Comic-Con Costume Paddle + Fireworks: Paddle for the Planet!
Friday, July 25, 2025 – Meet at 6:00 PM; Launch at 6:30 PM
Location: Ski Beach, Mission Bay (San Diego) – full loop around Vacation Isle, with a pit stop at Barefoot Bar for a Costume Contest where the grand prize is a free paddle board!
Fireworks: SeaWorld’s 9:50 PM show viewed from the water .
Unleash Your Inner Aquatic Superhero
San Diego Comic-Con is roaring through downtown with over 130,000 fans expected  – but the real action might just be off-site, on Mission Bay. While caped crusaders and cosplayers pack the Convention Center, we’ll be paddling out into the sunset for a night of saltwater and costumed chaos. This is Comic-Con weekend on the water: a celebration of saltwater, weirdness, and doing something good for the ocean. Forget the crowded convention halls and $12 pretzels – we’ve got open sky, sea breezes, and a ragtag flotilla of superheroes (and probably a few villains) on stand-up paddle boards. In the irreverent spirit of Bourdain, expect a little grit, a lot of fun, and zero pretension. It’s Comic-Con meets Waterworld, with a dash of mayhem and a heart of gold.
Comic-Con is in town — and this is your chance to be a hero . Throw on your boldest costume and join Paddle Boarding SD for a one-of-a-kind paddle adventure. We’re talking sunset views, a floating toast, fire dancers, and a front-row seat to SeaWorld’s fireworks – all in one wild night. And yes, it’s all for a good cause: we’re raising funds for the Surfrider Foundation to help protect the coast we love  . Consider it doing good by having too much fun – very much on brand for this city.
No board? No clue? No worries. If you’re new to paddling or fresh out of gear, we’ve got you covered . Paddle Boarding SD will hook you up with rental boards and a quick crash-course (not literally) so you won’t miss out. Bring a cape, bring your crew, or fly in solo – you won’t stay that way for long . This night is about camaraderie as much as cosplay.
Menu of Mayhem (Itinerary)
• 6:00 PM – Assemble at Ski Beach: Roll up in your best hero (or villain) attire. Check in, size up the other costumes, and get ready to rock.
• 6:30 PM – Launch! Push off and paddle out for a full loop around Vacation Isle . Embrace that golden-hour glow on the water. (Keep an eye out for Aquaman wannabes and friendly sea lions.)
• ~7:15 PM – Pit Stop at Barefoot Bar: We’ll dock the boards and raid the Barefoot Bar for a celebratory toast to this beautiful, bizarre city . Expect fruity drinks, high fives, and maybe a few bewildered looks from the locals at our costumed crew.
• 8:00 PM – Back to Ski Beach: Return to home base where a bonfire and fire dancers await . As the sun dips low, the fire dancers will literally light up the bay, twirling flames and cranking the vibes to 11. It’s a scene straight out of a beachside fever dream (the good kind).
• 9:50 PM – Fireworks on the Water: Paddle out a short distance and position yourself for SeaWorld’s grand fireworks finale over Mission Bay  . You’ll have the best seat in the house – the water – as explosions of color reflect off the bay. Expect oohs, aahs, and maybe a salty wisecrack or two from your fellow paddlers.
• After – The Afterglow: We’ll drift back in and wrap up by ~10:15 PM, but feel free to linger by the bonfire. Swap stories, revel in the weirdness, and toast to a night well-lived. (Comic-Con after-parties, eat your heart out.)
SeaWorld’s summertime fireworks light up Mission Bay in a dazzling spectacle. We’ll have a front-row view from our paddle boards as the 9:50 PM show caps off the night .
Costumes, Charity & Chaos: Paddle for the Planet
This isn’t just about looking good in spandex or a stormtrooper helmet – it’s about channeling your inner hero and making a difference. We’ve got a bold costume contest running throughout the paddle, and entering is simple (if you’ve got the guts):
1. Join the Paddle – No landlubbers. To be eligible, you gotta get on a board and complete the loop with us. Earn those sea legs!
2. Donate to Surfrider Foundation – Put your money where your heart is. 100% of our fundraising goes to the Surfrider Foundation, the nonprofit dedicated to protecting our oceans, waves, and beaches . It’s a cause any true hero (or clever villain) can get behind.
3. Come in Costume (Bring Your Heroic Spirit) – This is Comic-Con weekend, damn it, so go all-out. Whether you’re channeling Wonder Woman, a Jedi, or “Aquaman’s Cousin Twice Removed,” now’s not the time for half-measures. Be bold, be weird, own it. Extra style points if you can actually paddle in your cape without falling in.
Do all three and you’re automatically in the running for Best Costume of the Night . And we’re not just clapping for you – the winner walks away with a brand-new inflatable paddle board (worth $200) , still in the box, ready for adventure (no matter what galaxy you came from). The competition will be fierce, so bring your A-game and heroic spirit. Creativity and absurdity are highly encouraged. Remember, the goal is to have fun and maybe even embarrass Aquaman with your style. It’s all in the name of “Paddle for the Planet” – having a blast while giving back to Mother Ocean.
Oh, and even if you’re not gunning for the prize, feel free to donate or dress up anyway. The ocean will thank you, and you’ll enhance the spectacle of our floating Comic-Con carnival. This night is as much about the community as it is about the costumes. We’re embracing the chaos for a cause, and everyone’s invited.
FAQ (Fearlessly Anticipated Questions)
Do I have to wear a costume? Nope. But c’mon – heroes have more fun. 
Can I donate without paddling? Absolutely — support the coast however you can. Donate, cheer us on from shore, send good vibes, whatever .
Never paddleboarded before? No problem. Total newbie? We’ve got gear and instructors on hand to get you standing up and smiling in no time. 
Is this a singles event? It’s a people event. All are welcome – couples, singles, friend squads, Ewoks, droids – we don’t care. Good vibes only. 
Rain? Clear skies guaranteed. (This is San Diego in July. If it rains, we’ll hand out free umbrellas and pigs will fly.) 
Anything else? Bring a towel, maybe a change of clothes (if you plan to test the bay’s water temperature), and an ID if you want to grab a drink at the bar. Leave the valuables at home or in the car – you’ll be too busy having fun to watch your stuff.
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Ready to make some waves? This isn’t just a paddle; it’s a quest to protect our coastlines, a chance to be the hero San Diego deserves, and an unforgettable night on the bay . In the words of someone probably smarter than us: “If you’re gonna do something, own it.” So let’s own the night. Suit up, show up, and let’s turn Mission Bay into our own Comic-Con after-party on water. Let’s make waves.
– This epic event is hosted by Paddle Boarding SD. We’ll see you on the water, you beautiful weirdos.  
Also check out other Nonprofit events in San Diego.
