For Annapolis Area Boaters and Potential Racers:
The East of Maui – EYC Standup Challenge July 9 Schedule and Sign Up
East of Maui Boardshop and the Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) will host their annual Chesapeake Stand Up Paddleboard Challenge on Saturday, July 9. This race starts in Annapolis Harbor, and the longest of the three courses goes to Tolly Point on the Chesapeake Bay. The shorter courses run one or three miles out and back from EYC.
Notice to area boaters:
The race starts off the docks at EYC at 8:30 Saturday. The racers and safety boats will cross the mouth of Back Creek in a large group shortly after that, before continuing along the shoreline past the entrance to Chesapeake Harbor and Lake Ogleton toward the tip of Bay Ridge, returning to finish off EYC by 10 a.m.
The paddlers will be more spread out upon their return and shouldn't cause navigational challenges, but all boaters should keep an eye out for them.
Notice to racers and prospective racers:
Never done a standup paddleboard (SUP) race but are intrigued by the idea? This SpinSheet-approved SUP race is the one to start with! There are race classes for all levels: one-mile fun race, three-mile challenge, and seven-mile challenge.
The East of Maui - EYC Standup Challenge has become a tradition, and thanks to organizers, it’s well-organized and welcoming to newcomers! Upon your arrival EYC before the pre-race meeting at 8:10 a.m., you may drop off your board and re-park your car on the street in the neighborhood. After the pre-race meeting, racers enter the water in a surprisingly organized fashion and get lined up at the start for each class. It's a friendly crowd, so don't be intimidated! (Our editor is a slow, but dedicated paddler, and she loved it).
The race courses are simple out-and-back ones and the process is well-explained and defined in the pre-race meeting. The post-race awards party at EYC is lighthearted and enjoyable… and you can be home by 1 p.m. to take a nap.
This race benefits the EWE Spirit Foundation, so if for some reason you cannot make the race at the last minute, your registration fees go to a good cause. Find photos by Ben Cushwa of the 2021 race here.
You may register up until Friday—NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION! Register to race here.
What is East of Maui Boardshop? If you do any board sport—wing foiling, kite boarding, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding (anything with a board!)—East of Maui has something for you. Visit them at the Annapolis store and see for yourself.
Hey, isn’t that Boomerang Race Day? Yes, the EYC Boomerang Race starts off EYC the same day, July 9, at 6:45 p.m. Find details on the Boomerang page.
