On Saturday, May 9, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.,  grab the kids and a fishing pole and head out to the 3rd Annual Grayton Beach Kids Fishing Tournament. Sponsored by the South Walton chapter of the Florida Coastal Conservation Association, registration is free on the day of the tournament and will be located on the back porch of The Red Bar. 

The first 250 registered participants will receive a rod and reel combo donated by Fish Florida, a bait and tackle donated by Yellowfin Ocean Sports and a beach rod holder donated by Ferguson Waterworks. 

All the winners will have their name and photo published in the local newspaper! 

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The 11th Annual Thunder Beach Spring Rally is upon us. Twice a year at the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, bikers, vendors and exhibitors from around the country descend on Panama City Beach to share stories, explore the latest custom motorcycles and motorcycle accessories, see great entertainment and enjoy a scenic ride along the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches. The first weekend of May and last weekend of September have become known as Bike Week when Thunder Beach revs its engine and produces the fastest-growing free motorcycle rally in the Southeast. It has also been tagged “The Most Biker Friendly Rally in the U.S.” April 30–May 3, Thunder Beach will have seven official venues featuring some of the best motorcycle builders, parts manufacturers and distributors, bike wear and accessories vendors, plus plenty of exciting entertainment. 

This year, The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach is a Platinum Lodging Sponsor for Thunder Beach offering 20% off on room reservations made online at participating properties including Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Majestic Beach Resort, Long Beach Resort and Emerald Beach Resort.  These biker-friendly beachfront resorts include full kitchens and a washer and dryer in each suite.  Motorcycle enthusiasts looking to have a great time and stay at the ideal location for the Thunder Beach Rally will want to take advantage of these great deals offered by The Resort Collection. 

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Bay Point Marina (in Panama City) has joined forces with the St Andrews Bay Yacht Club and Bay Point Yacht Club to bring the Leukemia Cup to the Emerald Coast for the very first time. This nationally recognized sailing event will feature three days of food, live music, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, silent auctions, children’s activities, art shows, wine tastings and, of course, world-class sailing. 

The inaugural Leukemia Cup Regatta at Bay Point will make its debut in Panama City in May. This fundraising event is designed to raise money to fight blood cancers and will be held at Bay Point Marina May 7th-9th.

The Leukemia Cup Regatta is a series of events held throughout the country. Since its inception, the sailing community has raised millions of dollars to support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through this event. In 2008 alone, more than $3.6 million was raised at 38 Regattas, bringing the overall campaign funds raised to more than $27 million.

The festivities will begin on April 22nd at the St Andrews Bay Yacht Club with a presentation from guest speaker Gary Jobson.  Jobson has been national chairman of The Leukemia Cup Regatta since 1994 and is a world-class sailor, television commentator, author and corporate advisor based in Annapolis, MD. He has won many championships in one-design classes, the America’s Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the infamous Fastnet Race and many of the world’s ocean races. He has led ambitious expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn.

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Olympic Gold Medalist Sheila Taormina is addressing local swim teams today at 5 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. She will be sharing her inspirational, real-life stories and speaking about how people must keep going and keep fighting to reach their dreams and ultimately achieve success. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Sheila took an overall 19th place in the modern pentathlon winning first place in two of the five events–swimming and equestrian show jumping. 

She will be in the Coral Ballroom A at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa at 400 Sandestin Blvd. South; Destin, FL 32550. For further information, contact Christy Kearney at 850.687.0764. or ck1330@cox.net.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will kick off its 2009 season by holding its first-ever Spring Break event in Panama City Beach, Fla., March 27-29. The event will feature the world’s best beach volleyball players, including 2008 Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers [pictured below], battling it out on the sand amidst the excitement of Spring Break.

“We are excited to bring the AVP to Spring Break for the very first time,” said Leonard Armato, CEO and Commissioner of AVP Pro Beach Volleyball. “The biggest beach party in the country is the perfect atmosphere in which to kick off our 2009 season.”

The finale of the AVP’s Spring Break in Panama City Beach will come as the AVP Crocs Tour Panama City Beach Open.

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This Sunday, March 1st,  runners from around the country will converge on America’s Classic Beach Town, Seaside, Florida for the Half Marathon and 5K Run. All proceeds from both races benefit The Seaside Neighborhood School and all monies raised will stay in the community and be used to enhance school programs. The 5K Run is limited to the first 750 participants and the Half Marathon is limited to the first 2,000 participants. (Portions of Highway 30A will be closed for the races on Sunday morning.) Whether you’re an avid runner, amateur or spectator, there is a place for you at Seaside this weekend. Click here for more information.