Ringing in the New Year with a Hot List of Gulf Sporting Events

And just like that, 2013 is coming to an end. It’s been a great year in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, and the sports were no exception. The Gulf Coast saw everything from baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments to beach volleyball competitions to marathons and triathlons. The AHSAA made a couple appearances in the form of softball and track championships, as did the NAIA with softball and soccer. It was a good year for Gulf Coast sports.

Now we move on to 2014. The sports events continue on, beginning with the HoopPlay Winter Tip Off Basketball Tournament on January 4^th at Gulf Shores High School and Middle School; the event returns about a month later (February 8^th) at the same location. Then in mid-February things really get busy—the Sweetheart 5k and Half Marathon on February 15^th, the Cheertech Orange Beach Nationals (also on February 15^th), and the GSHS Golf Battle on the Beach (February 17^th) are just a few events taking place in February. Softball, soccer, volleyball, and another half marathon are also scheduled for February.

It’s going to be another great year of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach sports. Start making plans now—pick your event, pick your accommodations, and make a sports vacation out of it.

Baseball in December on the Gulf Coast—Really!

Just when you thought baseball had called it quits for the year, it pops up again in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. It’s the USSSA Fall Alabama State Baseball Tournament, and it’s taking place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex December 13^th and 14^th—definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!

It’s easy to see why Gulf Shores & Orange Beach would be a top pick for a late-fall baseball/softball event. The weather is mild and far from freezing, the white-sand beaches are beautiful and inviting, and the variety of baseball and softball facilities is plentiful.

Gulf Shores alone has several baseball and softball facilities, including three baseball fields and one softball field at Johnnie Sims Park, and one baseball field and six softball fields at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Head on over to the Orange Beach Sportsplex and you’ll find five more softball fields and five baseball fields. Several local high schools and middle schools also have fields available for use.

And we’ve only mentioned baseball and softball fields—facilities are also available for soccer, football, tennis, and various other sports. Add in the Gulf beaches and array of accommodations and it’s hard to think of a reason not to plan a sporting event in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Combine Holiday Activities and Soccer in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping deals to kick off the official start of the holiday shopping season, Christmas decorations, festive holiday events, and an exciting women’s soccer event.

Well, the soccer may not be part of the holiday spirit elsewhere, but it is in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is scheduled to take place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex from December 1st through the 7^th. And an exciting event it is—throughout the week, 16 college women’s soccer teams from across the country will compete for the national championship title. If you’re in the area, this Orange Beach sports event is definitely worth checking out.

But if you can’t be here for this soccer event, don’t worry—the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is already set to return to the Gulf December 1^st – 6^th in 2014, and again in 2015 (November 30^th to December 5^th). There’s plenty of time to plan a late-fall Gulf Coast vacation!

Decompress from holiday shopping and come out and watch these talented ladies in action.

Turkey Dinners and Marathons Make Good Reasons to Visit the Gulf

With two weeks until Thanksgiving, there’s still time to make plans for the upcoming holiday. If you’re falling short on ideas, here’s a good plan for the Thanksgiving holiday: book a stay at a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach condo or beach house, bring the family to the Gulf for some fall beach activity, prepare your Thanksgiving dinner with the beach just outside your window (or eat out—several local restaurants will be open), then run a marathon two days later—or a half marathon.

It’s the Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Half Marathon and 5K Run, and it’s taking place the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 30^th). As the title suggests, there are a couple different options to really get you moving—the 5K and the half marathon. And if you’re not sure you’re up for these distances but still want to participate, there’s always the 1-mile fun run. All of it takes place on scenic paved trails through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park.

It’s a great reason to bring the entire family down to the Gulf Coast, and a great way to transition from one holiday season to the next—work off that turkey dinner and race into the Christmas spirit.

Grab those running shoes, start training and start planning!

Are You Ready for Some SEC Soccer on the Gulf?

We are all about the SEC down here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach: kicking off the season with big beach party (SEC BeachFest), watching games on the TV in bustling beachside restaurants and bars, and even hosting high-action SEC sporting events right here in the area.

Next week will see the start of the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship (November 4^th – 10^th) at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Soccer fans (and sports fans in general), you’ll want to be here for this event: 10 ladies SEC soccer teams will compete over the course of the week for the title of SEC Women’s Soccer Champions. Not only will the excitement level of this event be high, but tickets are only $5 ($2 for children), and the championship game on November 10^th will be televised live.

It’s an excellent reason to plan a fall trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Beautiful fall weather and our even more beautiful white-sand beaches simply add to the experience. Book a Gulf-front condo or hotel and make a full vacation of the event—there are plenty of great deals to be found!

Hope to see you there!

Time to Get Physical at the Beach This Fall

October (and fall in general) is simply a perfect time of year to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, with its great weather, variety of beach accommodations offering fall rates, and the chance to eat a lot of shrimp and then run it off.

The 42^nd Annual National Shrimp Festival begins this week (October 10^th – 13^th), and as the name implies, will bring lots of Gulf shrimp—plus lots of other good food, live music, arts and crafts, and a retail marketplace. And after the first couple days of festivities, you’ll get the chance to work off any indulgent eating at the Shrimp Festival 10K and 5K Run, taking place this Saturday, October 12^th.

Not only is this a good opportunity to put your athletic abilities to the test, but proceeds from the event also benefit local Gulf Shores & Orange Beach public schools. Run knowing you’re supporting a good cause (and burning quite a few calories)—or just come out, watch, and support those participating.

Feeling up for a good athletic challenge but unable to make it this weekend? The Ultimate 5K Obstacle Challenge is coming to The Wharf on November 2^nd. It’s no ordinary obstacle course—it’s an Xtreme Obstacle Challenge. And later in the month (November 30^th) is the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon and 5K Run. Work off that Thanksgiving meal while running along scenic Gulf Shores & Orange Beach trails.

Hope to see you this fall!

Tennis Is in the Air—And at the Beach!

Finally, fall has arrived—a significant event for many sports fans. The start of football season, of course, is a significant point of the season, but another popular sport is also entering a busy period: tennis. And Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is certainly getting in on the tennis action this fall with several upcoming USTA events.

First up is the Alabama State Tri-Level Tennis Championship, taking place September 26^th – 29^th and involving more than 300 tennis players competing for the championship title. Then in October comes the Alabama State Senior and Super Senior Tennis Championships (October 24^th – 27^th). This time around you can watch more than 400 athletes battle it out for the win. And though the weather may be cooling down in November, the tennis action won’t be—the Alabama Adult Combo Tennis State Championships will take place November 7^th – 10^th and will include both men’s and women’s teams.

Now that you have several sports-related reasons to make the trip down—whether you’re planning to participate or simply watch—here are three Champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission who can make the trip feel like a true beach vacation: Sugar Sands Realty, Surf Style, and Zen Restaurant. Between these three much-appreciated sponsors,  you can book a Gulf Coast vacation rental, shop for the latest beach fashions (and other goods), and then enjoy a delicious dinner out in a peaceful environment.

It’s a perfect plan for a perfect season. Be here for all the action!

Ride into Fall at the Beach, and Make It a Real Beach Vacation

Summer is coming to an end, and fall is close at hand—two great seasons for vacationing on the Gulf. And we have the perfect Gulf Shores & Orange Beach event coming up to wrap up one season and begin the next: the MS Ride-Tour de Beach.

Taking place right at the turn of the season, September 20^th – 22^nd, participants can literally ride from summer into fall. Cyclists can engage in 25-, 45-, or 75-mile bike rides that begin and end at the Hampton Inn in Orange Beach. If you participate in the event, you get to enjoy a massage after your ride, delicious food at the bike MS lounge, and an awards banquet. If you don’t participate, you could still come out to watch and support the event—it’s for a good fundraising cause, after all.

And while you’re in town for this Orange Beach bike event—participating or not participating—why not make it a true Gulf Coast vacation? Just book a room somewhere and plan to stay a little longer. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Champion sponsor Perdido Beach Resort is nearby in Orange Beach and offers some top-notch accommodations and fun resort activities like tennis, indoor/outdoor pools, and a health club.

Ready to venture away from the Gulf-front resort? It’s a great time of year for fishing and boating, and Champion sponsor Reel Surprise Charters at SanRoc Cay can set up this type of excursion. And not too far away at The Wharf is Champion sponsor Sand Dollar Lifestyles—an excellent choice for beach shopping.

Two other Champion sponsors can help fill the void that will likely develop after such an active day: Rhythm &Ribs and Sea-N-Suds Restaurant, both in Gulf Shores, offer some seriously delicious food.

And since we’re recognizing Champion sponsors, let’s add one more: Kutter’s Grounds Maintenance. Thanks to all of these sponsors for their support!

Feeling Up for a Gymnastics Competition? Head to the Gulf in September!

It’s mid-August, and things are really heating up here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—not just the weather, but the sports action, too. And don’t expect things to cool down when September rolls around. We’ll be plugging right along right through the month and into fall.

And starting things off in September is one high-energy, keep-you-on-your-toes sporting event: the Bama Bounders Beach Bash Gymnastics Competition. It takes place September 6^th – 8^th at The Wharf and features young gymnasts from the southeast. So if you’re planning on vacationing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach in early September (and you should plan on it—late summer is an excellent time of year to enjoy our white-sand beaches), plan on attending this event. Who knows? You just might see a future Olympic gymnast.

Need a place to stay while you’re here? We have a few recommendations—like Champion sponsor Holiday Inn Express in Gulf Shores, where you can enjoy a nice hotel room with amenities like an outdoor pool and whirlpool. Or if you want to take full advantage being on the Gulf, there are plenty of beach-front hotel options, including Champion sponsors Holiday Inn Express in Orange Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn in Orange Beach.

Hope to see you there!

August Is Coming—So Is the Southeastern Junior Golf Tournament of Champions

Imagine if you could’ve seen Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods in action, back before they were known golfers—when they were still kids, in fact.

Obviously we can’t travel back in time, but we can catch a glimpse of the future golf stars of tomorrow. All you have to do is attend the Southeastern Junior Golf Tournament of Champions, taking place at Craft Farms August 5^th through 7^th. This Gulf Shores event is just as the title implies—first-rate junior golfers competing for the championship title. You know these athletes will be putting forth their best efforts.

And perhaps several years down the road, you’ll be able to say you saw a certain PGA pro play during his earliest golfing years.

Maybe you’re planning to attend just to watch, or maybe you have a golfer in the event! Either way, you’ll want a nice place to stay while you’re in town. Gulf-front lodging is always nice—and Gulf Shores Plantation and Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach (both Champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission) offer just that. In addition to being by the Gulf, they both offer another August-friendly amenity: pools (Gulf Shores Plantation actually offers seven pools!).

Or you can find accommodations through a rental company like Bronze sponsor Gulf Shores Rentals, which can help you find lodging according to location, amenities…even properties that allow pets (if the furry family member needs to tag along).

Thanks to all three for their support and services!

Who’s Up for Some Beach Volleyball in July?

A year ago, the world was watching, and was completely enthralled by, beach volleyball in London—and many other sports too, of course. But those USA beach volleyball ladies simply dominated the event and made for some very exciting sports television.

If you’ve been missing that excitement this summer, then now might be a good time to plan to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this month. We have a pretty exciting beach volleyball event coming up this month. First is the Gulf Coast Region Grand Championship Beach Volleyball on July 13^th, which will involve more than 100 young volleyball athletes competing for the Grand Championship title. Next is the Gulf Coast Region USA Beach Volleyball Series On July 20^th; junior and adult athletes will compete in this event. Both take place at Gulf Shores Public Beach—a perfect opportunity to spend the day on the beach watching some exciting beach volleyball. Now that’s a fun summer day at the beach!

Ever notice how simply watching a sport live makes you hungry? We have three excellent recommendations for some delicious Gulf Coast dining: DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen, where you’ll find a nice variety of fresh seafood, chicken, salads, and more; Flippers Seafood & Oysterbar, which serves both fresh Gulf seafood and land-lover dishes; and The Gulf in Orange Beach, another good choice for good food.

All three are much-appreciated champion sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission!

Celebrate the Fourth with Baseball and the Beach

Want to have some fun on July 4^th? Barbecues and fireworks are great on their own; combine them with the beach and a little baseball action and you have quite the Fourth of July celebration.

You won’t have a hard time finding the beach in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, and whether you decide to cookout at your Gulf-front condo or beach house or dine out at a fun beach-side restaurant, being near those white-sand beaches is sure to add a new level of enjoyment to the holiday. Then at night, be sure to catch one of the several fireworks displays planned for the area—whether its fireworks and the Spectra Light Show at The Wharf or the Independence Day Fireworks show at Gulf State Park.

You can also head over to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sportsplexes to watch the USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series. This event is currently going on and will still be taking place during the July 4^th holiday. Check out the upcoming baseball stars of tomorrow!

When you’re done there, you might consider a meal at the Compleat Angler Seafood Grille & Bar—delicious seafood gumbo, stunning Gulf Coast sunsets, and a generous Champion sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

Tempted by the thought of this Independence Day scenario? Book a stay at the Country Hearth Inn, another Champion Sponsor. And since we’re thanking sponsors, let’s add Champion sponsor Coca-Cola to the acknowledgment list. The support of all three sponsors is much appreciated.

Baseball Fans: Head to the Gulf in June and July

Baseball, baseball, and more baseball (and even some softball)—it’s what you’ll find if you come to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this month and next. Several USSSA sporting events are planned for June and July; all are worth checking out.

 

The ladies are up first, as the USSSA Fastpitch State Softball Tournament is scheduled for June 15^th and 16^th. Then beginning June 18^th is the USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 1—and the USSSA baseball fun just rolls on from there. The USSSA Global Sports Coach Pitch World Series, USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 2, USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 3…just take a look at the sporting events calendar for a complete list of upcoming USSSA events. (Softball does return on July 22^nd with the USSSA Softball “C” World Series.)

That’s a whole lot of activity! And whether you’re in town to play or watch, you’re bound to be doing a lot of running around (from your hotel/condo to the sports event and possibly to a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach attraction). This is where Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Champion sponsor Beach Express can make life a little easier. This alternative to Highway 59 can save travel time by avoiding traffic lights and traffic congestion. Passes are available, too.

Hungry after all that running around? Champion sponsor Baumhower’s has a delicious menu—and a very fitting sports theme. Check them out at their Orange Beach location.

And while we’re talking sponsors, let’s recognize one more: Champion sponsor Centennial Bank. Thanks for all your support!

Looking for a Skate Park on the Gulf Coast?

Amid the baseball fields, softball fields, and basketball courts that make up Johnnie Sims Park in Gulf Shores sits another facility that many visitors might find interesting: a 6500-square-foot skate park.

Maybe you’re vacationing in the area, or maybe a family member or friend is competing at one of the park’s fields, and you’re looking for a place to exhibit your skating skills. Either way, with ten concrete skate ramps designed for skaters ranging in ability from beginner to advanced, the skate park is an ideal place for skaters of all levels. (And perhaps it’s time to bring some skating events to the Gulf Coast!)

Now that you’ve got the location, you need the look—head on over to the Tanger Outlets, Bronze sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission, in Foley, where you’ll find great deals on your favorite fashions. And speaking of sponsors, it’s time to recognize to other Bronze sponsors: Tacky Jacks and the Shrimp Basket, two excellent places to eat when the skating fun is over. (The Shrimp Basket is also a good location for starting a race—like the First Annual Shrimp Basket Giving Run coming up on June 8^th!)

Thanks for the support!

Come to the Gulf for a Weekend of Fishing

This post is for the ladies—or more specifically, the lady anglers. Beginning tomorrow (May 10^th) is the 2013 Fishin Chix Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo at Holiday Harbor Marina. It’s a worthwhile event for a couple reasons. First of all, it benefits the Krewe du YaYas Keeping Abreast Foundation, which in turn benefits breast cancer—a very worthy cause right there.

Second, it’s all about having fun, whether you have fishing experience or not. Fishing out on the Gulf for two days followed by an awards ceremony and a party, open to the public…sounds fun, right? Whether you’re participating or simply want to watch, it’s sure to be a fun fishing weekend!

Of course you’ll need a place to stay and maybe a place to eat, and this time we’d like to recommend Microtel Inn & Suites and the Original Oyster House, both with locations in Gulf Shores—and both Bronze sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. We would also like to recognize South Baldwin RMC, another Bronze sponsor. Thanks to all three for their support!

Gulf Coast Sports Abound in May!

April is almost over, but the sports excitement in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is not. May is a particularly active month down here on the Gulf, and two particularly exciting events are scheduled.

First up: the 2013 AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball Championship. If you love college sports and beach volleyball, this is the event for you. The best collegiate beach volleyball teams will compete for the title of Champion at Gulf Shores Public Beach at The Hangout, May 2^nd to 5^th—four days of beach volleyball fun!

Then on May 3^rd and 4^th is the AHSAA State Track Championship at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. This event is all about Alabama high school track and field athletes—more than 1500 of them! Shot put, discus, pole vault, hurdles…you’ll see it all at this sporting event.

And this is just the first few days of May. The rest of the month is full of events like softball championships, fishing tournaments, and even a taekwondo event.

Thinking you’d like to come down and join in the fun? We’ll take this opportunity to highlight bronze sponsor Meyer Vacation Rentals—they can help set you up with a beach-front condo or beach house. Hungry after all the sports activity? Lester’s in Orange Beach and Lulu’s at Homeport Marina—also bronze sponsors—are excellent places to find delicious post-game food. Thanks to all three sponsors for their support!

Turn That Tennis Tournament into a Vacation Experience

In just a little more than a week (April 18 – 21), the 2013 Alabama Tennis Invitational, delivered by Spectrum Resorts, will descend upon Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Whether you are playing or watching, this USTA tennis event is sure to be an exciting event.

It’s easy to see why Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is an ideal location for such a tennis event. There’s the George C. Meyer Tennis Center in Gulf Shores, with 12 hard-surface courts and 6 clay courts, and the Tennis Center in Orange Beach, which has 8 hard courts. And then there are the tennis courts at places like The Beach Club, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, and the Gulf Coast Tennis Center—which is where this latest tennis tournament will be played.

That’s just half the reason for holding a tennis—or any other sport—tournament here. Other reasons include the white-sand beaches, the variety of Gulf Coast activities, and just the fact that it’s a great vacation location—sports or no sports!

And with that in mind, we’d like to recognize a few of our Bronze sponsors who contribute to the vacation-friendliness of the area: Courtyard by Marriott in Gulf Shores and Island House Hotel, which are both excellent places to stay while visiting the area, and Honours Golf, which helps provide excellent golf experiences at places like Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club (perhaps a round of golf after the tennis tournament?).

Thanks to all three sponsors for their support!

Make it a Baseball Vacation on the Gulf This Spring

Go ahead and make plans now to be here in June: the USSSA Global World Series 1 will take place in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach beginning June 18^th. Over 150 youth elite baseball teams will compete in this tournament.

But first they must qualify in the USSSA Sandlot Lead Off Super NIT Baseball Tournament, which is scheduled for April 6^th and 7^th at the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley Sportsplexes. Whether you’re an athlete in this event, know an athlete in this event, or simply want to watch the action, it’s a good reason to schedule an April trip to the Gulf.

And if you do decide to make a vacation out of it, you might consider staying at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission bronze sponsor Caribe the Resort—lodge in a luxury condo, then dine at Cobalt, the resort’s five-star restaurant (and another bronze sponsor). Not too far away is another dining option—and another bronze sponsor: Cosmo’sRestaurant and Bar, where you can enjoy a meal that is “far from ordinary.”

A big thanks to all three sponsors!

Come to the Gulf Coast for Soccer!

Like soccer? Then you might like to be on the Gulf this month. First, the 2013 Orange Beach Soccer Shootout takes place this weekend, March 16^th and 17^th. Then on March 29^th and 30^th is the 2013 Gulf Coast Classic Soccer Tournament. Both are good times to plan a trip to the Gulf Coast for some soccer action.

And Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is an ideal place for soccer. Several local facilities offer access to soccer fields, including a soccer field at the Gulf Shores and two soccer fields at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. The Foley and Perdido Key Sportsplexes can also accommodate soccer events, and Gulf Shores Middle School offers one practice soccer field.

Come down for the soccer (and other sports events) and make it a true vacation. Companies like Orange Beach Villas and Young’s Suncoast Realty and Vacation Rentals are excellent resources for finding accommodations—and are much-appreciated Silver-level sponsors of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. Thanks for your support! And while we’re recognizing Silver sponsors, let’s give a big thanks to BP as well!

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Is the Place to Be for Softball Next Month

If there’s one thing March is bringing to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it’s sports—softball in particular. (Of course, March will bring much more than that, including warmer spring-like weather!)

Kicking off the softball frenzy—and bringing attention to a worthy cause—is the 2013 Dolphin Classic Softball Tournament – Breast Cancer Awareness, which takes place this Friday and Saturday, March 1^st and 2^nd, at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. With 20 high school softball teams competing in this tournament, it’s sure to be an exciting event.

Other upcoming March softball events include the NAIA and the University of Mobile Gulf Coast Invitational (March 8^th – 10^th), the Gulf Coast Classic I (March 11^th – 13^th), the Gulf Coast Classic II (March 18^th – 20^th), and the Gulf Coast Classic III (March 25^th – 27^th) softball tournaments.

Thinking of coming down to catch all the action? You’ll want a place to stay—preferably someplace comfortable, close to the beach, and with excellent amenities. Our Silver sponsors, Coast 360 and Fairfield Inn & Suites Orange Beach, can both help. For that, a special thanks is in order for these sponsors—and for providing support to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission!

The Gulf Coast is Heating Up with Warmer Weather and Sports Events

With cold weather and snow storms gripping many parts of the country these days, many of you are probably looking for a warm-up right about now. We still have a little more than a month before the official start of spring, but if you come down to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, you’re likely to find an early taste of the warmer season.

The weather is looking good these days, with temperatures averaging in the 60s (and sometimes higher!). And if you really want to heat things up while you’re here, check out one of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission sporting events scheduled for this month—like the 2013Island Cup Soccer event taking place February 22^nd and 23^rd. Twenty-six high school soccer teams will compete for the Island Cup Soccer title at the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sportsplexes. It’s sure to be an exciting weekend for soccer and general sports fans!

Other February sports events include the 20^th Annual Gulf Coast Classic Volleyball Tournament (February 23^rd – 24^th) and the Cheertech Orange Beach Nationals—a cheerleading competition taking place February 23^rd at The Wharf.

And let’s offer up a special thanks to The Wharf, not only for hosting the Cheertech event, but also for being a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission gold-level sponsor. Thanks also goes to the Flora-Bama Lounge, another gold sponsor. Thanks for all your support!

Keep That New Year’s Resolution Going—Participate in a Gulf Coast Race!

The first month of the new year is coming to an end, and for many of us this marks an important milestone in the success of a popular New Year’s resolution: getting in shape. If you’ve done really well with this resolution, you might consider rewarding yourself with a trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach—and put your in-shape self to the test by registering for an upcoming running event.

Coming up just next month (February 15^th to 16^th) is the 2013 Sweetheart 5k Run/Walk at The Hangout. Or if you need a little longer to prepare, the 2013 Bunny Hop Run is scheduled for April 6^th at The Wharf.

If a Gulf Shores running event is sounding like an appealing option, perhaps now is the time to kick the workout regimen into high gear and invest in a good pair of running shoes (if you haven’t already). As the big race approaches, drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. And on the day of the race, be sure to eat a light breakfast and dress in light, comfortable clothing.

A special thanks goes to The Hangout, not only for hosting the Sweetheart 5k Run/Walk, but also for providing Platinum level sponsorship to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. And thanks to our other Platinum sponsors—Kaiser Realty, Inc. by Wyndham VacationRentals® and Spectrum Resorts.