We’re beyond stoked to announce our most ambitious project to date: our adoption of the Sandbridge Paddle Fest and the addition of the Surf & Adventure Expedition and festival site at Little Island Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015!

The inaugural Sandbridge Paddle Fest was held in 2013 with a very strong community and competitor response. Since then, adventure races have exploded with popularity, and there’s no better natural setup to host such an event than the south end of Sandbridge Beach. Little Island Park offers ample parking and exposition space, broad, sandy beaches, paddling opportunities at and the perfect launch point into gorgeous scenery for cycling through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park.

The spirit of the Sandbridge Paddle Fest & Expedition arises from our passion for the outdoors and a commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles, as well as supporting the conservation efforts of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. False Cape State Park is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast. As the former home of Native Americans, the historic Wash Woods community and a Coast Guard lifesaving station, False Cape honors the hardy souls who made a living from the sea.  In order to truly experience the nature and history of this unique and primitive setting, participants in the Surf and Adventure Expedition will stop at designated checkpoints throughout the parks before returning to Little Island Park.

The funds raised by the Sandbridge Paddle Fest & Expedition will support the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to support Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation by raising funds, accepting gifts and providing other resources to enhance existing programs, services, facilities and technology.

This event will feature the following activities:

• Sandbridge Paddle Fest: 2-mile Stand Up Paddleboard course and 2-mile beach run with obstacles\
• Surf and Adventure Expedition: 2-mile Stand Up Paddleboard course, 2-mile beach run, and Expedition bike ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. This event will be limited to 80 participants in order to control the number of people accessing the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park.
• Kid’s Expedition: Short beach run with obstacles fun for kids under 12 years of age.
• Expo area

All events will be centered around Little Island Park, which will also offer food, beverages, community vendors, local businesses, demonstrations to include kayaking, surfing, and stand up paddleboarding, yoga sessions, and more.

We’re proud to be the presenting sponsor of this sure-to-become signature event for the Sandbridge community for years to come! Click this or the other links in this article = to sign up for the Sandbridge Paddle Fest & Expedition at http://surfandadventurerace.com.