Paddleboards have become very popular over the last few summers, especially her in western Montana. Now Missoula will host it's first ever paddleboard race July 21.

According to the official press release

On Sun., July 21, 2013, the Clark Fork River will play host to Missoula’s first competitive paddleboard race, the Windermere SUP Cup, a fundraiser for Missoula river projects, including rehabilitation of Brennan’s Wave and the Watershed Education Network. The event will feature elite and recreational stand-up paddleboard races followed by a Montana luau at Caras Park. Race registration opens Wed., June 19 at 5:30 p.m. at a registration party at the Top Hat in downtown Missoula and online at supcupmt.com.

 

“The Windermere SUP Cup is a celebration of our unique river community,” said John Brauer, managing broker at Windermere Real Estate. “We are planning to make the SUP Cup an annual tradition and invite local paddlers and those from around the Northwest to join us in our inaugural year.”

 

Paddlers will race 5.3 miles downriver on the Clark Fork, starting from Sha-Ron Fishing Access in East Missoula to Riverside Park (just east of Caras Park). A $5,000 prize purse will be shared equally among the elite men and women’s divisions, and the recreational division will compete for trophies and prizes.

 

Space is limited, register online at supcupmt.com by July 2 for the early registration package, which includes lunch, t-shirt and $20 off registration.

 

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