Bay Paddle fundraiser to cover the entire Chesapeake

90 paddlers recreate solo trek from 2020

Dorchester Banner
Posted 8/28/21

ANNAPOLIS — Chris Hopkinson, who last summer captured the attention of thousands of people nationwide when he became the first person to traverse the entire Chesapeake Bay by standup …

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Bay Paddle fundraiser to cover the entire Chesapeake

90 paddlers recreate solo trek from 2020

Posted

ANNAPOLIS — Chris Hopkinson, who last summer captured the attention of thousands of people nationwide when he became the first person to traverse the entire Chesapeake Bay by standup paddleboard, has expanded Bay Paddle as a multiteam paddle race benefiting both the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Chesapeake Conservancy.

Over 90 paddlers have registered to participate including a team of 30 teachers from Anne Arundel County Public Schools, a group of veterans from the Valhalla Sailing Project and all the Bay River Keepers from WaterKeepers Chesapeake.
In addition, 10 paddlers are making the 200-plus mile journey solo along the same route Hopkinson took in 2020.

The Bay Paddle started Friday, Aug. 27 in Havre de Grace with the first stop Haven Marina in Rock Hall. From there the team headed to Claiborne Landing. Early Sunday morning, paddlers left for Taylor’s Island, with a stop at Crocheron Landing.
At 9 a.m. Tuesday, the team started the 23-mile journey to Crisfield, then Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m. they leave Crisfield for the Harborton, Va., boat ramp on Pungoteague Creek, a distance of 24 miles.

From there the team on Thursday, Sept. 2 paddles 32 miles to Cape Charles, then on Friday, Sept. 3 they reach the Atlantic Ocean.
Last year, Mr. Hopkinson’s adventure was captured by a local film maker and turned into a documentary that aired this past April on Maryland Public Television.

Relay teams and solo paddlers will face wind, current and tides, using standup paddleboards, kayaks, outriggers, surf skis or other paddlecraft to cover the distance. Joining Mr. Hopkinson are Ward Slacum, executive director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Joel Dunn, president/CEO of Chesapeake Conservancy.

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