Events
Place
Saint Simons Island, GA US 31522
Description
-F.L.O.W SSI is a charity paddle taking place on Sunday September 1st, 2024.
-A day full of fun and giving back to the community.
-Launch will be at Goulds Inlet at 3 p.m., where we will start the 5-mile paddle. Shuttle service will be provided by Southeast Adventure for parking at Village Creek Landing. There will be safety boats along the route along with live music on the Rainbow Island dock by Taylor Martin and Josh Kirkland. We will paddle into Village Creek Landing, where there will be a Welcome Back Party (open invitation) with live music South of Savannah followed by The Pine Box Dwellers and delicious food by Schroeder's Market.
-Safety and insurance policies require all registered paddlers to be 21 or older" we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A controlled vessel (Kayak, Canoe or Paddleboard) must be used at all times during the paddle. PFD must be worn during the paddle. A signed waiver must be on file to participate.
-The funds raised for this event will go towards teaching people to learn to swim and water safety. This event honors those who have lost their lives on our local Beaches.
-Thank you for wanting to be a part of something so incredible!
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Day of the Event
Paddlers,
We are excited to launch our 2nd annual community paddle and fundraiser, FLOWSSI – For Love of Water, on Saturday, September 1, 2024
Thanks to our sponsors, 100% of the net proceeds from this event will be donated to S.O.A.R or the purpose of providing swim lessons to adults with developmental disabilities and to bring awareness to the importance of water safety. All monies stay local!
A huge thank you to each and every one of you for supporting this initiative!
This event is also in honor of all of those that have lost their lives in our local waters. It is our hope that our efforts and these proceeds might help buffer these numbers in the future. Just think, your paddle might save a life!
Included in this letter you will find important information you will need to know for the paddle. Please read this thoroughly so that you are prepared and informed.
Paddle Timeline:
This paddle will happen come rain or shine. The paddle will not be rescheduled unless there is the potential for lightning.
Pre-Launch –
1:45pm-2:45pm – Check in at Gould’s Inlet – secure post-event transportation (SEE BELOW)
2pm – 1st shuttle leaves Village Creek Landing bringing checked-in paddlers back to Gould’s Inlet
2:15pm – Pre-paddle Yoga - free to participants, compliments of East Beach Yoga – come early and stretch it out before you hit the waterways!
2:20pm-2nd shuttle leaves Village Creek landing bringing checked-in paddlers back to Gould’s Inlet.
2:40pm-LAST shuttle leaves Village Creek Landing bringing checked-in paddlers back to Gould’s Inlet
Launch – 3pm
Paddle – 3-6pm
4pm-Village Creek Landing OPENS to the public.
Landing-4p-6p
Post Party music officially begin when the 1st paddlers enters Village Creek ABOUT 5:00
Pre-Launch Instructions:
*Parking at this access is very limited. Additional parking is available at Coast Guard.
*There will be volunteers at Gould’s Inlet to help unload vessels. Once you have unloaded, promptly move your vehicle so that others can unload and prepare and we do not congest the roads.
*Southeast Adventure Outfitters will be providing a shuttle service that will take paddlers from Village Creek Landing (vehicle drop) to Gould’s Inlet. There will be volunteers stationed at Gould’s Inlet to watch over your craft while you are dropping off your vehicle. If you do not have transportation after the event, you will want to take advantage of this shuttle service – pre-event. There will Not be a shuttle service available post-event.
Shuttles from Village Creek Landing will be as follows - departure times from VCL are listed below:
2pm
2:20pm
2:40pm
*Once at Gould’s and after you have secured your vehicle, check in at the FLOW table and receive your FLOWSSI bracelet and whistle.
*After you have signed in, prepare yourself and your craft for launch.
*PFDs, personal floatation devices, MUST be worn on the water.
*All Launch at 3pm or when the last paddler has checked in and is in place.
Paddle:
This is a lengthy paddle (4.8 miles) and will take ~2+ hours to complete.
Depending on the water and winds, this can also be quite rigorous!
Because this is NOT a beginner’s level paddle (especially for boards), we strongly suggest that if you are new to paddleboarding or are not confident, that you choose to complete the paddle seated on your SUP or in a kayak or canoe.
We are floating for fun; this is not designed as a race and will not be a “timed” event.
*Safety crafts and captains will be present along the water route in case of an emergency or need.
*We suggest you also have a way to carry water with you. Again, we will be on the water for a couple of hours.
Particulars to Remember and to Pack for your Excursion:
*PFDs, personal floatation devices – required for participation
*21 years old or older on the day of the race. We apologize for this but it's not flexible since it relates to insurance for this event. We do not have control over who uses a public waterway BUT we can not register persons who are not 21 years old by the day of the event.
*Shoes are recommended. You’ll need them. If you've ever stepped on an oyster rake with bare feet you already know this.
*Drinking water for the route
*You will need to have transportation arranged for you and your craft post-paddle. Transportation will not be provided from Village Creek to Gould’s Inlet at the end of the event.
*While on the water, if you find yourself moving in the same direction as a motorized vessel, stop paddling and allow the vessel to pass before resuming your paddle.
*Bears repeating: Participants must be at least 21 years of age or older. Those participants that are under 21 may not be a registered part of FLOW2024. This is a public navigable waterway and we will in no way hinder any other paddler who wishes to utilize this same stretch of water.
Post-Party at Village Creek Landing:
*Finish is at the public ramp at Village Creek. We’ll have helpers there to assist.
*Please be efficient from moving vessel from the ramp to your vehicle to limit congestion.
*Once your kayak/board/canoe is safely stowed on your vehicle, please advance to the “check in” area at VCL to receive your Gig Bag Thank You and check out. This is vitally important so that we are able to let our safety crews know that everyone is safely off the water.
*The post-party will be held at Village Creek Landing from 4-8p.m. Everyone is welcome and the event is open to the public.
*Gates will open at 4p.m. and the band, South of Savannah together with Pine Box Dwellers will begin when the first paddlers turn the bend to Village Creek Landing.
*Invite your friends and family to help you celebrate your route completion and to enjoy an afternoon of community fun! It is going to be a great day.
*Schroeder’s Market will be on-site offering tasty food (free to paddlers and volunteers) from 4-7p.
*Beverages will be available for purchase from 4-7p.
*Other vendors will be present too!
Registration for the event will end on Saturday August 31st at 11:59pm.
Encourage your friends to paddle with you. The more the merrier!
Register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/SaintSimonsIsland/FORLOVEOFWATERFLOWSSI
Our 2nd Annual is ALREADY surpassed last year’s registration!
We are so excited to gather our community together, have a bit of fun, and provide swim lessons to S.O.A.R.
And we are thrilled you will be along for the float!
Thank you again for your participation and support, and we will see you Sunday September 1st at 3pm to launch!
Paddles in,
FLOWSSI Team
Alan+, Cristi, Shasta, and Rogelio
PS. If you like this vibe and wanna help, this year, we are recruiting a team to help learn how to host the event next year. Welcome!
Directions
Join this event and invite your friends on Facebook.
