Global Partner
Will Summer 2020 be saved by Virtual Events to keep paddlers motivated and training on the water for possible kinship and reunion? Some say there’s hope on the horizon. We say, it’s game ON!
With so many events moving to virtual territory as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions, we decided to do our best and gather what we could about what’s being offered out there. Here are a few of the largest Virtual Events lined up for the Summer 2020 season. In addition, there may be regional virtual events happening as well. Check with Paddle Guru for updated information in your area.
Virtual Events Summer 2020
APP World Tour “Ride of the Season” SUP Surf Contest
July 1st – August 31st, 2020
World Tour and amateur athletes have the opportunity to submit videos of their best waves for this Instagram-based contest from the APP World Tour which opens July 1st and closes August 31st, 2020. ALL SUP Surfers are welcome to submit their footage!
To ENTER: All you need is an Instagram account and a video clip of you riding your best wave between July 1st & August 31st. Post the video to your account and use the hash tag #APPRideoftheSeason to enter. Amateur rider submissions to be reviewed under a separate category by adding the hashtag #unsponsored along with #APPRideoftheSeason. You can enter as many times as you like.
Contestants will be scored on turns, barrels or a ride that links together multiple maneuvers. Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women will win a week long free-surf vacation to an undisclosed location (APP will announce July 1st) with the world’s top pro riders to battle it out in the Final Event.
Read the ‘Ride of the Season’
JUDGING REQUIREMENTS
to learn how to WIN.
APP World Tour “Fast Track” Speed Challenge
July 1st to August 31st, 2020
Join the APP’s Virtual global leaderboard on the “Fast Track” challenge. This Instagram-based competition is all about speed. Both amateur and professional racers will have the opportunity to show how fast they are to determine the Virtual World Champion.
To ENTER: All paddlers must paddle 50 meters aiming for the fastest possible speed on a flatwater course. No downwind or fast river locations. Racers must start sitting down and stationary. All racers must film the run and provide proof of their top speed for submission via GPS, watch or phone. Then, post video and a screenshot of the GPS record to your Instagram account accompanied by the hashtag #APPFastTrack and #Unsponsored if you are not a professional APP athlete.
Entries with the fastest speed will be placed on a rolling online leaderboard. At the end of the virtual events on August 31st, the fastest man and fastest woman will JOIN the top pros for the APP Fast Track Showdown. Final location to be announced July 1st.
Learn MORE about
APP “Fast Track” Challenge
HERE
Paddle Imua
July 17 -19th, 2020
This progressive ocean-community event is traditionally held on Maui’s legendary Maliko Downwind Run. This year, Paddle Imua welcomes athletes who paddle all source of paddling crafts from Stand Up Paddleboards, Outrigger Canoes (OC-1, OC-2, OC-6), Prone Paddleboards, and SurfSkis. New classes added in 2020 include Foiling SUP and Prone Foil as well as Wing Surfing! In addition, Windsurfing and Wind Foil will join the Sailing Class divisions.
Paddle Imua celebrates & benefits Camp Imua, an annual tradition on Maui since 1976 which brings the community and children with special needs together for a free week-long, overnight recreational camp each summer. Every year, 60 campers with approximately 150 volunteers gather in the West Maui mountains for a week of crafts, games, helicopter rides, zip-lining and general fun.
This year, Paddle Imua opens registration to anyone, anywhere in the world to join the 10-mile race from your own backyard. Build your own downwind course or just come for a paddle to honor the children with special needs on Maui. Choose the optimal conditions between July 17-19th, paddle the course and document your race Document your race via pictures, video, GPS (i.e. Strava, MotionGPS, Velocitek, Garmin, etc.) or other creative means. Upload and share your content to social media using the hashtags #paddleimua #ipaddleout. For those of you posting on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, please tag us (@paddleimua)!
REGISTRATION for
Paddle Imua
Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships :
July 24 – 26th, 2020
This year’s legendary M2O paddleboard race is for the first time a virtual event that is open to ANYONE, ANYWHERE. Participants will chart a 16-mile course of their own making and paddle using any type of craft: SUP, Foil, Surfski, Prone, Outrigger, Row Boat or anything else you can paddle. Relay teams welcome.
Paddlers will paddle and upload their 16-mile race files anytime during July 24th-26th and include information on conditions and locations. If you don’t want to compete and share your time, no problem. Event organizers ask that you share your paddle on social media or just paddle to be a part of it all.
Virtual Event Registration
Molokai 2 Oahu
Panda Paddle: Support the World Wildlife Fund
August 21 – 23rd, 2020
Between August 21–23, 2020 you can join with nature lovers all over the country by enjoying your favorite paddle sport on your favorite body of water with World Wildlife Fund’s Virtual Panda Paddle. Proceeds benefit the WWF’s ongoing efforts to preserve our planet’s wild water and natural spaces. Protect the planet AND paddle? Sounds like fun!
There are 2 ways participants can register:
(1) Panda Paddle’s Recreational Paddle: Connect with nature by being in it. All manner of crafts are allowed: SUP, prone, outrigger, surfski, kayak or canoe. Go for a paddle in nature & help raise the funds to protect it. Registration is $25 for either event.
REGISTER for RECREATIONAL PADDLE HERE
(2) Virtual Paddle Competition: Sign up for either the 5KM or 10KM course and use a fitness tracker to keep track of your time. Train with race director and SUP legend Anthony Vela using virtual training videos to get you race ready. Support the WWF and keep your training top notch for this great event! Race records are accepted after August 23rd, 2020. REGISTER for VIRTUAL PADDLE COMPETITION HERE.
Standup for the Cure
August 28-30th, 2020
Standup for the Cure is a great social standup gathering each year that empowers family, friends, and communities to pursue an end to breast cancer. It’s important to remember that as stand up paddle events are cancelled one of the unfortunate fallouts includes non-profits that are being served by those events.
SUFTC over the years has raised over $1.2 million for breast cancer prevention & education. This year, they have set a goal of $100,000 through their virtual event happening August 28th-30th, 2020. The virtual event invites you, no matter where you are, to practice yoga, paddle (canoe, kayak, SUP, paddleboard), dance, hike, run, practice CrossFit, Pilates, or any other wellness activities over 3 days. Then, share your experience in a simple image or story that can be posted on the SUFTC website / social media for the 2020 Scrapbook. 100% of all proceeds from the virtual event go towards finding a cure for breast cancer. Registration is $35 and includes t–shirt.
REGISTER for
Standup For the Cure
HERE
We hope to see you on the water via Instagram or Facebook this summer. Our tribe is all about community & if virtual gatherings is how we do it, then LET’S DO IT!
2020 North American LIVE EVENTS*
*The following North American stand up paddle racing events are currently still on the Paddle Guru calendar. Please stay in touch with the individual events for any updates and possible postponements. We will do our best to keep you informed.
October 2nd, 2020: Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, FL
October 24th, 2020: Chattajack, Chattanooga, TN
November 4 – 8th, 2020: Carolina Cup, Wrightsville Beach NC
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