10th Annual Isles of Shoals (IOS) Invitational Set for August

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire – Seacoast Paddleboard Club is hosting the 10th Annual IOS Invitational on Sunday, August 14, 2022. As a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH (BBBSNH), this 14+ mile round trip paddle to the Isles of Shoals is expected to attract paddle boarders from across New England, and raise more than $25,000 for the youth mentoring program.

BBBSNH Big Brother Chris Carragher, who along with his wife Diane, was honored as New Hampshire’s 2019 Big Couple of the Year, launched the annual paddle in 2013. At that time, Chris turned his personal mission to paddle to the Isles of Shoals into a goal-setting example for his Little Brother, Caden. Since then, his annual trek to the Isles of Shoals has morphed into a group fundraising event which has raised more than $100,000 for BBBSNH.

Photo courtesy: Seacoast Paddleboard Club

BBBSNH CEO Stacy Kramer credits Carragher with the ongoing success and growth of the annual event.

“Chris’s dedication to our program is inspiring, we are grateful to him for creating such a unique event to raise critical funds and awareness for BBBSNH,” Said Stacy Kramer, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire. “It can take just one person to make an incredible impact on a child’s life, especially those facing significant adversities which is many of the youth we serve. More than 200 youth remain on our waiting list in need of a mentor.”

The IOS Invitational has become a staple in the Northern New England paddle board scene. This year, at least 30 paddlers will participate, with a goal of raising $25,000 through sponsorships and crowdfunding. The paddlers train individually for months, as well as together at weekly gatherings organized and hosted by Seacoast Paddleboard Club.

Those interested in registering for the IOS Invitational are required to meet certain safety and experience requirements. To learn more about how to get involved, individuals are encouraged to visit www.IOSInvitational.com or email the event organizer at info@SeacoastPaddleboardClub.com.

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister or in enrolling your child in the program, visit www.bbbsnh.org, call 1-844-NH4-BIGS or email info@bbbsnh.org.

Photo courtesy: Seacoast Paddleboard Club

About Big Brothers Big Sisters NH:

BBBSNH’s mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our vision is that all youth have the opportunity to reach their full potential. BBBSNH is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and recognized as an evidence-based preventive program by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. For more information about becoming a mentor, or to enroll a child, visit www.bbbsnh.org or call 1-844-NH4-BIGS.

About Seacoast Paddleboard Club:

Founded in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 2015, Seacoast Paddleboard Club (SPC) is a social organization dedicated to helping paddlers of every skill level get out on the water, have fun and give back to the communities they serve. In addition to hosting year-round community paddles, SPC hosts a number of cause-related events such as the IOS Invitational, Paddle for the Pups for NHSPCA, and monthly beach cleanups in partnership with Blue Ocean Society. To learn more please visit: www.SeacoastPaddleBoardClub.com.