Windward Boardshop has partnered up with the Chicago Shoreline Marathon and Windy City Waterman to bring you the first WPA sanctioned stand up paddle race in Chicago on August 10-11, 2012 at Leone Beach. It will be a two day event of vendor demos, clinics and races for all types of paddlers. including stand up paddle.
Get directions to Leone beach on Yelp
day 1 – the demos
Friday Aug 10th – A day of vendor on water demos and clinics from 1-6pm. Come meet with top brands showcasing and demoing their top gear. Plus, YOLO SUP pro, Michael ‘Westy’ Westenberg and others will be hosting a series of SUP clinics. Register for those clinics here. The day will round up with a pre-race meeting for all registered racers at 6pm.
day 2 – the races
Friday Aug 11th – A day of on water races. Two SUP specific races will take place throughout the day. An 8-mile Elite SUP race for WPA points and and a 3-mile recreational SUP race. Even if you aren’t racing, come out to support your local SUP community and mingle with industry insiders on the beach. An awards ceremony will follow the races around 2pm.
The 8-mile Elite Race 10am start
A fully WPA sanctioned points race that covers the span of two Chicago beaches. Racers will start at Leone beach, navigate south to Montrose beach and then turn back north to finish at Leone beach. The total length of the race spans 8-miles round trip and is open for all 12’6″ and 14′ SUP boards. This elite class race is intended for advanced-pro stand up paddle boarders.
The 3-mile Recreational Race 10:30am start
Not a seasoned SUP pro but want to try your skills in a true SUP race environment? This race is perfect for you. Racers start and finish this 3-mile course at Leone beach navigating through a square course of buoys. Open to all SUP boards, this race is intended for all skill levels.
