WHEN: Saturday July 7, 2018 12:00 am

Second Annual Maine Lakes Open Paddle Battle!
Saturday, July 7th – 2018 Registration is Now Open!

at Tarry A While Resort on beautiful Highland Lake in Bridgton, Maine

To benefit the Lakes Environmental Association

Race Info and Schedule:

After the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are having a second go of it!  We had tremendous paddlers in 2017 and the weather was superb but I have to start with the venue…  Tarry-A-While Resort on Highland Lake is pretty much the perfect spot.  There is a little cove to start in and the grassy pine grove is an ideal place to spend the morning.  I also have to mention how grateful we were to have committed sponsors!  Last year, we had paddle boards, ski tickets, and lots of outdoor gear and local prize baskets to raffle off.

Sometimes you just nail it the first time so we are planning to again have  2K  and  5K courses.  Why mess with perfection, right?   Last summer, there were a couple grumpy-pants-curmudgeons out there complaining on obscure websites (facebook or something) about our deal that allowed competitors to shave their time if they raised money to support our lake protection work. Even though no trophy or medal ranks above clean, clear water, we are sensitive to some racers’ feelings and have modified this incentive.  So, this year, you won’t be able to hack your time down but we will give out awards and prizes for those who raise funds through pledges for our lake protection work.  After all, no one wants to paddle through an algae bloom (they smell!).

If you have not figured it out already, all proceeds from this event will benefit  the Lakes Environmental Association, which is a non-profit regional lakes association dedicated to preserving and protecting lakes. You are on our website already, so feel free to poke around a little to find out what we do… If you think Maine is only about lighthouses and lobstah’, you’re missing out!  It’s time to enjoy our pristine inland waters from the vantage point of a paddle board!

Race categories

Men’s and Women’s 5K (any board length accepted)

Men’s and Women’s 2K  (12’06” boards and under only)

Age Classes 

15-35,  36-55,  56+

minimum age 15 for 2K and 5K races.  By request, we are holding a Grom race this year for kids in the cove! 

Tentative Schedule

8:00 Tarry A While parking opens

9:00 Racers’ Meeting

9:30 5K Race, all boards accepted – beach start

9:45 2K Short Board Only Race – beach start

11:00 Kids’ “Grom” Race in the Cove!

12:00 Awards ceremony

Rules:

• Shoving, pushing or deliberate contact with another person or board may result in disqualification.
• Right of way must be yielded to swimmers, slower moving craft, and larger vessels or boats.
• Participants must have a Personal Flotation Device on board (and are recommended to wear a PFD).
• This is a fun race; it is not a qualifying course!
• No pets unless they are service animals.

 Recommendations:

• There is a limited number of participants, so sign up early!
• Wear a leash, bright clothes, a PFD, sunscreen and/or a hat.
• Be aware of the weather and wind.
• Carry a whistle to signal an emergency.

Registration:

• Early Registration: $45 
• T-Shirts: $15  
• Medals awarded up to third place in each category 
• Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required.  Race participants should provide their own PFDs and will forfeit their race registration if they check in without one.
• Pre-race meeting is mandatory for all race participants.
• To participate in the event, you will need to sign a waiver releasing LEA from liability.  Please download a copy of the waiver here and bring it to the event.  Copies will also be available race day.

• Registration here!

Event Day Fun:

• Paddleboard rentals available through Sportshaus and Sunsports+
• 2 Paddleboards up for silent auction –  bring cash or credit card!
• Paddleboard accessories and cool goodies raffle!
• Kids’ Race at 11am in the cove!
• Scavenger hunt??

Course Layout

Both courses will have beach starts on the east side of Highland Lake, at Tarry A While Resort beach. The starts will be staggered and there will be 2K and 5K triangular courses. Below is an interactive map of the courses:

Download a PDF of the course layout here

Event Venue

The 2018 Paddle Battle Maine Lakes Open Paddleboard Race will be held at beautiful Tarry A While Resort on the east side of Highland Lake in Bridgton.  This picturesque resort has stunning views of Highland Lake and Pleasant Mountain and offers both privacy and large spaces for gathering.

Tarry A While Resort is located at 17 Tarry A While Road in Bridgton, Maine, which is across from the Highlands Country Club on Highland Road.  

All proceeds benefit the Lakes Environmental Association lake protection and education programs.