by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — With music filling the air, it wasn’t hard to get lost in the rock ‘n’ roll and drift away during the Rotary Club of Pass Christian’s annual Paddle the Bay fundraiser on Saturday, June 13th.  Paddlers launched off at Henderson Point Park, gliding across the Bay and Mallini Bayou in kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. As one of Pass Christian’s favorite and most charitable summer traditions, the day brought live music, fresh food, sunshine, and community spirit. 

Paddle the Bay has become one of the club’s signature fundraisers, bringing together people from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Whether participants paddled or relaxed under a tent with a burger in hand, the day’s focus remained the same: supporting the Rotary Club’s mission of service. 

“It was a lot of work with the club and all our sponsors coastwide,” said Rotarian Lisa Smith. “Everybody worked hard. We set up last night. Everybody arrived this morning, and people just come and go, paddle, have a good time, and have some free food and beverages.” 

The event welcomed all, from seasoned paddlers to first-timers. “We even have people who just drive up and say, ‘Oh, we just saw your sign. We want to paddle,'” said Smith. 

Although the event is centered around paddling, the true competition happens long before the first splash. 

“It’s not a race on the water,” organizers reminded participants. “It’s a race to see who can raise the most money.” 

Leading this year’s fundraising efforts was Robert “Butch” Thurmond’s NAVOCEANO Gravity and Friends team from Slidell, Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis, and Pass Christian, earning the coveted Gold Paddle prize package. Arianna and Kyle Ryker of SIP Paddle Rental claimed the Silver Paddle, and Pass Christian resident Sandra Lobrano earned the Bronze Paddle. 

Smith said Thurmond’s team has faithfully supported Paddle the Bay for years. “I used to work at Stennis Space Center at the Naval Oceanographic Office, and we have a team that always supports our community,” she said. “They donate a lot of money and care about our community even though they don’t all live here.” 

Acts of generosity filled the day. 

Trey Campbell of CC Lynch won the paddleboard raffle but immediately gifted it to a couple whose own paddleboard had burst from sitting in the summer sun following their paddle. A longtime Rotary member, Campbell’s gesture embodied the club’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

Rotary Club President Jeff Moore was ecstatic about this year’s turnout. “This year’s turnout’s really good… Since early this morning, I feel like we’ve had more people than ever. It’s just good to see participation.” 

The Rotary Club recognized the many volunteers and organizations that help make the event possible, including local businesses that donated items for the Pass Christian High School Interact Club’s raffle and silent auction, which raises scholarship funds to send a student to Rotary Leadership Camp this summer. 

The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area sponsored and attended, educating visitors about the Gulf Coast Blueways Trail, while the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Pass Christian Fire Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, and Rotary volunteers provided vessels to ensure paddlers’ safety. 

The smell of burgers being flipped by Chef Victor and Chief Daren summoned attendees to shore. 

For Paul Ellis, Warden for Gulf Coast Rotary Clubs, the event represents everything Rotary stands for. 

“The proceeds from Rotary Club fundraising events are distributed to recipients in need or service projects,” Ellis explained. “There are no overhead costs at the club level, so it’s a pass-through of charitable donations that provide service needs both within local communities and around the world.” 

Ellis noted that the Rotary Club of Pass Christian recently celebrated 102 years of service and continues to answer the call whenever communities face hardship. “There are currently about one million Rotarians worldwide. They work together and individually to serve the needs within their local communities and throughout the world.” 

Founded in 1924, the Rotary Club of Pass Christian remains the city’s oldest service organization and one of the first 200 Rotary clubs established worldwide. Through the Rotary Charity Trust Fund, the club has built homes, helped restore Pass Christian after Hurricane Katrina, supported local schools and law enforcement, and funded countless community projects. 

For those who missed Paddle the Bay, it’s never too late to donate. Donations can be made online at 

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-rotary-charity-trust-fund/2026-rotary-of-pass-christian-pa ddle-the-bay or by mailing a check to Rotary Charity Trust Fund, P.O. Box 143, Pass Christian, MS 39571.

(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)