By Kerri Parker
There’s something about a Saturday morning on Lake DeFuniak that feels like coming home. The light filters through the trees that edge the perfectly round, spring-fed lake, dappling the water with gold. Ducks chatter near the bank. Someone’s kayak scrapes softly against the sand. And as the clock inches toward nine, people begin to gather — walkers, joggers, paddlers, even a few bikers — ready to circle back once again.
For the past month, the Circle Back DeFuniak club has turned Saturday mornings into a small-town ritual. There’s no competition here, no start line or finish. The goal is simple: move your body, breathe in the morning air, and reconnect with one another — and with this extraordinary lake that defines our town.
Some come with paddleboards, gliding across the calm water like brushstrokes. Others walk the paved path that loops around the lake, stopping to wave or chat as they go. The rhythm is easy and unhurried. What matters most is showing up.
“Circle Back DeFuniak was born out of a simple idea — that movement and connection go hand in hand,” says Kerri Parker, founder of HWY 331, a local community platform. “We wanted to create something that welcomes everyone. You don’t have to be a paddler. You don’t have to be an athlete. You just have to want to move and be part of something that makes this town feel alive.”
After the loop, the morning tends to drift naturally toward Baldwin Avenue. Members spill into the farmers market or pop into local shops and cafés. It’s part of the rhythm — supporting local businesses while keeping the sense of togetherness that began by the water. The club was designed with that in mind: to encourage wellness, community, and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds DeFuniak Springs.
There’s growing research behind what most of us already know intuitively — that time in nature, especially near water, does wonders for the mind. The gentle repetition of paddling or walking helps quiet the noise that builds up during the week. You return home lighter, calmer, and a little more connected — to yourself and to the people you passed on the trail.
Every Saturday, no matter the weather or the week behind them, they gather again at nine o’clock. Some with coffee in hand. Some with dogs tugging at leashes. All drawn by the same quiet pull of the lake — and the simple joy of circling back.
Circle Back DeFuniak meets every Saturday at 9 a.m. behind the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood. Walkers, paddlers, joggers, bikers and four-legged friends are all welcome. Participation is free and open to all. To register, visit HWY331.com/circle_back_defuniak.
