Paddle Around Key West - 12 Mile open water 

Starting point is at Higgs Beach, Paddle South toward the Southernmost Point, through the Key West harbor, around the USCG base and under the Fleming Key Bridge. From here we cross the sailboat mooring field and paddle around Dredger's Key (Sigsbee) into Cow Key Channel which connects Key West and Stock Island.  Exit Cow Key Channel back out at the front side and continue past Smather's Beach and White St. Pier to return to Higgs Beach for the finish.

RELAY TEAMS ONLY

Relay Stops:

The relay is only one class, SUP 14’ and under (race and surf sups)

Classes: Male, Female, Mixed  *13 –miles 

Relay Course

*About the course:

1^st Leg: (Just over 3 miles)

The first leg is Higgs Beach to Simonton Beach, this section will begin with ocean start and paddle through Key West harbor (total distance of this leg is a little over 3 miles.)  Paddlers on leg 1 should follow a line down the harbor cement wall and piers on the right hand side of Harbor.  At the end of the last pier, paddler takes a sharp right turn toward Simonton Beach (a small sandy beach just beyond the turn off toward the USCG base. It is here the transfer to the next leg will occur.  Paddler 1 must give Paddler 2 wristband.

2^nd Leg (approx. 6 miles) will paddle from Simonton Beach through the remainder of the harbor, passing by the USCG base and bridge channel (both appear on racers’ right-hand side) – at bridge channel, Paddler 2 will turn RIGHT and travel toward Fleming Key Bridge!  Pass under bridge toward sailboat mooring field (keep slight left on the course after passing under bridge) then onward towards Dredgers Key/Sigsbee. At end of Sigsbee, where you pass the tower/pine trees/picnic tables, veer to the right slightly, keep on the right side of the channel markers.You have about 1.5 miles paddle to Lazy Dog Relay stop.  To enter Cow Key channel, paddler will line up using the grass hill/the green roof condos ahead. channel markers will take you into Cow Key Bridge. Paddler 2 will paddle under Cow Key Bridge which connects Stock Island to Key West.  Last turn is a hard LEFT right after the bridge into Hurricane Hole Marina and paddle up to Lazy Dog’s dock! 

We will have a spotter in a kayak also looking for you to direct you into marina.

 3^rd Leg: (4 miles)
In the last leg, paddlers will battle it out from Lazy Dog, down Cow Key Channel and into the ocean to finish at Higgs Beach for a distance of 4.1 miles!  Paddlers will keep to the right upon exiting channel, paddle along coastline toward the White St. Pier and on to a water finish at Higgs Beach!

*Rules: Teams must use the same 14’ or under board for all legs.  Paddlers can use their own paddle and pfd. 

The first racer will have a wrist band on to signify relay. You will hand off wrist band to next teammate. We will have spotters looking for the wrist bands to help relay racers find the exchange location.

It is the responsibility of each racer/team to provide their own transportation and to find the exchange spots.  

Don't forget to visit the cooler after your relay leg/stop for your complimentary beer!