6th Annual Maine Lakes Open Paddle Board and Kayak Race

Saturday, July 1st

2023 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:

LEA’s Paddle Battle will be back at Highland Lake this summer! Tarry-A-While Resort on Highland Lake is the perfect spot. There is a little cove to start in, and the grassy pine grove is an ideal place to spend the morning. To add to the fun, we will have goodies, a silent auction, and prizes to raffle off.

We are planning to again have 2K and 5K courses. The race is for paddle boards and single kayaks. Short boards can compete in either course, longboards (12’6″+) and kayaks in the 5K course.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Lakes Environmental Association, 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 paddler!

Race categories

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

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

Men’s and women’s 5K kayak

Grom SUP race for kids aged 14 and under in the cove

Age Classes 

15-35,  36-55,  56+

minimum age is 15 for 2K and 5K races

Schedule (subject to change)

8:00 Tarry-A-While parking opens

9:15 Racers’ meeting

9:30 5K Race, kayaks first, then SUPs (all boards accepted) – beach start

9:45 2K Short board only race – beach start

11:00 Kids’ “Grom” race in the cove

11:30 Awards ceremony, raffle, and auction

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 (by 5/31): $25; 6/1 – 30: $30; $40 day of event
• T-Shirts: $15 at registration (based on availability); $20 day of the event
• 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.

Register here

Paddleboard rentals available through Lake Region Paddle

Event Day Fun:

• Silent auction items –  bring cash or a credit card
• Paddleboard and kayak accessories and cool goodies raffle
• Kids’ Race at 11 am in the cove

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 2023 Paddle Battle Maine Lakes Open Paddle Race will be held at the beautiful Tarry-A-While Resort on the east shore 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 gatherings.

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’s lake protection and education programs.