Community Sports

Paddler’s Cup celebrates a sport that’s making waves

If you walked past the waterfront in Gig Harbor last weekend, you probably saw a sea of canoes and kayaks filling the harbor.

Paddles struck the water in quick, rhythmic bursts as racers surged across the harbor.

From sprint kayaks to stand-up paddlers balancing through calm waves, the Paddler’s Cup once again transformed the harbor into a stage for one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique community sporting events.

Now in its 13th year, the annual event has grown into one of the most visible and impactful weekends for the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team. It’s not only a showcase of the sport, but also a critical fundraiser that helps the team continue its national championship level program.

Kayakers line up to start a race during Paddlers Cup on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Photo by Nathan Hyun

A race built for the community

What started as an unexpected idea has become a staple of Gig Harbor’s spring calendar.

Founder Alan Anderson recalls the event’s origins not as a grand plan, but as a pivot. More than a decade ago, he was approached with the idea of hosting a national championship in Gig Harbor.

Knowing the city was not equipped to host an event of that scale, he proposed something different.

The 11-time national champion Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team stages Paddlers Cup. Photo by Nathan Hyun

“I suggested a multidiscipline event and so Paddler’s Cup was born,” Anderson said.

That vision was visible across the harbor last weekend. More than 200 athletes competed in kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and dragon boats, all sharing the same course. Beginners and elite athletes raced side-by-side in the same waters.

“The whole reason this race was put together was for the community,” Anderson said. “It’s an opportunity to get on the water with a bunch of people and have some fun.”

High school senior Connor Kitching, a Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team captain, said the blend of competition and community sets the event apart.

“It’s the biggest one we host,” he said. “We get the most people here, and it’s probably the most visible.”

Fueling the team’s future

Behind the scenes, the Paddler’s Cup plays a critical role in sustaining the team’s success.

The event serves as the club’s largest annual fundraiser, generating roughly $20,000 each year. Those funds go toward one of the team’s biggest expenses: Transporting boats and athletes to national competitions across the country.

This year, that means a cross-country trip to Ohio, where families must also cover travel, lodging, and meals.

“The proceeds that we get from this are used to trailer the boats there and off-set the cost for the parents,” said event director Michael Kitching, Connor’s father.

For a team that consistently competes and wins at the national level (11 national championships to date), that financial support is essential.

Beyond funding, the event also serves as a key recruitment tool. Head coach Alyson Mrozinski said the visibility of racing in the harbor gives the public a rare glimpse into a sport that is often difficult to see from shore.

“It’s hard to see what we do out there,” she said. “So this is a really important event for the community to come watch, to be a part of it, to know what we are.”

That exposure translates into new interest, from youth summer camps to adult programs, helping grow a club that now includes around 80 athletes across all ages.

Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team coach Alyson Mrozinski helps carry a kayak during Paddlers Cup on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Photo by Nathan Hyun

A sport on the rise

The growth of paddling sports in Gig Harbor mirrors the rise of the club itself.

What began more than two decades ago with a small group of kids has developed into one of the most successful canoe and kayak programs in the country.

“When you think about the growth of water sports, even dragon boating started with us,” Anderson said. “We’ve kind of opened the door for a lot of people to bond with the waters of Gig Harbor.”

The harbor’s natural setting has also played a major role. Its protected waters provide an ideal environment for both training and recreation, attracting newcomers who want more than just a view from shore.

Mrozinski has seen that firsthand.

Competitors of all skill and experience levels are welcome at the Paddlers Cup. Photo by Nathan Hyun

“A lot of people who have moved here are really transfixed by the harbor,” she said. “Our sport has grown by attracting people who want to be a part of it, not just watch from the land.”

At the competitive level, the pipeline continues to strengthen. Last week, five Gig Harbor athletes qualified for the senior national team, a step toward potential Olympic competition.

For younger paddlers watching from the shoreline, events like the Paddler’s Cup offer a glimpse of what’s possible.

“It builds them up,” Anderson said. “At that age, kids are making decisions that will last through their high school years and beyond.”

Bringing the harbor together

It’s not only the races that bring excitement, it’s the atmosphere itself that creates connection.

Nearly 20 local vendors filled Skansie Park for the event, offering everything from apparel to dog treats to fresh doughnuts, giving attendees plenty to explore throughout the day.

And it wasn’t just Gig Harbor athletes on the water. Clubs from Seattle, Bothell, and Bellingham came together not only to compete, but to support one another.

Trophies for winners of Paddlers Cup races on Saturday, April 25. Photo by Nathan Hyun

“There’s a real community aspect,” Michael Kitching said. “We all know each other. We support each other.”

That collaboration extends beyond race day. Teams share equipment, lend athletes and help one another at competitions. Even spectators get a window into a sport they might not fully understand.

“People may live here their entire lives and see these boats out on the water, but not really know what it’s all about,” Kitching said. “This showcases our sport to those people.”

From elite 100-meter sprint knockouts to casual dragon boat races, the event captures the full spectrum of paddling.

Even in the middle of competition, there’s still pride in representing the harbor. High school junior Ben Watters put it simply.

“We’re on our home court,” he said. “You want to make the harbor look good and show what this team represents.”

Looking ahead

Despite its success, Anderson isn’t interested in turning the Paddler’s Cup into a massive spectacle.

He said the current size is large enough to be impactful, but still small enough to preserve its community feel.

“Size doesn’t matter when it comes to a race like this,” he said. “It’s about the community.”

Still, there is room to grow in ways that stay true to that mission. Anderson hopes to see increased participation from residents.

“We’ll have categories for you,” he said. “That’s where I’d like to see it expand to more community involvement.”

For now, the sight of boats cutting across the harbor, cheered on by families and friends, remains an yearly tradition.

In a town defined by its water, the Paddler’s Cup continues to do what it set out to do: bring people closer to it and to each other.

Kayakers race during Paddlers Cup on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Photo by Nathan Hyun