Paddle Out for SBMM: Celebrating the Santa Barbara Channel

Join us for the second annual Paddle Out for SBMM fundraiser on
Saturday, June 11, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Leadbetter Beach. This
event focuses on SBMM’s mission to “celebrate the Santa Barbara
Channel and illuminate our rich connections with the sea.” The
community is invited to participate by sponsoring the event or a
paddler, paddling out with us (on a self-powered craft), watching
from the shore, and attending the opening ceremony. Attendees
will enjoy delicious food from Romanti-Ezer, hear surf music by the Wrinkled Teenagers, and have the opportunity to join in beach games and crafts. Once again, this multi-generational event will be launched by our Honorary Chair, surf legend Shaun Tomson, leading all of the paddlers into the water.

For the past two years, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has been unable to hold its Annual Gala &
Fundraiser because of various pandemic health and safety protocols. So, with the creativity unleashed
by Covid last year, SBMM’s staff acted on a novel suggestion made by legendary surfer Shaun Tomson
for a way to raise money for its educational programs—a Paddle Out for SBMM—and it was a
resounding success. Asked about his suggestion, Shaun replied, “I am a huge fan of the Maritime
Museum and its mission. 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.”

Supporting Paddle Out for SBMM helps provide vital general operating funds for SBMM’s exhibits and experiential education programs such as Marine Science, Ocean Connections, Maritime on the Move, and Love Letters to the Sea – all of which encourage the protection and preservation of our fragile, limited natural resources for generations to come. Public support underwrites this unique and important event and fosters SBMM’s work to educate and connect the community with the past, present, and future of the Channel.