Paddleboard athletes will race around southernmost island during the 12-mile Key West Paddleboard Classic this weekend. The sporting challenge and its associated events, including a performance clinic and parties, are set to run through Sunday, May 4.
The big event – the race around Key West is scheduled Saturday, May 3, and is open to paddlers on standup paddleboards, standup surfboards, prone boards, outrigger canoes, dory boats, surf skis and kayaks. The 2014 race is presented by Lazy Dog Adventures of Key West.
Saturday’s racing action kicks off with a 7:30 a.m. registration and expo opening. An 8:45 a.m. racers’ meeting precedes the 9 a.m. water start from Key West’s Higgs Beach. Paddlers preferring a shorter course can compete in a 4-mile open race scheduled at 9:15 a.m.
There will be a clinic with Canadian Olympian Larry Cain on Friday, Mach 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Higgs Beach, followed by the kick-off and registration event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Turtle Kraals.
The sporting weekend is to conclude Sunday, May 4, with a Higgs Beach day featuring a kids’ SUP clinic and race, a Special Olympics race, adult sprint races and a lively paddleboard relay for four-person teams.
Sanctioned by the World Paddle Association, the Key West Paddleboard Classic is a WPA Southeast Region national points race.
