A coven of witches gathered on Saturday afternoon at the Eureka Boat Basin public boat launch for the inaugural Witches Paddle in kayaks and canoes, and on stand-up paddle boards on Humboldt Bay. The local version of a nationwide event on the last weekend before Halloween headed east on the incoming tide to the the Samoa Bridge Boat Launch near Halvorsen Park before returning to the put-in location. (See the slideshow below.)

"I was motivated to start this local version of the Witches Paddle on the day Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died," said event organizer Jody Himango, who lives on the Samoa Peninsula. "Next year I'd like to do it as a fundraiser." The event poster invited participants to "Take to the streets and the water. Let's demonstrate our strength and solidarity in a fun, beautiful way."

At least 50 witches and a few wizards showed up to paddle on a warm sunny afternoon with light winds. Participants stayed physically distanced from each other in this outdoor event and most wore masks near others before entering the water.