The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) held its first annual Paddle Out for SBMM June 6 at Leadbetter Beach. The event attracted such noted paddlers as 1977 World Surfing Champion Shaun Tomson, who led the event, and surfboard shaper Renny Yater who paddled at Leadbetter Point.
Also participating were First District Supervisor Das Williams and author Teresa Newton-Terres.
After a difficult time for nonprofits everywhere due to Covid restrictions limiting fundraising events, SBMM’s staff acted on a novel suggestion made by Tomson for a way to raise money for its educational programs — a Paddle Out for SBMM.
“I am a huge fan of the Maritime Museum and its mission,” Tomson said. “I thought an outdoor event would allow all members of the community to connect directly with the museum, the ocean and the Santa Barbara Channel.”
The inaugural Paddle Out for SBMM focused on the museum’s mission “to celebrate the Santa Barbara Channel and illuminate our rich connections with the sea.”
SBMM invited the community to participate by paddling a self-powered craft, watching from the shore, and creating Love Letters to the Sea with museum art educator Sondra Weiss.
Beginning with a blessing by Barbereño Chumash Tribal Council members Marcus Lopez Sr., Steven Villa, and Marcus Lopez Jr., paddlers entered the water on Leadbetter Beach. They tossed flowers into the sea in memory and in honor of those who had gone before.
Newton-Terres added seven flowers commemorating the loss of the men aboard the Raytheon research vessel Marie on June 7, 1960.
The 40-plus paddlers and a group of sponsors raised more than $46,000 in vital operating funds for SBMM’s exhibits and experiential education programs such as Marine Science, Ocean Connections, Maritime on the Move, Love Letters to the Sea, and Girls in Ocean Science, all of which encourage the protection and preservation of Santa Barbara’s natural resources for generations to come.
Sponsors included: Channel Champions: Andy and Mary Jane Cooper, Mimi Michaelis, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Chuck and Mary Wilson, and George and Judy Writer Heritage Heroes: Don Barthelmess and Carol Kallman, Tim and Louise Casey, Emmett Foundation.
Also, Montecito Bank & Trust Coastline Crew: Arlington Financial Advisors, Ed and Ann Brady, Carpinteria Dory Company, Garland and Brenda Reiter Family Foundation, HUB International Insurance: Darren Caesar/Steve Woodward, Teresa Newton-Terres.
Leslie and Dennis Power, Peter Schuyler and Lisa Stratton, Real Life, Susan Sheller and Bob Roe, Sigrid and Bud Toye, and Paddle Sports.
SBMM is at the Santa Barbara Harbor at 113 Harbor Way, Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Visit sbmm.org or call (805) 962-8404 for details.