August Triple Crown

The international surfski circuit is kicking into high gear this summer, with a flurry of action coming to the United States in August. Three of America’s most high profile cities will host elite surfski championship events in the coming weeks, drawing in eager local paddlers to race alongside some of the world’s best competitors.

The party starts on August 14th in New York City with the Mayor’s Cup, an iconic race circumnavigating Manhattan. The Mayor's Cup was an instant classic, and is now in its 5th year. For 2010 the race has an earlier date, a bigger after-party and a strong international field competing in a 28 mile paddling marathon. Greg Barton, Dawid Mocke, Sean Rice and Jeremy Cotter are just some of the big names that will be battling it out on the Hudson.

After the Mayor’s Cup, competitors will head out to San Francisco for an event that really help put US surfski racing on the map, the US Surfski Championships on August 21st. Now in its 8th year, the US Champs features an aggressive course built around open water and downwind conditions, a full weekend of multiple paddling activities (including demos, a doubles race and a relay race) and a chance to race under the Golden Gate Bridge. What more could you want? The entry list is teeming with the world’s top ski paddlers. 2010 will be a great race.

Capping off the “triple crown” on August 28th is the Chicago Shoreline Marathon. The CSM main event is 25 miles on Lake Michigan, along the shores of Chicago. Broken into several legs with beach stops throughout the course (yes, sandy beaches) competitors are treated to spectacular views of this great city, as well as a professionally organized and well run event. Dawid Mocke will be back once again to defend his title, and paddlers can sign up for clinics, an 8-mile “2 Beach Race” and a 4 x 4 mile relay race. A great way to finish off the summer in the States!

<

<

The race directors of these events deserve a lot of credit. These are big cities with many logistical and legal obstacles, a largely unaware American public regarding serious kayak racing, and long travel distances are required (thus bigger expense) for international paddlers in order to compete. To keep these races growing and build them into world stage events is a testament to the organizers’ dedication and passion for the sport. Let’s get out there and show our support!

Thankfully the surfski racing action only intensifies after the USA whirlwind. With the Island Shamaal - Mauritius Ocean Classic on September 11th, the Dragon Run on November 27th, the Dubai Shamaal on December 1st and the Southern Shamaal - PE-EL Solo Challenge on December 9th-12th, we’ve got our fix through the end of the year!