Thank you for a Great First Year!!  We can't wait to see you on July 16th, 2022!!  Please visit our 2022 Paddleguru site: https://paddleguru.com/races/BearTownPaddleBattles2022

Coming in 2022: We are excited to announce that we are joining the Southeast Paddle Sport Championship Series (www.sepseries.org)!!  To accommodate this transition, the following changes will be made:

New Boat Categories (boat definitions are available at www.sepseries.org):

- HPK: High Performance Kayak (Kayak, Surkski, and ICF)

- FSK: Fast Sea Kayak (Kayak and Surfski)

- SK: Sea Kayak (Kayak and Surfski)

- REC: Recreational

- OC-1: Outrigger Canoe

- C1: Standard and ICF

- C2: OC-2, Standard and ICF

- K2: Surfski, Standard and ICF

- SUP 14'

- SUP 12'6", SUP 12' or under (surf)

- P1: Pedal

New Age Groups:

- Open

- Masters (50-64)

- Masters (65-74)

- Masters (75+)

** A juniors group will remain, yet is not affiliated with SEPSeries Points.

Gender Divisions:

- Male

- Female

- Mixed (Overall winners within each Boat Category)

Here is the info from 2021, if you missed it:

Get ready paddle sport enthusiasts & racers!  Eastern North Carolina's premier paddle sport event has finally arrived.   

The Inaugural Bear Town Paddle Battles will take place on July 17th, 2021.  Join us for a wonderful day on the water in beautiful New Bern, the original capital city of North Carolina.  Not only are we seeking novice paddlers from around the area interested in participating in their first race, yet this will be an excellent and challenging event for the experienced SUP, kayak, or surfski racer. The best thing is that it supports an exceptional cause!  Event proceeds will benefit the Neuromuscular Disease Support Organization, or NMDSO, an IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, established in the State of North Carolina. NMDSO was founded to assist individuals and families affected by a neuromuscular disease or disorder. These diseases include Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington's Parkinson's, ALS, Dystonia, and MSA, just to name a few. 

- Find us on Instagram and Facebook: @ bear_town_paddle_battles.

- Learn more about NMDSO at nmdso.org.

RACE/EVENT INFORMATION:

- Event Time: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

- Route Grizzly, 6 Mile Race: $35 per entry in advance.  $50 day of.

- Route Black Bear, 2 Mile Race: $35 per entry in advance.  $50 day of.

- Categories:  SUP, Kayak, and Surfski.  

- Divisions (Male & Female for each):  Junior (15-17), Adult (18-55), Senior (Over 55)

- Lazy Bear Fun Paddle: Free!!  All ages

- Arrival & Check-In: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM for racers.  7:00 AM - 10:00 AM for Lazy Bear participants.

- Races start at 9:30 AM

- Musical Guest: Singer/Songwriter Ryan Rubich, 11 AM - 1 PM

BOAT SUPPORT:  We are still seeking the help of a few boaters to monitor our paddlers as they race.  Please contact us if you are willing to help out.

SPONSORSHIP:

We sincerely appreciate the businesses and organizations listed below for sponsoring our first inaugural event.  Without your help, we couldn't make this happen.  Thank you!