THE TAHOE CUP - LAKE CROSSING 

NEW this year!

• Team Relay category!
• Three-day weather window from Friday to Sunday (September 16-18, 2022)

The Lake Crossing sits apart from other paddle races by its length (22 miles) and the majestic paddle across Lake Tahoe nicknamed the Alpine Caribbean. Surrounded by 2000' peaks. Lake Tahoe is known worldwide as a skiers' paradise, what people don't know is that the alpine destination is the largest flat-water paddle venue in the world, where the serenity of the deep blue water meets the towering pines that sway in the Northern California Breeze.

The distance calls for paddlers with a bucket list who have committed to their training and are inspired to pursue their endurance and adventure paddling spirit. The course is one that requires some preparation but it is sure to be a fun, rewarding, and memorable experience. Tahoe Waterman is a paddling community of people who come together to commemorate a true love for paddle sports and adventure.  They inspire one another, cheer each other on, and at the end of the day, they revel in the beauty of a shared victory.

Start Training Now - Join Team Tahoe Waterman on Paddle Ninja!

We are stoked to help you reach your goals with effective & affordable Options. Team Tahoe Waterman has joined forces with Paddle Ninja as an affiliate to accommodate you in preparing for the paddling season. Within the user-friendly platform, you simply input your main goal or most important “A-Race” and choose the training plan that fits your timeline. Got some questions! Coach Jay will chime in regularly on the member's forms to answers your questions. All Tahoe Waterman Paddle Racing Athletes will get a 3-day free trial code with race registration.

Team Relay category!

To answer the popular demand, we are opening the race for relay teams to participate in the crossing for 2022.  All teams are welcome (single-gender, mixed gender, one craft, mixed craft, all ages) with a maximum of 9 participants per team. all Teams are responsible to secure an escort boat. Once the team secures an escort, your team will need to complete a safety registration form to have permission to follow a team. The "paddle with heart" format is simple - the relay teams who raised the most funds for their organization of choices will be awarded.

Because there are a few little tricks that you will want to know, make sure to listen in during the race briefing or contact Tahoe Waterman for a clinic with our local pros. 

Three-day weather window from Friday to Sunday (September 16-18, 2022)

Because this is a major bucket list event for most athletes, making sure the weather is showing signs for a safe voyage on Tahoe, we are reserving three days to run the race safely; the race will start either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, September 16, 17 or 18, 2022, the preferred day is Saturday. So be prepared to race any of those given days - make accommodation or obligation arrangements accordingly. We will be checking the weather forecast during the week of the race and be giving updates as the week progresses. This new format will support all paddlers in reaching their goals of paddling across Lake Tahoe. 

In an effort to support the Lake Tahoe Waterman Association's mission of protecting the ecology of our paddle environments;  we have joined efforts with the Sierra Nevada Alliance inviting you to race for a cause and help protect the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe! The Jewel of the Sierra is warming faster than ever leading to invasive weeds, algae, and murky brown water. You can help! Start a team to raise funds to support the Sierra Nevada Alliance dedicated to protecting and preserving natural treasures and communities in Lake Tahoe and the greater Sierra Nevada. 

LOCATION

The event venue and the finish line is at Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay

The Crossing starts at Lakeview Commons Beach, South Tahoe, and finishes at Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay 

More events will be happening at Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay, we will keep you posted.

• Performance Paddle Crafts are available to rent from Watermans Landing. Reserve your race craft HERE
• Paddle craft storage is available for the week, spaces are limited, reserve your spot upon registration.
• Shuttle reservation available upon registration for 2022 only boats will be transported, you are responsible for getting yourself to the start. (We will notify you if conditions changes and we are able to transport people to the start.)

FORMAT

There is only one race-course available - the 22 miles Lake Crossing. 

The Lake Crossing (22 mile - 35.5 km): The race format includes a full crossing of Lake Tahoe from the South to the North from Lakeview Commons Beach, South Lake Tahoe to Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay. Racers start in the water on their craft and finish on the water between finish buoys.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL AND CRAFT TYPES

The Tahoe Cup - Lake Crossing invites all crafts (OC1, OC2, OC6), surfski (1 and 2-person), stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and prone paddle-boards.  Because it’s an unusual race distance, 22 miles, the course is suited and recommended to experienced paddlers. 

SPECIAL SAFETY NOTE

Lake Tahoe is an alpine mountain lake at 6000 feet of elevation and we suggest practicing smart mountain safety. Plan to check weather conditions for race day temperature and winds. Plan to dress appropriately.

Because of the length of the race, we apply a cutoff time of 6 hours to complete the 22 miles course. Racers must maintain an average speed of 3.7 miles per hour or greater to complete the distance by this time.  All competitors remaining on the course after the cutoff time will be escorted to the finish venue at Watermans Landing.

Individual paddlers are not required to be escorted by a boat.  All relay teams are responsible for their own escort boats. Without making any guaranteed, Tahoe Waterman may be assisting to locate an escort boat. If you secure an escort you or your team will need to complete a safety registration form and we require the CF number for the vessel on your registration form to have permission to follow a competitor or a team.

All paddlers will be required to paddle with their cell phone or a tracking device.

For an added safety measure, the racecourse is divided into approximately two sections; from South Lake Tahoe to Sugarpine Point State Park (10 miles buoy) - to Watermans Landing (12 miles). If needed, Sugarpine Point Beach can be an exit point for the athletes in need.

Athletes rescued from the water will be dropoff at the closes convenient lake public access (unless immediate medical assistance is required) and the athletes will be responsible for their own transport from that moment on.

In an absolute emergency rescue, paddle craft could be left afloat in the Lake.

REGISTRATION - LAST DAY Monday, September 12, 2022

Register online (here at PaddleGuru) registration cutoff day is Monday, September 12, 2022. We have a limited amount of participants allowed on the course and this event will sell quickly. There is no registration the week of the race or the morning of the event.

PARKING 

There is ample free parking at the event site. Navigate to Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay, and follow the signs for parking when you arrive.  We are offering a shuttle for boats only this year to South Lake Tahoe, first come first served. Reservation is available upon race registration.  If you choose to drive yourself or get dropped off at the start, parking is available at Lakeview Commons Beach, South Lake Tahoe. All 6 man outrigger crews will be responsible for their transportation and the transportation of their Canoe.

RACE FEE (including a celebration meal served after the race and before the award ceremony)

• Individual Participant | Lake Crossing Course: $155

• 2-Person Teams (OC2 or Double Surf Ski) | Lake Crossing $155 per person

• Relay Team (up to 9 participants) | Lake Crossing $300 per crew

• 6-man Outrigger Crew | Lake Crossing $300 per crew

CATEGORIES

• JUNIOR  U17

• OPEN  18-49

• MASTER 50-59

• SENIOR MASTER 60-69

• LEGEND 70+

AWARDS

• All categories will be awarded; the top 3 will be awarded a prize.  
• For the relay team, all teams regardless of their crafts or age group will be awarded in the same category - the relay team will be awarded on the dollar amount of funds they have raised for the organization of choices.

ABOUT US

The Crossing is presented by Tahoe Waterman - a paddling community that comes together to celebrate a true love for paddle sports and adventure. They inspire one another, cheer each other on, and at the end of the day, they revel in competition and shared race experiences.

LIMITS OF RACE ENTRY

For safety reasons, we limit this race to 120 paddle crafts on the water, additional safety measures will be emailed to you upon registration if necessary. Register early as there is a good chance this race will sell out. 

BOARD / BOAT RENTALS

Rent your race craft, SUP, surfski, outrigger canoe, or prone paddleboard. 

Reserve your racecraft HERE visit www.tahoewaterman.com

COFFEE, BREAKFAST, AND LUNCH

Watermans Cafe is located on the shores of Lake Tahoe and offers a healthy organic menu with breakfast and lunch served all day, a coffee bar, beer, and wine, and offers exclusive access to a public beach, free parking, a public beach club facility, and the beach is dog-friendly (one of the only "dog beaches" in the Lake Tahoe area). 

REFUND

Race registration is open until 48 hours from race start - Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. If we do not have paddlers on the waiting list willing to accept a race entry, then, unfortunately, we will not be able to offer a refund. In the event the race is canceled due to extreme weather, fire, or some other unforeseeable event outside of our control, WE CAN NOT OFFER REFUNDS.