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

East of Maui EWE Spirit Chesapeake Stand Up Challenge

By Ellison Smith, USA SUP Vice President

Photos courtesy: Ted Morgan

The East of Maui EWE Spirit Chesapeake Stand Up,Challenge is an annual event that takes place in Annapolis, MD at the mouth of the Severn River. Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club and organized by Mark Bandy and Mark Saunders, former Eastofmaui Boardshop store owners for over 21 years. The Boardshop sadly closed it's doors in early 2025, however the loyal customer base still remains heavily invested in local SUP events. I purchased my first rigid race board there in 2023 and am forever grateful for their assistance in acquiring it and all the knowledgeable advice. Originally, this race was comprised completely of SUP surf boards. As the years went on and paddlers transitioned to race boards, the surf category is still included to pay homage to how it began.

The event is named in honor of Geoff Ewenson who passed away in 2020, former unforgettable exrtrodinary sail and SUP enthusiast. The Foundation that bears his name and benefits from registrant donations, assists those facing hardships with financial and social support. President Mary Iliff Ewenson, his widow, brings joy to others in memoriam and remains committed to helping those in need.

The threat of impending storms prompted a change of course from what everyone had grown accustomed to in previous years. The new course featured a 1.4 mile loop around an obtuse triangle for the short course, three loops for the five mile and five loops for seven mile. Conditions were flat as a pancake, with some boat traffic beginning about halfway through. The air was saturated which increased the difficulty substantially despite the low winds. Paddling on and through water takes a toll, although completing the challenge is very satisfying. In addition, the affair included a youth race. Those included were the children of the adult racers who passed the fun down to them.

Following the race, there were breakfast burritos, watermelon, mimosas and bloody marys for everyone's enjoyment. The live band kept everyone entertained until the awards presentation in which the locals shined. It was another great day in Maryland's capital city to stand up to the Challenge

Charles Island SUP Cup 2026

By Ellison Smith, USA SUP Vice President

Photos courtesy: Harper Photograph

Day 1

NEW this year! Time Trials

One half mile each way around a buoy from the beach. Easy right? Not so much, add in some stiff crosswinds and it's a real challenge! Thankful to be have trained in such conditions though not yet hitting my full stride this season, I was able to complete the challenge in a reasonable amount of time. Taking what I could, when I could without taking a swim and having confidence in my training. Challenging yourself is always very rewarding after you've finished the task. Got to see some of the best show everyone how it's done. Having a bonus day with everyone made the weekend extra special!

Day 2

The Charles Island SUP CUP holds a very special place on the calendar and in the hearts of many paddlers. It is a uniquely cultivated spectacle shaped by some of the most passionate minds in the sport. Bill Harper of Harper Photograph, Joe Galiatsatos and Bryan Hughan capture the essence of the event in all of it's magnificent glory. Their artistic use of drones and cameras is uncanny. The recordings serve to bring the stoke to those watching on their devices from wherever they may be. Walnut Beach shines bright as the water from the Long Island Sound reaches the shell filled beach. Milford Mayor Rich Smith recognizes the significance of the event and it's lasting impact on the community. The 11th anniversary of the race, as in previous years, brought participants from up and down the east coast, ranging from Canada all the way to Florida.

The competition was stiff, but that didn't keep any others. For some it was the first or second entry ever in a competition, for it's not all about that, but more so the community element and shared stoke that SUP brings to countless souls. The course begins with a running start from the beach, ornamented with the home flags of every participant, to the first unique element. A golden buoy which holds a special prize for the first reach it. Paddlers continue on to Charles Island, the race's namesake. The 15 acre island is named after English settler Charles Deal who bought it in 1657. From there, it's back to the beach for the second element, a turnaround on the beach before heading back out to a large buoy. A step back turn there then it's on to the final stretch. Back towards shore, rounding another buoy and parallel to shore, prior to a series of three technical turns right before running back onto shore and across the finish. Spectators love the action as they cheer loudly for all but a little louder for their favorites.

One cannot say enough positive things about race director and Surfrider Foundation Connecticut executive Jack Egan and everything he's done uplift the sport and the community. He is deeply invested and puts forth an incredible amount of effort. He takes care to engage and listen to anyone about SUP. Thank you Scoot & Paddle for continuing to support the event year after year and ensuring it continues. A staple in the town, they provided rentals to anyone who wished to get out and enjoy the many benefits of paddling. Cheers to Athletic Brewing Company for providing the non-alcoholic awards to quench the the thirst. Just as big a thanks to everyone who donated their time in making it happen on both days. I'm forever grateful to Bob Fournier for welcoming me into his home during my stay. I was treated royally as he invited me to dinner with his family and chill time in the pool. Haven't been yet? Do yourself a humongous favor and get on it ASAP!

Coosa River Ramble

By Matthew Carrier, Southeast Region Member

The inaugural Coosa River Ramble is in the books and what a way to kick off a new Southeast regional race. It was hot, it was calm and it was a lot of fun! The race offers something for just about everyone: SUP 5k and 10K, Kayak 5k and 10K, Recreational 5K, and a 24k.

OC1/OC2/Surfski/Sea Kayak course. In all, there were 55 racers coming from the Florida panhandle (thanks to USA SUP board member Michellle “Feisty” Feits), Huntsville, Mississippi and Tennessee. We had racers from 12 years old to senior master’s level aged. The race committee provided plenty of fruit and Danish for breakfast and a hearty 5 course BBQ lunch provided by Butts-To-Go in Pell City.

The SUPs had a beach start while those using a double bladed paddles had a wet start. Each course took racers along a shoreline of beautiful homes and included a small island circumnavigation and 2 flamingo buoy turns, the mascot for this year’s race. There was great competition on the course and camaraderie at the finish line. What made this race extra special, at least for me, is watching the support each racers gives one another as this is a tight-knit paddle family regardless of where they call home. Trophies were awarded to the top 3 in each category and 3 special prizes were given to show appreciation for their subject matter expertise and help along with the planning process.

Pell City’s lakeside park is an excellent venue offering a beach as mentioned as well as plenty of other soft water entry points, a huge pavilion that was our race HQ right next to the beach with adjacent parking, clean bathrooms close by, ample areas for spectating, photography and drone pilots capturing the race. There are plenty of options for the non-racers including a huge kids splash pad and playground, walking trails and plenty of shade under the oaks. The park is only a few minutes from I20 and the hotels. There are local eateries all over including several lakefront options.

Of course, being the first edition, there were a couple of small bumps in the road and lessons learned but at the end of the day, fun was had by all and no one left hungry! I can’t tell you how excited I am about the 2027 edition, and the planning has already begun. We are looking to add a Sunday event, be it a technical race, a leisure paddle to an awesome lakefront lunch or a group hike in the foothills of the Appalachians.