5th Annual Friends VINP Paddle the Park Happening Nov. 4

Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park is hosting its 5th Annual standup paddleboard event PADDLE THE PARK at beautiful Maho Bay Sunday, November 4th. Proceeds from the event go to support vital education and conservation programs in Virgin Islands National Park, such as Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection, Boater Safety and Awareness and School Kids in the Park to name a few.

There are three courses for the event – a short course, open course, and an elite course. The event also offers a youth competition category for the short course (12 years and younger). The Short Course (1 mile) goes from Maho Beach to the NPS floating fee station and back.

The Open Course (3 miles) from Maho Beach to Whistling Cay and back. The Elite Course (5.5 miles) from Maho Beach to Whistling Cay, then to and around Cinnamon Cay, back behind Whistling Cay and back to Maho. The different courses offered allow everyone to participate, no matter what your experience!

Rental boards are available at discounted rates for registered paddlers from Arawak Expeditions, VI Expedition Company, and VI EcoTours. Discounted accommodations are available for registered paddlers at St. John Inn, Gallows Point, 340 Real Estate and the Peter Bay Gatehouse.

Lunch is provided for registered paddlers by Northshore Deli, drinks by St. John Brewers. Plus, following the awards ceremony, there will be a free ‘sea turtle paddle’ led by Friends of the Park’s Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection program leader, Adren Anderson.

Come, join the fun and give back to your park in a meaningful way! To learn more about the event, see videos of the courses, and register online at www.friendsvinp.org/events/paddle.

Register over the phone by calling the Friends office at (340) 779-4940. In-person registration can be completed on St. John at Connections or the Friends of the Park Store at Mongoose. In-person registration can be completed on St. Thomas at Caribbean Surf Co. in Havensight or Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Contact Race Director Karen Jarvis at Kjarvis@Friendsvinp.org for more details, or to volunteer.