by Ellison Smith - USA SUP Vice President - NorthEast Region

23 Miles 

Carolina Hellbender

Aloha Paddle Lake Norman 

$14,000 to benefit the Carolina Brotherhood- Honoring The Fallen & Their Families. A non-profit dedicated to supporting first responders and their families throughout North and South Carolina. The race supported the local heroes who serve, protect and sacrifice. I'm very thankful to all those who made generous donations to my fundraiser, totalling $450! I can personally attest that your monetary gifts were heartfelt and sincerely appreciated.

The event was the brainchild of Gabe Barajas and brought to life with Lynda Bachman. Following the Super Chill Paddle and Plunge, which was the coldest race of the year, he envisioned hosting the hottest in sharp contrast. To be a direct test of drive and determination. While initially intended to have temperatures influence the experience, the weather turned out to be an anomaly of a typical August summer day. Temps in the low to mid 70's and overcast skies provided relief from what could have potentially been a more hellishly hot paddle. It was a quick seven week turnaround from the inception of the idea to race day. This served as testament to the will of the organizers, supporters and volunteers to help bring the idea to fruition.

Race day preparations for the 23 mile one-way Hellbender began with dropping off our boards at Stutts Marina where the finish was located. From there, everyone boarded a party bus bumping the Hellbender theme song to set the mood. The driver transported us to the Long Island Boat Ramp from where participants would paddle to the start at the Buffalo Shoals Bridge. Prior to getting things underway, there was a call to remember the fallen and their families. Those who had lost loves ones recounted their heroism and how impactful they were in the community. They'll never be forgotten. This was succeeded by 23 seconds of silence. Subsequently underscored by a classical Piobaireachd and a moving rendition of the national anthem by Emerald Phoenix. It was a touching reminder to always be thankful for those who keep us safe.

Once the ceremonies were concluded, paddlers and their support boats headed a mile north to the bridge. I was very fortunate to have local, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Captain Kim Funston Repnow offer her valuable time and resources. She and her friend Kristy Schaeffer Misch came through in a big way to see me through to the end. In the field were seven solo SUPs, three SUP teams, two solo and one tandem surfskis and two OC-6 boats. Joining me on the water were Aaron Paquette, Nea Lee, Alex Zowacki, Mike Hill, Naomi Weiss, Ruth Ann Steen, Jennifer Kessler, Susanne Butler, Annslee Bottoms and Gregg Peters among others. Fire & Rescue and Police were on hand in heavy presence for response if called upon.

My mindset going in was to complete the course on the lake in four and a half hours at 5 miles an hour. My longest race to date had been 10 miles and my longest paddle had been 30 miles. Knowing this, I was confident in my ability to get it done, supported but unassisted by not drafting the boat at any point. With four stops totalling about 25 mins along the way, I was successfully able to meet my goal, all the while training for future distance races. Crossing the finish line felt incredibly rewarding as I was able to contribute to such a great cause and have miles of fun while doing it. At the finish, racers were handed a cowbell and offered ice cold lemonade with Fireball shots

by Ellison Smith, USA SUP Vice President - NorthEast Region

Pittsburgh, the Steel City. Famously known for it's industrial heritage. Once the steel capital of the world, responsible for producing the steel used in landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. The city of bridges and ketchup origination has shifted it's identity to technology and healthcare.

What started last year as an inaugural race, Alex Zowacki has continued the PITT Paddle for it's second edition. The student, hard worker, marathon runner and now Blackfish Paddles ambassador is truly dedicated to the sport. The event takes you to the iconic convergence of the three rivers in downtown. Alex had spent a tremendous amount of time coordinating and planning to see that paddlers continue to have the opportunity to enjoy the city's waterways and recognizable features along the path to fun and competition.

This year, as well as last, a large contingent of the CHESUPEAKE community from Maryland made their presence known and showed up in a big way on the podium. The race day festivities began at the Three Rivers Rowing facility located on Herrs Island in the Allegheny River. The race started slightly north of the point from the previous year. The course was designed to go up around the park at the north end of the island, down along the southside enroute to Park State Fountain where the three rivers meet. From there, it was back up the river, past Acisure Stadium and PNC Park to return to the finish for the 10K. 15K participants including myself continued to the Ohio River which was my second time competing on the waterway this summer.

There we circled Brunot Island to make it two circumnavigations prior to finishing. I wasn't able to take in much of the 12 bridges or the cityscape but was aware of the fantastic setting with the occasional quick look up. Fighting the current on the return portion of the race was no joke. I hadn't experienced a current that strong since the the St. John's River in Jacksonville early last year. It wasn't as challenging as that but nonetheless, it was so much so that I was convinced I was dragging aquatic vegetation or debris of some sort behind me. Hugging the island and shoreline proved to be the best track to take while being mindful of the minefield of swirling eddies which could spin you into the river at any point. The Monongahela River wasn't included on the tour but perhaps it may make the cut in an even longer course in the future. It was a lot of fun racing and trading places with Gregg Peters, Natalie Shurigina and Aaron Paquette during the tough trek. After accomplishing 23 miles in my previous race, the 12 didn't seem as daunting.

I finished third overall and no worse for wear. I had a great time reconnecting with Kathryn Skies and John Alexander Mackey who I missed at the End of Summer Splash SUP Race, Randy Rair and Tony Galang with whom I helped set a Guinness World record on the Ohio River to the west in Cincinnati, as well as Saul Kravitz, Melanie Watt and Robert. Let's all do it again next Labor Day weekend!

by Debbie Carrillo - SouthCentral Member

*all photos by Laurel Hart - SouthCentral Member

I heard so many great things about the Grand River Dam Paddle in Langley Oklahoma and its organizer John Knippers, you know I had to go.  Arriving Friday, before everything got kicked off, gave me the ability to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and to meet some incredible people. Many of the participants were camping at the location which gave it special energy. There were participants arriving from 11 different states with so many different crafts.

Saturday morning after everyone was registered, everyone was ready to go! Excitement was high and John had us ready to go. The fans were in full force, ringing cowbells to get us going.

I signed up for the 11-mile race to challenge myself. I was excited but of course very nervous since it was my first time at the GRDP. The race itself consists of 5.5 miles downriver and then 5.5 miles back up to the start. Easy enough right? Well, little did we know what mother nature had waiting for us. The river flow was minimal; it was hot and so humid!  We were hot before we started. I knew it was going to be a hard paddle, so I used Linda McCoy as my rabbit; I wanted to be able to see her to give me motivation. Luckily it was a long wide river enabling me to see her off in the distance as our gap widened during the race.

There were times when I really didn’t even think I would be able to finish but I would get encouragement from other paddlers. Kayaker, Zane, was a real blessing. Our conversation kept my mind off the struggle. I had plenty of water/electrolytes  but had to stop paddling several times just to splash water on myself. Eventually I could see the Dam, but where was the bridge indicating we were near the finish line? Finally, it was in view and there was Linda crossing the finish line!  I made it. Not only did I complete the GRDP but I came in third. Exhausted but a very proud old lady.

Thankfully, John and all his dedicated volunteers were at the finish line making sure that we were well taken of.  Getting together with the other participants, eating good food, and chatting about the race was fun. John personally made the unique paddle completion awards for each of the participants. He also made special paddle “trophies” for each category of winners.

 This race was amazing and every participant, whether they made the podium or not, was exhausted and proud of what they had achieved. A real community of winners!  John Knippers puts his heart and soul into this race and it shows.  GRDP is a must do!

by Kristina Morros

For many paddlers, race weekends are about much more than competition. They are an opportunity to travel, reconnect with friends, discover new waterways, and spend time with a community brought together by a shared passion for stand-up paddleboarding. That spirit was on full display at this year's Bill Bone Paddle the Peanut in Riviera Beach, Florida, on July 19th. After challenging conditions last year, the 2026 event offered nearly perfect racing weather. Calm water, light winds, overcast skies, and minimal boat traffic created fast conditions on Lake Worth Lagoon, allowing competitors to enjoy one of Florida's most scenic race venues. The race board course covered approximately 4.5 miles, taking paddlers on two laps around scenic Peanut Island. Recreational paddlers completed one lap, while canoe, kayak, and outrigger competitors tackled longer distances. There was even a SUP with Your Dog division, adding to the event's relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Notable Finish Times

There were several standout performances highlighted this year's race: Mark Hewitt posted the fastest stand-up paddleboard time overall, finishing in 39:36 while competing in the Men's 60+ division. Lenin Henderson captured the Men's Open title in 40:22, while Gabriella Cukier won the Women's Open division aboard an inflatable race board with a remarkable 41:44 finish.

Other standout performances included Michael Markunas (41:02) and Allen Alquist (42:47), demonstrating the depth of competition throughout the field. One of the day's most impressive divisions was Men's 60+, where multiple athletes recorded times that would be competitive in any age group. Among the women, Kristina Morros claimed the Women's 50+ division in 41:21, while Sabrina Wong earned second place with a strong 49:39 finish.

 

Passion Has No Age Limit

One of the day's most memorable stories belonged to Ben Martin, who won the Men's 70+ division at 78 years old.

Martin competed on a custom-built 14-foot race board that he designed and built himself, complete with a classic flame paint scheme. His story perfectly captures the creativity, dedication, and lifelong passion found throughout the paddle community. It's a reminder that competitive spirit and a love for the sport have no age limit.

Post-Race, Riviera Style

Following the awards ceremony, many competitors gathered at the nearby sandbar alongside boats, jet skis, and local paddlers to enjoy an afternoon on the water. While stand-up paddle racing is technically an individual sport, events like Paddle the Peanut serve as a reminder that one of its greatest strengths is the community surrounding it. Every race brings together paddlers of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, united by a love of being on the water.

For many competitors, those friendships are just as rewarding as the medals. The racing may bring people to the starting line, but it's the community that keeps them coming back year after year.

by Tricia Lyons - NorthWest Regional Rep

The 2026 Gorge Downwind Champs was an absolute masterclass in extreme conditions, community spirit, and personal triumph. Held from July 13 to 18 at the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, Washington, this iconic event drew over 850 elite competitors across SUP, surfski, and outrigger canoe disciplines. With its trademark combination of warm summer temperatures, fresh water, and ferocious 50+ mph gusts, the Columbia River Gorge proved exactly why it is widely considered one of the premier downwind paddling destinations on earth.

As a paddler who primarily trains on flat water, stepping into the Gorge during one of its most violent weather windows was the ultimate test of nerves. I entered the competition with zero expectations, simply wanting to immerse myself in the community and challenge my limits alongside the sport's finest athletes.

Mother Nature delivered a wild ride on Thursday’s race day, serving up the heaviest winds of the entire week. Listening to the race director outline the intense conditions and safety hazards on the shore forced a moment of serious self-reflection. The risks were real, but my confidence held steady: I knew I was capable.

The race got off to a chaotic start when the green flag flew 11 minutes earlier than expected, leaving many of us scrambling to realize we were officially on the clock. Not long into the chaotic start, my board struck a dense patch of river weed, instantly throwing me into the water. After recovering and working my way into the main current, the true scale of the river became clear. By the halfway mark, the conditions had built into an absolute beast.

In the midst of the chaos, the true spirit of the paddling community took precedence over any clock. Spotting an outrigger canoe (OC) paddler who had capsized and was visibly struggling, I paused my own race for roughly 10 minutes to assist. As 6-to-8-foot rollers continually knocked her off balance every time she attempted to remount, I stayed firmly positioned to provide a safety buffer until she successfully climbed back in and caught her glide.

Navigating those massive 8-foot bumps was an intoxicating mix of pure adrenaline and absolute joy. Whether standing tall or dropping to a safer kneeling position, catching a massive ridge of water and flying down the river brought out sheer, unadulterated "woo-hoo" screams. The extreme wind pushed my board forward with effortless velocity. While my flat-water background meant I didn't connect the glides as seamlessly as the local downwind specialists, the pure fun of the environment was unmatched.
The final stretch presented one last grueling obstacle. The wind howled so fiercely away from the finish gate that I was forced to drop to my knees just to claw my way across the line—a humbling, exhausting moment fully captured on the official race video. Cold, spent, and profoundly grateful to hit dry land, I was rescued at the shoreline by a fellow paddler, Meryl, who grabbed my board so I could escape into a warm car to dry off.

The final surprise came at the awards ceremony. Not only had I survived the massive conditions, but I actually landed on the podium, securing 2nd place in the highly competitive Women's Masters 50+ division.

The week was an unforgettable, beautiful reminder of why it is so rewarding to step outside of your comfort zone and learn something entirely new. This event belongs at the very top of every paddler’s bucket list. A massive thank you goes out to the incredible army of volunteers who coordinated the seamless gear shuttles all week, as well as the organizers who kept everyone safe on a historic day on the river. I am already counting down the days until next year's return to the Gorge.

by Natalya Shoror

Check back soon for more! 

Hudson River Cup 10th Anniversary

By Ellison Smith, USA SUP Vice President

Photos Courtesy: Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse

The Hudson River Cup is a paddlecraft event that occurs over two days on the Jersey side of the Hudson River, under the shawdow of the Manhattan skyline. Saturday is reserved for long boats and Sunday is for small craft. For their 10th Anniversary, I wanted to help celebrate with the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse on this joyous occasion. I picked up my commerative gear and following registration, I reconvened with everyone I met during my first visit here in 2025. Then it was time for the Pule, a blessing using traditional chants to ask for protection over everyone involved in the day's proceedings.

One thing that differed from last year were the conditions, which I knew were highly likely to change. Previously it was an unusually smooth, easy ride on the river. This year contrasted sharply, but it wasn't anything I hadn't paddled in before. Switched out the Condor, which I keep installed most of the time, to the Blackfish Sprint to handle the chop with releative ease.

SUPs lined up behind the sit-down boats and we were off into the wind. My carbon wave deflector was effective in preventing my cockpit from being flooded. For SUPs the turnaround point was the Colgate Clock, a massive 50 foot tall landmark built in 1924 located near Exchange Place and the Goldman Sachs Tower. For others, it was the Statue of Liberty, making for some fantastic photos. Even on short rest, I was able to gain ground on the first leg. Over the second, there was a little push and I chose to stay close to the piers to paddle into any wakes. However, that proved to not be the fastest track as others made gains.

Approaching the final two piers, I got too close and hit a fishing line. The angry angler was not too happy but things happen, lol. At the last one before the finish, I took my third swim. Lost out on fourth overall as Adrian Concepcion and Oscar Hernandez overtook me. Jumping right back up, I knew there was still a chance to recover. Digging deep, I reclaimed one place from Oscar right at the death as Adrian got the flex on us both (see my previous post about the event for the photo finish). I came away with second in the open division. Little did I know then, that Oscar and I would share another close call in the sprints.

Part of the celebratory proceedings on this wondrous weekend were the addition of sprint races for the first time! Directed by Hobocobo Secretary Katelyn Chen with Max Balogh, all paddlecraft were invited to partake in this spectator friendly special feature. April Zilg took part in both the sit-down and stand-up competitions to showcase her skills. One-on-one, from the beach, around the big blue buoy ducks and back It was fast and furious as the incoming bumps broke on the beach.

Timing the step-back turn was a challenge in and of itself. My first round match-up pitted me against Justin Welsh on his new Flying Fish which he was still breaking in. Just as well, we got right down to it. The first attempt turning around the duck was a bit wobbly, and I managed to barely beat him back to the beach in a close call.

There was some time to rest and recover before drawing Oscar Hernandez with whom I shared a photo finish in the earlier 5 mile distance race. I knew I must execute the turn perfectly to beat his competent cadence. He was out in front approaching the duck and so I went for it this time, much more smoothly getting around it. After making up ground, we were even approaching the finish. Picking up the pace, he got the best of me in the end. No shame in losing out though in this gentlemanly match-up. I enjoyed watching him in third round and the rest of the competitors in this fun event. Many thanks to the volunteers who kept things running in quick fashion.

Flying Fish Summer Challenge 2026

By Michael Markunas

Photos Courtesy: John Meskauskas

The first weekend in August saw dozens of racers gather at Jensen Beach on Florida's Treasure Coast to answer that age old question that has bedeviled philosophers and arm-chair athletes for years: can fish really fly?

The 2026 Flying Fish Summer Challenge held on the beach adjacent the beautiful River Palm Cottages was the scene for this year's challenge. SUP-ers had a choice of either two or four loops around a 1.25 mile buoy course (2.5 miles or 5 miles respectively) and sit-down craft had a slightly more challenging 6.5 mile course.

The sit-down craft and five-mile SUP racers launched first and had the benefit of calm seas and minimal wind leaving the Florida heat as the biggest challenge. Now, locals know that Florida can get hotter than a stolen tamale in summer, but it's not the heat that gets you, it the humidity. Fortunately, by the time the leaders in the SUP race rounded the half-way mark, a slight breeze kicked up just enough to help cool down the racers and give them some welcome relief for the final stretch.

Even with the breeze, the Florida heat proved the great equalizer and except for the lead pack, the race line quickly became spread out. The buoys were comfortably positioned with no hairpin turns, but even an easy turn in 90-degree heat feels challenging. Fortunately, for the family and friends watching from the shore, the fishing pier between the first and last buoy turns provided an opportunity to cheer on their favorite athlete and catch some great action shots. Because the pier was also parallel to the finish line, spectators could also give the racers that last bit of encouragement before they crossed the finish line and finally got to jump in the water for a well-deserved cool down.

In the five- mile men's open division, Jake Portwood (#1 overall), Jake Graham (#2 overall) and Packet Casey (#3 overall) swept the top three spots proving that fish really can fly. They were followed closely by Stephanie Shidler, Kim Barnes and Nea Lee for the top three spots in the open women's division. In the 51+ division, Steven Bernstein, Alex Somoano and Michael Markunas proved that age is just a number, followed by Julianne Veal, Debbie Carrillo in first and second place for the women's 51+ division.

The 2.5 mile SUP racers followed right after the first race and had slightly more breeze deal with, but conditions stayed favorable for the rest of the morning. In the 2.5 mile men's open division Lenin Henderson, Jonathan Jordan and Alvaro Torres threw down for the top three spots, while Victoria Burgess (#2 overall), Haley Stumvoll and Amanda Portwood snagged the top three for the women's division. In the 51+ men's division, Mark Hewitt (#1 overall), Bert Puig and Steve Drolet showed the young'uns how is it done by flying their fish to the top of the heap, while Holly Crowder and Theresa Zarelli took the top two spots and Martine Brown and Brenda Blanton tied for third.

After all the racers had crossed the finish line, the funnest spectator race of the day kicked off with the kids' fun race. A variety of pre-teen and teens borrowed their parents' boards and paddles and set out for a one buoy turn race. The parents were thrilled to see their kids compete, but the look of excitement and joy on the faces of the young racers as they crossed the finish line was the highlight of the day and got the biggest cheers from the crowd.

The awards ceremony and lunch was held afterwards in a giant palapa hut on the River Palm's property where folks could enjoy a cold IPA sponsored by Jai Alai brewing company with prizes provide by Blue Line Surf and Flying Fish Board Company. You could tell it was a great event because long after the awards were handed out, people stayed to hang out and enjoy the afternoon. So, if you missed the race this year and find yourself in Florida in August next year, book a cottage at the River Palm Cottages in Jensen Beach and join the hottest (literally) race in south Florida and come watch the fish fly. Hope to see you next year!

Ohio River Paddlefest 25th Anniversary

By Ellison Smith

USA SUP Vice President

The LARGEST PADDLECRAFT PARTY in world history was achieved by Adventure Crew in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 1, 2026. 1440 participants! OFFICIALLY AMAZING!

Paddlefest on the Ohio River is organized by ADVENTURE CREW, a non-profit that connects teens to nature and each other through outdoor activities. Congratulations to all the paddlers in attendance, safety personnel, sponsors and volunteers and who helped make this historic event possible! We did it!

OUTDOORS FOR ALL. Paddlefest is Adventure Crew’s largest public fundraiser. Founded in 2013, they raise more than $100,000 each year, providing 9100 hours of outdoor programming for over 900 junior and senior high school students across 33 schools in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Upon arrival in Cincinnati on Friday, I headed to the Outdoors for All Expo, sponsored by Cincinnati MINI. It's a free party that had something for everyone! Exhibits from local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations. As well as live music, local beer and food trucks.

On Saturday, everyone convened at Schmidt boat ramp to get on the water. First, race directors Adrian Angell and Gerry Seavo James welcomed the crowd and thanked Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval for his support of the event. Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and all the volunteers were also recognized for making the record breaking day possible. Amanda Szarmack and Jerry Tolstyka Jr. along with the race day crew brought the positive vibes and we can't thank them enough for all their contributions. Racers led the way followed by everyone else of all paddlecraft in a mass procession on the river. It was truly a sight to behold. What a time to be alive and serve witness to this day that won't soon be forgotten.

Included in the Paddlefest activities was a SUP race on the Ohio River directed by USA SUP Regional Representative Co-Director and Community Committee member Adrian Angell. Entrants could choose a 15K or celebratory 25K course, commerative to the 25th anniversary.

Originating from the Schmidt boat ramp and terminating at the the Riverside boat ramp, paddlers navigated the river in a west-southwest direction, all while alternating between the cities of Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. I always love paddling in two states during a race and this was the fourth occurrence.

The flow, albeit relatively slow, carried us for a fast and fun ride but not before a brief charge up and around a buoy to get the heart rate up. Soon after the start, Eri Tenório took off well in front and I decided to draft the second closest paddler, Tony Galang, for a short period of time. As things progressed, I then found myself in a battle with Joe Suvak for several kilometers. Under bridges and enduring train bridge alarms, we never gave or took any quarter. Pushing ourselves to the limit, I managed a hard earned place on the podium. Not sure when or if I'll ever have the opportunity to share honors with Eri or Tony again, so I'll savor this one until the next race. USA SUP President Linda McCoy also received a medal for her efforts on the women's podium! Never before had we shared a race day until now.

by Tricia Lyons, NorthWest Regional Rep

The 4th annual Great Montana SUP SPRINT took place in Superior, Montana, offering a full weekend of paddleboard racing, community events, and cash prizes along the Clark Fork River. Hosted by the Mineral County Recreation Club, the race featured a diverse lineup of races catering to both beginner and expert paddlers.

Weekend Highlights

• Friday Night Clinic: A pre-race skills clinic hosted by Tricia Lyons with assistance from Travis Prewitt, where participants shared the water with a local moose family while learning paddling and racing tips.

• Saturday Race Day: Started with a morning Yoga session, a derby ball launch, and a river trail fun run.

• • The Sprints: Competitive amateur, youth, and pro sprint races.
  • Novelty Races: Included the "Better Together" tandem race and a "Super Hero" up-river race requiring participants to wear capes.
  • Grand Finale: Concluded with the highly anticipated Kings and Queens relay race.

• Sunday Community Float: A casual 5-mile celebratory float down the scenic Clark Fork River to wrap up the weekend.

 Event Location

The event was centered around the river access points and community trails in Superior, Montana