What a great event! Story courtesy of Dean Burke of Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission, and an avid paddler himself:
This past weekend we served the 3rd Annual Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup, hosted by the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Club. This club is ranked #1 in the United States right now and is one of the most promising clubs for future Olympians. Coach Alan Anderson does an outstanding job with his team.
The event is a fund raiser for the team, to help assist with the future creation of a boat house for their club and also to help assist with team funding for general needs. The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is open to virtually all forms of paddle craft, but primary attendance is from Sprint Canoe and Kayak, SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) and Outrigger Canoe (1-man, 2-man and OC-6) and Para (adaptive) athletes in any of the before mentioned craft. The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Club not only runs an award winning team, but is also leading the way with Para-canoe coaching and competition, having earned a medal at the London Paralympics.
For 2014 the drizzly weather had a slight impact on the race, but 112 paddlers still showed up to compete – 40 of which were SUP. Athletes traveled from Vancouver BC, Coeur d’ Elaine, Portland, Eugene and beyond. Racers competed in distance events (10k and 7.5k) and sprint distances over a two-day format. At the end of the racing, top paddlers by points were awarded the “King and Queen” Paddlers Cup trophy.
Hosted by the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Club and the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission.
Ed. Note: See the box at right for a link to results.
