Fifth Annual Maine Lakes Open Paddle Battle!
Saturday, June 25th

2022 Registration is Now Open!

Early registration ends May 31st!

Race Info and Schedule:

After missing the festivities of an in-person event, we are bringing the Paddle Battle back to Highland Lake this summer! Tarry-A-While Resort on Highland Lake is pretty much the perfect spot. There is a little cove to start in, and the grassy pine grove is an ideal place to spend the morning. To add to the fun, we will have goodies, a silent auction, and prizes to raffle off. You can even pack a picnic lunch and stay lakeside after the event.

We are planning to again have 2K and 5K courses. We are welcoming (single) kayaks to the race this year. Short boards can compete in either course, long boards (12’6″+) and kayaks in the 5K course.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Lakes Environmental Association, which is a non-profit regional lakes association dedicated to preserving and protecting lakes. You are on our website already, so feel free to poke around a little to find out what we do. If you think Maine is only about lighthouses and lobstah’, you’re missing out! It’s time to enjoy our pristine inland waters from the vantage point of a paddler!

Race categories

Men’s and women’s 5K (any board length accepted)

Men’s and women’s 2K  (12’06” boards and under only)

Men’s and women’s 5K kayak

Grom SUP race for kids aged 14 and under in the cove

Age Classes 

15-35,  36-55,  56+

minimum age is 15 for 2K and 5K races

Tentative Schedule

8:00 Tarry-A-While parking opens

9:15 Racers’ meeting

9:30 5K Race, kayaks first, then SUPs (all boards accepted) – beach start

9:45 2K Short board only race – beach start

11:00 Kids’ “Grom” race in the cove

11:30 Awards ceremony, raffle, and auction

Rules:

• Shoving, pushing or deliberate contact with another person or board may result in disqualification.
• Right-of-way must be yielded to swimmers, slower moving craft, and larger vessels or boats.
• Participants must have a Personal Flotation Device on board (and are recommended to wear a PFD).
• This is a fun race; it is not a qualifying course!
• No pets unless they are service animals.

 Recommendations:

• There is a limited number of participants, so sign up early!
• Wear a leash, bright clothes, a PFD, sunscreen and/or a hat.
• Be aware of the weather and wind.
• Carry a whistle to signal an emergency.

Registration:

• Early Registration (by 5/31): $50 (includes free t-shirt);  from 6/1: $60
• T-Shirts: $15  
• Medals awarded up to third place in each category 
• Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required. Race participants should provide their own PFDs and will forfeit their race registration if they check in without one.
• Pre-race meeting is mandatory for all race participants.
• To participate in the event, you will need to sign a waiver releasing LEA from liability.

• Register here

Event Day Fun:

• Paddleboard rentals available through Lake Region Paddle and Sunsports+
• Silent auction items –  bring cash or credit card!
• Paddleboard accessories and cool goodies raffle!
• Kids’ Race at 11 am in the cove!

Course Layout

Both courses will have beach starts on the east side of Highland Lake, at Tarry-A-While Resort beach. The starts will be staggered and there will be 2K and 5K triangular courses. Below is an interactive map of the courses:

Download a PDF of the course layout here

Event Venue

The 2022 Paddle Battle Maine Lakes Open Paddle Race will be held at beautiful Tarry-A-While Resort on the east side of Highland Lake in Bridgton. This picturesque resort has stunning views of Highland Lake and Pleasant Mountain and offers both privacy and large spaces for gathering.

Tarry-A-While Resort is located at 17 Tarry-A-While Road in Bridgton, Maine, which is across from the Highlands Country Club on Highland Road.