The 11th Annual Paddle at the Park Sponsored by HCA Florida Destin Emergency is moving its location and date! This standup paddle board race will take place in the Gulf of Mexico behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It features 1- and 3-mile recreational races, a 6-mile elite race and a kids' fun out-and-back paddle, to be followed by awards. Kayaks and inflatables are welcome too.

Thank you to our race partners BOTE and The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island; title sponsor HCA Florida Destin Emergency; platinum sponsors Destin - Fort Walton Beach and Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical; silver sponsors Eglin Federal Credit Union and T-Mobile; accommodations sponsors The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach, SummerPlace Inn and Vacasa; bronze sponsor StretchLab Destin; media sponsors 102.1 The Wave, 99Rock, Destin Life, Florida Man Radio Network, Highway 98 Country, McCain's Creations Photography, and Rock 92.1; and beverage sponsors Buffalo Rock and Destin Brewery!

Race Start Times
9 a.m. - 3/6-mile races start
10:15 a.m. - 1-mile race starts
10:45 a.m. - kids' fun race (for ages 12 & under only) starts

Awards
Awards will be presented directly following the last race to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall winners, as well as the 1st place winner for 50+ in the following categories
:1-Mile Beginner - Men's, Women's, Men’s Inflatable, Women’s Inflatable
3-Mile Recreational - Men's Displacement, Women's Displacement, Men's Surfstyle, Women's Surfstyle, Men’s Kayak, Women’s Kayak
6-Mile Elite - Men's Elite, Women's Elite, Men's OC 1 or 2, Women's OC 1 or 2

The names of the top male and top female in the 6-Mile Race will be placed on the Destin SUP Cup. The overall top male and female in the 1-Mile, 3-Mile, and 6-Mile races will also win some awesome BOTE lifestyle products and gift cards from Saltwater Restaurants!

The top boy and girl in the Kids Fun Paddle will win a BOTE Youth t-shirt and hat.

Registration
Registration is now open on Paddleguru.com. Pricing is as follows:
1-Mile Beginner - $45 until May 5 / $55 on May 6
3-Mile Recreational - $50 until May 5 / $60 on May 6
6-Mile Elite - $65 until May 5 / $75 on May 6
Kids' Fun Race - $12 (This price does not include a race shirt.)

T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 150 racers.

Racer Welcome Party
Join us at Al's Beach Club from 4 - 6 p.m., on Friday, May 5, for live entertainment! Packets will be available for pickup at the nearby Daiquiri Bar. Explore the race venue and catch up with racers old and new. Racers who pick up here will enjoy drink specials at Al's Beach Club.

Race Packet Pickup
Packets are available for pick up at the Destin Chamber, located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, in Destin, on Friday, May 5, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. They may be picked up at the Racer Welcome Party and on the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m., at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

Follow Facebook.com/PaddleAtThePark for event details.

Race Weekend Accommodations
Planning your race weekend stay in Destin? Please check out our accommodations sponsors:

The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
Right next to the race venue, The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach offers beautifully appointed Gulf front and Gulf view rooms and suites, daily entertainment, enhanced WiFi, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, on-site dining and more. To book your stay for $199 on May 5 - 6, please click here or call (850) 337-9194. If you would like to book additional days, please call. Last day to book this deal is April 5, 2023. Cancellation is required 48 hours prior to arrival.

SummerPlace Inn
Located in the heart of Destin right next to some of its most popular attractions, including The Track Family Fun Park, Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park, and Henderson Beach State Park, SummerPlace Inn offers smoke-free rooms, complimentary breakfast, fitness center, free WiFi, indoor heated pool, outdoor pool, whirlpool & more. Call (850) 650-8003 or visit SummerPlaceInn.com.

Vacasa
When you book with Vacasa, you’re getting more than a vacation rental. You’re getting professional service you can count on. Visit vacasa.com/destin to find your race weekend accommodation.

Sponsorships
Want to sponsor? Email bryana@DestinChamber.com.

Check out this awesome video of the 2019 event from Land Air Sea Productions.