The World Paddle Association (WPA) in conjunction with the St.

Petersburg-Clearwater Florida Sports Commission along with our sponsors Naked

Turtle Rum, Salt Life Apparel, Cigar City Brewing and Hennessey’s Tavern Inc. are proud to bring the WPA Paddle Championships to the east coast of the U.S. to be held

at the Sirata Beach Resort at St. Pete Beach, Florida October 23, 24, 25 & 26,

2014.  There will be open entry for all competitors in all races, however each

competitor should decide which race with best suit their ability.  PFD's will be REQUIRED for ALL competitors in ALL races.

The WPA Paddle Championship Elite race will NOT require qualifying to enter or to be a WPA member to compete in any of the scheduled races.  In past years the WPA has required competitors that wanted to

enter in the stand up paddle elite race of the championship to qualify with

points from the Salt Life National Race series and selected events.  Since most of the top competitors compete in

the Salt Life National races which offers bonus money for the top male and

female point’s leader combined with the points from the WPA Paddle Championship, this

gives more incentive to compete in Salt Life National races and to build

participation.

Salt Life will be giving a $5000 bonus to the top Men’s (SUP 14') point’s

leader and $3000 to the top Female (SUP 12'6) point’s leader.  The Salt Life Cup (announced April 4, 2014)

is an accumulation of points from all Salt Life National Races (WPA) in the

long course and the WPA Paddle Championships. 

All WPA National races carry double points (2,000 to 1^st)

from regional WPA races and the WPA Championships is double of the National

races (4,000 to 1^st).  Standings are listed on www.worldpaddleassociation.com.

The WPA Paddle Championships will include the following races and board

divisions, 3-4 mile Open race (Saturday), 1 & 3 mile Kids races and relay race (Saturday), 5-6 mile SUP Pro technical race (Saturday),

9 mile Distance race (Sunday) that will include all paddling classes.  You can see full race

schedule with travel and hotel discounts along with registration

on this website.  All race

distances, times and days are tentative and subject to change given weather and

conditions.  All paddling classes entered in the Pro Technical race and Distance race will offer cash prizes to the top finishers across the line overall (not by age division) and meet the minimum number entries by board class.

Clinics with the top

athletes and sponsors will be held on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24, Board Demos Thursday through Sunday and then

championship races on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26^th.

For more information on

Exhibitor Space, Sponsorship Opportunities and Media Relations please contact

Kristin Artz, WPA Public Relations: kristin@worldpaddleassociation.com