It was an impressive showing Sunday at Baltimore’s only standup paddleboard race. And what’s more: the paddlers left the water cleaner than they found it.
B’More SUP55 paddleboarders competed in the 2.5- or 5-mile races, hosted by B’MORE SUP on Bear Creek. Temperatures in the 70s and winds under 10 miles per hour made for great racing conditions.
In an environmentalist twist, race competitors took their paddleboards back out after the race, to clean up trash from the water and local beaches. The “SUP ‘n Scoop” is a partnership with Blue Water Baltimore, a nonprofit environmental group whose mission is to clean up the watershed, streams, and ultimately, Baltimore’s rivers and the Bay.
Top race finisher Joe Ward did the 5 mile course in 48:44 and as soon as he crossed the finish line he grabbed a trash bag and headed right back out to pick up trash.
B’MORE SUP is planning to host this race again next year.
-Meg Walburn Viviano
