2014 Carolina Cup - A True Stand Up Paddle Destination Event

Start of the men's Graveyard Elite Race

 

The 2014 Carolina Cup was one for the ages. With hundreds in attendance the entire weekend to enjoy some food, vendors, clinics, witness top- notch paddling or just hang out at the beach, it was definitely the way an event should have played out! 

The Carolina Cup that is coordinated by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club, and who do so much for the sport of SUP had a number of really fun events, including race clinics with some of the best racers in the world, a night paddle on Saturday and the Ocean of Hope Cancer Awareness Paddle on Sunday, all of which make this a true stand up paddle destination event.

Harbor side start area for the  Money Island open race,

the Harbor Island Recreational “fun” race

 

You could even mosey on over to the vendors area on the lawns of the Blockade Runner Resort, and you could find paddleboards – gorgeous paddleboards perfect for the waterman in you as well as paddles, bags and every accessory for fun on the water!  

Despite the wind that forced itself upon the event most days, the contest was on in full effect!  The 2014 Carolina Cup kicked off the SUP race season with 4 courses with names like the dreaded Graveyard Elite Race, the Money Island open race, the Harbor Island Recreational “fun” race and even a kid’s race. This was the fourth year for this event that is now the largest race on the East Coast with nearly 600 paddlers competing in the first day of competition.

A happy Danny Ching takes the win in the Graveyard Elite Race

Both the Money Island open race and the Harbor Island Recreational race started harbor side in a stiff wind followed by the Graveyard Elite Race, a 13 mile race that challenged athletes with all the weather elements, surf, wind and currents as they started on the beach in front of the Blockade Runner Resort, transitioned trough the inlet into the Intercoastal, around the Islands and back out through the inlet returning in the surf to the beach for some exciting finishes.  Taking the podium for the men in first place was Danny Ching, followed by Georges Cronsteadt and Travis Grant. In the very close women's race it was in first Annabel Anderson followed by Jenny Kalmbach and Lina Augaitis in third.

Annabel Anderson making it look easy as she finishes with the win in the grueling women's Graveyard Elite Race

All said this was a well-organized event with nearly 600 racers from throughout the US and 9 different countries.  If you missed all the action this year, come on out and join us next year at the 2015 Carolina Cup - a true stand up paddle destination event.   In keeping with the mantra of Carolina Paddleboard Company "SUP Y'ALL" 

Full Carolina Cup results! http://www.gameonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CC14-OVERALL-FINAL-3-copy.pdf

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