Race Hard, Play Harder: Tuesday Night SUP Races
When we launched the Tuesday night SUP races at Lake Padden, starting just a week ago, we knew it’d take a shape and life of its own. We wanted to purposely avoid setting any too-strict rules or guidelines about the race course, length, start time, location, or any other factors that might alter the arc of what the thing was meant to become.
Now, after only 2 sessions out on Padden, the shape is forming. And although the “race” component is definitely there, it’s really playing a supporting role to the larger, more heavily-attended “Family Fun Fest” that takes place mostly after the race is over.
Tonight, for example, it was kids, kids, and more kids on boards with mom and dad, standing up, laying down, sitting, kneeling, on their own going upwind, across and back down. It was moms and dads acting like kids, swapping this board for that, paddle for paddle, going out in groups, breaking off and trying their own thing. It was a beach scene with games of catch, waist-deep wading, ducks waddling by, all under the unbelievably warm and beautiful Bellingham summer (finally!) sunshine!!!
More than once I found myself talking to someone on the beach while we watched the scene thrive all around us, and we just kind of broke out giggling at the sheer awesomeness of the atmosphere. Beautiful, athletic, young and old, big and small smiling people having the kind of fun others travel across entire continents to experience, in our own backyard, for FREE.
We’ll look back on this time, this particular summer, and talk about the good ol’ days when it was all rootsy and had the kind of vibe you just can’t find anymore. It’s really, really NOT something you want to miss. Come down and check it out and paddle. Bring your kids, or a friend, or your dog. I promise, you will smile HUGE!
See you on the water!
Heather, Brandon and Hayden