Record 148 Paddlers Set for Cross the Line's Eighth Annual Paddle for Veterans

FERNANDINA BEACH — A record 148 paddlers are expected to take part Saturday in the eighth annual Cross the Line Paddle for Veterans, a fundraising and awareness event dedicated to combating veteran suicide and supporting those living with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The event will send kayakers on a 7-mile journey from historic St. Marys, Georgia, to the Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp in Fernandina Beach, marking the largest turnout in the organization's history.

"What started with just an idea in 2019 to support an ocean row team from Colorado (Fight Oar Die) on their mission to raise awareness of Veteran Suicide and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has grown into an annual fundraising event for Nassau County to continue that mission.  The first year we started with about 45 paddlers with the numbers growing each year," Cross the Line Co-Director Bill Cimino said. "The greater the participation the more it brings awareness to this important cause. This year, like every year 80% (about 20% is used for operating cost) of the money raised will go directly to our chosen partner Veteran organization.  We select a different organization to donate to each year based on their mission to support Veterans with PTSD while also raising awareness to Veteran Suicide."

Previous events have raised funds for 2019 Fight Oar Die,  2020 K-9 for Warriors, 2021 Foar from Home, 2022 One More Wave, 2023 American River Strokers, 2024 Gratitude America, 2025 Homes For Our Troops, and this year 2026 Building Battle Buddies.

Although registration has closed, Cimino said "if you still wish to paddle you can stop by the packet pick up site across from the Salty Pelican Thursday from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. or Friday from 8 a.m. - noon.  You cannot register the day of the event." 

This year's paddle features a revised route that shortens the course by approximately two miles. Organizers moved the finish line to Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp to keep paddlers with favorable tides and avoid forcing participants to battle strong currents.

"It'll keep the kayakers with the tides," Cimino said.

As Cimino said, proceeds from this year's event will benefit Building Battle Buddies, a Nassau County-based nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs to veterans and first responders coping with PTSD and other service-related challenges.

Cross the Line was founded to raise awareness about veteran suicide and PTSD while supporting organizations that help veterans transition successfully after military service.

The event relies heavily on volunteer support, with approximately 70 volunteers helping transport paddlers and kayaks to St. Marys, coordinate logistics and assist participants throughout the day. Before launching, participants will gather for remarks and a moment of remembrance honoring veterans.

"Planning for this particular event starts in early January when we vote on our chosen charity. The second week of February is when we kickoff the paddle registration at the American Legion and introduce our selected recipient.  There are a million moving pieces which start being put together at this time," Cimino explained. "For the paddle we do everything from getting permits in St. Marys and Fernandina, to ordering and monitoring shirt orders, coordinating and recruiting volunteers, finding insurance for the event, establishing safety protocol for water crew and finding safety boats, coordinating with our many partners who transport people and kayaks across the river, making banners,  and securing space in the community to stage kayaks. Then there is the after party where we coordinate with the Green Turtle for space, find local musicians who want to donate their time,  coordinate with food people who want to assist and cook for over 200 people, and find people to donate auction items and run a 50/50 raffle. The beauty of all this is that 90 % of our support is donated by the people in our community."

Among those contributors are Amelia River Cruises, Nassau Moving Company, ERA Realty, the safety boats, the Green Turtle, the Fernandina Harbor Marina, Jet Ski Amelia, the food folks including Coastal Pizza, Smoke-n-Da Cockpit, & the Omni, the musicians Andrea Shinn Band, Hupp & Ray, Kevan Wilson, & Jon Shulde plus the over 75 volunteers who come out to help.

Cimino said this year Vystar has provided over 20 volunteers from their bank. 

"Lastly, none of this could happen without the Cross the Line Foundation Board who is made up of seven unpaid volunteers (myself, Paul Lore, Ruthe Maestre, Starla Hansen, Tina Taker, Yvette Ray, and Rusty Buchanan)," Cimino said.    

"It's driven by community support it's been wonderful for us.," Cimino said. "People donate their time and resources, and it's been wonderful for us."

Following the paddle, participants and supporters will gather at Green Turtle Tavern in Fernandina Beach for food, live music and a celebration of the day's accomplishments. Organizers said the event serves as both a fundraiser and a reminder that the work of supporting veterans continues year-round.

 "We just like to thank this community for the continued support to Cross the Line Foundation.  Over the past eight years this community has continued to show up for this cause which continues to plague our Veterans nationwide. We could never do this without you," Cimino said.