News from the Water

We are thrilled to welcome our new Live Water Foundation board member, Jeremy Dublon! Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, Jeremy studied neuroscience at the University of Scranton, and went on to graduate with honors from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he obtained his Doctorate. Jeremy completed his residency in New Jersey and is now serving his final year in the Army as a surgical podiatrist at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

We have a lot happening this Summer & Fall and are looking for volunteers! Come paddle with our local Veteran groups and underserved youth. For those that want to stay on land, you can build oyster cages with us for our new Full-Service Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) Program.

It is REQUIRED for the Wai Koa (Veteran programs) and Junior Wai Koa (underserved youth programs) you be a seasoned paddler as we will be paddling with those who require extra assistance. Paddling equipment will be provided for you at no cost.

The Live Water Foundation team will be competing in the 1st Annual Bay Paddle - an eight day endurance race down the iconic Chesapeake Bay. Last year, Virginia Beach native and longtime Marylander Chris Hopkinson paddled the length of the Chesapeake bay, solo, by stand up paddleboard. His 240 mile journey spanned nine days, beginning in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and ending in Cape Charles, Virginia. Of the few paddlers known to have attempted the trip, Hopkinson is the first to have accomplished it by stand up paddleboard. His bold trek raised $190,000 for the Oyster Recovery Project (ORP), which helped to plant 100 million oysters!

Partnered once again with ORP, together with the Chesapeake Conservancy, this year’s Bay Paddle will be an 8 day race with the aspiration of doubling the amount of oysters planted in addition to raising money for the Conservancy’s mission of turning the Bay into a National Park.

We are honored to be chosen by the Eastport Civic Association to receive a grant that will support our Junior Wai Koa program this summer! This specific program will focus on engaging the Eastport Terrace and Harbor House youth in water safety, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and environmental education.

The Live Water Foundation provides free stand up paddleboard lessons and equipment for wounded, ill or injured veterans. This program provides our veterans with the opportunity to learn a sport that will get them out in the community and assist them in regaining and maintaining their physical and mental health.