2021 Carolina Cup
November 3rd-7th 2021
Come help us celebrate 10 years!!
The 10th Annual Carolina Cup is a week-long event featuring over a dozen clinics and 5 races. Wednesday through Friday there are several fun clinics, as well as Demos on Friday through Sunday. On Saturday, there is a 3.5-mile Harbor Island Recreational race, 6.5-mile Money Island Open Race, the dreaded 13-mile Graveyard Elite Race and The Graveyard Outrigger and Surfski race. On Sunday we are introducing the Three island challenge for the six man/woman outrigger canoe discipline, as well as the Kids Race. In 2016, the Carolina Cup was the largest race on the East Coast with over 900 paddlers competing in races and participating in clinics. In 2015, the Carolina Cup became the largest and most competitive SUP race in the world. The Carolina Cup is excited to be included in all athletes calendars past, present and future.
You do not have to race to take a clinic or take a clinic to race. You also do not have to race or take a clinic to come watch the race and enjoy the expo and demos. Bring the whole family for this amazing week full of live music, a great expo, food, drinks, clinics for all, and amazing athletes (from 18 countries) and races!
Races Categories & Awards
Harbor Island 5K Recreational Race
Saturday, November 6th
Racers Meeting 8:30am
Race begins 8:40am
This is a 3.5-mile flat water race, in the inland waterways and ICWW around Harbor Island in Wrightsville Beach. There are currents and wind, some boat traffic, but no ocean swells and a large portion of the race is in no-wake zones. This 3.5 mile race around Harbor Island on Wrightsville Beach is the 5K of the SUP race scene. It’s the perfect distance and course to start off on your SUP race adventure. Depending on your board and experience, it will take between 50 minutes and an hour and a half to complete the course. This is a great opportunity to get on a board and enjoy the water, enjoy the day.
Categories & Awards:
*Please note that there must be 5 participants in category to get an award
Money Island 10K Open Race
Saturday, November 6th
Racers Meeting at 8:45am
Race begins 9:10am
This is a longer flat-water race, in the inland waterways around Wrightsville Beach, Harbor Island and the spoil islands between WB and Masonboro Island. Just like the Recreational Race, there are currents and wind, but no ocean swells. This 6 mile race around Harbor Island on Wrightsville Beach is the 10K of the SUP race scene. It’s the perfect distance and course if you’ve been paddling and want a challenge. This is an intermediate to advanced race. Depending on your board and experience, it will take between 1 and 2 hours to complete the course. This is a great opportunity to get into the racing scene, to push you body, and to see what you can do.
Categories & Awards:
*Please note that there must be 5 participants in category to get an award
Graveyard 13-mile Elite Race
Saturday, November 6th
Racers Meeting at 9:25am
Race begins at 9:40am
This is a beach start and finish. This is a 12.6-13.2-mile ocean and flatwater race, started on the ocean side of the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, out through the surf, downwind to the inlet, into the inland waterways and ICWW around Wrightsville Beach. There are two inlets, one of which will require racers to surf waves in through the inlet. There will be some boat traffic, and ocean swells. The ocean section of the race will be the downwind section, if the weather cooperates. We will change the direction of the race to optimize the conditions for a fast, fun, challenging race. The mileage depends on the line you take. This Carolina Cup paddle race is for elite paddlers with the skill and fitness to complete this endurance challenge. Depending on your board and experience, it will take between 2 and 3.5 hours to complete the course. This is a great opportunity to push your limits and measure yourself against some of the best paddlers in the world. YOU MUST FINISH THE HALF-WAY MARK WITHIN 2 HOURS. THERE IS A 5 HOUR LIMIT on the Elite Race. MONEY DIVISION/CASH PRIZES: Top 10 overall Male & Female
Categories & Awards:
*Please note that there must be 5 participants to get an awards
Graveyard Surfski and Outrigger Race
Saturday, November 6th
Racers Meeting 8:00am
Race Begins: 8:25 am (Kayaks & Surfski's)
Race Begins: 8:30 am (OC)
Graveyard Course, but it starts and finishes on the Sound Side. Water start and beach finish.
Categories and Awards
*Please note that there must be 5 participants to get an awards
The Three Island Challenge
Sunday, November 7th
Racers Meeting at 7:00am
Race begins 7:30am
This is a six man/woman outrigger canoe flat-water race, in the inland waterways around Wrightsville Beach, Harbor Island and two spoil islands between WB and Masonboro Island. Just like the Recreational Race, there are currents and wind, but no ocean swells. This 9 mile race around Harbor Island on Wrightsville Beach and the intracoastal spoil islands and is the perfect distance and course if you’ve been paddling and want a challenge. This is an intermediate to advance race. Depending on your teams experience, it will take between 1 and 2 hours to complete the course. This is a great opportunity to get into the racing scene and be part of the water community.
Categories & Awards:
The APP Sprint Race
Sunday, November 7th
Racers meeting at 8:45am
Race begins 9:00am
The APP Sprint format consists of fast paced, 300m sprints, starting and finishing on the beach and following and consisting of a sequence of buoy turns to test participants ability to not only sprint fast, but their overall board skills. Structured in an elimination format, there is plenty of opportunity for all competitions, with a repechage round so everyone gets at least one second chance followed by a series of showdowns to reach the Final 4.
New for the Carolina Cup is an Open division that will allow unseeded athletes to make their way through the elimination to meet the very best in the World in the Pro seeding round. Full details on the structure of this format and final course maps will be released shortly.
Kid's Race
Sunday, November 7th
Racers Meeting 10:15am
Race Begins 10:30
The Kid's Race is a fun event to kick off the races on the Sound Side for children ages 6-14. They can complete 1 op 2 loops and all get recognized.
Categories and Awards:
Other Information
* Participants must register by September 3rd to be guaranteed a Participant Silver edition Hat & Medal.
* You do not have to race to take a clinic or take a clinic to race. You also do not have to race or take a clinic to come watch the race and enjoy the expo and demos.
* All competitors must wear a State Coast Guard approved pfd. and leashes as stated in WPA Rules
* Race can be cancelled due to weather and conditions.
Price Increases
SIGN UP TODAY FOR THE BEST PRICES!!
Online Registration closes 11:59 PM Tuesday 11/2/2021
$20 Price increase for onsite registration 11/5/2021
Apparel
All Participants will receive a Participant Silver edition Hat while supplies last ! You can order Carolina Cup Apparel under extra items and pick up on race weekend.
Accommodations
Stay where all the action is for the week!! For reservations, call (866) 809-0781 Or Click Here for Online Reservations. The Blockade Runner is offering a Special Carolina Cup Room Rate that includes the following:
One of the best ways to experience the best of Wrightsville Beach is on SUPs, Kayaks, Outriggers or Bikes – just ask a local! You’ll love life on the water as much as we do at the end of the day! Come take advantage of the best location! Wrightsville SUP also offers lessons that focuses on paddling technique for any level. For rentals or more information call 910-378-9283 or visit the website at https://www.wrightsvillesup.com/
Click Here for SUP, Kayak, Outrigger Canoe, or Bike Rentals.