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I hadn't visited the Florida panhandle until last weekend and my first time couldn't have been better. Michelle Feits has created a can't-miss event on the white sands of the Emerald Coast. This thin strip of land bordering the Gulf Coast is the perfect tourist destination and it lives up to it's name. The sunlight's blue wavelengths penetrating the shallow coastal waters combined with the yellow wavelengths reflecting upward off the fine quartz sand gives off an emerald green color to the eye of the perceiver. It's Florida's most relaxing place, perfect for Maryland's chillest paddleboarder

Michelle has poured her heart, soul and creative mind into making the weekend an experience paddlers talk about long after and insist their friends also attend. Along with the assistance of her local community, she successfully executed one of the most unique races on the calendar.

2026 marked the 5th anniversary of this ever so popular event. The beneficiary is the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center which is dedicated to protecting the magnificent creatures and their habitats. It was a must for me to support and participate in the competition because the center works tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate my spirit animal.

All crafts and ages were invited to partake in the Classic which offered 1, 3, 6 and 12 mile courses along with a very cool paddleboard jousting event on day one. The fun continued with technical and relay races with mixed crafts comprising each team for even more thrills on day two. Starts began from the beach for SUP in the distance and technical races. Both included buoy turns near the Navarre Beach Causeway in the current of the Santa Rosa Sound. A beach turn was included in the tech race, a challenging aspect I always enjoy. I earned a top ten finish in the 6 mile and my team came together nicely to snag second in the relay.

There was much to see and do throughout the weekend for everyone who came from every state stretching from South Carolina to Texas. I can't thank Janis Marie enough for taking in this weary traveler and treating me to her southern hospitality. I reunited with members of my extended paddle family which I hadn't seem for some time and we bonded over the memories we were experiencing live. We're all very grateful to the help and support of all the volunteers and sponsors. For without you, there are no such events. Shout out to Andy D's on Navarre Beach for hosting the post race festivities. Try your best to make it here next year everyone!

by Michael Carney, SouthCentral Regional Rep

Whether it’s your first time on the water or your five thousandth, there are a few simple things you should do before you leave home to make sure you have a fun and safe time on the water.

As we become more experienced and skilled we often find ourselves falling into a routine and become complacent about basic safety checks before getting on the water. Every paddler should be checking these three basic things before heading out.

Weather and Water

It may sound basic, but checking the weather and water conditions and forecast before you go can make a big difference in your day on the water. Do you need sunscreen or a rain jacket today? How strong is the wind, and what direction is it blowing?

Newer paddlers should avoid off-shore winds (blowing out to sea) and paddle into the wind at the start so you have the wind at your back as you paddle back to shore.

Don’t forget about the tide. Starting at a slack tide and finishing with an ebbing tide might be more than you bargained for!

Lastly, don’t just check once and assume the forecast is correct. Always keep an eye out for changing weather conditions, wind, and tides.

Equipment

When was the last time you inspected your leash or PFD for damage? Checking your gear before you get in the car will not only make sure that you have everything, but that it is in working order as well. Do you wear an inflatable PFD? Make sure the CO2 canister is firmly screwed into place - they tend to work themselves loose over time. Which leash will you use? It's important to know which leash is best for your conditions. 

Gear Check (AKA Mike’s Big Five)

Buddy Check!

Of course paddling with a friend is both more fun and more safe, but for those solo paddlers out there, you can still implement the buddy system for a safe paddle session. If you can’t paddle with a partner, let someone know where you are starting, where you are going, what time you’ll start and end, what time to check in with you to make sure you are off the water safely, and what to do if they can’t reach you. 

New paddlers may not have thought about some of these aspects before getting on the water, and experienced paddlers might just take them for granted, but checking these items every time you go out will set you up for a safe and fun time on the water.

Looking for more information about SUP Safety? Connect with your USA SUP Regional facebook page, join a local paddling club, or check out this very in-depth three-part SUP Safety book by New Zealand National SUP Safety Officer Bill Dawes.

Safe paddling is happy paddling, and I’ll see you on the water!

~Mike

Mike Carney is one of our Regional Reps for the SouthCentral region and an expert on inflatable paddleboards! Check out some of his reviews on InflatableBoarder.com