Brightly colored people-powered kayaks and paddleboards dotted the Indian River Lagoon recently, as participants competed in the third annual Paddle Dash, presented by Dale Sorensen Real Estate and hosted by Paddles by the Sea to benefit Keep Indian River Beautiful.
“I think it’s definitely a better turnout than before. I think people are looking for things that they can do COVID-safe and this on the water is great,” said Dasie Packer, KIRB executive director. “This is our third year; we had to cancel last year because of COVID. We are hoping to show the community what we do to protect the lagoon.”
“Last year was a Mulligan,” said Paddles by the Sea owner Chris Woodruff with a laugh, noting that their first event took place in 2018.
“What better way to raise awareness for the Indian River Lagoon than to get out on it to experience it,” said Woodruff, pleased that Paddles by the Sea provided KIRB an opportunity to highlight its importance.
The event drew roughly 35 individual participants plus three corporate teams – Dale Sorensen Real Estate, eXp Realty and Alex MacWilliam Real Estate – with three competitors each.
“We were happy with the turnout. I think we had about 20 individuals the last time we did it, so it was a good jump. I think every year we get a little better at it. There’s four different races: advanced, intermediate and beginner individual races, and then at the end a relay race sprint course that’s going to be a corporate one,” said Woodruff. “It’s a perfect day. The little bit of breeze we have is really helpful.”
Woodruff’s sweet golden retriever Mildred kept a watchful eye on him, all the while accepting pats from viewers milling about the dock.
“She loves boat rides, paddleboarding, whatever she can get into, as long as she’s around people,” said Woodruff. He said Paddles by the Sea began renting the slip from Vero Tackle and Marina alongside Riverside Café in 2014, and now runs both.
Packer noted that while many people are aware of the nonprofit organization’s litter cleanups, they were less aware of its restoration projects, plantings and Lagoon Friendly Lawn Nutrient Pollution Reduction programs.
After hurricanes Matthew and Irma paid unwanted visits, KIRB restored all the plantings protecting the dunes at Conn Beach Boardwalk, “from where the restaurant is all the way down to the end. That was 100 percent our grant money and volunteers,” said Packer. “We worked with the city and put the plan together and then we ordered everything, and our volunteers put it in. We tried to do a sign, but it never got placed.”
Another project involved removing exotics and planting a native Florida garden at the Captain Forster’s Hammock off Jungle Trail, which connects estuary habitat from the Indian River Lagoon to the ocean.
“It was all very overgrown with weeds and dead plants, and we redid all of that. We partnered with the Parks Department on that plan but that was 100 percent funding from Keep Indian River Beautiful and volunteers.”
Because of COVID they have been taking their programs into neighborhoods to remind people that the environment starts at their own back doors. They assist people with disabilities and low-income veterans, working with groups such as Kiwanis, by fixing up the outsides of their homes.
“It helps the whole community. When you raise one person up you raise up everybody,” said Packer.
At the same time, despite the growth of their board and all the good they have done for the community, they had to close their thrift store and are struggling financially.
“We lost the funding from the state level because the budget got pulled for COVID-related things rather than environmental things. The funding for special projects, like Keep Florida Beautiful at a statewide level, was just eaten up by all of the extra changes that they had to make. They didn’t really give us much explanation other than that,” said Packer.
“So now we’re 100 percent dependent on the community for support. It makes things more challenging but we’re doing the best we can,” said Packer. She added that Woodruff, who serves as treasurer on the KIRB board, and his staff donated their time, so that 100 percent of proceeds would benefit KIRB. “He’s been amazing.”
Next up is the Sept. 18 International Coastal Cleanup. And, she said, while they have had good registration response, they are still looking for sponsors.
For more information, visit keepindianriverbeautiful.org or paddlesbythesea.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
