Community Sports
Sunny skies expected for this weekend’s Paddlers Cup
The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup returns to the waters off Skansie Park this weekend, April 29 and 30.
The two-day event includes competitive racing for expert, novice and youth paddlers in a variety of watercraft. Vendors will be set up on the shore.
Sunday, April 30, brings the Dragon Boat races, in which local businesses or community groups put together 20-person paddling teams to race boats adorned with dragon heads.
Paddlers compete in the Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup on Saturday, April 23, 2022,
The weather
The Paddlers Cup returned to Gig Harbor in 2022 after a two-year absence due to COVID-19. This year, the cup coincides with what shapes up to be a splendid weather weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast for Saturday, April 29, calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the (this is not a typo) 70s. Sunday, April 30, could be a little cooler, with some clouds and highs in the 60s.
The schedule
Saturday’s festivities start with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. Racing starts at 9 a.m., highlighted by the 5K/10K Inner Harbor Distance Race at 10 a.m. and the 100M Sprint Knock-Off Races at 12:30 p.m. An awards presentation begins at 2 p.m.
Paddlers compete in the Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup on Saturday, April 23, 2022,
New this year on Sunday is an exhibition Stand-Up Paddleboard Technical Race at Ancich Waterfront Park. Up to eight paddleboarders will compete in each heat on a 1,000-meter course with eight buoy turns. Click here for more details.
Registration and check-in is from 7:30 to 8 a.m., with racing from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and an awards ceremony from 11:45 a.m. to noon at Skansie.
Dragon Boat racing starts with opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. The first heat is scheduled for 1:30 pm., with championship rounds at 3 p.m. and closing ceremonies at 3:30 p.m.
Participating teams include the city of Gig Harbor, PenMet Parks, Team TOTE, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Team Liquid Assets – World Vision & Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, INNOFIT, the Hanger Clinic, Windemere Abode, One Hope and Orange Theory.
Dragon Boat teams return to the docks after a heat during the 2022 Paddlers Cup on Sunday, April 24, at Skansie Park in Gig Harbor.
The Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team organizes the Paddlers Cup. The team is a multiple-time national champion, including in 2022.