Nearly 80 paddlers descended upon Eco Discovery Park on April 20 to compete in the third annual James River Paddle Challenge.
Race director Andrew Sikes, a stand up paddleboard instructor, founded the competition as a way to have some fun on the water and help support James River Association’s efforts to protect and restore the watershed. The event, which consisted of a 9.5 mile endurance race around historic Jamestown Island, a four-mile sprint race into Powhatan Creek and a two-mile fun race, was open to anyone in a human-powered watercraft. The race was led off by paddlers in a six-person outrigger canoe. Other participants used canoes, kayaks or paddleboards.
Sikes began stand up paddleboarding three years ago. He says the sport is gaining in popularity because “It’s something that everybody can do. I’ve had people in my classes as young as eight and as old as 90.”
Stand up paddleboarding “provides a full body workout,” Sikes says.
It strengthens your core and helps with your balance. It can be as physically exertive or hard as you want it to be. I like it because it gets me out on the water, and it offers a unique perspective of the water.”
James Ainsworth of Yorktown, who has been stand up paddleboarding for six months and participated in the endurance race, agrees. “It offers a whole new view of the water,” he says. “It feels like you are walking on water, and you can see everything below. You can paddle as fast as you want or go for an easy stroll. Most people think it just works your arms, but it is more of a core exercise. It works your abs and your upper back.”
Twelve-year-old Caitlin Alverio of Virginia Beach, who participated in the sprint race, learned stand up paddleboarding about a year ago thanks to her father, who also enjoys the sport. The James River Paddle Challenge was the longest of three contests she’s been in so far.
“I like the challenge of stand up paddleboarding,” she says. “It’s also a lot of fun.”
This was the second year Santha Clark of Newport News participated in the James River Paddle Challenge. She kayaked in the sprint race.
“I like to kayak because I am by myself and I can make it go exactly how I want it to go,” she says. “I like that I am in control. I also just like being outside in nature, and enjoy the scenery here.”
For more information on stand up paddleboarding, visit blackdogpaddle.com. For more information on the James River Paddle Challenge, visit jamesriverpaddlechallenge.com. For more information on Eco Discovery Park, visit ecodiscoverypark.org.