Paddle for a Purpose makes a splash
Merpaddlers at the dock. Courtesy of Misha Barker
The band, Funkette, plays at the event. Courtesy of Misha Barker
A unicorn at the dock. Courtesy of Misha Barker
Triumphant paddlers. Courtesy of Misha Barker
Merpaddlers at the dock. Courtesy of Misha Barker
The band, Funkette, plays at the event. Courtesy of Misha Barker
A unicorn at the dock. Courtesy of Misha Barker
Triumphant paddlers. Courtesy of Misha Barker
It’s not often that one can look out on the Damariscotta River and see a glittering mermaid, a triton-wielding merman taming an inflatable orca, a human-sized lobster kayaking, and a child aboard a floating unicorn, but on June 14, at Hearty Roots’ 4th annual Paddle for a Purpose, that exactly what came up the river to the town landing!
In all, 87 paddlers signed on for the day of fun and frolicking that began at Glidden Point Oyster Farm in Newcastle and wrapped up with a four-hour after party at The Shuck Station. Participants from a five-year-old to seasoned AARP members braved the initially soggy day to float their way up river where Glidden Point oysters, Devenish wines, Whaleback cider and Bissell Brothers beer awaited them. Music from the Funktette, an improvisational group out of Boothbay Harbor, and The Boney Rolls had kids and adults boogying as the sun came out to dry and warm paddlers and spectators alike. An auction of three unique experiences brought in welcome financial support for Hearty Roots, a youth development organization based in Damariscotta and serving kids throughout Lincoln County at its Bremen wilderness campus.
At Hearty Roots, counselors and therapists mindfully fuse social-emotional wellness with nature connection for an out-of-the-box approach to youth programming that allows kids to access the outdoors year round to restore, rejuvenate, and reset. As the mental health needs of the community’s youth increase, Hearty Roots is providing support and tools for kids to tune into their inner grit and resources so they are better able to weather the storms of adolescence.
Paddle for a Purpose would not be possible without the loyal partnership from Shuck Station, Glidden Point Oyster Farm, Ocean’s Blue Fitness, MIdcoast Kayak and Carson Douglas Landscape Architects. The hearty business sponsor crew are vital to the success of the event as well: ALKU Foundation, HM Payson, Knickerbocker Group, Love & Lobsters, Maine Behavioral Health, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, Moose Crossing, Renys, Simmons Seafood Market and Waterstruck Wellness.
To learn more about Hearty Roots, and to sign up for the mailing list, in order not to miss next year’s Paddle for a Purpose, go to www.heartyroots.org.
