Sports

Shelter House, the domestic violence and sexual violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, will present a unique twilight run designed to shine the light on abuse in our community.

World Paddle For The Planet 2013 is a four-day eco-educational fundraiser festival culminating with a 24-hour paddle on beautiful Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in the State of Florida and designated a "Pristine Florida Waterway".  Festival events will be held in Carillon Beach and Camp Helen State Park October 10-13, 2013.

On August 27, 2007, a new thread was started on the SoWal Forum titled “SoWal NCAA Pick’em”. It was created by long-time local SoWaller known as "30A Skunkape", a.k.a.”Skunky”. He is elusive and yet well-known, and his legend grows just like the real Skunkape, a.k.a Sasquatch, a.k.a. Bigfoot.

The crew at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (South Walton Club) is preparing for a long-awaited move to their new building on 20 acres off Highway 331, behind the public library. For the past 11 years, the staff and kids of the club have been in a set of portable buildings on the site, and are extremely excited about their new facility. The first six years were spent on the west end of Scenic 30A, and the last five at the current location.

World Paddle For The Planet is an eco-educational fundraiser festival that will be held at Carillon Beach in Panama City Beach, Florida, October 10-13, 2013.  With satellite events around the world, the purpose is to educate and raise awareness, sending the message worldwide, to “Be the change you want to see!"  Funds raised by this event will benefit Expedition Florida 500, a project of Mother Ocean.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast will be the backdrop for The Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour May 17-19 as hundreds of cyclists venture through Northwest Florida. The weekend bicycle event is designed for all road cyclists. Participants will get an opportunity to soak in a scenic bike ride alongside pristine beaches including a rest stop at Grayt Coffee House in Grayton Beach and also enjoy post-ride activities and mechanical support. Rides are led by experienced cyclist Robin Wilkes of Robin's Bikes and Fitness.

In the spirit of cooperation, the Walton County School District and Special Olympics of Florida - Walton County, is hosting a Field Day event Monday, May 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Emerald Coast Middle School located at 4019 U.S. Highway 98. The event will allow Walton County school students to experience the benefits of Special Olympics sports training and competition.

The Billabong Grom Comp is a local surfing event that offers young surfers a chance to compete competitively. Billabong at Grand Boulevard and Ride On Surf School are teaming up again to host the 4th Annual Billabong Grom Comp on Saturday, May 18 at the Pompano Joe’s Beach Park in Miramar Beach from 9am-till. The Billabong Grom Comp is a surfing competition for young surfers 12 and under and will include five divisions--Tiny Groms 6 and under, Super Groms 7 to 8, Mini Groms 9 to 10, Groms 11 to 12 and Open Groms, a paddle - in division for all ages 12 & under.

On March 23, from 11am to 3pm at the Andy Saczynski Studio Gallery in Grayton Beach, kids and kids at heart can let their creative juices flow at the Paint, Skim & Skate Workshop hosted by Meyer Boarding Company. Visit South Walton 2013 Artist of the Year Saczynski will be on hand to inspire and assist workshop participants in creating the skim or skateboard of their dreams.

First Ever Stand-up Paddle Board Division; New Weigh Station in Pensacola

The Cobia World Championship Tournament is adding a new twist for 2013. The tournament is Cobia fishing's premier tournament and has taken place at Destin's Harbor Docks Restaurant for over 20 years. This year's tourney has partnered with Bote Boards to introduce the first ever Stand-up Paddle Board Division (SUP). The angler who lands the largest Cobia on a paddle board during the tournament will be awarded a new BOTE Board donated by the Destin store.