Paddle Out For AME Emanuel Church

A few weeks ago, here in Charleston, we awoke to the news that their had
been a mass shooting at a black church downtown.  I was soon informed
that two of the victims where directly related to my electrician, a man
I’ve spent many hours with as we remodeled my home. My heart sank as
more and more information was discovered about the shooting.  It was in
those moments of deep despair that I started to notice our community
coming together.  

First, during the arraignment hearing for the shooter, we witnessed the family members forgiving their loved ones' killer.  That staggering display of love even took the
media by surprise.  

The second moment was the powerful collective spirit when the citizens of Charleston came together on the Ravenel Bridge to show our support for peace and strength in the
wake of tragedy.  

Then, a huge troupe of
local musicians got together at the Pour House and threw a fundraiser to
benefit the victims and the church.  They raised over $30,000.  Which
sparked this song by local Charleston artist, The Dead 27's.  Dead 27's "Emanuel"

Fourth, the local surf community got together for a memorial paddle out on
Folly Beach in honor of the AME Mother Emanuel church.  As surfers, the
greatest honor we can bestow is to hold a paddleout for those who have
passed on.  

Charleston, among all the cities out there, possesses a truly special kind of community. The victims—they are our librarians, our senators, our beer delivery guys, and in this case, my
electrician. They are our community, and like us, they are the life blood of what makes Charleston the city that it is.  

One of the best things about surfing is the community that comes with it—a
group of people who know what it's like to ride the energies of Mother Nature.  When tragedy strikes, it’s strength in numbers—it’s the power of community that shows us the direction we all must take to move forward.