Annapolis, MD – Chris Hopkinson, who last summer captured the attention of thousands of people nationwide when he became the first person to traverse the entire Chesapeake Bay by standup paddleboard, has expanded Bay Paddle as a multi-team paddle race benefiting both the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Chesapeake Conservancy.
Over 90 paddlers have registered to participate including a team of 30 teachers from Anne Arundel County Public Schools, a group of veterans from the Valhalla Sailing Project and all the Bay River Keepers from WaterKeepers Chesapeake. In addition, 10 paddlers will be making the 200+ mile journey solo along the same route Hopkinson took in 2020.
Hopkinson’s adventure last year was captured by a local filmmaker and turned into a documentary film that aired this past April on Maryland Public Television.
Bay Paddle 2021 sponsors to date include Red Bull, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Flying Dog Beer, George’s Bloody Mary Mix,REI, Chesapeake Bay Magazine and WRNR Radio.
The 200+mile, 8-day, staged paddle race will take place from August 27-September 3, 2021 and will begin in Havre de Grace, MD and finish in the Atlantic Ocean., off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Relay teams and solo paddlers will face wind, current and tides, using standup paddleboards, kayaks, outriggers, surf skis or other paddlecraft to cover the distance.
WHO: More than 90 Participants in the Bay Paddle
- Chris Hopkinson, Founder, Bay Paddle
- Ward Slacum, Executive Director, Oyster Recovery Partnership
- Joel Dunn, President & CEO, Chesapeake Conservancy
WHAT: Interview opportunities throughout the Bay Paddle Relay.
- The main media opportunity will be Saturday, August 28th at a supporter party at Red Eyes Dock Bar. Additional opportunities may be able to be arranged around the following schedule (advance notice is required).
WHEN: August 27-September 3, 2021
WHERE: Bay Paddle Schedule
- Friday, August 27, 2021, start time 9:00 am, Havre de Grace to Haven Harbor Marina (34 miles)
- Saturday, August 28, 2021, start time 8:00 a.m., Haven Harbor Marina to Claiborne Landing (21 miles)
- 10:30 am – 1:00 pm Supporter Party at Red Eye’s Dock Bar, 428 Kent Narrow Way N, Grasonville, MD 21638 (Hopkinson, Slacum, & Dunn available for interviews as paddlers go by)
- Sunday, August 29, 2021, start time 7:00 a.m., Claiborne Landing to Taylor’s Island (29 miles)
- Monday, August 30, 2021, start time 8:00 a.m., Taylor Island to Crocheron Landing (29 miles)
- Tuesday, August 31, 2021, start time 9:00 a.m., Crocheron Landing to Crisfield (23 miles)
- Wednesday, September 1, 2021, start time 8:30 a.m., Crisfield to Harborton Boat Ramp (24 miles)
- Thursday, September 2, 2021, start time 8:30 a.m., Harborton Boat Ramp to Cape Charles Beach (32 miles)
- Friday, September 3, 2021, start time 9:00 a.m., Cape Charles to the Atlantic Ocean (15 miles)
