Morro Bay Witches & Warlocks Paddle 2024 in California

The annual Witches and Warlock Paddle is a signature Halloween event at Morro Bay on the Central Coast of California. Over 500 witches, wizards, and sorcerers, wearing their best costumes, gather in Coleman Park to paddle for a good cause. Thousands of spectators line the beach while kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards fill the Harbor. The amazing parade against the picturesque Morro Rock spreads spooky vibes, and Halloween cheer all over the area.

Schedule & Route

The event is annually held on a Saturday before Halloween, with starting time depending on tide conditions. This year, the paddle is set to begin at 2 pm and span until 4 pm. But consider checking the event's website and social media for up-to-date information prior to the event. Many activities of the event will also be taking place at Coleman Park, where you can stop by to take a picture with some spooky witches and warlocks.

Witches and warlocks follow the route from Coleman Beach to Tidelands Park along Embarcadero, enjoying the scenic sights of Morro Bay waters. It's a challenging route and is meant only for the most experienced paddleboarders. Participants are encouraged to wear safety vests, stay on the course, and follow Coast Guard guidelines. Taking part in the event is completely free, but you do need to bring your own equipment.

Charity Work

Each year, a local charity is picked by organizers to raise money during the event. This year, the paddle benefits the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, a hunger relief organization, making participation even more meaningful.

Morro Bay

Morro Bay, located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is a beautiful fishing village with a bustling waterfront. It's famous for an impressive Morro Rock, called El Morro, due to its crown shape by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. The city is also situated 32 miles (51 km) from Paso Robles and 13 miles (21 km) from San Luis Obispo.

History of the Halloween Paddle

The idea to trade a broomstick for a paddle came to local SUP and kayaking enthusiasts in 2013. The event was firs organized as a fun way to celebrate a friend's birthday but quickly grew into a cherished community tradition. The first Witches and Warlock Paddle had about a dozen participants and spectators. However, the popularity of the Witches Paddle has grown considerably since then. Residents of other cities caught wind of the event and were inspired to host their own paddles, such as Witch Paddle on the Williamette River.

Feedback from Participants

Rove.me reached out to several spectators and participants of the paddle in an attempt to learn about their experience at the event. We asked them how they felt about the organization of the paddle, the community, and the difficulty of the course. Our main goal was to find out whether they would recommend this exciting event to other thrill-seekers.

Rebecca McFarlane from Templeton, California, attended the Morro Bay Witches & Warlocks Paddle three years in a row and shared her experience with us, "It’s a blast every time. The grassroots paddle event is the first of its kind to join some spooky fun dress-up with the wonderful water sport of paddle-boarding or kayaking. It's fun to get a group together and develop a theme or hit the water all by yourself." She also noted that while there are witches and warlocks paddles all over the world now, Morro Bay is considered the flagship.

"You launch from the beach after some quick photo ops and paddle the length of the bay with many fun onlookers cackling or waving while you're trying not to fall in or crash into each other," said Rebecca when describing how the event unfolds. Despite all the merriment, she also stressed the importance of basic safety precautions during the paddle, "You need to have some basic paddling experience in order to keep you and others safe, but it’s a truly supportive and fun-loving community. Be mindful of the weather and your abilities."

Another paddler, Natalia Wellman from San Luis Obispo, California, has been a regular at the Morro Bay Witches & Warlock Paddle. As a local, she has participated in the paddle every year, usually accompanied by a group of friends, except for last year, when she attended with her husband, Mike. She shared her thoughts on the event, "My overall experience is that it is a huge cackle! We have so much fun. There are so many witches and warlocks out on the water, as well as onlookers who love to view it from the comfort of a barstool or chair."

Natalia mentioned that some participants go all out when decorating their kayak or paddleboard, while most paddlers, herself included, focus on costumes. "We get dressed up, like most people, but don’t usually decorate our paddle boards."

When asked about any downsides of the paddle, Natalia noted that parking can be difficult due to the increasing popularity of the event. She also talked about the weather conditions, "Weather is unpredictable on the Central Coast! A couple of years ago, it was very windy and cold. Not fun to paddle against the current and wind, but the overcast skies actually added to the spookiness of it!"