This Saturday, Sept. 20, the Santa Barbara Surfrider Foundation will hold its fourth annual “Turn the Tide on Ocean Pollution” Paddle Out event at Stearns Wharf.

The event, which starts at 11 a.m., is designed to encourage the community to take the “Rise Above Plastics” pledge and reduce dependence on plastic. As in former years, participants will hit the water in kayaks, rafts, surfboards or anything else that floats, and paddle out toward Stearns Wharf, where they will link together and form a “healing circle.” The event is free for everyone, but registration is available for $25, and includes a goodie bag and a free lunch at Wahoo’s.

In addition to the actual Paddle Out, there will be a silent auction featuring donations from Billabong, Caribbean Coffee, Magellan’s Travel Supplies and other sponsors. Guest speakers include Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum and SB County Supervisor Salud Carbajal.

The goodie bags that will be handed out to registered participants are made from recycled plastic, and can be used as reusable grocery bags, and Surfrider water bottles will also be available to replace the use of plastic bottles.

As a result, the Surfrider Foundation estimates that each participant will remove approximately 400 plastic grocery bags and 167 plastic bottles from the chain of use.

Participants can pre-register online or sign up the day of the event. Additionally, the first 50 paddlers in line on Saturday, whether registered or not, will receive a free lunch provided by Wahoo’s. Participants who register three friends in addition to themselves will receive a pair of Simple Shoes.

The event is scheduled to last until 2 p.m., and more information regarding the event and registration can be found on the Surfrider Web site at www.sbsurfrider.org.