It’s official. Discovery Bay residents this week broke their own world record for collecting and connecting the most man-powered paddle-powered vessels in one location, proving yet again that the Live Where You Play community knows how to have a good time.

“We destroyed the record,” said Organizer Amanda Dove of the June 25 event. “We have certified the count to be officially 492. (Last year’s tally was 388.) I’m thrilled at the participation, especially the stand-up paddle boarders, who represented their new sport with more than 100 strong. Kayaks, paddleboats and inflatable vessels filled out the crowd.”

The official numbers were verified by the World Record Academy via photos captured by aerial photographer Leila Hauck and pilot Bryon Graves.

The fifth annual event, sponsored by local boardwalk merchants, featured not only the water challenge, but entertainment by Excelsior Middle School band Sucker Punch.

“Paddle for Fame is Discovery Bay’s best party of the year,” added Dove. “Sure, it’s silly fun, but why not? It’s a free day out on the water and a great way to mix with your community on a beautiful, happy day.”

Not to be outdone – by themselves – Delta dwellers participated later that day in the Great American Campout at Cornell Park, sponsored in part by REI. Attended by 241 campers in 72 tents, the event provided a barbecue dinner and free tents and rental equipment to campers – an opportunity for families to unplug for an evening under the stars.

“It was a great event,” said Dove, who also helped coordinate the campout. “MOD Bay (the Mothers of Discovery Bay club) provided a bubble-making activity for all ages, family sack races and a sing-a-long for preschool-aged children. I learned during this activity how many of the families in attendance were new to Discovery Bay. There were many new faces and first-time campers, which was exactly our hope for this event.”

The Great American Backyard Campout is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There campaign. This year, the federation celebrated its 75th anniversary as America’s largest conservation and advocate organization for wildlife and wild places.

“I think that it’s great that the citizens of Discovery Bay are looking for ways to come together as a community,” said CSD President Kevin Graves in a previous interview. “As more people interact and get to know each other better, Discovery Bay becomes a more welcoming and safer community.”