Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Northwest Florida

First SUP Race on Mobile Bay Planned for June 9

The first stand up paddleboard (SUP) race on Mobile Bay will hit the waters of the Eastern Shore at 9 a.m., June 9th from the beach by the Fairhope Docks Marina, 848 Seacliff Drive, Fairhope, Alabama. The racers will sprint across the water to the end of Fairhope pier and back—a 2.5-mile race. A 7-mile race will continue past the pier and down the scenic shore to the Marriott Grand Hotel and back.

DIRK Boards, a local Fairhope-based SUP and surfboard builder, is organizing the event. “Mobile Bay is a great paddling location that needs to be experienced,” says Dirk McCall, DIRK Boards designer. “Conditions can be flat and then a breeze will pick up and create a downwinder. Because the bay is so shallow, sometimes we even get wave sets which is really challenging.”

The World Paddle Association sanctioned race will have eight divisions for men and women 50+, 18 to 49 and U18 in surf style and longer displacement hulled boards. Custom woodcut awards from Bear Walker, an internationally renowned woodworker and skateboard designer, will be awarded to the top three per division.

For more information and registration, visit DirkBoards.com.

Global Brief
Health Brief
Connect with the Community