Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series
Donner Lake, May 21
Waterman’s Paddle Jam, July 9
Fall Classic, September 11

The Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series takes place throughout the summer, with the first event on Donner Lake on May 21. The second and third events both take place on Lake Tahoe and offer recreational paddlers and more serious racers the chance to compete in SUP, prone paddleboard and outrigger races.

The Waterman’s Paddle Jam is a six-mile race and takes place at the Waterman’s Landing in Carnelian Bay, North Lake Tahoe. Hundreds of competitors are expected to be at the start line, and there will be equipment demos following the race.

The Tahoe Fall Classic is the longest inland paddleboard race in the world, at 22 miles, and will welcome more than 150 athletes from around the world. It begins at El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe and finishes at the Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort in Tahoe Vista.

The Fall Classic will be part of the first annual Tahoe Vista Paddlefest, a two day beach event held at the Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort. This is a weekend to celebrate all things paddling, with a paddleboard expo, equipment demos, yoga and live music.

According to race organizer Phil Segal, in the early years participation would increase by 100% each year. While this has slowed slightly, the fantastic atmosphere at the races continues to fuel the popularity of the sport. “The kids are what’s driving this sport. That’s the future. You see a big family atmosphere at the races. They’re all participating and really cheering everybody on.” says Segal. “These kids are more aggressive and competitive than the adults are!”

The Tahoe Cup is hosted by the Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association. Their mission is to promote human-powered paddlesport activities in the Tahoe Basin.

For more information on the Tahoe Cup Paddle Series, visit tahoecup.org.

Tahoe Cup 2016 poster with paddleboarders, event dates, and race information at Donner Lake.