With Paddles and Potions, Witches of LBI Take to Bay for Breast Cancer Awareness

A week after Mother Nature put a spell on their plans, the witches of Long Beach Island finally hit the bay after a weeklong postponement. Brilliant blue skies, crisp October air and barely a breath of wind greeted participants in the seventh annual LBI Witchy Paddle on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars.

It was a far cry from the gale-force winds that had forced organizers to postpone the event the previous weekend. This time, the weather was on the witches’ side. With paddleboards and kayaks in place of broomsticks, the costumed crew launched into the morning on the nearly glassy waters of Barnegat Bay.

Pointed hats, flowing cloaks, mystical jewels and plenty of laughter added a little Halloween spirit to the quintessential October scene. A family of swans even swam alongside the witches paddling on the water.

But under the costumes, a meaningful cause drives the group. The annual gathering benefits David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides financial assistance and other support to individuals and families affected by cancer.

For founder Michelle DiBella, the event combines several things close to her heart: paddleboarding, bringing women together and supporting people facing a cancer diagnosis.

The idea first took shape after DiBella began seeing videos of witch paddles in Portland, Ore. An avid paddleboarder and self-described “little witchy woman” with an October birthday, she was immediately intrigued. She even considered traveling to Oregon to participate in one but, instead, brought the idea home.

At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning. DiBella, who had spent decades organizing events, found herself wondering whether that chapter of her life had come to an end. Events she’d previously organized were no longer taking place, and the venues and circumstances that had supported them had changed.

Then she realized paddleboarding offered a way to bring people together while keeping their distance.

“My paddleboard will keep me outside and 10 feet away from people,” she recalled thinking.

So she put out a call online, and eight women showed up for the inaugural paddle. It was cold enough for wetsuits, but the experience convinced her she’d sparked a great idea that would stick.

“We had the best time ever,” she said. “It just kind of solidified that, like, this is a thing, and we need to do this every single year.”

Seven years later, what began with eight women has grown into an annual gathering of paddlers, volunteers and spectators, or “land witches,” as they’re affectionately known.

For some of the witches, the cause hits particularly close to home. DiBella’s mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and her aunt has also survived the disease. With cancer affecting both sides of her family, she knows firsthand the anxiety and uncertainty that can accompany regular screenings and testing. As the event grew, she wanted it to be about more than a good time on the water, and the cause became obvious immediately.

“If it was going to grow, I’d rather it be something that kind of made people understand that there’s more to it,” she explained.

That spirit was evident Saturday, both on the water and along the shoreline.

“Michelle is a wonderful person and always gathering people for a wonderful cause,” said Kathyn MacDonald-Weber of Barnegat, who was volunteering for the first time after learning about the event through Facebook and getting to know DiBella. “And David’s Dream, I believe, is one of those wonderful causes.”

MacDonald-Weber was impressed not only by the number of costumed paddlers, but also by the people who came to watch, help out or simply happened upon the gathering.

“There were also many land witches here to observe, people just helping out,” she said. “Passersby coming, walking their dogs, and donating as they saw the table set up, which is just wonderful that the community wants to support as well.”

On the bay, meanwhile, the calm conditions were ideal for the mix of experienced and beginner paddleboarders.

DiBella explained the group generally stays within the sheltered cove near Sunset Park, where less-experienced paddlers can comfortably participate. Depending on the tide and sense of adventure, they sometimes paddle beneath a small bridge and into an adjoining cove, while those looking for a longer outing can continue farther into the bay. And despite the beautiful, calm day, Liz Lopez found herself unexpectedly taking a dip after attempting a turn a little too quickly.

“It was actually quite refreshing,” she said, laughing. 

Her fellow witches came to her rescue, helping her climb back onto her board so she could continue paddling.

“It’s a little tricky when the costume gets wet,” Lopez said.

Her velvet cloak had soaked up so much water it started to weigh her down. Back at the park, it hung from a tree to dry.

And for first-time participants Kailyn Turner of Forked River and Brigit Corej of Mount Laurel, the adventure had actually begun a week earlier. The two friends, who typically paddleboard together, hadn’t gotten the note that the original event was postponed. They drove all the way to LBI in the rain the previous week, expecting to join the witches despite the miserable conditions. But rather than turn around and head home, they made a day of it: coffee, lunch and a visit to the lighthouse. Fortunately, both were free to return the following Saturday.

Corej had discovered the LBI event after hearing about a witch paddle in Colorado and searching for something similar closer to home.

“I love LBI,” she said, and she decided to join and couldn’t have been happier with the experience.

“I loved it,” she said. “It was beautiful. It’s gorgeous today, and everybody’s costumes were amazing.” The friends even managed to paddle beneath the small bridge, ducking down to squeeze through the narrow opening.

The experience was just as meaningful for returning participants. Jessica Fransen, who has been involved with the event for approximately five years, was pleased with the turnout despite the schedule change. And when the morning came to an end, she wasn’t quite ready to leave. “I’m sad it’s already over,” she said.

And although DiBella estimated the postponement may have reduced participation by about half, she was pleased with the number of people who made it out, and she was equally grateful for the nearly perfect conditions. Still, she acknowledged the delay would likely affect donations to David’s Dream and Believe. She encouraged those who couldn’t attend, as well as anyone inspired by the event, to contribute through the foundation’s website and include “Witchy Paddle” in the donation notes.

“I really hope that it makes a little bit of a difference for somebody,” she said.

From the eight women who bundled into wetsuits for that first pandemic-era paddle to the witches who returned to Sunset Park on Saturday, the event has become something of an October tradition on LBI that brings together familiar faces and newcomers alike, all for a cause that extends well beyond the shores of Barnegat Bay. And judging by the enthusiasm of Saturday’s witches, there’s plenty of magic left in their tradition.