This Coastal California City Is One of many Finest Halloween Locations for Its ‘Witches Paddle’

One thing depraved this fashion comes … on water?! Since 2013, the coastal California metropolis of Morro Bay has been the location of witch sightings round Halloween time, as a whole lot of individuals dressed of their best sorcerer’s outfits hop onto stand-up paddle boards for the Witches and Warlocks Paddle.

The location of practically 300 wizarding wannabes has grow to be a practice because the group floats en masse from Coleman Park’s seaside down the Embarcadero. Informal in nature, anybody can gown the half and shed their muggle identities to hitch in for a few hours to indicate off their most spellbinding cackles alongside the Pacific Ocean shoreline.

Organizer Annette “Nettie” Ausseresses informed neighborhood newspaper Estero Bay Information in 2021 that all of it started as a celebration between three associates who had birthdays round Halloween. They began with about 30 folks, and three years in the past, they counted practically 300. 

Witches and warlocks of all ages began to indicate up as phrase unfold by mouth over time. This yr, the twelfth version of the occasion is scheduled for Oct. 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

What makes the floating figures so particular is that they’re among the many space’s pure sealife — with humpback whales, blue whales, sea otters, and sea lions — bringing a dose of human magic to the already naturally enchanting setting. 

“It’s actually neat to see a bunch of individuals in costume paddling on the bay,” Ausseresses informed the publication. “It’s enjoyable for the individuals and enjoyable for the onlookers, and everybody desires to be a part of one thing distinctive and enjoyable.”

Today, the magical occasion additionally advantages the Meals Financial institution Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. 

Whereas the Morro Bay contingency is believed to be among the many originals, witch paddles have grown as a Halloweentime custom over latest years. One other main coven has congregated at Colorado’s Chatfield Reservoir, exterior of Denver in Littleton, since 2021 for the Witches Paddle, already held this yr on Oct. 12, drawing practically 350 wizarding figures.

Different gatherings have taken place throughout the U.S., together with in Spring Lake, New Jersey; Sleepy Hole, New York; Boyds, Maryland; Mystic, Connecticut; Bend, Oregon; North Kingston, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“It’s superb once you do one thing for enjoyable and it spreads,” Ausseresses informed The New York Instances.