by Linda McCoy

If you live in our SouthCentral Region, you are represented by the Lone SouthCentral Regional Rep – hailing from the Lone Star State of Texas– me (Linda McCoy)! I live in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas and I’ve been paddling since June of 2009. I love being an ambassador for SUP in our community and I’ve been leading lake clean ups for 16 years!  I also serve on the USA SUP Board of Directors as Vice President. We literally have a lake right in the middle of the city!!
Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) was created when the Colorado River was dammed up in 1960 by the Longhorn Dam – originally intended to be a cooling pond for the new city power plant. It was renamed to honor former first Lady Lady Bird Johnson in 2007 shortly after she passed away. Today, Lady Bird Lake hosts about 5 million visitors per year – many of them on SUPs! We also have one of the largest colonies of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats that live under our Congress Avenue Bridge (aka The Ann Richards Bridge)!

If you’re ever in Austin, send me a message! I’d love to take you out for a paddle!

We are currently hoping to add 3 more reps to our roster for the SouthCentral Region! If you live in any of the states represented in the SC Region (NE, KS, CO, OK, NM, or TX) and are interested in representing USA SUP in your community, let us know! Reach out to me at linda.mccoy@usasup.org and I’ll set up a time to talk. You must be a current member of USA SUP in good standing to be a Regional Rep. Not a member? Join today! https://usasup.org/join

Upcoming races in the SouthCentral Region are designated in Dark Blue on our calendar: https://usasup.org/Calendar

Texas Winter 100 – Bastrop, TX -January 25, 2025

Bluet Brawl – Pilot Knoll Park, TX – May 3, 2025

SUP El Camino Real – Bastrop, TX – August 8-9, 2025

Unconfirmed Races:

Icebreaker SUP Classic – Lakewood, CO – May 2025

Flatiron Flat Out – Boulder, CO – June 2025

Longs Peak SUP Classic, Longmont, CO – August 2025

Grand River Dam Paddle – Langley, OK – August 30, 2025

Bragging Rights SUP Classic – Lakewood, CO – September 2025

Middle Loup River Challenge – Thedford, NE – September 2025

Power to Paddle Classic – Stockton Lake, MO – October 2025

Don’t see your race highlighted? Add it to our calendar here! https://usasup.org/contribute

by Linda McCoy

Things are SO HOT in the SouthEast Region that we’re highlighting it again this month! We’ve got three incredible Regional Reps leading the charge. Sam Gentsch, one of our OG Reps, and our two newest members of the team, Kirk Bumgarner and Rachel Cantore! You can read more about Sam in the July newsletter!

SouthEast Region States

Arkansas – Louisiana – Mississippi – Tennessee – Alabama – Georgia – North Carolina – South Carolina – Florida

Kirk recently competed in – and WON! – The Ohio River Paddle Fest! One of our NorthCentral reps, Adrian Angell, is the race director for this super fun and well-organized races! Check our latest race recap to learn more about that race! Kirk started paddling recreationally on lakes in Texas and Colorado in 2010. That soon evolved into more touring and expedition paddling when he moved to NorthEast Tennessee. He started racing in 2018. His favorite race so far is the Cincinnati Paddle Fest! His wife and family are from Cincinnati, so it’s fun to have a cheering section! He loves to paddle on South Holston lake outside of Bristol TN when he’s not dreaming of paddling on Ashley Lake outside of Kalispell, MT.

Rachel owns and operates Stand and Paddle in Bluffton, SC. She’s been paddling regularly since 2017 having dabbled a few times prior to that. Her top favorite races are the Paddle at Skull Harbor in Orange Beach/Pensacola and the LowCountry Paddle battle on Hilton Head Island – home of our USASUP National Championships this year! She loves the technical courses at races and connecting with her paddle friends in Florida and the LowCountry. You can usually find her paddling the May River or Burke’s Beach, where she enjoys SUP Surfing and the ocean conditions! Her favorite destination paddle? ANY PLACE WARM! If she had to pick, it would be Costa Rica or Mexico. She has her sights set on paddling a race in Europe next year, so be sure to watch out for her – and cheer her on!

All three of our SouthEast Reps will be at Nationals – be sure to tell them hello!

We are so thankful that the OluKai Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle will host the race this year. Big thanks to USASUP board member John Batson for welcoming us as a partner host. Check out all the details here: https://paddleguru.com/races/OluKaiLowcountryBoilPaddleBattle

We are currently hoping to add 1 more rep to our roster for the SouthEast Region! We’d love to find a rep in Florida or in Arkansas, Louisiana, or Mississippi to stay geographically diverse. If you live in the SouthEast Region (light blue), and would like more information, please contact Linda McCoy – linda.mccoy@usasup.org! 

We also have spots available in the SouthWest, NorthWest, and SouthCentral regions. Check out the map above to see which region you live in. If you’d like to join our team, get in touch with Linda and we’ll set up a call!

by Linda McCoy

If you live in our SouthEast Region, you are lucky to be represented by none other than Sam Gentsch! Sam lives in Smyrna, Georgia and he’s been hooked on SUP since 2015! If you paddle in Georgia, you’ll most likely find him on Stone Mountain Lake. When Sam wants to find baby dolphins, he heads to Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso Florida – that’s his favorite destination paddle! His top three favorite races are Chattajack, Carolina Cup, and the Ohio River Fest! Look for him at a race soon! If you’re in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Florida – you’re in the SouthEast Region!

We are currently hoping to add 2 more reps to our roster for the SouthEast Region! We’d love to find a rep in Florida or in Arkansas, Louisiana, or Mississippi to stay geographically diverse. If you live in the SouthEast Region (light blue), and would like more information, please contact Linda McCoy – linda.mccoy@usasup.org!

The SouthEast Region is also this year’s host region for our USASUP National Championships! We are so thankful that the OluKai Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle will host the race this year. Big thanks to USASUP board member John Batson for welcoming us as a partner host. Check out all the details here:

https://paddleguru.com/races/OluKaiLowcountryBoilPaddleBattle

Upcoming races in the SouthEast Region are designated in Light Blue on our calendar: https://usasup.org/Calendar

Goat Boater - Technical Goat (7-20) & Wylie Paddle Battle (7-21) – Tega Cay, SC -July 20-21, 2024

Flying Fish Summer Challenge – Jensen Beach, Florida – July 27, 2024

Knoxville’s Three Rivers Regatta – Knoxville, Tennessee – August 3, 2024

OluKai Lowcountry Boil Paddle Battle/USASUP National Champ – Hilton Head Island, SC – Sept 6-8, 2024

The Gritty Growler – Gasconade, Missouri, September 14, 2024

The Nous Défions 8-Hour Team Assault on Lake Keowee – Seneca, South Carolina - September 14, 2024

The Great Alabama 650 – Cedar Bluff, Alabama – Sept 21-October 1, 2024

Fish Gotta Swim Paddle Battle – Savannah, Georgia - September 21, 2024

Key West Paddle Classic – Key West, Florida - September 28, 2024

Thief Neck Island Paddle Quest – Rockwood, Tennessee - September 28, 2024

Chattahoochee Half Jack – Rockwood, Tennessee - September 28, 2024

Panama Jack Paddleboard Classic – Panama City, Florida – October 5, 2024

Lake Jocassee Paddle Splash – Lake Jocassee, South Carolina – October 5, 2024

Ozone Florida Clearwater Beach Classic – Clearwater, Florida – October 5-6, 2024

Autumn Marsh Challenge – Tybee Island, Georgia – October 19, 2024

Nish Outrigger Challenge Miami– Miami-Dade, Florida – November 2-3, 2024

2024 ICF SUP World Championship – Sarasota, Florida – November 19-24, 2024

Last Paddler Standing – Sarasota, Florida – November 30-December 2, 2024

Don’t see your race highlighted? Add it to our calendar here! https://usasup.org/contribute

by Linda McCoy

If you live in our NorthCentral Region, you are lucky to be represented by Adrian Angell, Troy Hendricks, and our newest rep - Jeremy Nicholson!

Adrian and Troy both hale from Ohio and Jeremy is from Iowa – seemingly the only paddler in Iowa? If you paddle in Iowa, STAND UP and be counted!

All of our NorthCentral Reps are avid paddlers and racers. Adrian and Troy recently competed at the Carolina Cup and you will see Jeremy at the Goose Island Grind and Great Iowa River Race this month!

If you’re in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota – you’re in the NorthCentral Region!

There are so many fun races coming up!

Check out the USASUP RACE CALENDAR to find out more!
https://usasup.org/Calendar

Upcoming races in the NorthCentral Region are designated in yellow on our calendar

Goose Island Grind – Stoddard, Wisconsin – June 2, 2024

Great Iowa River Race – Sturgis Ferry Park, Iowa City – June 8, 2024

45 North Paddle Festival – Sutton’s Bay, Michigan - June 22, 2024

Blazing Paddles – Cleveland, Ohio - June 22, 2024

Midwest Paddle Festival – Oconomowoc, Michigan, July 13, 2024

Belle Isle Classic – Detriot, Michigan – July 13, 2024

Beach2Beach – Highland Park, Illinois – July 27, 2024

Ohio River Paddlefest – Cincinnati, Ohio – August 3, 2024

Rapa Nui – Power Island – Traverse City, Michigan – August 17, 2024

The Mighty Cumberland River Run & Festivus Float – Burkesville, Kentucky – August 17, 2024

Race the Fox – Berlin, Wisconsin - August 17, 2024

Rubber Ducky Regatta – Shelbyville, Michigan – September 14, 2024

Power to Paddle Classic – Stockton Lake, Missouri – October 3-5, 2024

Download the Bulletin here!

In May 2023, USA SUP member and North Central Regional Rep, Adrian Angell will be attempting to stand up paddle across the Irish Sea from the Isle of Man to the Cumbrian coast. His target will be to land on the beach at Seascale, which is the village he grew up in and where his love for watersports started. As a youth, he looked out towards the Isle of Man almost every day, but he has never been there. His planned route is comprised of 36 “straight” miles, but with currents and wind, he anticipates paddling somewhere closer to 40 miles. This requires significant training and planning. He is doing this to benefit Diabetes UK, which funds pioneering world-class research to benefit all forms of diabetes and its complications. Adrian has several friends and family members who are living with diabetes and this cause is very important to him. He has done a stand up paddle fundraiser for this cause since 2018. The results of the research done by Diabetes UK can improve the lives of people dealing with diabetes worldwide.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/adrian-angell-iom-to-cumbria

Jennifer is a founding member and avid stand up paddle racer currently living in Lubbock, Texas. She will be helping us get as many races on our calendar as possible and collect all information important to these events, which will benefit all of our members!
Check out our race calendar and we hope to see you at a race near you!

https://usasup.org/events

If you are a member and would like to help research races your area, contact linda.mccoy@usasup.org!

You asked, we listened! Our fine group of Regional Reps gathered at their April meeting to focus on restructuring the boundaries of our Regions. We have had many members write in with suggestions to better align states with the geographic races and series they attend. The Regional Reps sent a proposal to our Board of Directors and it was approved! You can find our new map on the USA SUP website at: https://usasup.org/regions

While you’re there – get familiar with YOUR Regional Rep!

– Linda McCoy, Regional Representative Director

Meet our new USA SUP Coordinator, Gail Kotowski

We are thrilled to have a well known member of our SUP community joining us as our first part time hire, serving as our 'Coordinator'. Gail's flexibility, skills, experience in our sport and positive attitude make the perfect person to help us keep USA SUP rolling & growing!  Thank you, Gail - we're lucky to have you. 

   

A little bit more about Gail directly from the source:

I grew up surfing in the frigid waters of Hull,MA.The friendships and bonds made as a Hobie grom are still very dear to me. As my over-skied knees impaired my surfing ability, I discovered Sup paddling in 2010

and became hooked on paddling and racing. The same community that was missing from my youth was found again .

The gathering of the tribe at paddle events just warms my heart.

My legal career was even inspired by my love for surfing ! I helped advocate/lobby for a dedicated surf area at Nantasket Beach to be set aside by state legislation because our town would not. 

After a life long career as a divorce/bankruptcy lawyer, I was looking to become involved with an organization that has a positive mission.

The position as Coordinator for USA SUP opened up and I knew this would be a perfect fit. What better way than helping a national organization that promote's my favorite sport. I truly want to see USA SUP become the National voice for the fastest growing sport and community. 

I look forward to meeting our members and promoting our mission and events. Please keep sending your news, events and pictures either by social media messenger or email contact@usasup.org or  Gail.kotowski@usasup.org.

Go Team USA!  

This weekend the ISA (international Surf Association) will be holding their annual world championships for SUP (Stand Up Paddling) from October 28 - November 6 in Puerto Rico. National teams from all over the world will gather to compete in 3 Types of SUP Races (Distance, Tech & Relay) and a SUP surfing contest. 

We are especially proud of the three young paddlers (U18) that are qualified to represent the USA!  USA SUP (an independent SUP racing organization by and for American SUP competitors) members Campbell Carter, Soryn Preston and Bodie Von Allman will comprise the Juniors portion of Team USA.   

As all three are supported by the board brand SIC, we asked Global Brand Manager (and USA SUP member) Casi Rynkowski about the company's notable support of the next generation. "SIC Maui believes strongly in supporting the future of racing, and the Youth Development Team does just that.  The youth team is provided mentorship from our top athletes to help them better navigate the racing scene, along with marketing and product education to help strengthen their knowledge and promote the growth of their own personal brands.  Our goal is to not only cultivate the best racers, but to create stewards of watersports that can help pass on the excitement to future generations."  USA SUP shares the vision of supporting youth as a major component of growing the sport we love. 

PHOTO: SIC Maui TEAM at the Gorge in Hood River, Oregon

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for this Friday October 28;  Live coverage should be found on ISASurf.org 

We wish the best of luck to everyone competing in or and running the event (USA SUP members Dave Boehne & Anthony Vela will be there commentating & race directing). Buena suerte a todos! 

PHOTO: Just some of Team USA from the qualifier event that is held the second week of June every year in Oceanside, CA: Hunter Flueger (prone), Connor Baxter, Bodie Von Allman, Candice Appleby, Soryn Preston & April Zilg. Not pictured:  SUP Surfers: Zane Schweitzer, Bernd Roediger, & Kanani Yockman, and prone female Tiana Pugliese.