Florida's only Halloween Paddle festival in Destin Oct. 31

Waterman Gulf Coast and the Gulf Coast Paddle Club, along with Yolo Board, will host Florida's only on-water Halloween Paddle festival on the Destin Harbor from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31.

Tickets are on sale now to participate in the first ever stand up paddle, kayak and canoe poker run. Enjoy stops along the Destin Harbor, including The Lucky Snapper, Inn on Destin Harbor, The Kayak Experience, GUSU Island at the back of the harbor near Louisiana Lagniappe, Kialoa Point (Norriega Point), and the final stop at Pat O'Brien's.

Registration starts at 10 a.m. at Pat O'Brien's. Registration is  $25 per paddler, which includes the 2009 Monster Paddle official shirt. Hit the five stops on the harbor and you get one poker hand, if you hit GUSU Island, you get a second hand.

Best hand wins at $500 prize pack including at Kialoa SUS paddle, 12' Yolo Board Bag, a Pat O'Brien's gift certificate. Second best hand wins a weekend board rental (two boards), valued at $265, and a Waterman Gulf Coast visor. Third place gets a Yolo Board T-shirt and Waterman Gulf Coast hat.

Paddlers can buy up to three extra cards per hand at $5 per card. All money from extra cards will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation.

Plus, wear a costume and paddle in the Blue Mountain Surf Splash and Surf Spooktacular. Any time before Halloween, enjoy your favorite watersport while in costume and capture the moment with a photo or video (2 minutes or less). Submit your entry to www.bluemountainsurf.com.

Or, just wear your costume during the poker run and a snapshot will be taken then. Prizes for best costumes in each of the following categories: Funny, Spooky, Child, Group and Action shot.

A harbor clean up will be held during the event, no charge, and prizes will be given to those who bring back bags of trash.

Listen to live music from the Dent Brothers after the poker run. For more information, e-mail cory@watermangulfcoast.com.