Cross the Line Paddle for Veterans from St. Marys to Fernandina Beach

Downtown St. Marys | Saturday, June 13 | 7 AM-1 PM  |  Registration Required

Come join the 8th Annual Cross the Line Paddle for Veterans on Saturday June 13, 2026. Challenge yourself to kayak the 7 miles from historic St. Marys, Ga., to the DD Bartles Boat ramp in Fernandina Beach, Fla. (Note the change in the finish line from previous years).

This year proceeds from the paddle will support Building Battle Buddies,  a newly established veteran 501(c)(3) from Nassau County that trains and provides service dogs for veterans throughout Florida and Georgia.

To register, visit www.paddleguru.com and select Cross the Line Paddle for Veterans 2026. Kayaks can be rented and delivered directly to the start line through Amelia Island Kayak Excursions or through other kayak companies in Nassau County. Registration will close on June 10.   Shirts will NOT be available for anyone registering after June 2, 2026.

Packet Pickup and Vessel Drop-off:  

1 N. Front St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (Directly across from Salty Pelican)
Thursday, June 11, 2026 –  1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 12, 2026 –  8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

NOTE: The first 100 Kayaks/Paddleboards will be loaded in the truck on Friday after 12:00 noon for transport to St. Mary’s.  Anything after 12:00 noon will be the responsibility of the paddler to get their kayak to St Mary’s.  The first 100 paddlers to register will receive a complimentary ride on the Amelia River Cruise to the starting point in St Mary’s.

Pre-Paddle Instructions:
The Amelia River Cruise boat will depart Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp at 7:00 a.m. sharp. All remaining participants should be at the dock at St. Mary’s GA, no later than 7:30 a.m.  The race will begin at approximately  8:00 a.m.  The race course time limit will be 5-hours maximum.  Any paddlers in the water after 5-hours will be assisted off course by safety boat crew.

Post-Paddle Party:  1 p.m. at Leddy’s Porch, Florida House Inn, 3rd St., Fernandina Beach, Fla. 32034. Food and water will be provided.  Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at The Green Turtle Tavern next door.

Please support our event partners: Amelia River Cruise Company, Nassau Moving Company, The Green Turtle, ERA Realty, Jet Ski Amelia, Oasis Marina of Fernandina, Vystar Credit Union, Coastal Pizza, PJDs Beer and Wine Garden, P-5 Productions, Smoke-in Da Cockpit, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions, the Omni Hotel, several local musicians, and of course the City of St. Marys, Ga.

For more information, visit PaddleGuru.com/races/CrossTheLinePaddleForVeterans2026 or send an email to crossthelinefoundation@yahoo.com.