our beautiful Emerald Coast has been threatened for weeks now, and our town like many others is ready to do whatever it takes to keep our beautiful beaches BEAUTIFUL! The sun has been shining extra bright, the water is nice and the sand is still soft and white so if you're not here you are missing out.

You know how it is when friends get together....funny and great things can happen, and trust me...it's always over a lot of laughs. This idea for our BP SOB Save Our Beaches T-Shirt was an idea from a good friend. Her name is Kim also, so yes she is smart like that...lol! She shared her idea and we immediately put it into plan. The main reason to jump on the making on the shirts was because there's a special outdoor event taking place this Sunday down on the Harbor in DESTIN to benefit our Fisherman. The Fight for Fisherman event will be held this Sunday, May 16th, near the BOAT HOUSE Restaurant behind the RED DOOR from 3 to 7. Many of our local businesses will be set up and 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Fight for Fisherman Fund. My friend Kim works in the non-profit arena so it's only fitting that we roll it out for a benefit. Kim's dad was a great man and she said he was always coming up with cute sayings. He passed a few years ago, and she says she knows that he was the one who gave her this great idea. Thanks Kim...I love you and you are a great friend!

The BP SOB Save Our Beaches T-Shirts can also be purchased at Youtopia Gift Shop in Destin starting this Friday, but don't wait....purchase yours online now at http://youtopiadestin.com or call them at 850-424-5047. Youtopia is an awesome gift shop located at the Harbor next to MCGUIRES Restaurant. They sell many wonderful items, but I love their beautiful hand-painted Collegiate Wine Glasses (ROLL TIDE), the stretchy rings, the Wine Woozie and the Tyler Candles just to name a few. Please be sure and check them out and make sure you tell them Kim sent you.


Can't wait to see all of our friends Paddling with their BP SOB Save Our Beaches T-Shirts.

Paddle On!

YOLO Orange Beach

What a beautiful weekend! This weekend we took a short trip to Orange Beach to see the Rascal Flatts & Darius Rucker concert, and we couldn't have asked for better weather this time of year. We always paddle here in Destin, but decided to load the YOLO Board's for our short trip. You see...trailering a boat everywhere can sometimes be too much, but when you have a YOLO....you can take that baby anywhere!

We checked in late Friday afternoon, but as soon as we woke up Saturday morning we hit the water. We stayed at Phoenix on the Bay, through Brett & Robinson, and it was perfect. They had a boat launch and plenty of boat slips just in case you wanted to bring your boat, but having the YOLO's made it that much easier. I saw several fish on my journey and once I got to the small island across the way I saw an even larger fish. I'm pretty sure it was a Cobia, and that is some good eatin'.

On our way home Sunday we decided to travel down Pensacola Beach and come up through Navarre just in case we wanted to pull over and drop the boards for a quick paddle. We saw several pods of Dolphin that were having a great time. There must have been 12 or so, and they were flipping and doing all sorts of tricks. I was ready to get out there with them, but they were traveling pretty fast as I guess they were on a mission of some sort.

So get your board and hit the water...I promise there's nothing like it.

Paddle On!

Destin Junior Lifeguards

Spend your Summer on the beach! The time has come to sign up for the Destin Beach Safety Destin Jr. Lifeguard program that runs from June 14 - August 5.

The Destin Beach Safety Jr. Lifeguard Program is eight weeks of surfing, swimming, medical skills and most of all...FUN! The program runs 4 hours a day, Monday - Thursday for kids age 8 to 17. First year Jr. Lifeguards also take field trips to SCUBA dive, Destin Fire Station, tour a helicopter and the U.S. Coast Guard Station. They will also be certified in CPR and AED training as well as learning...'Skills for Life!'

Limited spots are available so please call 850-837-8413 or email DestinBeachSafety@yahoo.com TODAY!

What's SUP in Fort Walton Beach?

Stand Up Paddling Jam in Fort Walton Beach is what's SUP! Waterman Gulfcoast has planned some awesome paddle events for 2010 that you don't want to miss. The first date is set for Friday, March 26th at Fish Lipz in Fort Walton Beach. Check-in is at 5:15pm and event starts at 5:45pm. There will be live music during event inside, and JAMS outside!

Great prizes along with great food and drink specials is a relaxing way to spend a Friday night on our beautiful Emerald Coast so come paddle with us!

For more information please visit Waterman Gulfcoast at http://WatermanGulfcoast.com

Paddle On!

2010 Regional Lifeguard Competition Coming to Destin!

I had dinner with some good friends tonight, and heard some very exciting news....VERY EXCITING NEWS! The Regional Lifeguard Competition will be coming to Destin this year. The competition is scheduled for July 15-17, 2010, and it's definitely an event you don't want to miss. We are so excited about being the host city this year, and can't wait for our city to shine. Our lifeguards go to competition each year, and always leave a great impression with their talent and speed. They put some really good numbers on the board considering how small Destin is, and we are so proud of them.

My dear friend, Joe D'Agostino, who is the Beach Safety Division Chief here with our Destin Fire & Rescue will start posting on my Blog. Joe is truly a water expert, and we figured that there was no better way to keep you informed than to hear it straight from him. Thanks so much Joe, and we really appreciate all that you do for our Beach Safety Program.

Paddle On!

YOLO Candy

Today I visited one of my favorite stores in our area, and WOW what a surprise. I went in to YOLO Board, and visited with some of the best people ever. You never know what celebrity you might see when visiting the store. Today I saw Jeff and Mitzi Archer(owners of YOLO), Michelle(very nice employee), Kyle(the board man), and Chandler(owner of Modus Photography). I mean how often can you go into a store and see such wonderful people, and even have the owner greet you at the door with a hug...Thanks Jeff! :)

YOLO has really been fixing up their warehouse to be more retail friendly, and the transformation I saw today was just amazing! I literally felt like a kid in a candy store looking at all of the new Stand Up Paddle and Surf Boards they have in stock. Don't these pictures look awesome? Just like candy, right? They also have a fabulous line of YOLO apparel and gear to satisfy all of your needs. You better hurry up and get in there and do your shopping before Summer starts because once Summer is here you know you'll want to be on the water showing off your YOLO.

Paddle On!

World Series of Stand Up Paddling

The World Series of Stand Up Paddling will begin on March 26th, so please stay tuned for more details coming soon. There are lots of Paddling events scheduled in Destin this year, and we sure hope to see more Paddling Fans.

Paddle On!

Full Moon Paddle Schedule is Out!

Great News!! The New Full Moon Paddle schedule for 2010 has been posted and the 1st one is scheduled for March 30th. Check out the Gulf Coast Paddle Club site for more details.

Paddle On!

Happy 2010!

Happy 2010 Everyone!

We've got a great year planned for paddling on our Gulf Coast,and we'd love to have you join us. Check our blog often for upcoming events and photos.

Here is a photo of our two YOLO boards on our beaches on a very beautiful and calm day. We take advantage of these days as much as possible. YOLO actually stands for 'You Only Live Once', and they definitely stand up to their name. They are a great way for the entire family to enjoy the water, and because you can stand on them you are able to see so much of what the open waters have to offer. If you'd like more information about YOLO please visit their site at http://YOLOBoard.com .

Paddle On!