The closed course, when raced by way of SUP, creates the "Flat-Water Phenomenon" that is >>> #SUPcross!

No gimmicks, jumping through hoops, or obstacles to overcome except each other…Just pure, heart pumping hot laps around an aggressive closed-course that’s meant for going FAST and having FUN!

Intended just as much for the first timer, as it is for the veteran racer looking for variety in a race course...it will be as much thrill or chill as you make it. On that note, some paddlers will use a finely tuned technical approach, while others will just get out and rip it wide open around every turn!

There will always be a thrilling sprint to the first buoy turn, in hopes of having a clear path to the rest of the buoys throughout the closed-course! Positioning will be highly contested on straightaways and as racers jockey for position going in to tight pivot turns. Some contact may occur between boards and paddles, however never between the paddlers themselves. As the saying goes…”Rubbing is Racing”!

The vision for having single-lap heats, is to keep the action as high as it could get in any sports arena. With a short-enough distance to keep the pace at peak level, yet just long enough to allow for contested lead-changes and sudden shifts in momentum, SUPcross possesses those pivotal moments that will live on in the history of SUP racing forever!

Distance & Duration:

The closed course typically measures between 3/4 to 1 mile in total distance. *Keep in mind you are guaranteed to race 3 heats (up to 3 miles), and can race additional laps during practice times. 

Top Racers will cross the finish line well under the 10 minute mark, while the "Open-Class" paddlers might enjoy completing the challenge in 15 minutes or more! 

You typically won't have to race back-to-back heats, however we'll attempt to consolidate your racing heats to within a 2 hour time period so you can stay loose and ready for the action! 

What are the different color buoys for?

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAMPLE COURSE - RACE DAY COURSE WILL BE DIFFERENT

Red Buoy: 

A red buoy indicates a left turn.  Two or more red buoys may be put in a line to form a large sweeping left-hand turn. 

Yellow Buoy: 

A yellow buoy indicates a right turn.  Two or more yellow buoys may be put in a line to form a large sweeping right-hand turn. 

Buoy colors direct the racer to turn.  RED signifies a left turn, YELLOW is for right.

Checkered Buoys: 

Checkered buoys indicate the Start/Finish line.  A rider must pass through these buoys for a lap to be counted.

Penalty Buoy: 

The penalty buoy is to be used in the case of a missed buoy. The penalty buoy may be any color buoy that is designated by the Race Director and stands out and away from all other buoys on the race course. If a rider fails to properly negotiate, or misses a buoy, that rider must properly negotiate the penalty buoy instead of reattempting the missed buoy.

White/Other Color Buoys: 

White buoys or other colored course bouys are used to mark the outside lane of a racecourse utilizing a two-lane split start.  White buoys are also used to mark turns on the Slalom event and to mark the merge lane in the case of a “split” type racecourse.   

“Hot-dog” inflatables are typically sponsored buoys and can also be used to establish a merge lane on a split-type racecourse. Other Color buoys are often used on the outside of the race course to control boat traffic from entering the racecourse. 

*SUPcross Racing supports the SAFETY & STANDARDS of the American Canoe Association