Paddle out planned for Gnarabup this weekend

Locals and visitors are being encouraged to bring their family and surfboard, body board, SUP, kayak, fins - anything to paddle or swim out on.

"The aim of the paddle-out is to bring the community together to raise awareness of what Preserve Gnarabup is trying to achieve: the preservation of this fragile stretch of coastline," Preserve Gnarabup spokesperson Beth Carlessi said.

"We would love anyone who shares our values to attend and bring their families and friends along to support the cause.

"Those who do not feel comfortable doing the paddle out can support us from the beach. We would love to see people bring along some more of the incredible banners and signs that were so effective at the recent rally.

"Gnarabup beach is where many community members congregate to swim, exercise and socialise. Many of us learnt to swim in the bay where the paddle out will be held.

"We hope to see a great turn out so that we can send the message, loud and clear, that this precious strip of fragile coastline is not the appropriate place for development.

"Preserve Gnarabup is not anti- development, instead we stand for sustainable development and tourism and the preservation of our coastline. It takes a community to fight for the preservation of our coastlines."

For those attending, parking is available on Gnarabup Road adjacent to the White Elephant café and boat ramp.

The paddle-out is the latest in a series of community initiatives by the Surfrider Australia Preserve Gnarabup campaign to stop development of the Gnarabup headland into a proposed housing estate and resort.

Supporters can also help fund the ongoing campaign by ordering a Preserve Gnarabup hoodie ($65), T-shirt ($40), or bumper sticker at www.preservegnarabup.org.au, or by purchasing a raffle ticket via the website to go in the draw to win a series of exciting locally-donated prizes.

Tickets are on sale until October 12.