(June 15, 2017) The Snow Hill riverfront will be awash in stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and surf skis for the second annual “Return to Goat Island” Paddle Sports Festival and Race, this Saturday.
The all-level SUP race, with $5,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, launches at 9 a.m. and includes a 17-mile elite race, as well as a three-mile recreational race. There is also a kids’ competition consisting of a single lap around Goat Island, which is located in the middle of the Pocomoke River within Byrd Park.
After the paddling races are finished, participants and spectators can nourish their bodies with food and drink, while also feasting their ears on the sounds of the Lauren Glick Band.
Glick will perform two sets beginning at 1 p.m. Sandwiched in between Glick’s performance will be an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.
“I’m a runner, so I’m really into supporting physical activity,” Glick said.
Although her band performs regularly throughout Worcester County, Glick said this show, although still her typical rock ‘n roll set, will be a bit of a departure.
“We’ve never played this event before,” she said. “It’s during the day, so that’s different.”
In addition to a beer truck operated by the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce, there will also be a food tent run by the Abundant Life Apostolic Church, selling brats, burgers, french fries and soft drinks. The Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will sell snow cones.
The event was hatched last year after Sandy Deeley, owner of Walk on Water in Ocean City, advanced the SUP race concept to Snow Hill Economic Development Director Michael Day.
Billed as a “celebration of the paddling lifestyle,” last year’s event attracted 130 participants and several hundred spectators, which Deeley and Day deemed worthy of continuing.
“The Town of Snow Hill is unbelievable to work with,” Deeley said.
With more than 70 paddlers signed up as of this Wednesday, and registration open until the end of the week, Deeley said it’s too soon to know the final number. He noted this year’s event has thus far lured participants from as far away as New York and South Carolina.
“You never know who’s going to show up,” he said. “Last year’s winner came from Hawaii.”
Deeley anticipates the kids’ race being a crowd favorite, as it involves a pair of 18-foot inflatable paddle boards, provided by Walk on Water, which each holds up to a half dozen youngsters.
Deeley said spectators would also be delighted by the hard fought competition in the 17-mile race, which includes solo and two-member teams.
“There will be real high-quality, world-class, elite paddlers,” he said.
After assessing the inaugural event, Day said a few modifications were made for the second go round, namely reducing its span from two days to one.
Despite the intent to swell the numbers of inhabitants on Goat Island last year, Day said the less than two-acre property, which is primarily wetlands, continues to provide refuge for only a single goat.
“We’re still working through the process of putting more goats on the island,” he said. “It can’t support a heard.”
Still, at least for one day, Byrd Park will host bucklings and doelings, Day said.
“We’ve got a farmer with little baby goats,” he said.
There will even be a few lucky souls who get to take home a stuffed goat toy, Day said.
After some learning lessons during round one of the event, Day said this year the intent is for more of an outside picnic feel, highlighted by music and paddling competitions.
“Sandy really believes this can become a major event,” he said. “We want to keep moving forward and every year try to make it a little better.”
The all-level SUP race, with $5,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, launches at 9 a.m. and includes a 17-mile elite race, as well as a three-mile recreational race. There is also a kids’ competition consisting of a single lap around Goat Island, which is located in the middle of the Pocomoke River within Byrd Park.
After the paddling races are finished, participants and spectators can nourish their bodies with food and drink, while also feasting their ears on the sounds of the Lauren Glick Band.
Glick will perform two sets beginning at 1 p.m. Sandwiched in between Glick’s performance will be an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.
“I’m a runner, so I’m really into supporting physical activity,” Glick said.
Although her band performs regularly throughout Worcester County, Glick said this show, although still her typical rock ‘n roll set, will be a bit of a departure.
“We’ve never played this event before,” she said. “It’s during the day, so that’s different.”
In addition to a beer truck operated by the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce, there will also be a food tent run by the Abundant Life Apostolic Church, selling brats, burgers, french fries and soft drinks. The Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will sell snow cones.
The event was hatched last year after Sandy Deeley, owner of Walk on Water in Ocean City, advanced the SUP race concept to Snow Hill Economic Development Director Michael Day.
Billed as a “celebration of the paddling lifestyle,” last year’s event attracted 130 participants and several hundred spectators, which Deeley and Day deemed worthy of continuing.
“The Town of Snow Hill is unbelievable to work with,” Deeley said.
With more than 70 paddlers signed up as of this Wednesday, and registration open until the end of the week, Deeley said it’s too soon to know the final number. He noted this year’s event has thus far lured participants from as far away as New York and South Carolina.
“You never know who’s going to show up,” he said. “Last year’s winner came from Hawaii.”
Deeley anticipates the kids’ race being a crowd favorite, as it involves a pair of 18-foot inflatable paddle boards, provided by Walk on Water, which each holds up to a half dozen youngsters.
Deeley said spectators would also be delighted by the hard fought competition in the 17-mile race, which includes solo and two-member teams.
“There will be real high-quality, world-class, elite paddlers,” he said.
After assessing the inaugural event, Day said a few modifications were made for the second go round, namely reducing its span from two days to one.
Despite the intent to swell the numbers of inhabitants on Goat Island last year, Day said the less than two-acre property, which is primarily wetlands, continues to provide refuge for only a single goat.
“We’re still working through the process of putting more goats on the island,” he said. “It can’t support a heard.”
Still, at least for one day, Byrd Park will host bucklings and doelings, Day said.
“We’ve got a farmer with little baby goats,” he said.
There will even be a few lucky souls who get to take home a stuffed goat toy, Day said.
After some learning lessons during round one of the event, Day said this year the intent is for more of an outside picnic feel, highlighted by music and paddling competitions.
“Sandy really believes this can become a major event,” he said. “We want to keep moving forward and every year try to make it a little better.”