The 10th Annual Paddle at the Park, a standup paddle board race event, is returning Saturday, Aug. 20, in our amazing, emerald-green Gulf waters at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. Sponsored by HCA Florida Destin Emergency, it offers races for all ages and skill levels, with its Kids’ Fun Paddle, 1-Mile Beginner Ride, 3-Mile Recreational Race and 6-Mile Elite Race. Kayaks and inflatables are welcome, too.
The weekend fun begins Friday, Aug. 19, with a Racer Welcome Party at BOTE, located at 383 Harbor Blvd. Catch up with racers old and new, and enjoy food and cold BOTE beer from Destin Brewery. One lucky racer, participant or sponsor will win a $100 BOTE gift card. The giveaway will take place at the end of the event, and you must be present to win.
It continues on Saturday morning with the races, which begin at 9 a.m. The event will conclude with awards.
The Destin Chamber’s race partners are BOTE and Henderson Beach State Park; title sponsor HCA Florida Destin Emergency; platinum sponsor Destin — Fort Walton Beach; accommodations sponsor Vacasa; and media sponsor Destin Life.
Open to the public, Paddle at the Park is held for locals and visitors interested in the rapidly growing standup paddle board sport.
Race Start Times
9 a.m. – 3/6-mile race
10:30 a.m. – 1-mile race
11 a.m. – kids’ fun race (for ages 12 & under only)
Awards
Awards will be presented directly following the last race to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall winners, as well as the 1st place winner for 50+ in the following categories:
1-Mile Beginner – Men’s, Women’s, Men’s Inflatable, Women’s Inflatable
3-Mile Recreational – Men’s Displacement, Women’s Displacement, Men’s Surfstyle, Women’s Surfstyle, Men’s Kayak, Women’s Kayak
6-Mile Elite – Men’s Elite, Women’s Elite
The names of the top male and top female in the 6-Mile Race will be placed on the Destin SUP Cup. The overall top male and female in the 1-Mile, 3-Mile, and 6-Mile races will also win some awesome BOTE lifestyle products! The top boy and girl in the Kids Fun Paddle will win a BOTE Youth t-shirt and hat.
Registration
Registration is now open at paddleguru.com/races/10thAnnualPaddleatthePark. Find all race details at PaddleAtThePark.com or follow Facebook.com/PaddleAtThePark.
Pricing is as follows:
1-Mile Beginner – $45 until Aug. 19 / $55 on Aug. 20
3-Mile Recreational – $50 until Aug. 19 / $60 on Aug. 20
6-Mile Elite – $65 until Aug. 19 / $75 on Aug. 20
Kids’ Fun Race – $12 (This price does not include a race shirt.)
Race Packet Pickup
Packets are available for pick up at the Destin Chamber, located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, in Destin, Friday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. They may be picked up the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m., at Henderson Beach State Park.
Have out-of-town friends that want to participate? Check out Vacasa.com for pricing and availability. If you’d like to become a sponsor, email espies@destinchamber.com.
Follow Facebook.com/PaddleAtThePark for event details.
