Hudson River Cup 10th Anniversary

By Ellison Smith, USA SUP Vice President

Photos Courtesy: Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse

The Hudson River Cup is a paddlecraft event that occurs over two days on the Jersey side of the Hudson River, under the shawdow of the Manhattan skyline. Saturday is reserved for long boats and Sunday is for small craft. For their 10th Anniversary, I wanted to help celebrate with the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse on this joyous occasion. I picked up my commerative gear and following registration, I reconvened with everyone I met during my first visit here in 2025. Then it was time for the Pule, a blessing using traditional chants to ask for protection over everyone involved in the day's proceedings.

One thing that differed from last year were the conditions, which I knew were highly likely to change. Previously it was an unusually smooth, easy ride on the river. This year contrasted sharply, but it wasn't anything I hadn't paddled in before. Switched out the Condor, which I keep installed most of the time, to the Blackfish Sprint to handle the chop with releative ease.

SUPs lined up behind the sit-down boats and we were off into the wind. My carbon wave deflector was effective in preventing my cockpit from being flooded. For SUPs the turnaround point was the Colgate Clock, a massive 50 foot tall landmark built in 1924 located near Exchange Place and the Goldman Sachs Tower. For others, it was the Statue of Liberty, making for some fantastic photos. Even on short rest, I was able to gain ground on the first leg. Over the second, there was a little push and I chose to stay close to the piers to paddle into any wakes. However, that proved to not be the fastest track as others made gains.

Approaching the final two piers, I got too close and hit a fishing line. The angry angler was not too happy but things happen, lol. At the last one before the finish, I took my third swim. Lost out on fourth overall as Adrian Concepcion and Oscar Hernandez overtook me. Jumping right back up, I knew there was still a chance to recover. Digging deep, I reclaimed one place from Oscar right at the death as Adrian got the flex on us both (see my previous post about the event for the photo finish). I came away with second in the open division. Little did I know then, that Oscar and I would share another close call in the sprints.

Part of the celebratory proceedings on this wondrous weekend were the addition of sprint races for the first time! Directed by Hobocobo Secretary Katelyn Chen with Max Balogh, all paddlecraft were invited to partake in this spectator friendly special feature. April Zilg took part in both the sit-down and stand-up competitions to showcase her skills. One-on-one, from the beach, around the big blue buoy ducks and back It was fast and furious as the incoming bumps broke on the beach.

Timing the step-back turn was a challenge in and of itself. My first round match-up pitted me against Justin Welsh on his new Flying Fish which he was still breaking in. Just as well, we got right down to it. The first attempt turning around the duck was a bit wobbly, and I managed to barely beat him back to the beach in a close call.

There was some time to rest and recover before drawing Oscar Hernandez with whom I shared a photo finish in the earlier 5 mile distance race. I knew I must execute the turn perfectly to beat his competent cadence. He was out in front approaching the duck and so I went for it this time, much more smoothly getting around it. After making up ground, we were even approaching the finish. Picking up the pace, he got the best of me in the end. No shame in losing out though in this gentlemanly match-up. I enjoyed watching him in third round and the rest of the competitors in this fun event. Many thanks to the volunteers who kept things running in quick fashion.