7th Annual Newport SUP Cup To Raise Money For Save the Bay

NEWPORT, Rhode Island – The Newport SUP Cup is a family fun standup paddle race for a great cause based at the historic Newport Shipyard. Paddlers will navigate 3 or 6 mile courses around Goat Island, passing the Newport Harbor Lighthouse, Newport Bridge and other landmarks. The Newport Harbor is home to some of the largest, fastest, and most beautiful new and restored ships, sailboats, and yachts in the world. Not only will the race provide a collegial end of summer challenge, but also scenery of the sea-faring type. This isn’t your typical race venue!

New in 2016, Coastal Urge has added a “Run what you Brung” class suitable for surfskis, outrigger canoes, and other paddle crafts. See website for more details.

In its 7th year, the Newport SUP Cup will award $1,000 in cash prizes and over $8,000 in merchandise from the race sponsors, which are Coastal Urge vendors, including Kaenon, Olukai, prAna, The North Face, Southern Tide, Mountain Hardware, Maui Jim, TOMS, Pura Vida, Carve Designs, and more. A hallmark of all Coastal Urge paddle races is that every participant leaves the race with prize. The 2016 Title Sponsor is Landshark Lager, back for the sixth year in a row!

Here’s what paddlers have to say about Coastal Urge paddle races:

"Thanks for putting on a great race and making sure everyone walked home with a prize!"

"Thanks again to Coastal Urge and all the sponsors for putting on another stellar event!"

"I'd heard the prizes were cool but these were completely amazing!"

“We want everyone that attends the race to have a great time and go home with something to remember the event by,” says Jeoffrey Nathan, co-organizer of the Newport SUP CUP. “Our sponsors have been incredibly generous in making that happen.”

The sponsors also help the Newport SUP Cup raise money to benefit the work done by Save the Bay – a local non-profit organization that works “to protect and improve Narragansett Bay.” Their vision is a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to all and globally recognized as the natural treasure it is.

Rooted in Community

The Newport SUP Cup was started by Jeoffrey Nathan, Co-owner, with his wife Catherine, of Coastal Urge, and his childhood sailing partner Jamie. “I went home to visit my family one year over Thanksgiving and we had a Pickup SUP CUP. It was right when we were getting into paddle boarding. Everyone asked if we could do it again in the summer, when it’s warm!” said Nathan. A tradition was born. “The whole day is great! We love getting to showcase the Newport Harbor in such a unique way. It offers the chance for paddlers around the country to get a different view of the sport.”

Registration

Paddlers can register online via the website www.newportsupcup.com.

Schedule and Details

Saturday, August 27, 2016

• 8:30 AM: Check in/ Onsite Registration (Coastal Urge tent. Same-day registration fee addtl. $15. Cash only for same-day registration.)
• 9:30 AM: Racer's Meeting (Coastal Urge tent)
• 10 AM: Race Begins
• 11:00 AM: Lunch (included with registration)
• 12:45 PM: Awards Ceremony

Race Course

The Course will begin and end at the Newport Shipyard, at 1 Washington St., Newport RI 02840. The 6-mile Elite Division course will paddle from the Newport Shipyard and north under the Goat Island causeway, and go around a buoy just south of the Newport Bridge, and then circle Goat Island, and then repeat, to finally fishing at the Newport Shipyard.

The 3-mile Recreational Division will head north from the Newport Shipyard, under the Goat Island Causeway, and round a buoy just south of the Newport Bridge, and then circle Goat Island, finishing at the Newport Shipyard. There is provision by the race director to change the course due to weather on the day of the race.

Divisions

Recreational Division

• Registration Fee: $65 Kids $30
• 12’6″ and under Women’s
• 12’6″ and under Men’s
• 14′ Men’s
• 14′ Women’s
• Prone Rec Men’s
• Prone Rec Women’s
• Surf Style Men’s
• Surf Style Women’s
• Run What You Bring (All)

Elite Division

• Registration Fee: $85
• 12’6″ and under Men’s
• 12’6″ and under Women’s
• 14′ Men’s
• 14′ Women’s
• Prone Elite Men’s
• Prone Elite Women’s
• Surf Style Men’s
• Surf Style Women’s
• Run What You Bring (All)

More information and to register visit HERE.

About Coastal Urge

Coastal Urge is a family of stores specializing in outfitting the active coastal lifestyle. There are six stores open in the Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Bald Head Island, and Myrtle Beach areas of the Coastal Carolinas. Available brands include Patagonia, The North Face, Carve, Arc'teryx, Prana, Southern Tide, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, TOMs, Mountain Khakis, Rayban, Olukai, Mountain Hardware, Southern Marsh, UGG, and Costa, among others. Owners Jeoffrey and Catherine Nathan opened the first retail location in 2008. More at coastalurge.com