Who We Are and About Gordon
Who we are
How It All Started
I started organizing these paddleboarding events with one simple hope: to bring people together. It all began with an open invitation I posted online for anyone who wanted to paddle in Mission Bay one weekend. I wasn’t sure if anyone would show up – but to my surprise, a bunch of adventurous strangers came out to join me. By the end of that first paddle session, those strangers felt like friends. We laughed, shared stories, and realized we loved this idea of coming together just to enjoy life on the water. That first meetup showed me that a simple invite can spark something special: a new community.
Why Community Matters
The magic I felt on that day wasn’t entirely new to me. For years I’ve traveled all around the world, and wherever I go – whether I’m navigating a street market in a far-off country or paddling through Mission Bay at sunset – my mission is the same: build something meaningful and bring people together while doing it. I’ve seen firsthand that the quickest way to feel at home in a new place is to find a community or create one. I wanted to bring that global spirit home to San Diego. Here, through paddleboarding (and even occasional hikes), I’m recreating the camaraderie I’ve found in my travels. It’s about sharing adventures and making San Diego feel a bit more connected for everyone involved. When we paddle as a group, it turns a simple day at the bay into a memory and reminds us that we’re all in this together.
Everyone’s Invited
One thing you should know: this isn’t my club or some exclusive team – it’s everyone’s. The events aren’t about me, and they never will be. They are about community and welcoming everyone who wants to join. I often say that if you take a chance and invite people along on a fun adventure, you’ll be amazed at who shows up. Our paddle meet-ups have proven that true. We’ve had college students, military veterans, busy parents, retirees – even lawyers and doctors – all paddling side by side. In one recent outing, 21 people showed up to share the stoke, ranging from total beginners to experts, ages 18 to 65+. When I looked around at that group, I saw one of the most diverse, supportive crews you could imagine. It reaffirmed why I do this: everyone is welcome, and everyone adds something unique to the experience.
Ultimately, Paddleboarding SD isn’t just about what I do; it’s about what we can do — together. Every paddle event is a team effort in fun and friendship. I’m incredibly grateful for the community that has formed and excited for how it continues to grow. If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll decide to become part of our story too. After all, life’s an adventure best shared in good company!
About Gordon
I’m Gordon — San Diego native, attorney, traveler, and the guy who just couldn’t keep a good paddle to himself.
This whole thing started with a simple idea: invite people to paddle. No club fees. No agenda. Just show up, bring whatever board you have (or borrow one), and let’s get on the water together. What I didn’t expect was how many people would not only show up — but come back again and again, bringing friends, stories, food, music, and good energy with them. It became something bigger than me. And that’s exactly the point.
When I’m not organizing paddle events, you can usually find me in a courtroom, on a trail, on a plane, or in some off-the-map corner of the world chasing a new hike, a new bite, or a new perspective. Whether I’m trekking Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail, summiting Mount Fuji, or leading 20 people across Mission Bay at sunset, I’ve come to believe the same truth: adventure is better when it’s shared.
Paddleboarding SD isn’t a business. It’s not even a formal group. It’s a community born from motion and connection, and my role is just to help keep the stoke alive. My goal? To keep creating space — on the water, on the trail, in this city — where people feel welcome, seen, and part of something real.
If you show up, we’ll make sure you feel that too.
See you on the water.
— Gordon
Contact us
Have a question, an idea, or just want to say hello? We’d love to hear from you! Getting in touch is easy, and we’re always excited to connect with fellow adventurers.