Elevating the Paddle Community:
The USA SUP Regional Race Series
by Linda McCoy, USA SUP Board President
For years, the SUP racing scene in the United States thrived in pockets of local excellence but lacked a cohesive national thread. With the formation of USA SUP and the launch of the Regional Race Series (RRS), that has officially changed. We are bridging the gap between local shores and national recognition, creating a unified ecosystem where every stroke counts toward a bigger goal.
A National Vision, Rooted in Local Tradition
The core mission of the USA SUP Regional Race Series is simple: enhance and promote, not replace. We recognize that local races are the heartbeat of the sport. Our goal is to boost attendance and visibility for these events by giving athletes a compelling reason to travel, compete, and represent their home waters.
Before USA SUP, there was no standardized way for a paddler in the Midwest to see how they stacked up against someone in the Southeast. Now, through our RRS rankings, that national-level competition is a reality.
Six Regions, One Community
To ensure broad accessibility, we have divided the map into six distinct regions:
Northwest (NW), North Central (NC), Northeast (NE)
Southwest (SW), South Central (SC), Southeast (SE)
While members are encouraged to dominate their home turf, the series is designed to reward the traveling spirit. Members can participate in races across any region to earn points. The logic is straightforward: the more you race, the better your chances of climbing the leaderboard.
How to Get Involved
To maintain the integrity of the rankings and provide maximum value to our community, there are a few simple requirements:
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For Athletes: You must be a registered USA SUP member on the day of the race to earn points toward the series. This ensures that the rankings reflect the dedication of our official community.
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For Race Directors: To be part of the series and have your results count toward the rankings, directors must join the RRS before their event takes place.
Race Directors can easily join the series by filling out this form.
If you're not a racer, yet - we encourage to find a group in your community and schedule a regular meetup. Try some fun races and build up your confidence to sign up for a race! SUP is a sport for everyone!
Perks of the Series
We believe in rewarding the effort that goes into organizing and competing in these events.
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For the Winners: At the end of the year, Regional Champions are honored with a prestigious regional jersey—a mark of excellence and a badge of honor within the community.
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For the Directors: USA SUP acts as a promotional engine. We highlight RRS races on our website and social channels to help drive registration. We also encourage directors to offer USA SUP members a registration discount, which we then promote on our "Partner Perks" page.
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Clearer Standards: We recently revamped our RRS rankings guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency. These updated guidelines are now published on our website for all to review.
Join the Movement
The Regional Race Series is about more than just points; it’s about growing the sport we love. By joining the series, race directors get access to a wider audience, and athletes get a chance to see their names at the top of a national leaderboard.
Visit the USA SUP website today to join as a member, register your race for the RRS, or check out the latest rankings.
We’ll see you on the water!
