PaddleGrandPrix

QUESTION: I have never done a SUP race before. Is this a good first race?

ANSWER: YES! Not only is the course in protected Bellingham Bay waters, but, the multiple lap style course keeps you so close in to shore that freinds can cheer you on the entire way!  This race is designed to be FUN for all levels!

QUESTION: I hear the Paddle Grand Prix is a spectator-friendly race. Where am I going to be able to watch the race from?

ANSWER: All along Boulevard Park and the Taylor Street Dock and boardwalk, including the front porch of Woods Coffee. Literally every stroke of the race will be easily visible for on-shore spectators. You can even run, bike-ride, or skate along and watch your favorite racer throw down!

QUESTION: Is there any place to buy food in Boulevard Park ?

ANSWER: Yeah, Woods Coffee is situated right in the heart of the park. They’re not exactly a full blown restaurant, but you can get killer coffee drinks and baked goods, probably some bagels or pizza bread, things like that. Boulevard Park is a world-class picnic destination – the best option is probably to pack a cooler full of food and drinks and plan to feast all day long!

QUESTION: Will there be Stand-up paddleboard demos at the Paddle Grand Prix?

ANSWER: Absolutely!!! Bellingham SUP will be there with a full quiver of boards and paddles. There’ll be wetsuits, drysuits, booties, leashes, PFD’s… everything you need to try out the exciting, addictive sport of SUP!

QUESTION: I’m flying into town without my gear. Can I arrange to rent or borrow gear to race in the Paddle Grand Prix?

ANSWER: Of course we’ll do everything we can to get some gear together for you. Just e-mail us and let’s figure out what you need, then we can tell you whether we’ll be able to get it.

QUESTION: Are other paddle-craft allowed in the Paddle Grand Prix, like kayaks, surfskis and outrigger canoes?

ANSWER: Yes! This year we have opened the race to all forward facing craft! See the Race Info page for a list of divisions.

QUESTION: Will there be prizes for first, second and third place finishers?

ANSWER: Absolutely! We’re even working on having some cash prizes for both the men and women racers. We’ll post information about the prizes as we get closer to the race date.

QUESTION: What if the weather is super-duper windy on race day? Will the course be modified at all?

ANSWER: It’s possible that if we have heavy winds on race day we’ll shorten the course. That’s the beauty of oval track racing, we can just move the ends of the track in closer and make it less painful for racers to make it upwind – all while the spectator-friendliness of the event is totally preserved. 

QUESTION: How is the parking at Boulevard Park?

ANSWER: Thanks for asking! Parking is limited! Please make every effort to arrive early and  carpool. PLEASE use only designated parking places only or Bellingham Parks and Rec will take away permission for Paddle Grand Prix and other paddle craft races to use Boulevard Park as a race venue in the future!!!!! If you can’t find parking in the park, you can parallel park on the road in and out of Boulevard Park. As another option, you can park just down the road at Fairhaven Boat Works and paddle about a 1/2 mile back to the race staging area.