ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - This summer, as part of the new Wind and Water Learning Center, there will be paddle board courses at the new city facility on Wolf Bay.

According to a memo to the City Council, fees for each two-hour stand up paddle course will be $60 per student. Fees will be split between the city and Water warriors out of Pensacola. Water Warriors will receive 80 percent of the fees to and the city 20 percent. “Upon the completion of each course, contractor agrees to pay the City 20 percent of the fees received for the course.”

As part of the agreement the city agrees to provide the use of the Wind and Water Learning Center to contractor for stand up paddling courses.

Orange Beach will publicize the courses and help with registration and paperwork for the stand-up paddling courses.

Jeanne Fitzgibbons of the Recreation Department said Rebecca Harger of Water Warriors has been interested in starting the classes for sometime, but Fitzgibbons waited until the center was complete to ask for council OK on the classes.

“We’re certified, the only one in the Florida panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana,” Harger told the council. “We’ve had national recognition. We’ve been taught to teach. And I want to tell you I’m honored and really excited about working with the city of Orange Beach.”

A council member asked if Harger’s company would be renting the boards as part of the classes.

“We do not rent,” she said. “We teach. We do not rent, we do not sell. All we do is instruct.”

Students will learn the do’s and don’ts of the waterways, so that you can rent or buy a board from local businesses and be ready to go. Boards and paddles will be provided. 

Classes will be from 10 a.m. to noon on alternating Saturdays this summer. They will be Saturday and June 29, July 13 and 27 and Aug. 10 and 24. Please call Caroline Harris at 251-974-7245 or email charris@cityoforangebeach.com for reservations.