South Carolina's Lake Murray Paddleboard Classic

A Charity Event for Athletes4Cancer and Palmetto Health Foundation

Lake Murray in South Carolina in all of its glory, with the dam on the foreground.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The Lake Murray Public Park will host the inaugural race September 22, 2012. Gates open at 8am with plenty of parking, bathrooms, and spectator viewing. The park is located off 1-20 exit #55. Go north on SC #6 for 5.9 miles. The park entrance is on the left just before the dam.

The Lake Murray SUP Classic will benefit Athletes4Cancer.com to aid them in continuing to provide no cost Adventure Therapy Camps for cancer survivors ages 15-55. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Palmetto Health Foundation to help cover travel expenses for local cancer patients to attend these camps. The competition will consist of a 5k and 1k World Paddling Association sanctioned race. All divisions will be open to men and women and age categories will depend on number of entries. There will be a pre-meeting on the day of the race at 10:15am to be followed by the 5k then the 10k. Online registration is $55. After September 20, each race costs $65. For more information on hotel accommodations, board rental, and prizes visit the event's Facebook Page.

Lake Murray Stand Up Paddle Classic will be offering a beginners-advance clinic by WPA regional director and instructor William Pope on Friday, September 21 at 6pm on the Irmo side of the dam. This is for anyone waiting to start out in SUP or for those looking for advanced instruction prior to the event. The clinic is $25 with all funds going directly to Athletes4Cancer.

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. SUP'ing is popular at warm coastal climates and resorts, and is gaining in popularity as celebrities are samples the, and cross-over athletes are training with SUP. Stand up paddle boarding is now the fastest growing water sport activity because it allows a wider range of athletic types to get involved. SUP'ers need not schedule around high and low tides and have ventured onto onto lakes and rivers for this recreational and competitive sport.