Bay Bridge Paddle
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD
We are excited to announce the 2020 Paddle has been rescheduled for September 26, 2021.
Stay tuned for details as the information, schedule and costs shown below were from 2020. We are working on updates but it will take us a bit to get all the details for 2021 organized and finalized. Please check back!
Water enthusiasts of all ages and expertise are invited to join us at the Bay Bridge Paddle, open to Stand Up Paddleboards, Kayaks and other paddle craft.
Paddling any part of the Chesapeake Bay waters is a thrilling experience and launching from Sandy Point State Park is no different. With a beautiful sandy beach on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, you are provided with expansive views overlooking the Bay Bridge. This race will bring together all levels of paddlers to share in a day of camaraderie and fellowship. Each race will present a different experience and challenge, the bay’s shifting conditions add to the fun as racers can experience anything from flat water glides to gusty winds and unpredictable swell and tides from the wind and current.
The Elite Crossing will challenge racers with a high level of fitness and paddling experience; racers with less experience or conditioning can enjoy the Intermediate Paddle or the Recreational course closer to shore. In addition to these races, there will be other memorable events to entertain everyone, and with the generous backing of our sponsors, there will be prizes and cash awarded!
Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in the elite race with ten (10) or more participants in a class. 14′ and under Men’s paddleboard and 14′ and under Women’s paddleboard classes will receive the highest payout of prize money. Additional awards will be given for intermediate classes as well. This year, we will also be handing out awards for age classes of 17 and under and 50+ for classes that have 5 or more participants.
All race participants receive a commemorative T-shirt and a carb-loaded breakfast to help get you energized for the race. When you return from the race and are ready to refuel, you will also receive a complimentary delicious, fresh, healthy lunch package. There will be other breakfast and lunch food items for sale for all attendees during the event.
CLINICS!
We are offering 3 clinics this year on Friday, June 5th at Sandy Point State Park
Clinic 1 – 2pm – Capital SUP Clinic – This clinic will focus on what it takes to have the perfect race day from pre-race prep, equipment selection/sizing, fin selection, beach and water starts, pacing, drafting, finishing as well as tips and tricks that pro’s use prior to the start horn. Coach Chris “Goose” Norman will cover the basic paddling techniques and different race strokes as well as analyze each person stroke technique. From there, he will dive into how to improve power and efficiency. He will also teach different styles of buoy turns, the choke down stroke, the bow draw, and how to generate more power by using the legs.
Clinic 2 – 3pm – Mantra Fit Clinic – This clinic will teach you how to optimize your mind and body to perform at your highest level every day. Carleen is a health and movement coach with Mantra Fit, who will discuss sports nutrition, race day mental strategies and breathing techniques that will turn you into a top performer on the race course and in life. Students will paddle during a portion of this clinic. Paddleboards will be supplied at the clinic at no extra cost or students can BYO their board, kayak, etc. Beginner to elite paddlers will all benefit from this clinic
Clinic 3 – 2pm – Sunrise SUP Clinic – Join Race Director and local SUP trainers Shendan and Kate Grove for “insider” tips on the Bay Bridge Paddle. This is a fun opportunity to get a preview of the race location while discussing the unique elements of the Chesapeake waterways that converge at the Bay Bridge and strategies to navigate them. This clinic will provide you with the fundamentals of what to expect race day, strategies for the Bay conditions and overall paddling technique including beach starts, buoy turns, drafting and race finish. All levels welcome!
The Bay Bridge Paddle proudly supports the Foundation for Community Betterment.
Check out our video of the 2018 Bay Bridge Paddle!
- days
- hours
- minutes
- seconds
Register
Bay Bridge Paddle Cost Schedule
| Paddlers | January 1 | March 17 | May 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite | $85 | $95 | $110 |
| Intermediate | $65 | $75 | $85 |
| Recreational | $45 | $55 | $60 |
*Be sure to carefully review Race Information and sign appropriate waivers. In order to participate, you must sign waivers online or bring printed, signed waivers to the paddle event.
2021 Race Schedule – TBD
2021 Stroke Clinics – TBD
at Sandy Point State Park, East Beach
3 clinics offered at 2pm and 3pm. See listing above for details.
Packet Pick-up at Green Turtle, 177 Jennifer Rd, Annapolis
4:00pm – 8:00pm
Pick up your racing packet, breakfast and lunch meal tickets, official Bay Bridge Paddle racer shirt, and check out some last minute items and offers by some of our partners who will be onsite to answer questions and provide some give-aways.
2021 Schedule – TBD
Packet Pick-up/check-in
7:15am – 8:15am
Rental board pick-up
7:30am – 8:00am
Racer briefing
8:00am – 8:20am
Elite Course – OC-6 start
8:30am
Elite Course – Kayaks, Surfski, OC-1, OC-2 start
8:35am
Elite Course – SUPs start
8:40am
Intermediate Course – Kayaks and Kayak Double start
8:45am
Intermediate Course – SUPs start
8:50am
Recreational Course – Kayaks start
9:00am
Recreational Course – SUPs start
9:05am
Music by Doug Segree
11:00am
Geico Obstacle course
12:30pm
Awards and raffles
1:00pm – 2:00pm
After Party at Stan & Joe’s Saloon Upstairs room, West Street Annapolis
7:00pm
Course Maps
*Course(s) subject to change.
*Course(s) subject to change.
*Course(s) subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, admission to the event is by pre-registration only. Day of Registration is not available.
Please contact us at info@abceventsinc.com with the subject “paddle rental” if you are interested in renting a paddle board or kayak. Paddle board prices range from $40 – $60, depending on the type of board you wish to rent. Kayaks prices range from $50 – $80.
The official hotel sponsor for the 2019 Bay Bridge Paddle is Doubletree by Hilton in Annapolis. Click here to get a 15% discount while rooms are still available. Conditions may apply.
Yes, we will be sponsoring 3 clinics with local paddling coaches. All clinics can be registered for at paddleguru.com. Clinics will be held on Friday, May 31st at Sandy Point State Park.
We are working with our sponsors on discounts and will pass any along that we receive. Please stay tuned.
Refunds are allowed more than 10 days from the event. We are not able to process refunds less than 10 days from the event.
Spectators will be allowed in the spectator area. There will be food/drinks available for purchase for spectators as well.
Entry fee covers cost of the race. In addition, each racer will receive a racing t-shirt, breakfast and lunch.
Yes, Parking is $5 per person for Maryland residents, and $7 per person for out of state residents. Each participant will be sent a parking pass for one car only that can be used for that racer.
The elite race is an 8+ mile race for Elite paddlers with the skill and fitness to complete this endurance challenge; racers should have significant experience in diverse, challenging open water weather conditions and completing long distance races.
No. We have many classes for paddling, including SUP, Prone, Surfski, and Sea Kayak, depending on the particular course.
| Paddlers | January 1 | March 17 | May 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite | $85 | $95 | $110 |
| Intermediate | $65 | $75 | $85 |
| Recreational | $45 | $55 | $60 |
The race will take place in the morning with start times between 8:00 and 11:00 (weather dependent). We will update these times as we finalize the schedule.
Refunds are allowed more than 10 days from the race. Within 10 days, there will be no refunds. Please contact us to process your refund.
The Elite Race is out to the eastern shore, around a bouy, and back to Sandy Point State Park. No transportation is necessary.
Yes. Food will be available for purchase.
Pets are not allowed at Sandy Point State Park during the Bay Bridge Paddle.
We will have lots of fun land and water activities the day of the event. We do have a recreational course that anyone can paddle. It is a less stressful and fun paddling experience. We may have other board demos at the event as well, so we hope you will come out and join us!
We are currently working with sponsors and should have more information shortly.
Breakfast and lunch items will be available for purchase on-site for spectators (Breakfast and lunch is included in event price for racers). Groceries can be purchased off-site around Annapolis and Arnold.
We recommend Naval Bagels and Stan and Joes as sponsors of ours. However, there are many wonderful restaurants in the Greater Annapolis Area.
There are a limited number of vendor positions available. Please contact us if you are interested.
Yes, our paddle benefits the Annapolis Chapter of the Foundation for Community Betterment. The Foundation for Community Betterment is a national organization dedicated to engaging individuals of all ages in community enhancement by creating an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals or organizations that share our philanthropic vision, but who currently lack the means to succeed.
Get Involved
Sponsors
In-kind Donations
